Our Sponsors
The Texas Tribune invites all who share a passion for a better Texas to come engage with our growing, forward-thinking community of business, legislative and policy leaders at the fifth annual Texas Tribune Festival. We are excited to welcome a select number of premier sponsors and supporters to participate in the Festival as partners.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the 2015 Texas Tribune Festival, please contact April Hinkle.
Presenting Sponsor
Celebrating 40 years of doing business in Texas, Walmart is proud to be the state's largest private employer with nearly 170,000 Texas associates and 574 stores. Walmart spent more than $57 billion with Texas-based suppliers in 2014, supporting an additional 143,000 Texas jobs. At the heart of Walmart’s culture is our commitment to serving the needs of our customers and the communities we call home. In 2014, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation contributed more than $119 million to support programs such as hunger relief and healthy eating, assistance for veterans and military families, sustainability initiatives, career development and women’s economic empowerment in Texas.
Major Sponsors
Representing North America’s leading independent natural gas exploration and production companies, America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) works with industry, government and customer stakeholders to promote increased demand for and continued availability of our nation’s abundant natural gas resource for a cleaner and more secure energy future.
The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) is committed to making a difference in the future of Texas public education. With more than 100,000 members, ATPE is the largest independent education association for Texas public school employees. The organization strives to provide every child an equal opportunity to receive an exemplary public education.
AT&T brings it all together, from an industry leading smartphone portfolio to next-generation home automation services and sophisticated solutions for multi-national businesses. For more than a century, AT&T has provided innovative, reliable, high-quality products and services and excellent customer care.
The largest not-for-profit health care system in Texas, Baylor Scott & White Health was born from the 2013 combination of Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare. Known for exceptional patient care for more than a century, the two organizations serve adjacent regions of Texas and operate on a foundation of complementary values and similar missions.
The Beer Alliance of Texas is a trade association representing beer distributors from the coastal region to the panhandle, far West Texas to the Valley.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas, serving 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
CenterPoint Energy, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and energy services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. With more than 7,400 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 140 years.
CPS Energy is the nation’s largest municipally owned energy utility providing both natural gas and electric service. Acquired by the City of San Antonio in 1942, today CPS Energy serves more than 741,000 electric customers and 331,000 natural gas customers in and around the seventh-largest city in the nation.
In the United States, Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries have 57,000 professionals with a single focus: serving clients and helping them solve their toughest problems. Deloitte LLP works in four key business areas — audit, financial advisory, tax and consulting — but their real strength comes from combining the talents of those groups to address clients’ needs.
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance (DHR) is a 530-bed physician-owned health system that offers some of the most comprehensive medical care on the U.S. Southern Border. From general acute care services and graduate medical education to wellness and preventative health programs, at DHR over 600 physicians and more than 1,000 nurses dedicate themselves to offering a full continuum of care in over 55 different sub-specialties.
Emerus, an innovative leader in the delivery of emergency, inpatient and diagnostic health care, is no longer the best-kept secret in Texas. Nationally renowned for it’s ability to successfully develop and manage a new model of public-private lead health care facilities, the Emerus Platform is leading the evolution of tomorrow’s health care.
At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education, as well as conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually.
ExxonMobil is the world’s largest publicly traded international oil and gas company. We are the world’s largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and our chemical company ranks among the world’s largest. We apply science and innovation to find better, safer and cleaner ways to deliver the energy the world needs.
Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.
Houston-based Gulf States Toyota is one of the world’s largest independent distributors of Toyota and Scion vehicles and parts, serving 157 dealers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Founded in 1969, Gulf States Toyota is part of The Friedkin Group led by CEO Dan Friedkin.
The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation supports programs and activities that will result in an increased understanding by the public of the benefits of individual freedom and civic and personal responsibility, and the corresponding threat to liberty posed by a lack of informed, active participation by citizens at all levels of government.
H-E-B operates 350 stores in Texas and Mexico. The company is recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. It strives to provide the best customer experience at everyday low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 80,000 partners.
Hill+Knowlton Strategies is a leading global strategic communications consultancy, providing services to local and multinational clients worldwide. A trusted adviser to clients, we develop and execute communications campaigns and business strategies to manage the impact of the public on an organization’s reputation, brand and bottom line.
IBC (NASDAQ: IBOC) is a multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo,
Texas, with 210 facilities and more than 320 ATMs serving 88 communities in Texas and
Oklahoma. MEMBER FDIC/INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The company supplies U.S. and allied military forces with leading combat aircraft, tactical and strategic airlift, special mission aircraft, and global sustainment programs.
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation committed to increasing the proportion of Americans with high-quality degrees, certificates and other credentials to 60 percent by 2025. Lumina’s outcomes-based approach focuses on helping to design and build an accessible, responsive and accountable higher education system while fostering a national sense of urgency for action to achieve Goal 2025.
A nonpartisan nonprofit organization, Texas State of Mind identifies and encourages implementation of mental health policies and practices so Texans get help when and where they need it. An initiative of Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, TSOM finds best practices, explores promising approaches and analyzes issues toward efficient and effective mental health care.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical, dental and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is "Serving Humanity to Honor God" by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church.
The Monument Group, LLC, established in 2008, is an Austin-based business advisory and public affairs communications consultancy. The Monument Group provides select clients with public affairs/government relations strategy, business intelligence, corporate positioning, advocacy communications, coalition and grassroots issues management, media services and procurement advice.
NRG Energy is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy by developing cleaner and smarter energy choices: whether as one of the largest solar power developers in the country, or by building the first privately funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure or by giving customers the latest smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use.
As the world’s leading learning company, Pearson’s mission is to improve lives through learning. We are driven by our efficacy commitment—to make a measurable impact on learning outcomes. By combining our deep experience in education and creating engaging content with innovative technologies and digital delivery, we partner with institutions and faculty to help people learn and teach more effectively.
Postano is the ultimate set of social media tools for brands, whether for customer engagement, event marketing, or anything else you might dream of.
Raise Your Hand Texas advances public education by igniting fiercely innovative leadership and advocacy for our state’s 5 million+ students.
Shweiki Media Printing Company specializes in magazines, catalogs, direct mail, brochures, flyers, visitors guides, calendars, maps and more. Operating as a publisher for the last 25 years gives Shweiki Media (Deemed "The Best Purveyors of Gloss" From The Austin Chronicle in 2013), the competitive advantage to know what you need to be successful.
Internationally renowned for its music, film and interactive technology industry conferences and festivals, South by Southwest now produces acclaimed events for professionals in the fields of education (SXSWedu), sustainability (SXSW ECO) and venture capital entrepreneurism (SXSW V2V). Since 1987, the SXSW brand has a hallmark for events that celebrate the marketplace of ideas and commerce.
In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary customer service delivered by more than 47,000 employees to more than 100 million customers annually. Southwest operates more than 3,600 flights a day, serving 94 destinations across the United States and six additional countries.
The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto, home and individual life insurance in the United States. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm is ranked No. 41 on the 2015 Fortune 500 list of largest companies.
St. David's Foundation invests in a healthy community through funding, hard work, and initiatives to better care for the underserved and uninsured in Central Texas. We help people in every corner of the community through our signature programs and collaborations with more than 60 nonprofit partners.
St. David’s HealthCare (SDH)—one of the largest hospital systems in Texas—is a unique partnership between St. David’s Foundation, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and Georgetown Health Foundation. With locations throughout Central Texas, SDH operates six hospitals, six ambulatory surgery centers, four free-standing emergency departments, four urgent care clinics, rehabilitation facilities and numerous physician practices.
Teladoc’s U.S. board-certified doctors can resolve many of your medical issues, 24/7/365, via phone or online video consults from wherever you happen to be. It’s health care on your terms – simple as that.
The A&M System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies, two service units and a comprehensive health science center, the A&M System educates more than 131,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year.
Texas Central Partners (Texas Central) is a private company bringing a transformational project to Texas that advances the economy, respects Texan values and keeps our state on track for future growth. Texas Central is developing a new high-speed passenger rail system that will connect Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston using a proven, world-class technology that will provide a travel time of less than 90 minutes.
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in 150 countries.
The University of Texas at Austin is a world-class research community tackling society’s greatest issues. With students from every state and more than 100 countries, UT is creating the next generation of leaders who will make an impact in Texas and around the world.
Toyota is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through its Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we have built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants and directly employ more than 40,000 people. @Toyota
USAA proudly serves millions of military members and their families with competitive rates on insurance, banking and investment services.
UT Southwestern is an academic medical center, world-renowned for its research, widely respected for its teaching and training, and highly regarded for the quality of clinical care its faculty provides to patients at UT Southwestern University Hospitals & Clinics and its affiliated hospitals.
Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries, is an international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels, petrochemical products and power. Valero subsidiaries employ approximately 10,000 people, and assets include 15 petroleum refineries, 11 ethanol plants, and a 50-megawatt wind farm. Valero is a Fortune 500 company based in San Antonio.
Zachry Group is America's pace-setter in turnkey construction, engineering, maintenance, turnaround and fabrication services to the power, energy, chemicals, manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Supporting Sponsors
AAA Texas works every day to exceed its members’ expectations by offering exceptional service when and where they need it. Services to members include emergency roadside assistance, maps and trip planning tools, home and renter insurance, life insurance and annuities, traffic safety programs, car buying and maintenance resources and a wide array of other member benefits.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, including more than 2 million in Texas. AARP helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse.
The Annette Strauss Institute envisions a democracy where all citizens are informed, vote, and are actively involved in improving their communities. Through nonpartisan research, education, and outreach, the Institute seeks to understand and overcome obstacles to civic engagement.
Comcast NBCUniversal shapes the future at the intersection of media and technology. We create world-class experiences that people love and trust and drive innovation that builds value. We bring millions TV and Internet, entertainment, sports and news, communications and home management, theme parks, television and movies. Comcast NBCUniversal brings to life the best of what’s to come.
The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation is a mission‐driven grantmaking foundation that seeks innovative, sustainable solutions for human and environmental problems. The foundation works as an engine of change in both policy and practice in Texas, supporting high-impact projects at the nexus of environmental protection, social equity and economic vibrancy.
A leading catalyst for progress, Educate Texas, a public-private initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas, is an innovative alliance of public and private groups that share a common goal: strengthening the public education system so that every Texas student is prepared for success in school, in the workforce and in life.
Greater Texas Foundation supports efforts to ensure all Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in, and complete postsecondary education. We put particular focus on helping underserved and disadvantaged populations. We pursue our mission by forming partnerships, supporting research, sharing knowledge, and making grants.
For offices with staffs large or small, Greater Texas Water exclusively distributes water distillers that provide pure, safe and more affordable drinking water, without the hassle of bottles. Distilled water systems mean significant savings, often cutting an office's water expenses in half when compared with the cost of renting bottles plus coolers.
Harmony Public Schools are high performing K-12 college preparatory charter schools focusing on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). For more than a decade, their schools have provided students from under-served communities the opportunity to excel in their studies in a small classroom environment focused on providing the skills they need to succeed in life.
The mission of Houston First Corporation is to enhance quality of life, advance economic prosperity and promote the Houston region by inspiring:
The world to think Houston first; Houstonians to believe in Houston first; and, Houston to deliver first class hospitality.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is committing $250 million for workforce training as part of its New Skills at Work initiative, the largest ever private-sector effort aimed at addressing the skills gap that exists across our state and nation. The effort will unite industry groups, the public sector, academic institutions and other workforce training partners who will collaborate to equip local students with skills they need for jobs that are readily available in Texas and across the nation.
Inspired by President Lyndon B. Johnson's vision, the LBJ School of Public Affairs engages in contemporary public policy challenges–sustainability, security, development, diversity, effective governance and public accountability, among others–through rigorous graduate degree programs and innovative policy research.
Whether you’re navigating the complexities of a merger or litigating a bet-the-company lawsuit, dealing with a crisis or influencing lawmakers, the clock is always ticking. We understand what you’re facing because we’ve been there, we share your sense of urgency, and we know what it takes to win. We act with the urgency of now because today's challenges do not wait for the uncertainty of tomorrow.
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment aims to develop and promote programs, research and techniques for ensuring sustainable water resources for human needs, ecosystem health and economic development.
The Meadows Foundation strives to exemplify the principles of its founder in addressing basic human needs by working toward the elimination of ignorance, hopelessness and suffering, protecting the environment, providing cultural enrichment, encouraging excellence and promoting understanding and cooperation among people.
Founded at Northwestern University in 1921, Medill offers a Master of Science in Journalism program featuring new techniques that are essential to thrive in today's digital world. As the media industry evolves, Medill leads the way in training a new generation of multimedia journalists who are not only thriving in this new media landscape, but are also helping to shape it.
Founded on family values, tradition and romance, Messina Hof is the most awarded and renowned Texas wine in national and international competitions. Messina Hof has locations in Bryan/College Station, Fredericksburg and Grapevine Texas and hosts a variety of events, including an annual, public Harvest Festival.
The Nature Conservancy works across Texas to conserve and protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. Their on-the-ground conservation work is guided by science and propelled by partnerships, striving to create a broad coalition of people who understand a simple truth: conservation makes people’s lives better.
The Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and empowering educators and parents to meet the unique social, emotional and intellectual needs of gifted and talented students. TAGT provides more than 3,000 engaged members a forum for exchanging ideas and information about the education of gifted learners through innovative and relevant programs.
Representing 100,000 real estate professionals, the Texas Association of REALTORS® promotes and protects private property rights and works to strengthen the real estate market--a key driver of the state's economy
The Texas Exes, the alumni association for the University of Texas, was founded in 1885. The core purpose of the Texas Exes is to formally organize alumni and friends of the University of Texas at Austin to be its champions and advance its interests. Today there are more than 103,000 members.
The University of Texas Press, founded in 1950, is a scholarly publisher whose mission is to advance and disseminate knowledge through the publication of books, journals and electronic media. It also has a special obligation to the people of Texas to publish authoritative and informative books on the state and region.
The University Co-op is a not-for-profit corporation owned by the students, faculty and staff of the University of Texas at Austin. During the last 15 years the Co-op has given almost all of the UT schools and colleges major grants for capital and other long-term projects, such as student lounges, career centers, computer laboratories, etc. Since the year 2000, the University Co-op has given over 33 million dollars back to UT in the form of gifts, grants and rebates.
Upbring, the new Lutheran Social Services of the South, is a 134 year-old nonprofit organization with a rich legacy of serving vulnerable people across Texas. Its mission is to break the cycle of child abuse by empowering children, families and communities. Upbring serves more than 30,000 people annually and provides innovative programs and services for children including foster care, adoption, education, residential treatment and community services. Join us at Upbring.org.
Vianovo is a boutique management consultancy that works at the intersection of business, policy and politics. We help companies and causes position their brands, win public policy debates, navigate crises and develop new business.
Media Partners
CultureMap is your source for local lifestyle news. We report on the things that matter to you most, like where to eat and what to do. You're going to love our daily updates on how to make the most of living in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, as well as fun tidbits about what's happening around Texas.
Houston Public Media provides high quality local, regional, and national content through a multi-media platform that includes TV 8, News 88.7 and Classical 91.7. Focused on the areas of news and information, arts and culture, and education, Houston Public Media strives to engage audiences with unprecedented access to the content that is meaningful to them – on air, online, at home and everywhere they go.
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, presents quality content that engages people in the exchange of ideas, the expression of the arts and lifelong learning opportunities. In addition to providing locally produced and quality national television programming, KLRU is also a non-profit organization helping to build a stronger community through educational workshops, community engagement projects and public events.
KXAN News is dedicated to serving the community by delivering in-depth, investigative coverage of issues and events affecting the lives of Central Texans. KXAN is the top-rated local source of news and weather on-air and online.
The Marfa Public Radio network serves West Texas with NPR programs, regional news, daily interview shows, and original music and culture. This year, its news department won 7 regional Murrow Awards. Through its family of frequencies in Marfa, Alpine, Marathon, and Odessa-Midland, the Marfa Public Radio network has a coverage area the size of South Carolina.
Since 1973, Texas Monthly has chronicled life in contemporary Texas, reporting on vital issues such as politics, the environment, industry and education. As a leisure guide, Texas Monthly continues to be the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering music, the arts, travel, restaurants, museums and cultural events with its insightful recommendations.
Texas Standard, the national daily news show of Texas, is setting a new bar for broadcast news coverage, offering crisp, up-to-the-moment coverage of politics, lifestyle and culture, the environment, technology and innovation, and business and the economy — from a Texas perspective — and uncovering stories as they happen and spotting the trends that will shape tomorrow’s headlines. Heard on 23 public radio stations across the state.
The Washington Post is an award-winning news leader. It combines world-class journalism with the latest technology and tools so readers can engage with The Post anytime, anywhere.
Univision Communications Inc. is the leading media company serving Hispanic America. The Company, a leading content creator in the U.S., has 16 broadcast, cable and digital networks; 62 television stations; 68 radio stations; and an array of online and mobile apps and products.