Joel, director of the Victoria Convention & Visitors Bureau, presented the CVB’s annual report, highlighting the city’s bicentennial events, a new tourism brand, and a successful Tejas Fest that staff said attracted large attendance and visitation from outside the region.

Bicentennial and events: Joel said the bicentennial programming — including a New Year’s Eve "blast off," historical trolley tours, a Bicentennial Ball and an April 13 community celebration — drew strong local response. He noted a historical street name signage rollout and that the community carriage donation and other displays had broad engagement.

Tejas Fest and visitation: Staff said Tejas Fest produced a weekend attendance estimate they placed between 10,000 and 15,000 over two days and that Datify analytics showed more than 29,500 visitors from outside a 50‑mile radius that weekend. Event vendors reported strong sales and many asked to return.

Branding and visitor services: The CVB launched a new tourism brand ("Discover Victoria" with the tagline emphasizing local roots) and refreshed digital assets, visitor guides and a new visitor center transaction window at 700 Main. Joel said website traffic topped about 160,000 visits for the year. The CVB will pilot expanded visitor center hours (Thursday–Friday evenings and Saturdays) and hold a grand opening for the updated visitor center in early February.

Challenges: Joel cited a small CVB staff, aging interpretive displays and wayfinding signage, and uneven hotel and business engagement in promotions as ongoing constraints. He proposed working with hoteliers on a lodging association and exploring a short‑term rental registration program, noting the CVB and city will proceed cautiously on STR policy.

Why it matters: Tourism and events drive hotel room nights and local spending. The CVB reported strong organic website traffic and success with event programming but said sustained gains will require staff capacity and improved engagement from hoteliers and business partners.

Attribution: Report and quoted figures are drawn from CVB Director Joel and staff references in the meeting transcript.