by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

05-15-25

   The Uvalde Hesperian spoke with the City of Uvalde’s Director of Planning Susan Anderson about the City’s plans on managing the town’s tourism efforts with Hotel Motel Tax Monies collected by local lodging businesses. \

  According to Anderson, at Tuesday’s Uvalde City Council meeting, the City Council voted to approve a plan where several City officials and managers including Opera House Manager Caitlin Visel, Main Street Uvalde Manager Gloria Resma, and several other City staff members will form a committee to manage the marketing and public relations of the town utilizing HOT Tax monies. As part of the new plan, the City will hire an additional tourism marketing person to join the team. 

   Anderson said in the past, the City has managed and directed tourism in-house and then over time contracted the City’s marketing and tourism to non-profit organizations like the Uvalde Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Uvalde Chamber of Commerce.

   She said shortly after Uvalde Chamber of Commerce President John Yeackle gave notice to City Council his intent to not renew the Chamber’s agreement with the City to manage the municipal tourism with the use of HOT Tax monies, City officials began discussing plans to bring the task in-house.  She mentioned Yeackle left a marketing plan for the City, and indicated it is being followed.

  Anderson said the Opera House Manager Caitlin Visel has already been promoting the Opera House events and Main Street Uvalde Manager Gloria Resma has been involved with its promotions. Anderson also mentioned the Briscoe Garner Museum as a possible partnering organization she hopes to partner with in promoting the City.

  Susan mentioned there are 3 tourism related conferences the City is already planning on attending and the team is also preparing for the Hunter’s Round-Up this fall and the Texas Travel Alliance event in October.

Main Street Uvalde /Civic Center Offices and Chamber of Commerce to swap office locations

   With a 120-day transition period coming to an end soon, Main Street Uvalde Manager Gloria Resma indicted their planned office move is still on schedule: 

  “We move on Tuesday, May 27. My office will be closed on May 23 and May 26-28, but I will still be able to take phone calls and emails. It just will be the physical office that is closed,” Resma said.

   See related article published in the Uvalde Hesperian:

Uvalde Chamber of Commerce already planning move back to its North Getty Street property – Uvalde Hesperian