Texian Rally 2022
NOVEMBER 8 - 9, 2022
Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum
302 N Esplanade St.
CUERO, TEXAS
The Texian Rally Workshop is for anyone interested in creating advocacy, boosting attendance, and promoting their heritage and cultural tourism resources.
November 8
Lunch, Pre-Rally Tours & Happy Hour - only Workshop attendees may attend
12:30 p.m. LUNCH - Cuero Pecan House Cafe (hosted by Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum)
2:00 p.m. WALKING TOUR - (start Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum) Cuero Chamber of Commerce, The Pharmacy & Medical Museum of Cuero, 1889 Historic Heaton Bros Pharmacy building.
3:00 p.m. TOUR - historic Dewitt County Courthouse
3:45 p.m. TOURS - Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, Restored English German School, and Proctor Green House
5:00 p.m. HAPPY HOUR & NETWORKING (sponsored by Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum)
6:30 p.m. DINNER - La Bell Tavola (Dutch Treat)
November 9
Texian Rally Workshop
8:30 a.m. Registration (coffee and snacks)
9:00 a.m. WELCOME Cuero Mayor Sara Meyer, Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum (CTHM) Board Chairman Robert Oliver, and TITR Executive Director Seneca McAdams
9:15 a.m. What you Need to Know About the Texas Historic Commission, Mark Wolfe, Executive Director, Texas Heritage Commission
10:00 a.m. "The Journey of Establishing the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum," Economic Development and Strategic Planning, CTHM Board Chairman Robert Oliver
11:30 a.m. Texas Independence Trail Region Awards Ceremony
Noon LUNCH AND NETWORKING
1:00 p.m. "Happy Centennial Birthday, Texas Parks!" Aaron Friar, Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.
1:50 p.m. "Everyone is NOT Your Customer! Using the TITR's Visitor Profile to Grow Your Audience." Sarah Page, Texas Historic Commission
2:40 p.m. SNACK BREAK - Can you say "Cowboy Cookies!"
3:00 p.m. "Heritage Tourism Needs Social Media Love, Too!" Myra Salinas, Seguin Main Street & CVB
3:45 p.m. CLOSING REMARKS
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Mark Wolfe, Executive Director,
Texas Historical Commission
Mark Wolfe practiced law in Oregon for several years before moving to Vermont to get a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation. He worked for the City of Deadwood, South Dakota as City Planner and Historic Preservation Officer for six years, and then moved to Colorado where he spent 12 years managing the State Historical Fund, the nation’s largest state-based general grants program for historic preservation. For nine of those years he also served as Colorado’s Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer.
He relocated to Austin in August of 2008 to work for the Texas Historical Commission, and became the agency’s Executive Director and State Historic Preservation Officer in September of 2009. He served as President of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO), the professional association of State government officials who carry out the national historic preservation program as delegates of the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. In that capacity he sat as a member of the board of directors of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the federal agency that advises the President and Congress on matters related to historic preservation. He continues to serve on the NCSHPO executive committee, and teaches historic preservation law at the University of Texas.
Robert Oliver, Chairman, Board of Directors,
Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum (CTHM)
Aaron Friar, Special Assistant to the State Park Director, Texas State Parks
A native to south Austin, Aaron grew up exploring the creeks, lakes, parks and trails of the Texas hill country. He fell in love with the outdoors at a young age, and quickly realized the importance of natural resource conservation.
Aaron studied outdoor recreation management at Stephen F. Austin State University and has worked for parks in every corner of the United States. His professional experience includes building trails in remote wilderness areas, developing nature tourism strategies, promoting the Texas State Park system, and assisting communities throughout Texas acquire and develop public parkland.
He has a passion for finding solutions to complex issues involving park operations, land management decisions, and stakeholder interests. He has experience working with legislators, federal, state, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, universities, and volunteers to advance the field of conservation and outdoor recreation in Texas.
Aaron recently married his best friend Blaire. They love to travel and are deeply rooted in the tourism industry in Texas. When they are not hitting the road, they enjoy working on their 15-acre farm in Caldwell County where they grow pecans, pears, all types of vegetables, and a variety of flowers for the bees. They are expecting their first child in March of 2023, and are looking forward to experiencing the journey of parenthood.
Sarah Page, Heritage Tourism Program Coordinator,
Texas Historical Commission
Sarah Page is a seeker of experiences; a people connector, and a 32-year Texas tourism industry professional. She got her start in 1990 with a degree in Tourism from Texas A&M University. From there, she embarked on a career based on public service in her many tourism roles along the way. Currently, Sarah is the Heritage Tourism Program Coordinator for the Texas Historical Commission where she leads the team’s capacity-building and experience development efforts and the award-winning Texas Heritage Trails Program.
Sarah is very active in tourism and economic development efforts and has served on several boards, commissions, and committees. Her professional memberships include the Texas Travel Alliance and the Texas Downtown Association.
Sarah is a new empty-nester with two kids in college and is enjoying testing new recipes, trying out local restaurants and watering holes, and finding creative ways to annoy her husband now that her kids aren’t around to annoy.
Myra Salinas
Seguin Convention and Visitors Bureau
Myra is originally from San Antonio. She moved to Seguin in 2011. Myra’s background includes over 20 years in the hospitality industry. Myra has worked for the programs of Hospitality, Meeting & Event Planning, and Travel & Tourism departments. She has an associate’s degree in Tourism Management from St. Philips College and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marketing from University of the Incarnate Word.
She spent 6 years in hospitality management before becoming a Tourism Assistant for the Seguin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Specialties include planning events, conferences, event marketing, tours, trade shows and promoting Seguin.
Myra enjoys the fast pace of events and the travels they take her on.
Outside of the office, she is committed to her husband, David, and three kids, Noah, Sophia, and Matthew.