Thursday, April 23rd 

Pope Francis Center
264 Felisa St
San Antonio, TX 78210

• Opening Welcome
  Speaker: Michael Limas, Lyceum Class of 2025
• Dinner
• Welcome to San Antonio
  Speaker: Sukh Kaur, Councilwoman, Lyceum Class of 2026
• Welcome from the Industry
  Speaker: Dr Emily Williams Knight, Texas Restaurant Association and Texas Restaurant Foundation
• Fireside Chat 1: "Cultural Roots of Texas Hospitality"
  Moderator: Tam Hawkins, Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce, Lyceum Class of 2018
  Speakers:
• Chef Jorge Luis Hernandez, Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, Pullman Market
• Chef Mayank Istwal, Musaafer By The Spice Route Co.

Hospitality Suite at Sternewirth Bar 
Hotel Emma
136 E Grayson St,
San Antonio, TX 78215

Friday, April 24th

Boats Shuttle
Pick up: River access at Hotel Indigo behind Thompson

7:30 to 8:30 - Two barges will loop between Hotel Thompson and Hotel Emma - Each one can hold up to 35 people.

Thank to GO RIO and San Antonio River Authority, we are pleased to offer boat shuttle from The Thompson Hotel to Hotel Emma. Stable Hall is a 3 min walk from Hotel Emma.

Stable Hall
307 Pearl Pkwy,
San Antonio, TX 78215

Breakfast

• Welcome and Session Overview
  Speaker: Marina Gavito, Councilwoman, Lyceum Class of 2023
  

• Session 1: "Tacos, Culture, and the Texas Story"
  Moderator: Mando Rayo, Tacos of Texas Podcast and United Tacos of America
  Speakers:
• Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria
• Jose Ralat, Texas Monthly Taco Editor and Author of American Tacos: A History and Guide

• Fellow Session: "How Statewide Food Truck Reform Reshapes Culture, Power, and Opportunity in Texas"
  Speakers:
• Sam Hopper, LBJ School of Public Affairs, UT Austin
• Devarier Smith, LBJ School of Public Affairs, UT Austin

• Session 2: "Stirring the Pot: Proactive Policy for Texas' Culinary Scene"
  Moderator: Casandra Matej, Visit Orlando, Lyceum Class of 2017
  Speakers:
• Diego Bernal, Texas State Representative
• Chef Diego Galicia, Mixtli
• Kelsey Streufert, Texas Restaurant Association

• Session 3: "The Workforce Behind the Welcome:  How Labor Policies & Practices Shape Texas Hospitality"
  Moderator: Ray Flores, Port of San Antonio, Lyceum Class of 2018
  Speakers:
  • Catarina Bill, Southern Smoke Foundation
  • Nicola Blaque, The Jerk Shack and Freight Fried Chicken
  • John Russ, The Clementine Restaurant Group, LLC

• Texas Travel Alliance
  Speaker: Erika Boyd, Texas Travel Alliance

• "Deep Roots & Wide Horizon: The Past, Present and Future of Texas Wine"
  Speaker: Natalia Velikova, Texas Tech University

Excursions

• Pearl: Then, Now, Next - A living District Tour
  Walkable from Hotel Emma - Tour starts at 2:30pm
  Step into one of San Antonio’s most iconic transformations with an insider-led walking tour of Pearl. You will explore the energy and evolution of this historic district—where past, present, and future intersect. Along the way, you will hear the story of Pearl’s transformation, gain insight into what’s ahead, and, if available, enjoy an exclusive preview of the future Perlen House hotel. 
  
  
• Pullman Market 
  Walkable from Hotel Emma  - Tour starts at 2:30pm
  Step inside Pullman Market—a one-of-a-kind culinary destination where Texas hospitality, local sourcing, and storytelling converge. More than a market, Pullman is an immersive experience rooted in hyper-local food systems, whole-animal butchery, and community-based production. During this excursion, you will explore how what we grow, raise, and serve connects directly to broader policy questions—from supply chains and sustainability to access, labor, and economic development—while enjoying curated tastings and experiences that bring these ideas to life.
  
  
• ReRooted: Good Sense: Wine and Your Senses
  
  623 Hemisfair Blvd STE 106
  San Antonio, TX 78205
  Shuttle provided from Hotel Emma, departure at 2:30pm.
  Join Sommelier and CWE, Jen Beckmann, for a unique and experimental look at how wine affects each of your senses through hands-on sensory experiments. This brain bending format will change the way you interpret touch, sight, smell and audio while deciphering ‘taste’:
• Touch: Experimental tactile feel & taste with fabric swatches
• Sight: How do specific color saturations affect your perception from sweet to sour
• Audio: Will listening to varied styles of music create a change on your palate?
• Smell: How does the olfactory influence flavor
• Mental Imaging: Can visualization affect your ability to identify flavor
  
  
• RK Group - Behind The Scene Tour
  The RK Group HQ
  4039 I-10,
  San Antonio, TX 78219
  Shuttle provided from Hotel Emma, departure at 2:30pm. 
  Get ready for a behind‑the‑scenes adventure with The RK Group!
  Join us for an exclusive tour of The RK Group’s National Headquarters right here in San Antonio—where big ideas, bold flavors, and unforgettable events come to life. Founded in San Antonio over 80 years ago, The RK Group has grown into a national powerhouse in full‑service event hospitality, setting the standard across Texas and major U.S. markets. Now’s your chance to see how the magic happens.
  Sprawling across a 12.5 acre campus, this 156,000‑square‑foot Headquarters is packed with bustling warehouses, creative offices, and endless inspiration—offers an exciting, behind‑the‑curtain look at all things hospitality. From jaw‑dropping event builds to the logistics that make it all seamless, this tour is part insider access, part inspiration, and all fun. Come curious. Leave inspired. And don’t be surprised if you start planning your next event before the tour ends.

The Red Berry Estate
856 Gembler Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78219

Cocktail and Dinner
UTSA Cookbooks Presentation will be displayed

"Best in Texas H-E-B"

Moderator: Jenna Herrera, USAA, Lyceum Class of 2019
Speaker: Bill Anderson, H-E-B

"Michelin Guide and Tourism"

Moderator: Jonathan Fombonne, Harris County Attorney's Office, Lyceum Class of 2025
Speaker: Jorge Franz, Houston First

• Fireside Chat 2: "Recognized Culinary Success in Texas"
  Moderator: Michael Limas, Ramblas Hospitality Group/Michael J. Limas & Associates, Class of Lyceum 2025
  Speaker: Sylvia Casares, Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen

Shuttle departure

Hospitality Suite at the Aleteo Bar
The Monarch Hotel
222 Alamo St
San Antonio, TX 78205

12:00 P.M.

Shuttle back to Hotel Emma and Thompson Hotel

Saturday 25th, April

6:00 P.M.

Add on Event - Limited Ticket Purchases Available

• Flambeau Parade
  Experience the magic of the Flambeau Parade in San Antonio—an iconic nighttime celebration filled with dazzling illuminated floats, vibrant performances, and festive energy. 
  As part of our conference extension, this exclusive opportunity allows you to immerse yourself in one of Texas’ most memorable cultural events.
  You will enjoy premium access in private parade viewing area, ensuring comfort - the cost is $50 per person.
  This curated experience is designed to foster connection, celebration, and lasting impressions beyond the conference setting. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this extraordinary San Antonio tradition.