TIME

SESSION

8:15-8:45 a.m.

Registration and Light Breakfast

8:45 a.m.

Welcome
Bill Longley, General Counsel, Texas Municipal League

8:50-9:40 a.m.

The Future of Texas: Securing Economic Prosperity
Texas 2036 will discuss the biggest trends facing our state and how Texas compares to other states across critical business-related performance indicators. With nearly 10 million more Texans living here by 2036, we need to ensure our people have the skills that employers seek; our health care, water, energy and digital infrastructure can support a thriving modern economy; and there is strong public confidence in our justice and safety systems. Learn how state leaders can leverage the unprecedented budget surplus and available federal funds during the upcoming legislative session and bring Texans together behind a plan that will ensure our cities and state are the best place to live and work for generations to come.

David W. Leebron, President and CEO, Texas 2036

9:45-10:40 a.m.

Planning for Your City’s Economic Development
Texas cities have a variety of tools available to support business growth, attract investment, and strengthen local economies. This session will provide an overview of the legal framework governing economic development activities, including key statutory requirements, available funding mechanisms, and practical considerations for using these tools effectively and in compliance with state law.
F – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for finance.

Amber McKeon-Mueller, Assistant Director of Legal Services, Texas Municipal League

10:40-10:50 a.m.

Stretch Break

10:50-11:50 a.m.

Type A and Type B Economic Development Corporations and City Councils  
A discussion of Type A and Type B economic development corporations, permissible expenditures, and the relationship between City Councils and the Corporations. This will include a discussion of permissible projects, process and procedures of EDCs, general authority EDCs, and the legal and practical relationship between EDCs and City Councils.
G – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for governance.

Charles Zech Partner, Denton, Navarro, Rocha, Bernal & Zech, P.C.

11:50 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Networking Lunch (lunch is included in conference registration fee)

1:00-1:45 p.m.

Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreements
Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code authorizes both home-rule and general law municipalities to provide incentives consisting of loans and grants of city funds, use of city personnel, facilities and services for economic development. In this session, Brandon Davis of Olson & Olson will discuss the legislative intent behind the adoption of the statute, establishment of programs to incentivize economic development, drafting 380 agreements, and potential municipal liability.
F – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for finance.

Brandon Davis, Olson & Olson

1:50-3:00 p.m.

Data Centers and Cities: Understanding the Opportunities, Impacts, and Tradeoffs
Few development issues are generating as much discussion and scrutiny today as data centers, presenting city leaders with complex questions about infrastructure capacity, resource demands, economic benefits, and long-term community impacts. This panel will provide a practical, fact-based look at what city officials need to know as data center proposals emerge in their communities. Panelists will explore common questions surrounding water and energy use, land use compatibility, infrastructure considerations, economic development potential, regulatory approaches, and lessons learned.

Speaker Information Coming Soon

3:00-3:15 p.m.

Stretch Break

3:15-4:30 p.m.

From Vision to Vibrancy: Building Walkable, Community-Driven Places
Cities across Texas are looking for ways to revitalize downtowns, attract investment, support local businesses, and create places where people want to live, work, and gather. Join Kevin Shepherd, Founder and CEO of Verdunity, and Monty Anderson, a nationally recognized developer and champion of incremental development, for a practical discussion on turning those goals into reality. Monty will share how community-driven development can transform underutilized spaces into thriving destinations, while Kevin will explore how cities can align land use, zoning, mobility, housing, infrastructure, and economic development policies to support walkable, mixed-use growth. Together, they will offer actionable strategies for building consensus, overcoming common barriers, and creating vibrant, economically resilient communities that reflect local values and priorities.

Kevin Shepherd, P.E., Founder & CEO, Verdunity; and Monte Anderson, President and CEO, Options Real Estate

TIME

SESSION

7:30-8:00 a.m.

Light Breakfast

8:00-8:55 a.m.

Downtown Revitalization: Engagement, Incentives, and Retail Recruitment
Communities across Texas are taking a fresh look at how to bring energy, investment, and the right tenant mix back to their downtowns. Join Aaron Farmer of The Retail Coach as we explore practical, real-world strategies that are working right now. You’ll hear how other cities are engaging stakeholders, aligning vision, and moving from planning to implementation. We will also discuss the importance of proactive recruitment of local, regional, and national retail and restaurant users to create a true destination corridor.

Aaron Farmer, President, The Retail Coach

9:00-10:00 a.m.

Use of Local Hotel Tax to Promote Tourism and Economic Development
Texas Hotel & Lodging Association CEO/Senior General Counsel Scott Joslove will discuss the state laws on how cities can legally use local hotel tax to promote tourism, hotel activity, and economic development in their communities. This interactive session will cover all 9 statutory uses of the local hotel tax as well as the two-part test for each hotel tax expenditure. Finally, Scott will cover the ability of Texas cities to create a Tourism Public Improvement District within their city to augment the funding available to their CVB to market and incentivize additional tourism and hotel activity.
F – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for finance.

Scott Joslove, CEO, Texas Hotel & Lodging Association

10:00-10:15 a.m.

Break

10:15-11:30 a.m.

2027 Legislative Outlook for Economic Development
Join policy experts for a forward-looking discussion of the issues beginning to emerge ahead of the 2027 Texas Legislative session that could impact economic development in Texas. Hear perspectives from Texas cities and the business community on potential challenges and opportunities, areas of shared interest, and where cities and businesses can work together to support economic growth. You’ll gain a better understanding of the legislative landscape and how state policy decisions could shape economic development in your community.
G – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for governance.

Rick Ramirez, Director of State and Federal Relations, Texas Municipal League; and Gabriela von zur Muehlen, Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer, Texas Association of Business