Robust Texas Tribune Festival Set For Launch

AUSTIN, TX — Each year, thousands flock to downtown Austin for the Texas Tribune Festival to attend one of the nation's most robust political gatherings and hear insights from influencers discussing a range of topics impacting society —national security, technology, immigration, healthcare, the environment and more.

This year will be no different, other than in sheer scale. The 2019 version of the festival is poised to feature its largest panel of speakers to date in its nine-year history, topping 400 among some 125 interactive panels.

The event takes place Thursday, Sept. 26, through Saturday, Sept. 28. Confirmed speakers include Julián Castro, 2020 Democratic candidate for president who previously served as mayor of San Antonio and HUD secretary under President Barack Obama; Susan Rice, former national security adviser and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; George F. Will, columnist for the Washington Post; U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat also seeking her party's presidential nomination; U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican lawmaker from Helotes, Texas; Alex Wagner, co-host of Showtime's "The Circus"; David Axelrod, director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and co-host of the "Hacks on Tap" podcast; William McRaven, former chancellor of the University of Texas System and former commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command; Mike Morath, the state's education commissioner; Betsy Price, mayor of Fort Worth, Texas; Eva Guzman, Texas Supreme Court justice; State Rep. Dan Huberty, a Republican from Houston who serves as chair of the House Public Education Committee; Cecile Richards, co-founder of Supermajority and former head of Planned Parenthood; and Nate Silver, founder and editor-in-chief of FiveThirtyEight.

The event will also include several big-name podcasters who will record episodes from the festival grounds. Full access to the event includes three full days of programming, networking opportunities and special receptions for $250. Texas Tribune members, students and educators are eligible for special discounts, with registration and discount information available at festival.texastribune.org.

In addition, the public is invited to enjoy Open Congress on Saturday, Sept. 28, a free street festival on Austin's historic Congress Avenue. Open Congress features conversations on politics and policy open to all Texas, and includes a series of free book signings, giveaways, and the first #TexanSince community mural, as well as live broadcast of Texas Standard.

For festival registration and a speakers and panel schedule, click HERE.