AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Follow up on City Council direction regarding advertising of the San Marcos River, and provide direction to the City Manager.
Body
Meeting date: August 5, 2026
Department: Destination Services, City Manager's Office
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: n/a
Account or Project Number (C = CIP funds): n/a
Funds Available: n/a
Account Name: n/a
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Click or tap here to enter text.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Quality of Life & Sense of Place
Environmental Protection
Economic Vitality
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
? Arts and Culture - Choose an item.
? Economic Development - Choose an item.
? Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
? Housing + Neighborhoods - Choose an item.
? Land Use + Community Design and Character - Choose an item.
? Parks & Public Spaces + Health, Safety & Wellness - Choose an item.
? Transportation - Choose an item.
? Core Services
? Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
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Background Information:
Tourism marketing successfully increased the volume of visitors to San Marcos and the San Marcos River.
2015 Post-Flood Response
* The Convention and Visitor Bureau increased advertising across all regional markets, including Austin, to maintain awareness of post-flood recovery. "San Marcos is Open."
* Additional paid advertising led to the Lions Club best year on record and hotel occupancy outperformed dismal projections.
* The unintended advertising consequence was the overcrowding on the river and river front parkland.
Marketing Adjustments
* We transitioned away from paid tubing advertising.
* Promoted alternative water recreation activities including stand-up paddleboarding.
* Used the websites as the source of truth to educate the publ...
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