County Heritage Foundation reports growth in Laredo tourism programs, previews events and accessibility initiative

A representative of the County Heritage Foundation updated meeting participants on a year of expanded work with the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau, saying the partnership has produced new visitor materials, promotional programs and upcoming events.

The presenter, identified in the record as a representative of the County Heritage Foundation, said the foundation helped produce a self-guided walking tour (the “ghost walk”) that has been widely distributed and is now being expanded into a more detailed downtown map. “We are very, very happy to be working alongside you,” the presenter said.

Why it matters: the presentation outlined activities intended to boost museum visitation and downtown foot traffic, reach school groups, and support larger citywide celebrations. Several items noted could affect visitor experience, local retailers and event planning over the coming months.

Most immediately, the foundation said three penny-press souvenir machines have been funded and positioned around the community: one outside the museum, one at the airport and a third recently delivered to the museum. The presenter described the machines as affordable keepsakes aimed at school tours and budget-conscious visitors: “...they don't have to spend a lot of money on” souvenirs, the presenter said.

The foundation and the CVB are also coordinating on events. The presenter said staff are working on a living-history program that would bring actors to portray important local figures and historical events; organizers plan to start small with a few reenactors and expand if successful. The presenter said the reenactments are intended to tie into Caminarte events.

Founders' Day planning: the presenter said the city will support a kickoff on Plaza San Agustín, including a cake-cutting and photo opportunities; the presenter named Council member Melissa Siargroa as having raised the item at a council meeting and said the city's public information office would assist.

Accessibility and marketing efforts: representatives said they are preparing to announce local participation in the “Wheel of the World” accessibility certification (a program to highlight destinations that are accessible to people with disabilities) and that a press conference date will be set once details are finalized. The CVB representative also described recent marketing work: podcast episodes, social-media promotions, on-site engagement at Caminarte (including a prize wheel and visitor surveys) and international relations exchanges with sister cities.

Upcoming events: the presenter invited attendees to a museum-hosted movie night screening the 1997 Selena film with a look-alike contest and veterans in attendance; the screening was described as running from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The presenter said the foundation is also coordinating a coffee-tour pickup point for CVB promotions and continuing work on a local trail project described in the record as the “Pecal Trail.”

Operational notes: the presenter said the County Heritage Foundation’s on-staff team numbers three people and expressed appreciation for assistance from city staff and the CVB in expanding programs.

Meeting procedure: the meeting lost quorum near the end of the presentation, and the chair recorded the departure for the public record. No formal votes on the items described in the presentation were recorded in the transcript.

The presentation combined updates on tourism marketing, small capital additions (souvenir machines), event planning and an accessibility certification close to announcement; presenters asked staff and council liaisons to continue coordination on event logistics and publicity.