February Newsletter ALHI

February Newsletter

AS WE LOOK BACK ON THE PAST MONTH AND AHEAD TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES, WE WANT TO BEGIN BY EXPRESSING OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THE PARTNERSHIP AND DEDICATION OF THE ALHI TEAM.

Your advocacy for Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in the luxury meetings and incentive marketplace continues to create meaningful momentum for our resort.

In this edition, we are sharing recent highlights, key updates, and important need periods where your support can make an immediate impact. Thank you for the collaboration, communication, and strategic focus you bring to our partnership — it truly makes a difference. We are excited about what we can accomplish together in the months ahead.

What’s Happening at OBC.

FUN & FAMILY‑FRIENDLY PROGRAMMING

From art-and-history tours walking through the resort’s collection of Texas-inspired artwork to miniature golf, game lounge access, and seasonal crafts, there’s something for every guest — couples, families, and solo visitors alike.

LIVE MUSIC & RELAXED EVENINGS

The resort continues to schedule laid-back music nights, lounging experiences, and signature happy hour offerings at venues like the resort’s lobby lounge and dining outlets — ideal for a night out without leaving the resort.

GENERATION CUP

March

21, 2026

A year-long celebration of golf, family and competition, The Generation Cup is a first-of-its-kind tournament that offers golfers across the country a family-focused event series for players of all ages and skill levels. Joining forces with the PGA of America, The Generation Cup aims to grow the game by bringing together golfers of all generations.

During the Omni Generation Cup, qualifiers will be hosted at each Omni Golf destination, for a total of 12 events across the country. At each qualifier, teams of two will compete to advance to the National Championship. Who can participate? Anyone within your family that is part of a generation. The event format is a two-person modified best ball, scramble. The top gross and net teams from each division will advance to the National Championship. The cost to participate in a qualifying event is $250/team for Omni club members and PGA Professionals and $350/team for all other entrants.

*USGA handicap required

BARTON CREEK LIVE: LITTLE TEXAS

May 22, 2026

Kick off Memorial Day weekend with Barton Creek Live, our signature concert series, featuring Little Texas — a cornerstone of ’90s country known for their signature harmonies and hit songs, including “God Blessed Texas.” Exclusive to resort guests and Barton Creek Country Club members.

BARTON FEST

May 24, 2026

Barton Fest is an open-air celebration of local Austin culture, bringing artisan vendors, interactive activities, gourmet bites, and live music to the Texas Hill Country. The festival is free to attend and open to the public, with food and drink tickets available for pre-purchase.

SMOKE: A CELEBRATION OF FIRE & FLAVOR

June 19 & 20, 2026

The second annual SMOKE: A Celebration of Fire & Flavor returns over Father’s Day weekend for a two-day barbecue experience celebrating bold flavors and legendary pitmasters. Expanding on last year’s Texas vs. Oklahoma rivalry, this year welcomes Alabama into the mix, bringing together top chefs, pitmasters, and tastemakers from three iconic barbecue states. Guests can enjoy tastings, craft beverages, live music by Georgia-bred country artist Channing Wilson, and a head-to-head barbecue showdown — all culminating in an epic fireworks finale.

GOOD GOOD CHAMPIONSHIP

November 9 – 15, 2026

FAZIO CANYONS GOLF COURSE

The Good Good Championship will ride into Austin, Texas in November 2026, bringing PGA TOUR excitement to the stunning Omni Barton Creek Fazio Canyons Golf Course. Set amidst the landscape of the Texas Hill Country, this official FedEx Fall event will feature world-class golf, a 120player field and 500 FedEx Cup points awarded to the winner.

What’s Happening in Austin.

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (SXSW)

Austin’s world-renowned annual festival and conference held each March, bringing together music, film, technology, and culture. The multi-day event features live performances, film screenings, keynote speakers, panels, exhibitions, and immersive experiences, attracting artists, innovators, industry leaders, and visitors from around the globe. SXSW is one of Austin’s largest and most influential events, transforming the city into a hub of creativity and ideas. March 12–18, 2026

NASCAR AT COTA

March 12-18, 2026

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) will welcome race fans this spring when NASCAR returns to Austin, courtesy of Speedway Motorsports. Experience another unforgettable race weekend with the running of the NASCAR Cup Series, O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge at COTA.

RODEO AUSTIN

March 18-28, 2026

Over the years, Rodeo Austin has grown from a show featuring 16 animals into one of Austin's premier events, featuring Pro rodeo events, daily concerts, livestock show and more.

ABC KITE FEST

April 11, 2026

Now in its 98th year and back home in Zilker Park, the 2026 ABC Kite Fest continues its mission of fostering childhood creativity. The can’t-miss festival brings Austinites together to fly colorful kites, try delicious bites from Austin’s local food scene, and enjoy a children’s concert and pet-friendly activities.

TEXAS AMERICA250 EXHIBITION

March 12-18, 2026

Learn more about Texas music, the energy industry, politics, and the outdoors through historic photographs, artifacts, maps, sheet music, documents, printed volumes, postcards, and state records.

Need Dates Calendar

WE ARE SHARING OUR CURRENT PRIORITY NEED DATES TO HELP FOCUS EFFORTS WHERE THEY CAN HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT. 2026

Of particular importance is the second week of May, where we experienced a significant cancellation that has created an immediate opportunity in the market.

This newly available space presents strong potential for groups able to move quickly. Your support in prioritizing conversations and outreach around this week would be greatly appreciated as we work to backfill this business and protect overall pace.

*Green highlighted dates are the need dates.

Meet Your Team

Matthew Brown

CONFERENCE SERVICES MANAGER

We are pleased to introduce Matthew Brown as a newest Conference Services Manager at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. Matthew brings nearly 10 years of experience in the events and hospitality industry, with a career spanning both hospitality and entertainment. He started his journey as a bar runner at the BOK Arena & Arvest Convention Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma and quickly rose through the ranks as an Events Manager at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock, Texas. We are happy to welcome him to our beautiful Barton Creek resort.

A proud “Okie from Muskogee,” Matt is an avid sports fan, cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks, OKC Thunder, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Denver Broncos. He also played collegiate rugby as a scrumhalf (#9). Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time outdoors and soaking up the Texas sunshine. He is the proud husband of Catherine, and father to a wonderful daughter Reagan, and two dogs Thor and Chestnut.

Barton on the Move

OUR TEAM CONTINUES TO STAY ACTIVE

AND VISIBLE IN KEY MARKETS

THIS MONTH.

Diane Cash will be traveling through Florida and Alabama alongside our GSO partners, strengthening relationships and driving new opportunities. Michael-Paul Johnson is heading to Los Angeles to connect with our Leisure Luxury travel advisors and further position the resort within this important segment.

Looking ahead, Carissa Smith and Diane Cash are preparing for upcoming travel with ALHI customers in March, while Kimy Piland is gearing up for the Midwest Fly Around to expand our reach and cultivate new connections.

We are grateful for the continued collaboration across all teams as we work together to keep Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa top of mind in every market.

Year to date, we have already secured two definite programs, compared to just one at this time last year. This has contributed to an impressive year-over-year increase of 145.3% in total definite business value.

Lead volume remains relatively steady, with 46 leads received compared to 49 this time last year. Even more exciting, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa ranked #1 among all Omni properties for ALHI production in January. We are proud of this distinction and truly appreciate the dedication and advocacy our ALHI partners provide.

There is also great energy around key opportunities ahead. Staci Currie and Julia Liguori are working diligently to secure Shell for a weekend getaway during our high-need month of July. Additionally, Jennifer Shafer and Kristina Dragoun delivered an outstanding win by closing SafeBreach — a short-term program totaling 180 room nights and arriving in less than 90 days.

ALHI Top Performers

"Testimonials

All of the service we received from the first event inquiry to the event service was a 11/10. The entire company was raving about your team at the Omni and how it was our best event yet! We will definitely have another corporate event here & I am even looking into having my wedding here since everything was so great and it is a beautiful place. Thank you guys again!!! Also- I loved the group message that you guys created during the event, so helpful & easy!!! Service, venue, food, drinks, people are all 10/10!

Excellent space, service, food, and cleanliness!

The property was excellent, including the guestrooms, meeting rooms, & food. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

The team was amazing!

The cohesive team who work with and for you to help the planning come together seamlessly, as well to help pivot when Plan A morphs into Plan B. As well, every one of the team members with whom I worked were so friendly and helpful the entire week of prep and then load out.

The entire process for my event was exceptionally smooth. The sales team remained in constant communication, addressing all of my questions promptly and professionally. The payment process was also simple and efficient. I truly appreciated the level of service provided.

The Omni Barton Creek, hands down, is the best hospitality event experience I have had. Every interaction - pre-event at-event and post, provided me and the rest of the team with a high level of customer service, respect and finesse. I have heard nothing but positive feedback from my client as well from their executive team and all staff attendees. THANK YOU!