May Newsletter
May always seems to bring a different kind of energy. Between graduations, playoff runs, end-of-school celebrations, and families beginning to plan summer getaways, there is a noticeable shift toward a busier and more active season ahead.
That same momentum is building at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa as our teams prepare for a full calendar of group programs, leisure travel, and resort events in the months ahead. The excitement around the property continues to grow, and we are thankful for the continued partnership and support that helps keep Barton Creek top of mind with your clients and customers.
Inside this month’s newsletter, you will find updates on recent successes, upcoming opportunities, team activity in the market, and current areas of focus as we gear up for the season ahead. We appreciate all you do to help contribute to our continued success.
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.
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.
MEET THE 2026 CELEBRITY CHEFS
With nearly 30 years of experience as a cook and hospitality professional, John Bates is the chef and fire tender at InterStellar BBQ—and the force behind some of Austin's most beloved concepts, including Yellow Bell Tacos, Deft Pies, The Noble Pig and Noble Catering.
The renowned chef Kevin Lee and Food Network Champion from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is known for pushing the boundaries of flavor while honoring his Korean American roots through his creative approach to open-fire cooking and inventive barbecue.
Chef Chris Lilly is a barbecue legend and 4th-generation owner of the iconic Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama. As head chef and pitmaster, he leads the restaurant’s competition team, boasting 18 World BBQ Championships and a record 5 Memphis in May World Grand Championships.
Chef Herve Cuyeu brings more than two decades of experience to the resort’s food and beverage program. A native of Bordeaux, France, Cuyeu developed his passion for cooking in his mother’s kitchen before formally training at the Lycée d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme de Gascogne.
RED, WHITE & BLUE BBQ
On July 3, celebrate freedom and flavor with classic Texas-style barbecue, family-friendly lawn games, and live music by Neal McCoy - all set against the Hill Country backdrop. The night caps off with a dazzling fireworks finale for a truly memorable celebration.
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.
Stay tuned for more information on guest hospitality opportunities!
INTRODUCING
The Resort Homes
AT BARTON CREEK
COMING OCTOBER 1, 2026
Discover The Resort Homes at Omni Barton Creek, where privacy meets elevated luxury. Designed for golfers, executives, celebrations, and small groups, these six newly renovated and exclusive four-bedroom residences offer the comfort of a private home with the benefits of a world-class resort, just a half mile away. Perfect for retreats or premium stays, they deliver an intimate, refined escape.
What’s Happening in Austin.
THE DROP ‑ IN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
May 21 Thru August13 | Long Center
98.9 KUTX & The Long Center have teamed up to bring you a free weekly concert series every Thursday on the Long Center lawn all summer long. The lineup features a mix of Austin artists from country and pop to R&B and acid punk.
ANNUAL PARAMOUNT SUMMER CLASSIC FILM SERIES
May 22, 23, 24
Every year, the nation's oldest kite festival features hundreds of kites across the Austin sky. This year, the festival is hosting a weekend showcase and contest.
WILLIE NELSON'S 4TH OF JULY PICNIC
July 4 | Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Willie Nelson's annual 4th of July Picnic is returning to Austin. Since 1972, Nelson has hosted this beloved event, which features an incredible music lineup, local food vendors and a fantastic fireworks display at the end of the night.
LOCAL & LIVE
May, June and July | Austin Visitor Center Downtown
Every third Friday of the month, happening May, June and July. Shows will take place from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., so get there early and grab a drink from onsite 5th & Brew and shop local goods before an evening of incredible live music.
Need Dates Calendar
THE MONTHS AHEAD PRESENT SEVERAL STRONG OPPORTUNITIES FOR OMNI BARTON CREEK RESORT & SPA, AND OUR TEAM IS ESPECIALLY FOCUSED ON A NEWLY OPENED WINDOW DURING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21 2026
Following a recent cancellation, approximately 2,000 room nights became available at the resort, creating a significant opportunity for fall business.
In addition, July and December remain priority months for the resort as we continue working to build pace during these key periods. We would greatly appreciate your help in keeping these dates top of mind as you work with clients and evaluate upcoming opportunities. Programs with flexibility or the ability to move quickly could be an excellent fit, and the collective efforts from our partners can make a tremendous difference as we work to rebuild pace and capture additional business.
Thank you for the continued collaboration, responsiveness, and support you provide in helping us capture opportunities throughout the year.
*Green highlighted dates are the need dates.
Meet Your Team
Angela Scimeca
DIRECTOR, CATERING SALES
Angela Scimeca is excited to be coming home to Omni once again. She began her hospitality career at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown in 2000 and most recently served at the Hilton Austin Convention Center before spending a few years in the non-profit space.
A hospitality professional known for creating memorable guest experiences, Angela has built her career on warmth, leadership, and attention to detail. She is recognized for blending operational excellence with genuine connection — whether welcoming VIP guests, coordinating large-scale events, or leading teams in fast-paced environments. Angela thrives in environments where service, creativity, and problem-solving intersect, and she is especially passionate about creating spaces and experiences that make people feel seen, celebrated, and cared for.
Outside of work, Angela enjoys spending time with her large family, planning trips, and reading. A devoted Broadway fan, she is often heard saying, “It’s from a musical!” — and apologizes in advance.
Barton on the Move
THE BARTON CREEK TEAM CONTINUES TO STAY VISIBLE IN THE MARKETPLACE, CONNECTING WITH CUSTOMERS AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS SEVERAL KEY REGIONS THIS MONTH
Steve Manley is representing Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa at the ConferenceDirect APM, while Kimy Piland is traveling through Wisconsin and Illinois for Here Comes Omni, continuing to showcase the resort alongside our partners in the Midwest. Brian Weatherman will also be on the road, heading to Southern California for HCO SoCal and engaging with customers in that important market.
These opportunities to connect face-to-face continue to play an important role in keeping Barton Creek top of mind, and we appreciate the team’s continued efforts in representing the resort so well on the road.
Year to Date Productivity
The momentum with ALHI continues to accelerate, and the year-over-year growth we are seeing is a direct reflection of the strong partnership and advocacy from the entire ALHI team. Year to date, definite bookings have increased from 6 meetings last year to 9 this year, while total room nights sold have more than doubled, growing from 1,473 to 3,651.
Revenue production has seen especially impressive growth. Room revenue has climbed to more than $1.3M compared to $457K at this time last year, while total business value has surpassed $2M — nearly triple where we stood a year ago. We are also seeing continued strength in rate performance, with average daily rate increasing from $310 to $366.
Lead activity remains very healthy as well, with ALHI inquiries processed increasing from 170 meetings last year to 190 this year. Total room nights tied to those inquiries have also grown substantially, rising from 107,601 to 118,997.
The consistency of this growth speaks to the strength of the relationships being built in the market and the continued focus on driving the right opportunities to Barton Creek. We are grateful for the partnership, collaboration, and support from the ALHI team and appreciate all you do to help position Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa for continued success.
Testimonials"
The grounds are beautiful, the rooms are clean, the restaurants are great, but THE SERVICE IS IMPECCABLE!!! from valet, to front desk!!!
The service on all levels was excellent the entire time we were there.
From the tasting to helping us shape the perfect menu, to coordinating so many moving pieces (including Crenshaw's for our after party), reserving the Fazio suite for us, to the wonderful setup in our get-ready rooms, and so much more - you went above and beyond at every step. Everything felt seamless, thoughtful, and so well executed, and we are so grateful for the care and attention you brought to it all.
We’ve also heard from so many guests about how amazing the food, the hospitality, and the overall flow of the evening was. It all came together so beautifully, and that is such a testament to you and your team.
ALHI Top Performers
SEVERAL ALHI PARTNERS
CONTINUE TO PLAY AN
IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING US BUILD PACE AND SECURE
VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESORT
Brad Magarity assisted the team in securing Motorola Solutions, a program valued at approximately $295K in total revenue, while Kyle Lourie supported the Aura program valued at $29K. Both opportunities are especially important as they help strengthen year-for-the-year business during a key need period in September 2026.
There is also strong momentum in the pipeline. Lauren Hammond is working closely with the team to help secure Boston Consulting Group for November 2026, while Jamie Lee Adams is supporting efforts around Independent Financial Group for November 2027.
We greatly appreciate the continued partnership, responsiveness, and focus from the ALHI team as we work together to drive results and build future pace for Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa.
Brad Magarity - $294,980
Kyle Lourie - $28,994
YTD – TOTAL BOOKING VALUE
Shaun DiGiovacchino - $517,565
Kerri Matthews - $485,303
Shelley Bartle-Reed - $332,595
Suzy Symons - $249,219
Jennifer Shafer - $78,488
Staci Currie - $10,755
