DEPARTMENT: Tricentennial Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Carlos J. Contreras, III
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Tricentennial Celebration Commission Update
SUMMARY:
Update on the San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Throughout 2018 San Antonio is commemorating and celebrating the Tricentennial of the founding of the community in 1718. In June 18, 2015, the City of San Antonio created the Tricentennial Commission as a non-profit local government corporation designed to assist in the planning, development, and management of a celebration to commemorate 300 years of the community’s founding. The Commission’s guiding principles included: creating a positive and/or lasting impact; showcasing San Antonio’s diversity, inclusiveness, and authenticity; and educating and celebrating the community’s shared history and advancing the region’s legacy. Four pillars were developed for the Tricentennial Celebration - History and Education, Arts and Culture, Community Service, and a Commemorative Week full of activities time around the actual founding of the first Mission and the Presidio San Antonio de Bejár.
The Tricentennial year officially began with the New Year’s Eve celebration, Celebrate 300. With that event successfully completed, Tricentennial staff has begun executing a marketing and communications plan, planning for Commemorative Week, and carrying out the first community service day under the Serve 300 banner.
Marketing and Communication
To reach as many people as possible, the Commission is engaging in the execution of a comprehensive communications plan that utilizes paid media, earned media, and social media. Adjustments have been made to both the media buy, digital marketing and public relations efforts to create more awareness of the Tricentennial and its initiatives throughout the community. Outreach has also begun to neighborhood associations, chambers of commerce and other local organizations to share plans for Commemorative Week and other upcoming events.
Commemorative Week
Commemorative Week will be held from May 1st through 6th to recognize the May 1, 1718, establishment of Mission San Antonio de Valero and the May 5, 1718, founding of the Presidio San Antonio de Bejár, to defend the new Mission. The week will include citywide activities to include interfaith services, education and history programs, art and cultural exhibits, and recognition of our military. Founders Day will feature a ticketed event at the convention center to host international dignitaries as well as simultaneous events, distributed throughout the community, that are free and open to the public.
Serve 300 - Community Service Day
The Tricentennial Commission is partnering and coordinating with local non-profit organizations to engage an area-wide volunteer base among San Antonio’s businesses, community groups, and individual residents to elevate participation in community service projects throughout 2018. February 17, 2018, is the first of four planned Serve 300 ‘days’ to highlight volunteerism and mobilize hundreds of volunteers to work on capacity-building projects across the community.
ISSUE:
The briefing will provide an update to the Committee on the Tricentennial’s marketing and communications efforts, the February 17 Serve 300 Community Service Day, the Commemorative Week’s Founders Day events and ball, and fundraising.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.