Frequently Asked Questions
The Texas Tribune Festival is a multiday celebration of big, bold ideas about politics and public policy, featuring conversations with the leaders and influencers making the news. TribFest is guaranteed to challenge and surprise you with three days of important conversations about bold ideas that matter to Texans, featuring big-name speakers, engaging panel discussions, unexpected talent mashups, must-see interviews and thoughtful programming, all curated by The Texas Tribune’s award-winning journalists. The 2023 Texas Tribune Festival will take place Sept. 21-23 in downtown Austin.
Below are some frequently asked questions from Festival attendees. Is there something else that you would like to know? Email us at festival@texastribune.org.
Q: What are the hours of Registration during Festival?
A: Thurs, Sept 21: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Fri, Sept 22: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat, Sept 23: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Q: When will the Festival take place?
A: The 2023 Texas Tribune Festival will take place in person Sept. 21-23 in downtown Austin.
Q: Will TribFest be an in-person event this year?
A: Yes, the 2023 Festival will take place in person in downtown Austin, with some virtual components. Sign up for our Festival alerts newsletter to stay up to date on the latest TribFest news.
Q: What is the bag policy?
A: The Festival takes place in venues that require guests to use clear bags for their belongings in order to enter. All registrants will receive a clear bag when they pick up their badges. If you bring your own clear bag, the size should not exceed 14”x12”x6”. Small, non-clear clutch bags will be allowed and should not exceed 4.5”x6.5”. The Festival does not provide any storage, so please plan to leave backpacks and large purses behind.
Q: Is any of the programming virtual?
A: We’re live streaming all of the programming from the Paramount Theatre, our largest venue, including the opening and closing keynotes of The Texas Tribune Festival. The list of the conversations that will be livestreamed are on our Festival website and links to where they will be streamed are in the session descriptions.
After the Festival, you’ll find a recap of the most newsworthy sessions on our website. Catch up on last year’s while you wait.
Q: How can I get the latest updates for TribFest?
A: Sign up for email alerts to get the latest updates on all things TribFest. Our hashtag is #TribFest23. You can follow our latest updates on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Q: How can I register?
A: On the Festival website, click the BUY TICKETS button at the top of the page. Select the ticket type desired.
Additionally, a selection of Festival programming will be free and available for anyone to watch online. We’ll also welcome the public Saturday, Sept. 23, to join us for Open Congress, a free event taking place along Austin’s iconic Congress Avenue, bringing TribFest to downtown Austin’s main thoroughfare for all to enjoy. More information on free public programming will be announced in the days and weeks prior to the event.
Q: Are tickets refundable?
A: Texas Tribune Festival tickets are nonrefundable. You may transfer your unused registration to another person if you learn you’re unable to attend. Please click on the ‘manage registration details’ link in your ticket confirmation email for instructions on how to do this.
Q: Am I eligible for a student or educator ticket?
A: We offer discounts to current high school students, undergraduates, graduates and law students, as well as teachers and educators. To confirm registration, we require proof of your student or educator status, such as an institution-affiliated email address, a scanned copy of a student or teacher ID, or other proof of enrollment such as a transcript.
Register for your Festival student or educator ticket using your institution-affiliated email address, or email festival@texastribune.org with your proof of school enrollment or employment status after you register.
Q: Do you have any programs to help students experiencing economic hardship to attend the event?
A: Yes! If you are a student wanting to attend the event but are not able to purchase a ticket, please email festival@texastribune.org with the subject line “Sponsor a Student Program” and we will do our best to match you up with funds that people have committed to this program.
Q: How can I sponsor a student to attend who may be experiencing economic hardship and unable to purchase a ticket?
A: Please fill out this form if you are interested in sponsoring a student to attend. Once you have filled out the form, we will send you an invoice to pay.
Q: I’m a Tribune member — how do I receive my member discount?
A: The Texas Tribune Festival offers discounts and exclusive content for Texas Tribune members who give $50 or more a year. If you’re already a member, you should have received a promo code via email to unlock your discounted rate. If you cannot find the promo code please email membership@texastribune.org.
Not a current member? Donate $50 or more today to become a member and guarantee your best Festival experience for a lower price. Your membership confirmation email will include the promo code to unlock your discounted rate. As a member, you’ll also support the Tribune’s nonprofit newsroom and have access to year-round member benefits. Questions? Email us at membership@texastribune.org.
Q: Who will be speaking at the Festival?
A: We will announce new Festival speakers throughout the summer. Check out the full list of speakers announced to date.
Q: What accommodations are being offered to make the Festival accessible to attendees with disabilities?
A: The Texas Tribune Festival is a forum for discussion and civic engagement about issues that affect all Texans, and we continuously strive to make the Festival accessible to all who are interested in participating. Please visit the Info Desk at our Festival Hub at the Omni to pick up a wheelchair access map of Festival venues or discuss any other questions you may have.
On Saturday of Open Congress, there is ADA parking located off of 11th Street at the corner of 11th St and Congress Ave. Guests with accessibility challenges get priority entry into the Paramount and Stateside Theatres and there are reserved ADA sections at all of our venues. We will have ASL interpreters at all of our Paramount Theatre programming. If there is specific programming you are interested in attending and require the assistance of a sign language interpreter, please email festival@texastribune.org before Sept. 11 to request interpretation and we will do our best to accommodate.
If there is anything Texas Tribune staff can do to help you access the Festival, please email us at festival@texastribune.org or visit us in person at the info booth located in the Omni Hotel lobby during the event.
Q: How can I become a sponsor or media partner for the Festival?
A: Sponsors and media partners are an important part of The Texas Tribune Festival. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact April Hinkle at ahinkle@texastribune.org.
For media inquiries or more information on media partnerships, please contact press@texastribune.org. Inquiries that come directly to our Festival team will be forwarded to our sponsorship and media teams.
Q: May I be a volunteer?
A: Yes, volunteers power the Festival! Please visit the Volunteer Page for more information and to sign up. You can email volunteer@texastribune.org for more information about this great opportunity to get involved and access our festival. Volunteers at TribFest23 powered by Raise Your Hand Texas
Q: What does the Festival benefit?
A: Ticket sales, sponsorship and membership donations support The Texas Tribune, a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Learn more about the Trib at texastribune.org/about.
Q: How can I stay connected to new events from the Tribune?
A: The Texas Tribune hosts events year-round both in person and streaming online. Browse our full list of upcoming events or subscribe to our events newsletter to get notified when new events are announced. Many previous events are also available to watch on demand.
Q: When should I arrive in Austin?
A: We can’t wait to welcome you to this year’s TribFest. The event kicks off Thursday, Sept. 21, with light programming and a special evening keynote event. The majority of the Festival experience takes place across Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22 and 23.
We’ll alert ticket holders in early August when the full program is announced so you can begin crafting your unique experience.
Onsite check-in and registration begin the morning of Thursday, Sept. 21. We’ll see you there!
Q: Where should I stay in Austin?
A: The Omni Hotel Downtown Austin serves as the main Festival hub and is the most central to the Festival footprint. Book early in the TribFest room block for the best prices!
In the event the Omni block is full, there are plenty of other hotels within walking distance of the Festival, including Aloft Austin Downtown, Hyatt Centric Congress Austin, The Driskill by Hyatt and Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta.
Q: How do I get there and where to I park?
A: Finding parking in downtown Austin can be challenging. We encourage everyone to plan ahead: Get there early if you are driving yourself, or take a ride share or the bus. Plan your trip and buy transit using this CapMetro tool.
Q: What is the dress code?
A: Austin weather can be unpredictable in September, but it is usually warm. Because the Festival requires walking between venues, we suggest comfortable shoes and casual to business casual dress. Inside can be chilly, so a light layer is also recommended.
Q: I bought a Festival ticket. Where do I pick up my badge?
A: For a fast and easy experience, please bring your confirmation email or a government-issued ID to the Festival Hub in the Omni Hotel when you check in between Thursday, Sept. 21, through Saturday, Sept. 23. In the Hub, you can redeem your Festival credentials, pick up a program guide and find other helpful information about the Fest. The Festival Hub location and registration desk hours will be announced with the program in early August.
Q: May I come and go? Is reentry allowed?
A: Yes, with your TribFest badge, you may come and go as you please as space allows. Hop around to catch your favorite sessions or step out to take a meeting or to take in some sights.
Q: What is the official hashtag for the Festival?
A: Our hashtag is #TribFest23. You can follow our latest updates on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
