UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
CONTENTS WHAT’S INSIDE
METRO AREA MAP Getting Around............................................................ 8
SAN ANTONIO A Choice City for Living & Working............................... 9
ECONOMIC PROFILE San Antonio by the Numbers...................................... 14
MILITARY CITY, USA A Vital Epicenter for the Armed Forces......................... 16
GETTING AHEAD WHEN YOU ARRIVE The Chamber Leads the Way...................................... 19
PROPELLING INDUSTRY SUCCESS A Culture of Business.................................................. 21
EDUCATION Cultivating Excellence................................................. 27
HOMES & NEIGHBORHOODS A Place to Call Home................................................. 34 2
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Local. Legendary. Lasting.
Luxury Living for a Lifetime. Luxury Garden Homes from the $300s Exquisite Single Family Homes from the $200s For nearly 50 years, Sitterle Homes has built a reputation on producing new homes in San Antonio of superior quality with nationally recognized customer satisfaction. We understand what you care about most as a homebuyer: legendary home designs, lasting construction, and the best local home building experience. ©2013 Sitterle Homes. All Rights Reserved.
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THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
RETIRE IN ALAMO CITY
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Here, You Find Everything You Need........................... 39
Where to Find Key Information.................................... 66
HEALTH & WELLNESS
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
One of the Nation’s Largest Medical Communities......... 41
Preferred Business Listings........................................... 67 Thanks to Our Advertisers........................................... 72
THINGS TO DO IN SAN ANTONIO A City that Sweeps You Off Your Feet.......................... 48
ANNUAL EVENT CALENDAR Never Run Out of Fun Ideas........................................ 53
SPORTS A City of Champions.................................................. 58
SHOPPING Explore Stylish San Antonio........................................ 62
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CommunityLink.com
1 800-455-5600
production vp of production operations Amanda White managing editor Laura Wilcoxen copywriting Mark Allen Amanda Knoles John Pierce Jay Nehrkorn photography consultant Jay Nehrkorn
photography Roberta Barns Jon Alonzo Photography director of publication design Kelly Friederich lead design Josh Mueller website creation & support Josh Chandler director of media purchasing Diana Vaughn
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9
ABOUT
MILITARY CITY
16
regional director of publications Sean Corrigan
advertising ad research Mary Kopshever Mildred Walker
ad traffic Carol Smith ad design Mindy Brock
administrative support administrative support Kathy Hagene Carol Smith
mailroom technician Melinda Bowlin
account support Terri Ahner
information technology publishing systems specialist Christopher Miller
executive leadership chairman and founder Craig Williams
ABOUT This book is published by CommunityLink and distributed through The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions or
INDUSTRY
34
21
HOMES & NEIGHBORHOODS
EDUCATION
HEALTHCARE
27 41
comments about this book, contact CommunityLink at 800-455-5600 or by e-mail at info@CommunityLink.com.
FOR INFORMATION The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, 602 E. Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78205, Telephone 210-229-2100, Fax 210-229-1600, www.sachamber.org
© 2013 Craig Williams Creative, Inc., 4742 Holts Prairie Road, Post Office Box 306, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0306, 618-357-8653. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
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THINGS TO DO
communications@sachamber.org
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THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SPORTS
58
7
METRO AREA MAP GETTING AROUND
8
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Map provided by the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau
SAN ANTONIO A CHOICE CITY FOR LIVING & WORKING
W
inning accolades seems to be a recurring trend for San Antonio, one of only four cities to receive an A+ ranking on Forbes’ 2013 “Best and Worst Cities for Business” list. Named the “Ninth-Fastest Growing City” in America based on population growth rate, job growth, unemployment, median salary and gross metro products, the Alamo City was also tagged by Forbes as one of the nation’s emerging high-tech spots, based on an analysis of the 51 largest metropolitan statistical areas. The list ranks emerging tech locations based on the growth of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs. San Antonio-New Braunfels ranked No. 3 for an 18.3 percent growth in STEM employment from 2001 to 2012. San Antonio also placed fifth on CNNMoney’s “Most Business Friendly Cities” list. The financial site rated cities based on a variety of factors, including ease of starting a business and government support available to entrepreneurs. San Antonio’s dynamic mayor, Julián Castro, has also earned recognition. He was named to the World Economic Forum’s list of “Young Global Leaders,” and Time magazine tagged him for its “40 Under 40” list of rising stars in American politics. Castro has made attracting well-paying jobs in emerging industries a priority, along with raising educational attainment to
provide well-trained workers for the city’s rapidly expanding economy.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS STORIES The San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (SAEDF) has played a key role in the city’s business development. Since 1975 SAEDF
workforce with 15 colleges; a university; and more than 150,000 students in the area, not to mention our abundant land and energy and lifestyle options,” noted SAEDF President Mario Hernandez. “The rest of the nation is recognizing everything that our community has to offer, and we are quickly becoming a choice city for business, attracting diverse industries, projects and
“THE REST OF THE NATION IS RECOGNIZING EVERYTHING THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS TO OFFER, AND WE ARE QUICKLY BECOMING A CHOICE CITY FOR BUSINESS, ATTRACTING DIVERSE INDUSTRIES, PROJECTS AND WORKFORCE TALENT THAT SEE THE GREAT BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST HERE.”
has brought more than 390 companies to the city, creating more than 100,000 jobs. Over the last six years SAEDF was responsible for bringing 100 companies to San Antonio, creating 23,000 jobs and an economic impact of more than $8.7 billion annually. “We have a culture of business in San Antonio that includes a collaborative community; pro-business government; a large, educated
workforce talent that see the great benefits and opportunities that exist here.” Over the last year SAEDF facilitated 25 new company locations and expansions to San Antonio that will add nearly 4000 jobs to the city. In addition to recruitment efforts with companies throughout the Southwest, the SAEDF has been working in partnership with TexasOne,
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power manufacturing facility that will create up to 800 jobs and establish San Antonio as a leading city in renewable energy generation and manufacturing. San Antonio will continue to pursue foreign direct investment opportunities as part of its long-term economic development strategy. Opportunities for local businesses to sell their goods and services internationally continue to grow as the city assists businesses in becoming more export oriented.
BEXAR COUNTY INVESTMENTS
getting the message out to the rest of the country to “come check out San Antonio.” An important success story for SAEDF was the March 2013 grand opening of oilfield provider Baker Hughes on a 60-acre site. The company agreed to locate in San Antonio in response to a team effort that included the city of San Antonio, Bexar County, CPS Energy, San Antonio Water System and other community leaders working with the SAEDF team. The Fortune 500 company brings a $30 million capital investment to the community, including 500 new jobs with an average salary of $60,000. CST Brands, a spinoff of Valero, posted 2012 sales of over $13 billion and has joined other Fortune 500 companies (Valero, Tesoro, USAA, NuStar, Clear Channel) with headquarters in San Antonio. CST owns and operates the convenience stores that sell Valero’s gas and is the second-largest publicly traded convenience retailer in North America. The San Antonio Economic Development Department has established a business retention and expansion (BRE) program to promote a healthy and vibrant business climate that contributes to the growth, retention and expansion of local companies. The BRE program assists with street and infrastructure issues, workforce, and safety and provides business services to facilitate growth and expansion. The program has led to the expansion of companies such as HVHC and CGI Federal, and it is quickly becoming an important economic development component in the community and a key factor in recruiting new businesses to San Antonio. HVHC Inc., the largest wholly owned and operated U.S.-based optical company, opened a new state-of-the art optical manufacturing and distribution facility in San Antonio in late 2013. The 120,000-square-foot facility, located 10
on the west side of the city, is the second of its kind for HVHC in the San Antonio area and will produce more than 2 million pairs of eyeglasses per year. It is expected to bring up to 600 new jobs to the area. David Holmberg, CEO of HVHC Inc., commented, “We are particularly proud to bring this new facility to San Antonio, the home base of our company, and a city that HVHC is dedicated to supporting in its vision of economic growth and redevelopment.” In 2012 HVHC relocated the corporate headquarters of Visionworks and Davis Vision to downtown San Antonio. San Antonio’s economic development strategy is also becoming more globally oriented. Long-standing relationships with countries in Asia, such as South Korea, continue to bring benefits. Recently, CPS Energy signed a purchase power agreement with the solar energy consortium OCI/Nexolon to provide 400 megawatts of clean renewable energy to the community. In addition, OCI/Nexolon will establish a solar
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The 19th-most-populated county in the nation, Bexar County is investing almost $2 billion in projects that will benefit the region in the future. The San Antonio River Improvements Project (SARIP) is funded in partnership with the city of San Antonio and other public and private groups. Slated for completion by 2014, the river enhancement project is expected to generate millions of dollars in new economic development and make the San Antonio River region even more appealing as a place for business and leisure activities. County funds have also helped construct the new Dolph and Janey Briscoe Western Art Museum and 13 amateur sports facilities and have facilitated improvements to the AT&T Center and Freeman Coliseum. University Health System and Bexar County are partners in a $900 million construction project that includes a new six-story Clinical Pavilion for advanced outpatient care at the Robert B. Green Campus, plus a 1 million-square-foot trauma tower and 3,300-space parking structure at University Hospital in the South Texas Medical Center.
SA2020 In 2010 Mayor Julián Castro launched his innovative vision for the city, SA2020. With a motto of “Dream It. Map It. Do It.,” the program
SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
As the city continues to grow as a business and tourist destination, San Antonio International Airport (SAT) keeps pace with the demand.
With 34 non-stop destinations on ten major carriers and recently modernized facilities,
the international airport serves the South and Central Texas region. SAT is now the nation’s 10th largest gateway to Mexico and provides as many as 60 weekly flights to four Mexico destinations during peak travel season. Designated a Global Entry airport in 2012, the airport’s Customs & Border Protection provides expedited arrival processing to eligible international travelers and conducts interviews for regional applicants to the program. For the latest flight and airport information, visit www.sanantonio-airport.com.
evolved from months of opinion-gathering meetings with thousands of citizens and community leaders. Today the SA2020 nonprofit organization is coordinating with city leaders, volunteers and organizations to implement actions that can achieve a detailed list of goals by the year 2020. SA2020 is built around indicators that include arts and culture, community safety, economic competitiveness, education, family well-being, civic engagement, environmental sustainability, and transportation. Among the goals the city hopes to attain: • Pursuing 10 percent job growth in the healthcare and biosciences, information technology and security, aerospace, and new energy economy sectors. • Achieving 85 percent college readiness among high school graduates. • Maintaining EPA ground-level ozone compliance and improving the city’s air quality by 10 percent. • Tripling public transportation ridership. Another ambitious goal is for San Antonio to become the safest big city in America by 2020. Noting that issues like community safety and family well-being impact other areas like education, economic competitiveness, and health
and fitness, city leaders, public safety officials and citizens are collaborating on ways to reduce crime and provide a greater sense of security for the community. For more information visit www.sa2020.org. Downtown development is also a high priority. Soon after his election Mayor Castro vowed to revitalize the city’s center, proclaiming the undertaking as “The Decade of Downtown.” Key to the redevelopment of downtown San Antonio is increasing the number of housing units, as well as the level of public investment, in the downtown area. Since June 2010, the city has assisted in the creation of 2,752 housing units that represent a total investment of $409 million. The city of San Antonio also provided incentive packages for 18 projects in the downtown and surrounding area, with a total value of $41 million. Further, the 2012–2017 bond program includes $93.5 million for downtown projects that will improve parks; downtown streets; cultural institutions like the Children’s Museum, Witte Museum and the San Antonio Museum of Art; and facilitate the redevelopment of HemisFair, the location of the 1968 World’s Fair. In addition to the bond funding, the city, in partnership with various public sector partners, is working on over $1 billion in public investment
to include the expansion of the Convention Center, the development of a world-class performing arts center, the extension of the San Antonio River, and the construction of a street car system in the downtown area. In the city’s latest Annual Report, Mayor Castro commented, “We are committed to creating the most vibrant brainpower city in the United States by the year 2020. That requires us to be proud of the progress we’ve made but unwaveringly committed to improving outcomes involving challenges like educational attainment, health and fitness and in revitalizing the heart of San Antonio.”
UTSA INSTITUTE The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Institute for Economic Development hosts a variety of centers and programs that foster economic, community and business development at the local, regional and national levels. Programs are available to assist those just starting a business, as well as experienced business owners seeking ways to expand or enhance profitability. The Institute is a core program in UTSA’s efforts to become a Tier One university. As a Tier One university UTSA could provide an additional $2.5 billion or more to the local economy and an
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additional 41,000 jobs, with more than 9,500 of those jobs the direct result of increased research. During 2012 the institute generated $1.4 billion in business growth. Serving San Antonio and the Texas–Mexico border area, the institute has expanded its reach throughout the Eagle Ford region and internationally in Latin America and the Caribbean. Last year the UTSA Institute for Economic Development served 37,306 business and community clients, helped launch 496 new businesses, and helped expand 476 existing businesses. Through its efforts the institute supported the creation of more than 4,000 new jobs and helped clients retain more than 5,700 jobs. According to UTSA President Ricardo Romo, the record $1.4 billion in small-business client growth is a strong indicator of how Texas is leading the nation in economic recovery and how the institute’s programs are benefiting the state. The institute frequently partners with industry and government to conduct research and develop programs to foster economic development. Recent activities have included studies on the Eagle Ford Shale energy development’s economic impact, along with related studies on the labor, housing and healthcare services effects. According to the institute’s latest report, by 2022 the impact of Eagle Ford on Bexar County could mean 24,280 jobs with a payroll of $1.1 billion and a gross county product of $3.92 billion.
BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT PLAN The city of San Antonio Economic Development Department is committed to 12
helping the small-business community and has partnered with Alamo Colleges and Accion Texas Inc. to create the Business Empowerment Plan. Matthew McCrossen, Army veteran turned entrepreneur and chairman of the city’s Small Business Advocacy Committee, strongly recommends local businesses participate in the program. “San Antonio continues to help build the capacity of local companies by implementing programs tailored to our city’s small businesses. Both the Mentor Protégé and Bonding Assistance programs are excellent tools to provide our local small businesses with the skills and knowledge to build their capacity and thrive.” The Mentor Protégé program addresses topics including administration, organization structure and operations management, while the Bonding Assistance program helps small businesses understand bonding requirements and to manage their business and personal credit in ways that increase their bonding capacity, which in turn increases their likelihood of participating in city contracts. The first phase for both programs entails participation in the Small Business Boot Camp, which consists of eight workshops. After completion of the Small Business Boot Camp, businesses in the Mentor Protégé Program transition into a mentorship relationship with a leader in their particular industry, while participants in the Bonding Assistance Program become eligible for lines and letters of credit through ACCION Texas to increase their bonding capacity. More information about the Business Empowerment plan is available online at www.besanantonio.com.
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OTHER BUSINESS RESOURCES
Café Commerce The city of San Antonio has committed up to $1 million in funding and 10,000 square feet of space at the San Antonio Central Library for Café Commerce, an innovative new resource center providing assistance to entrepreneurs. The initiative was built in collaboration with U.S. SourceLink and the Ice House Entrepreneurship programs. U.S. SourceLink fosters collaboration and growth by connecting small-business owners with resources and information and facilitates collaboration between community partners. The Ice House Entrepreneurship program is an education system that helps participants develop the creative and analytical mindset required for launching a new business. Both programs were developed with assistance from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. For more information, visit www.sanantonio.gov. Bexar County SMWBE Program The Bexar County Small, Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise Program has launched a new website that makes finding business development information easier than ever. Renee Watson, SMWBE program manager, said the portal is a one-stop-shop with all the information potential bidders need in order to do business with the county. Visitors to the website can research getting certified with the SMWBE program, registering as a county supplier, how to submit bids, and how to comply with procurement standards. For more information on the program, visit www.bexar.org/smwbe.
ECONOMIC PROFILE
MEASURING UP National Recognition for San Antonio
#1
Best City in Texas Southern Living, 2013
#2
Top City for Brain Gain The Daily Beast, 2013
#2
Top 10 Places to Live on $100 a Day AARP, 2013
#5
Most-Searched Cities
SAN ANTONIO BY THE NUMBERS
REALTOR.com, 2013
#7
Best City to Work for a Small Business
POPULATION
CardHub.com, 2013
San Antonio
Bexar County
2010.................................................................. 1,327,605 2012 est............................................................ 1,382,951 2010–2012 Growth................................................. +4.2%
2010.................................................................. 1,714,777 2012 est............................................................ 1,785,704 2010–2012 Growth................................................. +4.1%
#9
Fastest-Growing American Cities Forbes, 2013
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN SAN ANTONIO
#9
Best Cities to find a Job NerdWallet, 2013
COMPANY INDUSTRY
COMPANY INDUSTRY
Bi02 Medical..................... Medical device manufacturer
NuStar Energy...................................................Energy
Cardell Cabinetry..........................Cabinet manufacturer
Pape Dawson Engineers...............................Engineering
#9
CC Media Holdings.............................Media, radio, TV CST Brands...............................................Gas stations
Rackspace Managed Hosting...........IT managed hosting solutions
The Daily Beast, 2013
Cullen Frost Bankers...........................Financial services
San Antonio Shoemakers (SAS).........Shoe manufacturer
Delta Risk..............................Cybersecurity, IT solutions
Santikos.................................................. Movie theaters
Denim Group..........................Cybersecurity, IT solutions
Sirius Computers..................... IT solutions, ecommerce
Digital Defense......................Cybersecurity, IT solutions
Tesoro................................................................Energy
DPT Laboratories.....................Bioscience manufacturer
USAA............................................ Financial/Insurance
EO2 Concepts................... Medical device manufacturer
Valero Energy....................................................Energy
Globalscape...........................Cybersecurity, IT solutions
Vidacare........................... Medical device manufacturer
Gore Design Completions........Aerospace interior design
Visionworks..................Eye glasses manufacturer, retail
Harland Clarke....................................Business services
Whataburger.......................................... Fast food chain
H-E-B........................................................ Supermarket
Zachry........................................................Construction
McCombs Enterprises................ Real estate, automotive
Bold = Fortune 500 Company Source: Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
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THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Top Aspirational City
#10
Best Cities to Retire MarketWatch, 2013
* Forbes also gave San Antonio an A+ rating in the survey.
MAJOR EMPLOYERS` Public Sector ..................................................... Industry................. Employed in S.A.
COST OF LIVING
Fort Sam Houston-U.S. Army (1)..........................................Military ........................................... 17,628
San Antonio Metro
Lackland Air Force Base (1)................................................Military ........................................... 16,163 Northside Independent School District............................... Education.......................................... 12,427
Composite.................................................90.3
City of San Antonio......................................................... Government........................................ 11,371 Randolph Air Force Base (1)................................................Military ............................................. 9,874
Grocery Items............................................85.2
North East Independent School District............................. Education............................................ 8,400
Housing.....................................................83.3
T h e University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio...............................Healthcare Institute..................................... 6,153
Utilities......................................................84.6
University Health System................................................. Healthcare .......................................... 5,132
Transportation.........................................102.7
Alamo Colleges (2)............................................................ Education............................................ 4,765
Healthcare.................................................96.8
Bexar County.................................................................. Government.......................................... 4,500 University of Texas at San Antonio..................................... Education............................................ 4,246 CPS Energy......................................................................... Energy.............................................. 3,380 VIA Metropolitan Transportation .....................................Transportation......................................... 1,986 Southwest Independent School District............................. Education............................................ 1,500
Miscellaneous Goods & Services................94.5 U.S. average for all indices is 100. Source: Council for Community and Economic Research: Cost of Living Index, 1Q2013
South San Antonio Independent School District................. Education............................................ 1,442
(1) Includes officers and enlisted personnel and civilian employees (2) Includes full time and adjunct faculty
Private Sector..................................................... Industry ...............Employees in S.A.
TAXES Sales - State & Local
H-E-B........................................................................Supermarket Chain .................................. 23,000 USAA.........................................................................Financial/Insurance................................... 17,000 Methodist Healthcare System........................................... Healthcare........................................... 8,500 Baptist Health System...................................................... Healthcare........................................... 7,000 Wells Fargo............................................................ Contact Center/Banking................................. 6,200 Toyota Manufacturing Texas Inc. (1) ..................... Automotive Manufacturer................................ 5,800 JPMorgan Chase.................................................... Contact Center/Banking................................. 5,000 CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care................................... Healthcare........................................... 3,900
STATE Sales....................................................... 6.25% Individual Income...................................... None Corporate Income...................................... None
SAN ANTONIO SALES TAX
Rackspace..............................................................Information Technology.................................. 3,262
LOCAL TOTAL RATE...................RATE
Six Flags Fiesta Texas..................................................Amusement Park...................................... 3,000
San Antonio................. .012500........... .082500
Southwest Research Institute .............................. Physical Science Research............................... 2,715
San Antonio ATD.......... .002500
SeaWorld San Antonio..................................................Amusement Park...................................... 2,500
San Antonio MTA......... .005000
Frost Bank.................................................................Financial/Insurance..................................... 2,020 Valero Energy Corp..........................................................Energy/Gas........................................... 2,000
Source: Texas State Comptroller
SWBC........................................................................Financial/Insurance..................................... 1,643
(1) Includes onsite supplier employees
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MILITARY CITY, USA A VITAL EPICENTER FOR THE ARMED FORCES
S
an Antonio, renowned as one of the country’s most vital epicenters for the Armed Forces, has certainly earned the right to its nickname “Military City, USA.” For decades the military’s influence has played a role in shaping the region’s rapid growth in terms of population, infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies and booming economic development. The reason for this phenomenal success is directly linked to the city’s numerous advanced military installations. Each year these facilities provide a wide range of services to thousands of recruits and enlisted personnel alike, ranging from basic training and modern technical instruction to medical training, education and research. That explains why it’s commonplace to see a multitude of uniformed soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors strolling the River Walk and dining in area restaurants. The military’s presence is even more substantial when you include those veterans who live and work in and around San Antonio. This proud community, one of the largest of its kind in the country, includes an estimated 48,000 military personnel (plus their family members) who have methodically chosen “The Alamo City” as their retirement home. Most of them have experienced life in cities all over the world, so their decision to reside in San Antonio is a testament to our amazing quality of life. Each year these veterans collectively receive payments of more than $1.2 billion and are responsible for an economic impact of well over $2.1 billion. A significant portion of their monies flow back into the community to support the jobs of over 26,000 people. More importantly, the veterans’ experiences and honorable “military values” are welcome additions to the diverse cultural tapestry found in America’s seventh-largest city. 16
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
However, in 2011 the military’s role and presence here took a quantum leap forward. Thanks to BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure Round), a Department of Defense (DoD) law affecting communities nationwide, San Antonio is now on a “game changing” path destined to increase its visibility and stature on both national and global stages.
BRAC: A “TRANSFORMATIONAL” PROJECT For the past few years an array of multi-million-dollar BRAC construction projects, hidden from the public view, have quietly been brought to life at local bases. At the end of 2011, civilians and military personnel alike throughout the region felt the multi-faceted, seismic impact of BRAC — and applauded its ability to lessen the economic ramifications of the “Great Recession” in our city for years to come. Among the regional industry sectors that were energized by BRAC included healthcare, bioscience, healthcare education, management support, communications, intelligence, cybersecurity and technology. In 2005 the DoD received Congressional authorization to implement BRAC — a law meant to reduce waste, save money, free up resources to recruit quality people, and modernize military equipment and infrastructure nationally. Of about 200 BRAC-related recommendations, 10 percent impacted San Antonio — and every one of our military installations. Recognized as the largest economic development event in the city’s history, BRAC revolutionized medical care, training and research for the military. Without a doubt, its physical, economic and cultural footprints on the community were nothing less than transformational.
In the most simple terms, BRAC consolidated and foundationally changed the support functions at Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base. In October 2011, these facilities began to use the new moniker of “Joint Base San Antonio,” as well as a 40,000acre mega-installation employing an on-base workforce of 73,000. During this process over 20,000 federal employees (including paid military trainees) moved from, to or between San Antonio bases. Of the federal jobs leaving town as a result of BRAC, the most notable were the nearly 2,200 DoD military and civilian personnel jobs departing Brooks City-Base for out-of-state locations. Likewise, Lackland AFB lost 1,439 personnel, primarily because of the consolidation of Level 1 trauma at Brooke Army Medical Center. Randolph AFB, however, gained 233 personnel; but an additional 509 personnel from other missions transferred from the community. To more than offset this loss, Fort Sam Houston — the major recipient of BRAC funding — added approximately 12,500 new jobs. Nearly 4,000 of those were filled by new military students, and the remaining 8,500 were filled by DoD military and civilian personnel. San Antonio’s bases also dramatically increased their student populations by training or graduating over 132,000 personnel each year. By mid-September 2011 all units that moved to San Antonio were settled in, housed and operational. These new employees brought with them an estimated 10,000 family members as well. Due to this tremendous influx of people from around the nation — and the growing base of military retirees — it’s estimated that BRAC will infuse billions of dollars each year into the local economy thanks to the purchasing of homes and general living expenses by new residents. We welcome them with open arms.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOOM WITH NO END IN SIGHT By the close of 2011 BRAC had gifted San Antonio with an estimated $8.3 billion worth of economic development and employed over 46,000 people to complete this mammoth undertaking. On the construction side alone, between 2006 and 2011 about $1.75 billion was spent on 78 major projects totaling about 6 million square feet of space (that’s equal to about 30 Walmart Supercenters). At its peak in 2009, nearly 2,200 construction workers were employed on a daily basis. As a result of the new federal jobs and increases in the military trainee population, BRAC continues to add to the San Antonio economy by increasing consumer and operational expenditures by $1.6 billion annually. That means the estimated total economic impact of DoD in San Antonio will be at least $13.3 billion per year, according to military reports. More good news: Last year, BRAC attracted additional federal, state and city investments to San Antonio. For example, over and above BRAC spending, the DoD will have spent another $1.37 billion on construction by the end of 2013, bringing the total amount of construction/renovation projects at military bases to over $3.12 billion. From 2012 onward, an additional BRAC-related 6,000 workers are expected to be hired. Their jobs will have an additional economic impact of $621 million and will increase local earnings by more $500 million.
LOCAL OPERATIONS TO MAKE GENERATIONAL GLOBAL IMPACTS Construction at Fort Sam Houston, the city’s oldest military base, was projected to total about $2.8 billion to accommodate new strategic facilities built there. The “crown jewel” of the base is the new Medical Education Training Campus (METC), which has consolidated military medical and
training for all branches of the military. It is the largest center of its kind in the world, costing over $1.2 billion to build and equip. Encompassing 2 million square feet, at full ramp-up METC serves more than 24,500 students each year, is visited by about 9,000 students each day, and employs over 1,400 staff and faculty. Over 100 courses are currently taught. The 11 new facilities on the campus include classrooms, labs and other training facilities; dorms; and administrative offices. Its $28.7 million, 80,000-square-foot dining facility (one of the largest in the entire U.S. military) features 2,016 seats and can serve up to 4,800 people during a 90-minute period. That’s important, considering METC’s dormitories will be feeding thousands of hungry airmen, sailors, marines and soldiers. “The souls that will walk the hallowed halls of this institution will make a difference in faraway lands for centuries to come,” added Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Lambing, formerly the Air Education and Training Command chief of the enlisted medical force. By 2015 “every medic and corpsman under the grade of E-5 will have been educated at METC,” he explained. Its curriculum and education “will preserve each service’s identity while creating an environment where enlisted professionals can learn from their counterparts in sister services.“ In addition to teaching our troops, METC will provide medical training to foreign nationals as well. Field training will continue at the 28,000-acre Camp Bullis, located in northwest San Antonio. The presence of (and improvements at) this camp was a critical factor in the decision to consolidate enlisted medical training to San Antonio. Another 63,000 square feet of space is being developed as a field training complex for METC students. This is in addition to the
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new 201,000-square-foot Armed Forces Reserve Center, designed to provide permanent facilities for 23 Army Reserve units and four Texas Army National Guard units. Another significant Fort Sam Houston BRAC project was the establishment of the 502nd Air Base Wing. Its new $7.4 million, 26,000-squarefoot headquarters, sitting on 5.5 acres, was occupied in 2012. The 502nd consists of three major support elements: the Air Force’s 802nd Mission Support Group at Lackland and the 902nd MSG at Randolph AFB, plus the Fort Sam Houston Garrison (renamed the 502nd MSG). “We began working on these great changes to our military community in 2005, and every one of us has been touched by the decisions made [through BRAC],” said Dr. Clarence Maxwell, who served as deputy director of the San Antonio Joint Program Office at Randolph Air Force Base, upon the opening of the facility. “This may be a new building, but it will perform an age-old mission of sustaining our military and sustaining our national defense.” The expansion and renovation of Brooke Army Medical Center on Fort Sam Houston includes the addition of a seven-story tower adding 760,000 square feet to the existing facility, giving the medical center a total of roughly 2 million square feet of space. It houses a Level 1 trauma center, operating rooms, clinical and administrative space, and an extension of BAMC’s internationally acclaimed burn center (the only burn center within the DoD verified by the American Burn Association). When construction was completed, BAMC was renamed the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) North and absorbed the inpatient care services formerly provided by Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland AFB. BAMC’s
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staff increased from 5,500 to about 7,500 with the transfer of functions from Wilford Hall and elsewhere, and its number of hospital beds rose from 275 to 425. Wilford Hall was transformed into one of the world’s largest ambulatory surgical centers and continues to operate as a fully accredited emergency department.
OTHER NOTABLE BRAC PROJECTS In 2000 Congress authorized the creation of Brooks City-Base (BCB), a collaborative corporate community designed to enhance Air Force missions at the base and encourage future development in southeast San Antonio. Two years later, when the Air Force conveyed the entire Brooks Air Force Base property to the Brooks Development Authority (BDA), it created the nation’s first (and only) city-base. Today BCB is San Antonio’s premier center for bioscience, academic, environmental and technical research. Located on 1,246 acres, over 300 acres are now available for ongoing development. BCB includes 2 million square feet of lab space, office space, light industrial facilities and recreation/fitness areas available to companies that re-locate or locate here. More than $170 million in projects are being planned or constructed here. Since the campus is a former military base, tenants seeking a higher security buffer will appreciate its additional electronic security measures, incorporated within most buildings, and the ability to provide enhanced security as needed — all aspects not found at a “typical” R&D center.
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The 150,000-square-foot Joint Center of Excellence for Battlefield Health and Trauma Research (located next to SAMMC) is another new development at Fort Sam Houston. It brings together tri-service research teams to enhance the delivery of combat casualty care. Not far away, the 181,000-square-foot TriService Research Laboratory houses researchers who study the health and safety effects of exposure to a variety of “stressors” in the field. In addition, about two dozen historic structures on Fort Sam Houston (many 75 to 100 years old) were refurbished to prepare for administrative relocations associated with BRAC and other actions. These remodeled buildings provide office space for several realigned commands and agencies, including the Army’s Installation Management Command, Army Environmental Command and the Network Enterprise Technology Command. One notable Lackland AFB construction project is the new 40,000-square-foot Intelligence Operations Center. It will support units monitoring Air Force communications and computer systems and deploy personnel worldwide involved with telecommunications and computer security programs. Many other BRAC-funded projects were completed on San Antonio military bases in the past two years. While diverse in nature, they were all are part of the grand plan to consolidate, strengthen and increase the effectiveness of the entire U.S. Armed Forces for this generation, and the next.
GETTING AHEAD WHEN YOU ARRIVE THE CHAMBER LEADS THE WAY
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he San Antonio Metro Area has once again been listed among the top 10 in Forbes’ listing of the fastest-growing metros in the nation, and demographers have predicted it will continue to see impressive expansion. Whether you’re a newcomer or returning to our city, you are naturally looking for ways to make the very best of your new position or new company. Getting connected to San Antonio’s vibrant business culture is the key to meeting your potential and tapping into the synergy enjoyed by so many other successful local enterprises and professionals. You will quickly discover the strong relationships that keep our city’s leadership on track and working together for a bright future. Although there are strong political party bases, the leaders in this region know that working together is essential to getting things done. “Our city has the unique ability to sit down at the table to talk through our differences to find mutually beneficial solutions for any challenge we face,” Chamber President and CEO Richard Perez said. “San Antonians understand that we need to come together for a common vision to realize our dream of becoming America’s greatest city.” Perez also points out that to understand your new city, you should get involved in your neighborhoods, in schools and in the community. The culture here is one that treasures family. In fact, you will find that when you live in San Antonio, you are considered part of our larger family. Just the simple act of meeting your neighbors or
your children’s teachers or joining a church will immediately pay benefits as you build a personal network in the community. But the best place for any new business to begin making critical connections is The Chamber.
FINDING OPPORTUNITY AT THE CHAMBER Again and again, successful entrepreneurs cite joining a business association, like The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, as absolutely key to success. Since 1894, The Chamber, a nonprofit membership organization for businesses of any size, has been working to grow San Antonio in a way that makes it a better and better place to live and work. The Chamber has a unique role in San Antonio. While The Chamber and the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau share many common goals, the CVB is a separate organization that is managed and funded through the city of San Antonio. The Chamber’s role is to build a pro-business culture; to build a stronger community by propelling business success. We do that by advocating for pro-business legislation at the local, regional, state and federal levels. And The Greater San Antonio Chamber is recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as one of the nation’s finest for its efforts.
CHAMBER EVENTS It’s easy to get involved in The Chamber. Most of our networking events are open to everyone, and you can always join our lunches,
which include key leaders like the mayor, county judge, state senators and representatives, and top CEOs. Regular Chamber events such as Greater Connections mixers, Leads Explosions dinners and Build Your Business breakfasts offer great opportunities to meet local business people and generate new leads, as do yearly events like the Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament (June) and the Annual Gala (December). “We consider it a successful event when someone can tell us that they found a new customer, a supplier or made a business connection of some kind at a Chamber event,” Tuesdae Knight, vice president for membership, said. Other Chamber events are focused on informing business owners and professionals about how to find and make the most of resources that will enhance their careers or organizations. The Chamber’s “Got Your 6” events, for example, show employers the benefits of hiring veterans who have just finished their military service and the resources available to companies who embrace these veterans as employees. Finding out about the next Chamber event is simple: Just register to receive our weekly email newsletters or visit the events page on our www.sachamber.org website.
CHAMBER COMMITTEES In addition to the many monthly opportunities to build your business network, you can get involved in one of our committees. The Chamber has committees in four areas that may be of interest to you: Economic Development,
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Workforce Development, Membership/Marketing/Communications and Public Affairs. You can get involved in as many as you would like. Following is a list of current committees. You can contact The Chamber at 210-229-2100 or visit the website at www.sachamber.org for an updated list of everything available. Economic Development Council Supports San Antonio’s targeted industries: aerospace, hospitality and tourism, information technology, healthcare and bioscience, military affairs, and manufacturing. The council also organizes the Celebrate America’s Military (CAM) events in November and the annual SA to DC trip.
• Aerospace Committee: Provides a forum for educating the community on issues of importance to the aerospace industry. This committee influences public policy at the local, state and federal levels to encourage continued industry growth and job creation. • Celebrate America’s Military (CAM) Committee: Coordinates the community’s annual salute to the military, which occurs in November and involves more than a dozen events. CAM is recognized as the nation’s largest communitywide celebration of its kind, involving 200,000 people over an 11-day period. • Healthcare and Bioscience Committee: Educates the community on the importance and impact of the local healthcare/bioscience industry. This committee advocates for critical issues affecting these industries and supports plans and programs designed to grow and sustain them. • Information Technology Committee: Fosters growth and development of the local IT and cybersecurity industry. This committee leads the implementation of the San Antonio Area Cyber Action Plan to promote cybersecurity education, workforce development, research and development, and collaboration among government, business and academic entities. • Military Affairs Committee: Promotes San Antonio by engaging the greater San Antonio community, especially its business community, to demonstrably celebrate, support, maintain and grow the military presence in San Antonio. Education & Workforce Development Council This council establishes relationships with educational entities to help shape the advocacy efforts of The Chamber, and it also enlists and promotes education volunteerism and workforce development initiatives to ensure that San Antonio has a skilled and educated workforce for the future.
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• Workforce Committee: Identifies the best practices in the education systems that support a pathway toward filling the workforce gaps identified in five industries. Those industries include manufacturing, aerospace, energy, healthcare/bioscience and IT/cybersecurity. • Education Committee: Works closely with the education system in identifying best practices in the Career and Technology Education (CTE) area that align with workforce needs. In addition, the Education Committee works to review public policy issues that the Council may support. Public Affairs Council Gathers input from Chamber committees, members and partnering organizations, then voices the concerns and position of the business community to local, state and federal elected officials and government agencies.
• Energy and Sustainability Committee: Identifies and supports longterm, cost-effective energy sources and policies to promote sustainability for economic growth in our community. • Legislative Committee: Creates and implements The Chamber’s state and federal legislative agendas, developed by Chamber committees who identify issues that impact San Antonio’s business climate. • Transportation Committee: Advocates for new and innovative methods of transportation funding that satisfy the infrastructure needs of San Antonio and the region. The committee is leading the discussion to develop a ‘San Antonio Transportation Master Vision’ to support regional priorities as identified by the city and county. • Water Committee: Works to identify and support long-term political solutions to ensure an adequate, affordable, quality supply of water on a regional basis. Membership & Marketing Council Evaluates and provides counsel on how to brand and market The Chamber to members, promotes the benefits of Chamber membership, and leads the annual Membership Campaign. Operating within the council, the Chamber Ambassadors provide ceremonial assistance to members at commemorative events such as grand openings, ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings. Participation as an Ambassador provides opportunities for business networking and community outreach.
LEADERSHIP SAN ANTONIO Leadership San Antonio (LSA) is a jointly sponsored program of The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It provides a learning experience for existing and emerging leaders who live and work in the San Antonio metropolitan area. Participants are given the opportunity to develop an understanding of the promises and challenges facing our community. LSA seeks people who are dedicated to serving their community. Applicants must show a sincere commitment, be motivated and interested in the community, and have the desire to increase their service to our community in key leadership positions. Over 30 years after its formation, LSA’s primary goal continues to focus on a strong commitment to community service. The continuing growth of San Antonio will challenge each class of LSA to produce sensitive, responsible and committed leaders.
PROPELLING INDUSTRY SUCCESS A CULTURE OF BUSINESS
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an Antonio offers one of the strongest, most recession-proof economies and one of the most enviable lifestyles in North America. Its strategic location in the heart of the southwest makes it an ideal entry point for companies looking to tap into the rich markets of both Mexico and the United States. Part of San Antonio’s success is due to its growing and increasingly diverse industry base, with healthcare, manufacturing and technology clusters building upon the strong foundation of the area’s military and hospitality sectors. However, another reason is the thoughtful development of a globally competitive business environment fertile for the growth of entrepreneurial firms, medium-sized businesses and large corporations. The results are obvious. Leading economic indicators consistently show that San Antonio is a high performer in the areas of employment, cost of living, job creation and gross metropolitan product. In other words, this city is a phenomenal place to find and keep a good job, and it offers a desirable quality of life to its residents. With an unemployment rate well below the national average and its progressive workforce development strategies, San Antonio will continue to help Texas retain its ranking as one of the most prosperous states and fuel the nation’s post-recession recovery.
What follows is a brief summary of some of San Antonio’s key industries.
HEALTHCARE & BIOSCIENCES According to The Chamber’s most recent Healthcare & Biosciences Economic Impact Report, the thriving healthcare and bioscience industry employs more than one of every six San Antonio employees and added more than 40,000 net new jobs over the 10-year period between 2001 and 2011. In the final year of that decade it posted an economic impact of approximately $29.2 billion and paid $7.5 billion in wages and salaries to more than 156,000 employees. The healthcare and bioscience cluster in San Antonio is diverse in and of itself, with hospitals employing nearly a third of the sector’s workforce, around 5 percent of employees working in pharmaceuticals, and a somewhat even division of the rest of the sector’s employment among physicians, education and research, equipment, and other related services. A focal point for healthcare in the region is the 900-acre South Texas Medical Center, where medical and non-medical facilities employ more than 56,000 people. More than 5 million outpatient visitors and 100,000 inpatient visitors come to the center each year. Members of the Medical Center Alliance at this northwest-side complex include The University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSC), Baptist Health System, Cancer Therapy and Research Center at the UTHSC, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Healthcare, San Antonio Medical Foundation, Methodist Healthcare, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and University Health System. Along with the major hospitals located on campus there are more than 50 centers or institutes of research, dozens of clinics, a higher education institution, and countless small practices and businesses. Established in 2005, the nonprofit BioMedSA has become an important voice and advocate for the local healthcare/bioscience industry. Comprised of health service providers, researchers, educational institutions and bioscience firms, this membership-based organization works with corporate, military and other government partners to pursue projects that accelerate the industry’s growth locally and enhance San Antonio’s reputation in the United States and abroad. As it entered its eighth year in 2013, BioMedSA undertook initiatives to improve the local biomedical industry’s access to venture capital and to attract additional research dollars by maximizing the collaboration among the city’s research and clinical organizations. BioMedSA also assists in regional workforce development for current and future healthcarerelated companies. www.sachamber.org
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With so much variety and such a strong spirit of cooperation, the San Antonio medical/bioscience community has synergy that brings a broad spectrum of cutting-edge treatments and products from the research laboratory to the marketplace very efficiently. For example, the ability of rapamycin-related drugs to potentially slow the aging process — suggested in early research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio — has led to the establishment of a new San Antonio biotech company, Rapamycin Holdings Inc. The company is licensing exclusive rights to intellectual property central to several aspects of the drugs from the UT Health Science Center and its collaborator, Southwest Research Institute. Rapamycin has long been federally approved to suppress organ rejection in transplant recipients, but in a study reported in Nature in 2009, it proved to be the first pharmaceutical intervention to successfully extend life span in laboratory mice. Investigators at three U.S.
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sites worked independently, including a team at the Health Science Center’s Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies. Rapamycin Holdings joins a cadre of companies spun out from the UT Health Science Center, including companies focused on regenerative medicine, cancer therapeutics, diagnostics and medical devices. It also joins other respected pharmaceutical companies such as Endo Pharmaceuticals, Mission Pharmacal and DPT Laboratories as part of San Antonio’s business community. The region’s many biomedical research companies bring hope for restored health with devices, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. These innovators include Azaya Therapeutics, Research & Clinical Laboratory Systems, START Center for Cancer Care and Texas Biomedical Research Institute, just to name a few. InCube Labs also joined the local research community in 2010 with the establishment of its San Antonio Innovation Center, a life sciences R&D center focused on developing and commercializing breakthrough medical innovations. When InCube opened its doors in San Antonio, the company moved three early stage life sciences companies here and has recently launched two additional life sciences startups. “We remain steadfastly committed to our mission of dramatically improving patient outcomes. We are making great progress toward that goal in San Antonio, and we look forward to continuing to contribute to San Antonio’s growing healthcare sector,” said Phil Morgan, general manager of InCube San Antonio. Military medical assets also abound in San Antonio, highlighted by the presence of the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC). A certified Level 1 Trauma Center, SAMMC features 425 inpatient beds and 58 outpatient specialty clinics and is home to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, which operates the only Department of Defence Burn Center. Dating back to its days as the Brooke Army Medical Center, the facility has treated thousands of service members who were injured in battle during the past 10 years, causing many to regard San Antonio as the home of military medicine.
MANUFACTURING When Toyota established its vehicle assembly plant on San Antonio’s south side in 2003, the local manufacturing industry was thrust into the spotlight. Thus far, the company has invested $2.1 billion into this facility, which employs over 2,900 workers. From the start the San Antonio campus has built Tundra trucks, and in 2010 the Tacoma line was added — a move anticipated to have a local economic impact of $1 billion annually. In total, about 5,800 people work at the Toyota Texas campus, which includes a 21-Onsite Supplier Park. Many San Antonians don’t realize that the region had a robust manufacturing cluster that was growing by leaps and bounds even before Toyota’s arrival. Between 1991 and 2001, the annual economic impact of manufacturing in the area nearly doubled from $7 billion to $13 billion. That growth continued in the decade that followed, and by 2011 the economic impact of manufacturing reached $22.5 billion, despite the setbacks faced by manufacturers across the country during the recession of 2008 and 2009. Because more than 80 percent of the manufacturing companies in the Greater San Antonio MSA are small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, and because most of them sell their wares to other manufacturers and distributors in a business-to-business market, the manufacturing industry in San Antonio is not as visible to the public as some other sectors. However, the industry is ready for muchdeserved recognition. While many regions continued to lose manufacturing jobs, the manufacturing sector in the San Antonio Metro grew its employment base to more than 51,000 jobs and accounted for 6 percent of all employed San Antonians in 2011, earning it a ranking of fourth on the Texas Manufacturers Register’s listing of the state’s largest manufacturing markets. According to the San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA), which has been the local voice of the industry for nearly a century, there are approximately 1,550 manufacturing firms in town. Each requires highly skilled labor for jobs working with high-tech processes, and they pay well to get it, too. The Chamber’s most recent Manufacturing Economic Impact Report revealed that the average manufacturing salary was $47,499 in 2011, with manufacturers paying $2.4 billion in wages and salaries overall to San Antonio workers. Because this cluster is so diverse, it weathered the economic slump better than most other regional industries and many other manufacturing clusters in the nation. Key sectors are materials and electricity (23 percent), diversified products (27 percent), transportation (31 percent), and equipment and metal products (19 percent). Companies range in size from small mom-and-pop shops up to mega-large entities like Toyota and are active in everything from aerospace, textiles, processed foods, motor vehicles and storage batteries to furniture, electric power generation, steel products, food handling equipment and medical devices. Clearly, much of San Antonio’s economic foundation is based upon the manufacturing industry — and all indicators predict it is destined to thrive and expand in the years to come. Specific examples of upcoming growth include the announcement by HVHC that it will open a second eyeglasses manufacturing plant on the city’s west side and CPS Energy’s selection of OCI to build a 40-megawatt solar farm at Brooks City Base. But prolonged success depends upon the cluster’s ability to recruit and develop well-trained employees who are prepared to work in this new age of manufacturing. To meet the need, SAMA collaborated with Alamo Colleges and other local educational organizations to create the nationally recognized Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Academy (ATMA), a two-year program that both encourages high school students to explore manufacturing as a career and helps them acquire skills and certifications
they will need to excel in the industry. SAMA and Alamo Colleges also worked with Workforce Solutions–Alamo (subset of the Texas Workforce Commission) to create the “Just-In-Time” (JIT) Training Program, which provides advanced skills development training for veterans and unemployed workers. According to Rey Chavez, president/CEO of SAMA, San Antonio has been fortunate to be the ideal location for established firms and prospective manufacturers who want to relocate. He notes that the business-friendly relations of the city and utility companies, the climate, roadway infrastructure, available workforce, and low cost of living are some of the greatest strengths that make San Antonio an ideal place for manufacturers. He is also very optimistic that San Antonio’s diverse manufacturing sectors will continue to be major contributors to the city’s economy.
HOSPITALITY/TOURISM Each year, millions from around the globe come to San Antonio to shop, play, do business and enjoy the city’s unique history and culture. The most recent comprehensive study on local tourism examined the overall impact of the industry in 2011, and the findings were dramatic. The report indicated that approximately 28 million visitors came to the city that year and the hospitality industry overall had a $12.2 billion economic impact, an increase of 52.5 percent since 2001 and an amazing 230 percent increase over the past two decades. Employment in this sector was more than 112,500 individuals, making up around oneeighth of the employed workforce in the metropolitan area. San Antonio’s world-famous historic attractions, the beauty of its equally famous River Walk, and its wide variety of family-fun and cultural destinations have made the city a vacation hotspot, drawing more than 22 million visitors to the city for leisure activities in 2011. And it keeps getting more and more attractive each year. The opening of the new Aquatica www.sachamber.org
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waterpark at SeaWorld and the continuing expansion of River Walk via the Museum Reach and Mission Reach projects were just a portion of the nearly $140 million in capital improvement investments geared toward the hospitality industry during 2011 and 2012. San Antonio is popular with business travelers and convention organizers, too, drawing 5.6 million convention attendees and business travelers in 2011 alone. This comes as no surprise, since San Antonio is a very economical venue on top of being friendly, unique and customer-focused. The opening of the Grand Hyatt convention center hotel in 2008 has led to the city’s hosting more (and larger) conventions and meetings than ever before. In addition, San Antonio has gained a reputation for quality resorts, adding JW Marriott Resort in 2010 to the list of other great resorts in town, such as Westin La Cantera Resort, Hilton Hill Country Hotel & Spa and Hyatt Hill Country Resort. There is no shortage of quality and affordable lodging to be found in the region, including high-rise hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and lavish resorts. Bexar Couny offers more than 43,000 sleeping rooms in a Texas-sized variety of accommodations and price points, and nearly 37,000 of those rooms are located within San Antonio. Approximately 13,650 rooms are available downtown, with more than half of those being within walking distance of the convention center. Growth in San Antonio’s hospitality industry is happening on all fronts, but the clear leader in rate of growth and economic impact within that industry is the restaurant sector. Food services such as restaurants and catering had a $5.2 billion impact in 2011, accounting for 44.2 percent of the total within the industry. Clearly, San Antonio is a great place to be a “foodie.” Encompassing everything from limos, taxis and trolleys to the planes that carry more than 8 million passengers into and out of San Antonio International Airport (SAT) each year, transportation accounted for $2.6 billion in economic impact in the latest study. The airport opened its new Terminal B in late 2010, and the first completed phase of renovations for Terminal A was opened to the public in January 2013. A new car rental facility is under design for SAT as well, and it should be completed in about three years. This facility will make the car rental experience much easier and faster. Airline service at SAT has also been improved a great deal with additional daily non-stop service from Mexico City by Interjet and Aeromexico Airlines, new non-stops by Southwest Airlines, and the recent addition of Alaska Airlines service 24
from Seattle, adding more choices to and from San Antonio.
IT AND CYBERSECURITY Information technology (IT) has a significant and growing presence in San Antonio’s economy. Statistics from the most recent comprehensive study showed that IT employment in San Antonio increased 44 percent over a 10-year period, with an overall average annual salary of $56,359 for workers in that field. According to the Chamber’s most recent industry study, information technology and cyber business had an economic impact in the community of approximately $10 billion in 2010, and conservative estimates have that number climbing to around $15 billion by the year 2015. The study cites the presence of nearly 900 companies designated by the Department of Labor as IT companies and more than 80 San Antonio Defense Technology Cluster companies as local industry highlights. San Antonio was also ranked second-highest in concentration of data centers in the United States, including a Microsoft Regional Mega Center. This robust industry continues to enjoy booming growth in two areas: • The IT products sector, which includes manufacturers of computer and electronic equipment/components, wholesale trade (including business-to-business electronic markets), retail trade, and Internet and software publishing. • The IT services sector, encompassing digital reproduction services, computer services and training, IT-related consulting, Web hosting companies, and IT equipment repair services.
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Why is IT such a red-hot industry in San Antonio? Besides being a magnet for many of the top intelligence experts in the world, the city boasts a strong military presence, a secure telecom network, low electricity costs and nonthreatening weather. Also, local higher education institutions have created valuable partnerships with both government agencies and private-sector companies to create groundbreaking research programs and produce a highly skilled workforce for the industry. Not surprisingly, Computerworld ranks San Antonio among the premier locations in the nation for information assurance and has identified it as one of the best cities to work in IT. In their 2012 rankings, the magazine identified local firm USAA as the top place to work in IT nationwide for the third year in a row. San Antonio Web hosting services company Rackspace US Inc. was ranked among the top 40 firms to work for in both Computerworld and Fortune magazines’ lists. A new partnership between Rackspace and Alamo Colleges will utilize a $2.5 million Skills Development Fund Grant for custom training of 1,000 new Rackspace workers, as well as current Rackspace employees. In a quote from an Alamo Colleges press release dated February 8, 2013, Rackspace CEO Lanham Napier stated that Rackspace understands the importance of a highly engaged, cloud-savvy workforce and said he sees the partnership with Alamo Colleges as an exciting step forward in bridging the IT skills gap. Cybersecurity is a worldwide IT growth industry because of the increase of attacks on both military and civilian systems dealing with sensitive and personal identification data.
San Antonio is a renowned national epicenter for cybersecurity because of the presence of vital military centers requiring state-of-the art information security systems. Local workforce experts predict that by 2016 at least 12,650 people will be employed in cybersecurity-related industries. The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is nationally recognized for its cybersecurity degree and research programs, making San Antonio a hotbed for highly skilled workers in this fast-growing field. UTSA offers securityrelated degree programs at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels in its College of Business, College of Sciences and College of Engineering. Alumni have built rewarding careers at top security employers such as AT&T, CIA, Cisco, Dell, the Department of Defense, FBI, Google, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Microsoft, NSA, Rackspace, Southwest Research Institute and USAA. The university is home to three security research centers: • The Institute for Cybersecurity, which conducts world-class research on cybersecurity models, architectures, protocols and technologies with real-world applications. • The Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security, which promotes cybersecurity careers through its National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition and conducts its proprietary cyber defense and preparedness trainings and exercises across the nation. • The Center for Education and Research in Information and Infrastructure Security (CERI2S), which conducts high-impact research in digital forensics, information security management and strategy, applied network and information systems security, the economics of information security, and the psychology of information security. Additionally, UTSA has been designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE) and a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research (CAE-R) by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. Only 54 programs in the nation have achieved the CAE-R designation. Both the cybersecurity and defense contracting clusters benefitted in 2009 when the Air Force Space Command chose San Antonio as headquarters for its cyber command, the 24th Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base, after conducting a nationwide search. The command’s mission is to secure Air Force communications and data systems on the DOD’s information
technology network. The decision to locate in San Antonio has brought hundreds of highly skilled workers (both military and civilian) to the region to participate in cryptology, data analysis and computer network security work. Another key government facility is the Texas Cryptology Center, a National Security Agency data center and campus established at Lackland AFB that employs hundreds of government information security professionals.
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE On March 2, 1910, San Antonio became the birthplace of military aviation when Lt. Benjamin Foulois assembled and flew a Wright brothers’ aircraft at Fort Sam Houston. More than a century later, San Antonio continues to be a vital component of our nation’s military aerospace program as well as a strong leader in the commercial side of the industry. The growth of our aerospace industry has been described as “substantial and dramatic.” Its economic impact in 2010 was approximately $5.4 billion, representing a remarkable 42 percent increase in economic impact since 2007 — despite the troubled national economy. Data from 2010 also reveal that more than 13,600 local workers (both military and civilian) held aerospace jobs and earned $678 million in total wages. In the private sector, these jobs paid an average of $58,729 per year, 44 percent higher than the average wage for San Antonio workers. About 52 percent of San Antonio aerospace workers held jobs in the fast-growing services/
manufacturing sector, while 48 percent worked in the transportation sector. The San Antonio Airport System, which consists of the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and the Stinson Municipal Airport, continues to be a boon to the local aviation industry and an economic development asset to the community overall. A 2012 economic study concerning the airport system found that in 2011 alone the airports had a direct economic impact of more than $1 billion and an overall impact of more than $5 billion. More than 10 domestic and international airlines provide regular commercial service at SAT. World-class aviation activity on the military side is found at Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland AFB and Randolph AFB) and on the commercial side at Brooks City-Base, Stinson Airport, Port San Antonio and the San Antonio International Airport. Port San Antonio is a thriving 1,900-acre logistics-based industrial complex featuring one of the region’s largest runways, Kelly Field. There are almost 80 organizations based at the site, including 14 aerospace-related firms that are making the region a growing center for aircraft maintenance, repair and manufacturing. Industry marquee names like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, StandardAero, Chromalloy and Gore Design Completions employ approximately 4,000 workers at the site, specializing in projects that include maintenance, repair and overhaul of military aircraft as well as interior completion and final upgrades to commercial www.sachamber.org
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airplanes, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 air cargo freighter. Port San Antonio also works in close partnership with Alamo Colleges in ongoing strategies to support workforce development for aerospace firms at the port. In 2011 Port San Antonio sold Alamo Colleges 30 acres and sold a 40,000-square-foot building at East Kelly Railport. The property more than doubled the footprint of the St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus — part of the Alamo Colleges system. As payment for the $5.1 million property, Alamo Colleges can receive credit by placing graduates with aerospace companies at the port and providing specialized training for existing workers as they tackle new projects. One of the programs that has developed from the relationship between Alamo Colleges and the local aerospace industry is the Alamo Aerospace Academy. The program is designed to help meet the industry’s growing workforce needs by giving high school students a high-quality, fast-track training program to prepare them for aerospace careers. Nationally recognized, this community partnership features paid internships and gives students the option to entire the workforce immediately after graduation or to apply credits toward furthering their aerospace education at area universities.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE Texas stands tall as a national center for world trade, with more than 40,000 companies exporting from the state in 2011. Data from the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) show that in 2012 alone, the value of exports from Texas totaled $265.4 billion, representing a greater than 6 percent increase over the previous year. Department of Commerce statistics also point out that San Antonio has become increasingly important to the state’s economic achievements in international trade, and it’s doing so at a rapid pace. According to U.S. Department of Commerce data, merchandise exports from the metropolitan area totaled $10.5 billion in 2011, a 63.7 percent increase from the previous year and more than twice the total from 2009. Mexico and Canada were the leading export markets for regional San Antonio firms, with exports totaling $3.3 billion and $972 million, respectively. San Antonio’s international trade success is partly due to its location. The city is located strategically at a key node along the NAFTA Corridor between Mexico and Canada, within reach of many major markets between the East and West coasts. Companies engaged in trade and logistics-related activities also come (and stay) here due to world-class infrastructure, a 26
bilingual/bicultural workforce, our cost-competitive business climate and our vast experience trading with Mexico and other Latin American nations. Mexican shoppers and tourists have long traveled to San Antonio via interstates 35 and 37, but the past two years have also seen blossoming opportunities for air travel to San Antonio from Mexico, as Mexico-based carriers VivaAerobus and Interjet joined AeroMexico in initiating service to San Antonio International Airport. AirTran Airways, a Southwest Airlines subsidiary, began service between San Antonio and Mexico in 2012. A vital and growing international trade platform is the aforementioned Port San Antonio. The entire 1,900-acre site is contained within a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ #80-10), providing for the elimination or deferral of import duties for goods brought from abroad. Operational Technologies (OpTech) operates an active FTZ at Port San Antonio, providing public warehousing, assembly and order-fulfillment services for an array of imported products. Additional logistics assets at the port include an industrial airport (Kelly Field, SKF), which also features on-site U.S. Customs. The port also has sites available at Kelly Field and its railport — East Kelly Railport, with direct access off the BNSF Railways and Union Pacific lines — for the development of build-to-suit air- and rail-served facilities to support warehousing, manufacturing and logistics operations.
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For additional logistics support, Port San Antonio is also a founding member of the South Texas Alliance of Regional Trade (START). In partnership with the ports of Laredo and Corpus Christi, Port San Antonio can provide its customers strategic support to access regional and international markets through land, air, rail and road multi-modal logistics. The city of San Antonio maintains an active International Relations Department that continues to raise global awareness of the city’s many assets, both cultural and economic. In recent years the city has built upon its award-winning “Sister City” program, fostering business and political relationships in important Mexican manufacturing centers such as Monterrey and Guadalajara, as well as cities in Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, India, China, Germany and Israel. Another initiative, the CASA San Antonio program, assists companies in exploring new trade opportunities specifically in Mexico. Free Trade Alliance San Antonio also offers the Export Leaders Program to help companies learn how to conduct business internationally using time-tested and successful foreign market entry strategies. The program, which began its 12th year in 2013, was recognized in President Obama’s National Export Initiative. Export Leaders has generated over $85 million in sales for more than 110 local firms penetrating world markets.
EDUCATION CULTIVATING EXCELLENCE
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ecognized since 2000 as one of America’s fastest-growing cities, San Antonio has many newly founded schools as well as a great number of well-established ones, and all are ready to serve the academic requirements of the city’s diverse populations (including gifted students and those with special needs).
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, K–12 The Texas Education Agency (TEA) in Austin has oversight of the 20 Independent School Districts (ISDs) in Bexar County and the outlying counties of the San Antonio Metro. They require that all students in grades three through eight take the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests, which measure student competency in subject areas. Scores are used to measure quality of the school’s teaching as well as to help students be able to prepare and measure up against all other students in their grade level across the state. At the high school level, the former grade-specific assessments were replaced in 2012 with End of Course (EOC) assessments in 12 academic
categories. Rankings are available on the TEA website at www.tea.state.tx.us. In addition to operating separately from each other, without city or county oversight, each district functions with its own taxing authority, elected board of education and superintendent. The San Antonio region’s three largest public school districts include Northside ISD, North East ISD and San Antonio ISD. Northside ISD www.nisd.net www.facebook.com/NorthsideISD
In 2013–14, Northside ISD will enroll more than 101,000 students. NISD is often called San Antonio’s “Destination District,” because 50 percent of all new homes built in Bexar County are within its borders. NISD is the largest public school district in San Antonio, the fourth-largest in Texas and the 28th-largest in the nation. Northside has 114 schools, grows by about 2,500 students each year and opens one to five new schools annually to accommodate rapid growth in the area.
NISD is not only a fast-growing district, it is also highly progressive in terms of vision, technology and instruction. NISD is particularly attractive to families because of the quality of the neighborhoods and schools. NISD’s programs range from award-winning special education and early childhood education to recognized magnet high schools and Advanced Placement (college) offerings. NISD is 100 percent wireless and integrates technology at all levels of education. NISD voters have approved school bond issues for construction every three years since 1998, for a total of almost $2 billion. NISD is one of the largest “Recognized” districts in Texas and boasts 32 schools ranked as “Exemplary” and 36 ranked as “Recognized.” In 2013, two NISD high schools ranked among Newsweek’s top 500 best high schools in America. North East ISD www.neisd.net
More than 9,000 people work for North East ISD (NEISD), the second-largest public school district in the area and the eighth-largest in the www.sachamber.org
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state. The district has more than 70 schools and magnet programs and served in excess of 68,000 students in the 2012–13 school year. NEISD is governed by a seven-member school board, and its superintendent of schools is Dr. Brian G. Gottardy. San Antonio ISD www.saisd.net
Located in the heart of the city, San Antonio ISD is an urban community of thriving neighborhoods, world-class cultural facilities, historic sites and notable institutes of higher education. For more than 100 years, SAISD has provided a sound educational foundation for generations of students. Today, it is the third-largest public school system in Bexar County, serving 54,000 students from full-day Pre-K through 12th grade. Recognizing that an effective education should not be a “one size fits all” package, SAISD offers a breadth of programs to allow students to develop their talents or pursue special interests and career goals through 13 In-District Charters and 16 Magnet programs. These provide unique learning environments, offering areas of focus from health, to law, to languages, to the only International Baccalaureate Diploma program in San Antonio, along with specialized college preparatory schools — all open to students across Bexar County. Magnet Schools San Antonio offers a variety of public magnet schools and magnet programs at both the high school and middle school level, with each 28
program focused on its own unique field of study. Each of the three largest districts in the region (NISD, NEISD and SAISD), for example, offers at least one magnet program tailored toward careers in science, technology and engineering. Along with giving students a head start in training for a promising career, many of these programs have opened doors for students to travel to competitions and meet professionals who are at the top of their chosen fields. Specific fields of study available through public school magnet programs include: • Agricultural science • Architecture • Automotive technology • Business and finance • Communications arts • Construction • Electrical systems technology • Fine arts • Health • Law • Leadership and public service • Media productions/applications • Manufacturing, engineering and technology • Military science and public service • Public safety • World languages Charter Schools In 1995, Texas established charter schools to give students more innovative learning opportunities and greater flexibility than is traditionally offered in public schools. San Antonio has
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a wide variety of these institutions teaching all grade levels, such as the Academy of Careers & Technologies, Irving Middle School (music), Jubilee Academic Center, Martin Luther King Academy (public service and leadership), New Frontiers Charter School, and Riverside Park Academy, to name just a few. One example of the success of charter schools in the region is Southwest Preparatory School, which started in 1998 with just 23 students and now serves more than 800 on four campuses. The school offers several academies, including Hospitality and Tourism Management, Law and Criminal Justice, and New Media.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS, K–12 San Antonio parents can select from more than 100 private schools offering pre-K through high school instruction. Most are rooted in religious traditions and provide intensive academic experiences; some reflect a particular pedagogy or target specific populations. These diverse and often faith-based communities help fulfill the American ideal of educational pluralism. Catholic Education Parents seeking a faith-filled, rigorous Catholic education for their children will be pleased to know the Archdiocese of San Antonio operates more than 30 elementary schools and 10 high schools in the San Antonio region. Recent figures show an enrollment of more than 13,000 students in Pre-K through grade 12.
The average class size in Catholic schools is under 18 students. Ninety-seven percent of Catholic elementary schools offer extended day programs, and 91 percent have preschools. The curricula in all the schools are based on Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and national standards in specific academic areas, along with the integration of Gospel values. Good Shepherd Catholic Academy offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is required testing for all elementary school students, while high school students are given a variety of standardized tests (may include NEDT, PSAT, SAT, ACT, ITBS). In 2013, 747 young men and women graduated from the archdiocese’s 10 high schools: Antonian College Prep, Atonement Academy, Central, Holy Cross, Incarnate Word, Providence, St. Anthony and St. Gerard in Bexar County; John Paul II in Comal County; and Our Lady of the Hills in Kerr County. That same year, these schools collectively posted a 99 percent graduation rate and a 0 percent dropout rate. About 93 percent of graduates entered a college, university or technical school, and a sizable number of them were offered, in total, over $ 55 million in scholarships. The Archdiocese’s newest high school, John Paul II, opened in 2009 and was excited to celebrate with its first graduating class in 2013. Not everyone can afford a Catholic school education. That’s why each year many economically disadvantaged families receive tuition assistance through the Archdiocesan agency “Hope for the Future.” Since its inception in 2006, the organization has received more than $8 million in donations from many generous contributors and annually helps 1,700 children with tuition assistance.
Other private school options include the highly acclaimed Christian Academy, Cornerstone Christian Schools, Keystone School (no religious affiliation), Lutheran High School, San Antonio Christian Schools and Zoe Christian School. Students who have learning differences benefit from targeted instruction offered at the Winston School of San Antonio.
and teaching co-op and offers workshops, team sports programs, a yearly convention and much more. Visit the websites www.hcentralsa.org and www.homeedsa.com for a listing of local homeschooling resources, co-ops and activities.
Home Schooling For the last few decades, home schooling has become an increasingly popular option for families of both elementary and high school students, including in San Antonio. Parents will find organized groups as well as extracurricular social and sporting activities for students, and several resources in the region are ready to support individual home-schooling efforts and the larger home-schooling community. For example, Catholic home educators can find support and valuable information through the torchSA website (http://torchsa.org). Another well-known group, Family Educators Alliance of South Texas (FEAST), operates a bookstore
San Antonio is definitely a city that values higher education. Students can choose from a wide range of programs and a broad spectrum of academic environments, including public or private colleges and universities, vocational and technical schools, a medical school, a major research university, and several schools of theology. What follows is a brief introduction to some of these outstanding institutions.
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
University of Texas at San Antonio www.utsa.edu
Founded in 1969, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a comprehensive, four-year public university serving San Antonio
More Private School Options Many more private high school options abound in the region. TMI-The Episcopal School of Texas has been educating leaders since 1893, when it was founded as the West Texas Military Academy. Today, it’s the oldest Episcopal college-preparatory school in the Southwest, with more than 430 students in grades six through 12. TMI is a coeducational school, and its graduates were offered more than $5 million in college scholarships in 2012. St. Mary’s Hall, originally organized and founded in 1879 by the Episcopal Church, is now an independent, coeducational school for students of all faiths. The school offers its nearly 1,000 students a comprehensive collegepreparatory program and offers AP and honors courses. www.sachamber.org
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Trinity University
and South Texas. Its nine colleges offer more than 140 degree programs to more than 30,000 students. The third-largest institution in the University of Texas System, UTSA was recognized in 2009 as one of the state’s eight emerging research universities, the first step in becoming a Tier One Texas institution. For more information, access UTSA’s Fast Facts: h ttp://utsa.edu/about/pdfLibrary/pdf/Fast-Facts-2013.pdf
University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio www.uthscsa.edu
Another top learning center in San Antonio is The University of Texas Health Science Center. Each year more than 3,000 students are trained at its more than 100 affiliated clinics, hospitals and healthcare facilities in South Texas. The five schools are the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Health Professions, Dental School and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The many new educational offerings at the Health Science Center include a Ph.D. program in translational science offered in conjunction with UT Austin and UTSA.
Collectively they educate more than 60,000 credit students each semester. The colleges offer associate degrees, certificates and licensures in occupational programs that prepare students for jobs, as well as arts and science courses that transfer to four-year colleges and universities (and lead to A.A. and A.S. degrees). The Alamo Colleges offer a national model for building a pipeline of workers with knowledge and skills for today’s labor market.
Alamo Colleges www.alamo.edu
Texas A&M University – San Antonio
Five colleges comprise the Alamo Colleges in Bexar County: Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, St. Philip’s College and Northeast Lakeview College.
www.tamusa.tamus.edu
Currently enrolling over 4,000 students, for the third year in a row Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio is the fastest-growing university in
the distinguished Texas A&M University System. Now occupying the first building on the grounds of its nearly 700-acre Main Campus, the military-embracing university will open the doors on two more buildings in fall 2014. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available for the lowest university tuition in San Antonio for a variety of in-demand fields, including teacher preparation, business, information technology and cyber security. Texas A&M – San Antonio’s mission is to prepare and empower students to be innovative and contributing members of a global society. Trinity University www.trinity.edu
Trinity University, founded in 1869, is one of the nation’s top private universities. With 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students from around the country and around the globe, the university offers bachelor’s degrees in 42 majors and 57 minors within a liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional curriculum, as well as master’s degrees in educational fields, accounting and healthcare administration. The school is renowned for its rigorous academics, distinguished faculty and superior facilities. Trinity University is highly ranked by Princeton Review and has been a perennial at the top of U.S. News and World Report’s rankings in their “America’s Best Colleges” guide. St. Mary’s University www.stmarytx.edu
St. Mary’s University is a Catholic and Marianist institution with a diverse student population of more than 4,100. St. Mary’s has five schools: Humanities and Social Sciences; the Bill Greehey School of Business; Science, Engineering and Technology; Graduate; and Law. Overall, the university offers more than 75 academic programs, including Ph.D. and J.D. www.sachamber.org
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programs and numerous pre-professional programs. Recognized by The Carnegie Foundation for institutional focus on service and civic engagement, the school boasts a 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 93 percent of professors hold a Ph.D. or equivalent in their field. University of the Incarnate Word www.uiw.edu
Founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, UIW is the largest Catholic university in the state and the fourth-largest private university in Texas. With its main campus in the prestigious Alamo Heights area, UIW has locations throughout San Antonio, a presence in Corpus Christi, a campus in Mexico and a new European Study Center in Heidelberg, Germany. UIW offers nearly 80 undergraduate, graduate, Ph.D. and professional programs, including pharmacy, optometry and physical therapy. UIW also sponsors more sports than any other NCAA Division II school in the state of Texas, with 21 teams in men’s and women’s sports. UIW is a member of NCAA Division II, and in 2013 will make the move to the NCAA Division I Southland Conference. Find out more information on the admissions process, including an online application, at www.uiw.edu/admissions. To arrange a campus visit call 800-749-WORD or 210-829-6005 or visit the website.
Mexican–American culture. It offers more than 30 bachelor’s degrees as well as 15 master’s and two doctoral programs. OLLU was elevated to the National category by U.S. News and World Report in its 2012 list of “America’s Best Colleges,” moving up from its “Tier 1 Regional Universities - West” ranking in 2011. High school guidance counselors surveyed by U.S. News and World Report ranked OLLU among the top 100 universities nationally for undergraduate education.
Our Lady of the Lake University
three teaching kitchens, including two skills kitchens to support CIA’s core classes and a oneof-a-kind Latin Kitchen to offer Latin American cuisine courses for food-service professionals. CIA-San Antonio students include future chefs, food lovers and established culinary leaders. In addition to associate degree programs Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts, the 30,000-square-foot campus hosts programs for food enthusiasts and is home to two public restaurants where visitors can taste the items made by the students.
www.ollusa.edu
Culinary Institute of America
Established in 1895 by the Congregation of Divine Providence, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) is a small Catholic university that has developed a reputation for its personal teaching style and expertise in
www.ciachef.edu/sanantonio
Art Institute of San Antonio
Since 2005, New York’s famed Culinary Institute of America (CIA) has operated a branch campus at the Pearl Brewery Center near downtown San Antonio. An expansion in 2010 added
www.artinstitutes.edu/san-antonio
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Founded in 2010, The Art Institute of San Antonio is a branch of The Art Institute of Houston and occupies 35,000 square feet of
Culinary Institute of America
classrooms, computer labs, and library and office space. The Art Institute of San Antonio prepares students for careers in the visual and practical arts, offering more than 20 different degrees in disciplines such as culinary management, culinary arts, fashion and retail management, graphic design, interior design, media arts and animation, hospitality management, photography, and Web design. In the fall quarter of 2012, the San Antonio location had an enrollment of 900 students. Texas State University www.txstate.edu
Wayland Baptist University San Antonio Campus www.sa.wbu.edu
Wayland San Antonio has been serving the higher education needs of San Antonio and South Texas since 1984. The university maintains a focus on the adult learner and a commitment to its mission of educating students in an academically challenging and distinctively Christian environment. The 30-acre main campus is located adjacent to Interstate 35 and O’Connor Road. Wayland offers associate, baccalaureate and master’s degree programs for both traditional and non-traditional students.
Located northeast of San Antonio in the community of San Marcos, Texas State University became the state’s eighth Emerging Research University in 2012. Its more than 34,000 students choose from 96 bachelor’s, 87 master’s and 12 doctoral degree programs. Texas Lutheran University www.tlu.edu
Founded in 1891, Texas Lutheran resides on 184 scenic acres in Seguin, Texas, just north of San Antonio. With a diverse student body of approximately 1,400 and classes averaging fewer than 20 students, TLU provides a sense of community and an environment where individuality and personal growth are as integral to success as rigorous academics. The four-year, private liberal arts college has all the benefits of a large town in a suburban setting and is primarily a residential campus. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America and offers a wide choice of bachelor’s degrees.
www.sachamber.org
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HOMES & NEIGHBORHOODS A PLACE TO CALL HOME
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an Antonio has been ranked as the nation’s seventh-largest city for several years; however, it’s on track to move up the scale in years to come. The city’s current population stands at just under 1.4 million; however, this number has been increasing at a rapid pace, and at its current rate, the population could potentially double within the next 35 years. To support this robust growth, the San Antonio housing market has also grown explosively. The San Antonio Board of REALTORS® (SABOR) reports that the number of home sales for the month of April 2013 was up 21 percent from the same time frame in the previous year, with a total of 1,998 homes sold and another 2,149 home sales pending. SABOR also reports that the median and average prices of homes in San Antonio continues to rise, with 6 percent and 5 percent gains respectively. Over the past three years SABOR has observed steady annual gains in median price: • April 2011: $147,300 • April 2012: $158,400 • April 2013: $168,100
Even while the market continues to grow and home investment prices are rising, housing in San Antonio is still largely affordable. SABOR reports that 62.8 percent of homes sold were priced under $200,000.
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NEIGHBORHOODS Downtown
Nothing quite compares to the energy of center-city living, especially in San Antonio, where Downtown has been rightly termed the city’s beating heart. Bursting at the seams with fantastic restaurants, shopping and entertainment, Downtown is also a historic mecca, home to the legendary Alamo, the San Fernando Cathedral and the San Antonio Mission Trail. Of course, the jewel of Downtown is the world-famous River Walk, which proudly hosts the highest number of tourists of any attraction in the state of Texas. The city’s Downtown Operations Department (DTOPS) recently completed nearly $4 million in aesthetic and accessibility improvements along the River Walk. Welcoming to pedestrians and bicyclists, Downtown offers residents easy access to unmatched urban living as well as complexes complete with luxury amenities and a variety of floor plans, from studios to loft living. East Region The East Region of San Antonio has a different feel than some of the more highly commercialized or heavily populated regions of the city. This region is known for its family-oriented community, featuring historic neighborhoods, a lower cost of living and a slower pace. Still, the region is not just a bedroom community, as its three most well-known attractions are the Alamodome, the AT&T Center and the Freeman Coliseum.
SITTERLE HOMES Building the Future of San Antonio Sitterle Homes, founded in Texas in 1964, is more than doing its part to build up the growing city that is San Antonio. The award-winning home builder has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has been recognized by the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® recognized Sitterle Homes with its “Builder of the Year” award. Avid Awards, which recognizes excellence in home building practices across North America, honored Sitterle Homes in 2013 for providing the “Best Customer Service” and in 2010 for providing the “Best Customer Experience in North America.” Concentrating on developing the sector north of Interstate 410, Sitterle Homes is currently progressing with their 16th housing development in San Antonio. Balcones Creek pays homage to the Lone Star State, with ranch-style developments that blend with the Texas Hill Country. Offering the perfect combination of urban and rural advantages, Balcones Creek boasts easy access to major highways and shopping while retaining desirable elements of country living, such as majestic trees and old buildings. For more information on Sitterle Homes, visit www.sitterlehomes.com.
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Another highlight of the East Region is historic St. Paul’s Square, where many renovations have taken place to enhance its turn-of-thecentury charm. East Region also offers convenient access to Fort Sam Houston, downtown San Antonio and the business district. Midtown Boasting particular appeal to young professionals, Midtown is commonly considered to be the region immediately north of downtown San Antonio. Midtown includes the neighborhoods of Five Points and Tobin Hill and extends to the southern borders of Alamo Heights and Olmos Park. One of the most prominent features of Midtown is the twomile Museum Reach. This segment of town represents over $13 million in investments and improvements by the city of San Antonio and Bexar County. Within this 22-acre development is the Pearl complex, which includes a brewery, a park, a stable and a farmers market. Midtown is also home to the Witte Museum, Urban Art Island, San Antonio Country Club, San Antonio Botanical Gardens and several parks. Noteworthy services include the Metropolitan Methodist Hospital and the Culinary Institute. North Central Region The North Central Region of San Antonio is also well-populated with several long-established communities, including Alamo Heights, Castle Hills, Deco District, Hollywood Hills, Monte Vista, Olmos Park and Stone Oak. This region contains a variety of neighborhoods, ranging from some of the more expensive homes and gated communities to some of
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the oldest neighborhoods of San Antonio. The North Central Region is close to the San Antonio International Airport and is home to numerous stores and parks for the convenience of residents. Northeast Region The distinct feature of the Northeast Region is its two military bases: Fort Sam Houston and Randolph Air Force Base. This area of San Antonio has experienced a lot of recent urban growth and now includes the Hill Country, Cibolo, Northwood and Oak Park neighborhoods. Other landmarks in the Northeast Region include outdoor mall The Forum, Rolling Oaks Mall, Artisan’s Alley and Fredericksburg, one of the most visited destinations in all of Texas for its museums, galleries, fine dining and historic attractions. There are also a number of educational facilities in this region, including Texas Lutheran University, Wayland Baptist University and Alamo College’s Northeast Lakeview campus. Northwest Region The Northwest Region has experienced a lot of new home construction and now includes at least four distinct neighborhoods: Balcones Heights, La Cantera, The Dominion and Helotes. The Northwest Region is home to a variety of service and recreational amenities, including a major medical center, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Six Flags, Crossroads Mall, Bass Pro Shop’s Outdoor World, The Rim retail center, the Palladium IMAX theater and hundreds of other restaurants, stores and attractions.
South Region
While the South Region has long been lightly developed in comparison to the northern side of town, it has experienced a surge of growth and construction in recent years. The region is now home to quite a number of large neighborhoods, including Highland Park, Lavaca and South Flores (or SoFlo). Driving development here are the Toyota manufacturing plant and its affiliates, as well as the new Texas A&M University campus and new Alamo Colleges facilities. Not everything here is brand-new, though. The King William Historic District, originally built in the late 19th century, became Texas’ first Historic Neighborhood District in 1967. In addition to being a beautiful spot for a stroll, King William hosts an annual street fair with plenty of family fun. Another unique area is the South Flores Arts District, which consists of many galleries and performance spaces, many of which frequently boast live music, film screenings and theatrical performances.
Vistana Apartments
West Region Offering high-end homes for affordable prices, the West Region is popular with retirees and military personal. It’s also a frequent destination for visitors, with attractions such as Sea World and the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa. This area is full of action, rich in Latino culture, and dotted with restaurants and shopping centers.
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RETIRE IN ALAMO CITY FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED
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any retirement experts, including AARP, Forbes and CNN/Money Magazine, have proclaimed San Antonio as one of the nation’s best cities for retirement based on a low cost of living, the warm climate and plenty of things to do and see that are in close proximity and affordable for those with a fixed income. If you are thinking about retiring in San Antonio there are many things you will want to consider before making the move, including what neighborhoods are best for the price, what kind of amenities you need to be close to, what healthcare offerings are available, and what kinds of transportation essentials are important to your lifestyle. San Antonio is often referred to as one big small town because of its friendly culture and neighborhoods that contain all the necessities you might want, from great retail and grocery shopping choices, to healthcare facilities, to cultural centers located in many areas. You often do
not have to go far to find everything you need — even in the seventh-largest city in America — because of the unique layout of our city.
ACCESS TO GREAT HEALTHCARE If you want access to some of the best healthcare workers available, you will find it in San Antonio. The region is home to a vast selection of healthcare options, including one of the nation’s top research medical schools, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In fact, the university is recognized as a global leader in the treatments and interventions related to the aging process. The school announced in July 2013 that it will receive a $3.4 million infusion of grant funds over the next five years to further research on aging, specifically treatments for Alzheimer’s disease at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies. This is one of the largest training grants of its kind in the world.
Two regions really stand apart for the number of healthcare specialists and facilities available: the north west and north central areas of San Antonio. The northwest area of San Antonio is often referred to as “medical center” area. This is the area that is at the center of research and treatment for San Antonio, and it is where you will find the UT Health Science Center, including the medical, nursing and dental schools and the UT Health Science Center Hospital; Methodist Hospital (specializing in transplants); the Murphy VA Medical Center; the Cancer Care Centers of South Texas; the Regent Care Center; and the CHRISTUS Transplant Institute, as well as specialists from every discipline, rehab, counseling facilities, treatment centers — and the list goes on. The north central area of San Antonio, located off Loop 1604 and U.S. Highway 281, also has a significant number of healthcare facilities and resources. These include the North Central www.sachamber.org
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Baptist Hospital, Methodist Health Care Center, Sonterra Healthcare Center, Alamo Healthcare Systems and the Rheumatology Associates of South Texas, along with many healthcare providers, doctors, treatment facilities and more.
QUALITY RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES ABOUND Finding the right retirement community within San Antonio will also be a key decision for you. San Antonio boasts many communities that are popular for retirees, and they range from housing developments for those still very active, to communities that offer flexible facilities for those who need a little home healthcare, to full nursing care. Morningside Ministries, one of the region’s most acclaimed organizations, provides seniors the living arrangements and services they need —
ARMY RESIDENCE COMMUNITY Retire Single Column (SC) 2.333" x 3.167"
across the full spectrum of care. It is a faithbased, nonprofit organization where seniors can move between service levels as their needs dictate, with familiar, caring staff with you every step of the way. Services offered include independent living cottages and apartments for the active lifestyle; assisted living centers for seniors who want independence but need regular medical assistance; skilled nursing for seniors in need of rehabilitative services after an accident, injury, illness or hospitalization; and memory care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia that require specially trained staff and environments. One retirement community, the Hill Country Retreat, located on the west side of the city, restricts ages to 55 and over, while the Campanas at Cibolo Canyon, near the Loop 1604 and U.S. Hwy 281 intersection, offers amenities catering to retirees in a gated community, but doesn’t have an age restriction. No matter what area you would like to live in the region, you will find plenty of choices for communities that are specifically for retirees. If you are a retired vet, San Antonio is especially welcoming to you and your family. The Air Force Villages is an active lifestyle community open to retired and honorably separated commissioned officers of all uniformed services, age 55 and older, their spouses, widows, widowers and elderly dependents. Air
MORNINGSIDE MINISTRIES SENIOR LIVING Retire Single Column (SC) 2.333" x 3.167" 40
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Force Village is a vibrant community with over 25 organized resident activities and on-site clubs to enrich and energize residents’ lives. The term “officer” includes Regular, Reserve, Warrant, and National Guard officers of the Army, Navy, Marine Corp and Coast Guard. It also includes retired commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Widows/ widowers in need of financial assistance are offered priority admission, and no widow/widower is ever turned away. Pets are welcome in designated residences. Residents have the option to be as active or as inactive as they want to be. Air Force Village offers a choice of two campuses separated by seven short miles of easy-driving. They are located on the southwest area of San Antonio, close to Lackland Air Force Base. The Army Resident Community is an accredited CCRC for retired military officers, spouses or widows. Entrance fees start at $50K. Features of this community include apartments, cottages and a healthcare center. It is located centrally in San Antonio near Fort Sam, Brooke Army Medical Center and Randolph Air Force Base. To find more information on any of these communities, you can visit The Chamber’s website at www.sachamber.org and look up retirement communities in the business directory.
HEALTH & WELLNESS ONE OF THE NATION’S LARGEST MEDICAL COMMUNITIES
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ollowing are brief introductions to many of the region’s most prominent health and wellness industry players.
UT HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT SAN ANTONIO www.uthscsa.edu
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is the primary catalyst for the region’s $29.2 billion bioscience and health care industry. The Health Science Center ranks in the top 3 percent of all institutions worldwide receiving National Institutes of Health funding. In fiscal year 2012, research expenditures and sponsored program activity of the Health Science Center totaled $193 million. The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced nearly 30,000 graduates. The $736 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. The UT Health Science Center dedicates considerable resources to the health and wellness needs of San Antonio and South Texas residents through its medical practices (three are listed below). In addition to offering fee-based care, each year the Health Science Center contributes
more than $15 million in uncompensated healthcare to the uninsured and underinsured. • UT Medicine San Antonio is the clinical practice of the School of Medicine at the Health Science Center. With more than 700 doctors — all faculty of the School of Medicine — UT Medicine is the largest medical practice in Central and South Texas. Expertise is available in more than 60 branches of medicine. UT Medicine’s flagship location is the Medical Arts & Research Center (MARC) in the South Texas Medical Center. 210-450-9000 or www.UTMedicine.org • The Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) at the UT Health Science Center, one of the nation’s premier cancer centers, is a key component of UT Medicine San Antonio. Patients come from South Texas as well as cities throughout the United States, Mexico and other countries. CTRC is one of the few elite academic cancer centers in the nation — and one of only four in Texas — to be named a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center. 210450-1000 or www.ctrc.net • The Dental School at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio has clinical
programs offering a full array of oral healthcare services. www.DentalScreening.com
MAJOR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS Methodist Healthcare www.SAHealth.com
As the largest and most preferred healthcare provider in South Texas, Methodist Healthcare fulfills its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” at the bedside of patients each and every day. Operating 26 facilities, Methodist Healthcare includes Methodist Hospital and its campuses at Methodist Heart Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, Methodist Texsan Hospital, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, and Northeast Methodist Hospital. Additional hospitals include Methodist Stone Oak Hospital and Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Hospital. Methodist Hospital opened in 1963 as the flagship hospital of the now world-renowned South Texas Medical Center. As a healthcare system, Methodist is the second-largest private employer in San Antonio, with more than 8,000 workers and more than 2,700 physicians credentialed to practice at its facilities. In addition to nine hospitals, Methodist has programs covering a full array of services, including neu-
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The $95 million Center for Oral Health Care & Research is scheduled to open in mid-2015 to students and patients of the Dental School at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Architects on the project are Marmon Mok and Kahler/Slater. The general contractor is J.T. Vaughn Construction LLC. Rendering courtesy UT Health Science Center.
rosciences, oncology, obstetrics, orthopedics and transplant services. The Texas Transplant Institute combines both solid organ and blood and marrow stem cell transplant services under a single entity. The kidney and liver transplant programs at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital are among the top in the nation for volume and survival rates. Texas Transplant Institute has the nation’s largest living donor kidney transplant program. At Methodist Hospital, a team of dedicated physicians leads the Bone Marrow Transplant Program, treating cancer and other blood disorders. Methodist Children’s Hospital offers one of the nation’s leading pediatric bone marrow transplant programs. And Methodist Heart Hospital has steadily built its reputation for heart transplant services and providing Ventricular Assist Devices to patients experiencing heart failure as both destination therapy or as a bridge to transplantation. Methodist Hospital, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital and Methodist Stone Oak Hospital welcome nearly 10,000 babies into the world each year. The Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Methodist Children’s Hospital has been recognized as a center of excellence, caring for babies born prematurely or with other special health care needs. The unit is also the largest in the region, with 78 licensed beds. In 2012, Methodist Healthcare provided inpatient services to over 90,000 people, 42
and more than 400,000 received outpatient care. Methodist Healthcare has received the Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation for 13 consecutive years, more times than any other hospital in Texas. Methodist Hospital and its affiliated campuses were chosen as one of only two hospitals to receive the Gold Award from the Texas Medical Foundation Health Quality Institute. Most recently, Methodist Hospital was awarded the Bill Aston Award for its innovative cardio-hospitalist program. This program was created through a dynamic partnership with the physician group, Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio, and places two cardiologists in the hospital at all times to assist with cardiac emergencies and overall care. The cardiohospitalist program has saved lives and reduced the impact heart attacks can have on a patient’s overall health. For five years in a row, Methodist Healthcare’s family of nine hospitals has received the Gold Award for Best Hospital in the San Antonio Express-News’ Readers Choice awards. Methodist Healthcare feels both honored and privileged to have served the community of South Texas for the past 50 years. Baptist Health System www.baptisthealthsystem.com
Baptist Health System is a trusted provider of healthcare in San Antonio and South Texas. The
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System includes five acute-care hospitals (Baptist Medical Center, Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, North Central Baptist Hospital, Northeast Baptist Hospital and St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital), which offer a combined 1,674 licensed beds. All five hospitals have earned Accredited Chest Pain Center designation, as well as Primary Stroke Center Certification. Medicare has designated each as Texas’ only Medicare Value Based Care Centers. The system also includes Baptist Regional Children’s Center, Baptist Breast Center, Baptist Cancer Center, HealthLink wellness and fitness center, and physical rehabilitation centers. Other entities include Baptist M&S Imaging Centers, community health and wellness programs, ambulatory services, medical office buildings, and the School of Health Professions. Baptist Health System supports the work of Faith Family Clinics, Baptist Emergency Hospitals, San Antonio AirLIFE air medical transport, and other health-related services and affiliations. Recently, Baptist Heart & Rhythm Center became the first in San Antonio to provide Stereotaxis robotic technology, giving the right patient candidates another advanced treatment option to treat arrhythmias. Stereotaxis is an improved method of catheter ablation that makes complex procedures safer, reducing the amount of radiation exposure and offering up to 10 times less risk for major complications, while
helping patients quickly return to a normal, active life. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System www.christussantarosa.org
Founded in 1869 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston and San Antonio, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa is a Catholic, faith-based, nonprofit health and wellness ministry dedicated to extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and providing the highest-quality medical care and services available. As one of the top healthcare organizations in South Central Texas, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa has five hospitals, with campuses located in the South Texas Medical Center, in New Braunfels, in Westover Hills, and a short-stay surgical hospital in Alamo Heights. Located downtown, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is the first hospital in San Antonio solely dedicated to the care of children and the only academic pediatric teaching facility in San Antonio. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System also owns a majority interest in CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Physicians Ambulatory Surgery Centers – San Antonio, LLC, a joint venture physician partnership comprised of three outpatient surgery centers in San Antonio, with facilities in Alamo Heights, Stone Oak and the Medical Center. Additionally, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System owns a majority interest in the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Physicians Ambulatory Surgery Center in New Braunfels, a joint venture physician partnership. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa has been serving the people of San Antonio and South-Central Texas for more than 142 years.
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University Health System www.universityhealthsystem.com
University Health System (UHS) is a nationally recognized academic medical center and network of comprehensive healthcare services, owned by the people of Bexar Count. In partnership with The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, it’s consistently recognized as a leader in advanced treatment options, new technologies and clinical research. It has several worldclass centers of excellence in the areas of trauma, organ transplantation, neurosciences, diabetes, neonatology and cardiovascular disease. UHS is the first and only health system in San Antonio and South Texas to earn Magnet status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (Magnet facilities are said to attract the best nurses and health professionals). University Hospital, one of just 15 Level I trauma centers in Texas, is the lead trauma center for all of South Texas and the region’s only pediatric trauma center. UHS operates well over a dozen outpatient clinics across the Bexar County community. Through its award-winning electronic medical records system, all patient records, including imaging and lab results, are immediately available to the medical staffs at every UHS location, improving coordination of services and patient safety. UHS’ $899.4 million Capital Improvement Program is transforming healthcare in San Antonio. It’s the largest single project in Bexar County history and includes the construction a large outpatient Clinical Pavilion building at the Robert B. Green Campus downtown, which opened in early 2013, and a 10-story, 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art trauma
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tower at University Hospital, which opens in spring 2014. University Health System is the only local hospital to be nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report, which named it among the top 50 in the nation for the care of patients with kidney disorders and diabetes. UHS is also the sole health system in the city to be on the list of the nation’s “100 Most Wired and Most Wireless Hospitals” and is ranked as one of the “Top 25 Most Connected Healthcare Facilities in the Country” (Health Imaging & IT Magazine). University Health System is the second-largest public health system in Texas and one of the largest employers in Bexar County, with over 5,000 employees and nearly 700 resident physicians. Nix Health www.nixhealth.com
Nix Health, a hospital and healthcare system that has served San Antonio and South Texas since 1930, continues to deliver a higher level of personal care by bringing together the finest physicians, the latest technology and an unrivaled staff. Nix Health offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical services, a premier behavioral health hospital, a complete physical rehabilitation facility, and home care, among many other healthcare services in facilities throughout the city. With a dedicated, skilled and award-winning staff, Nix Health is focused on treating patients with dignity, respect and compassion, while at the same time providing superior service. For more than 80 years, Nix Health has provided a different kind of healthcare — one where physicians, nurses and administrators work in a
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Institute of San Antonio www.hsriosa.com
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Institute of San Antonio (RIOSA) is a 108-bed acute medical rehabilitation hospital providing comprehensive inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation services, including home healthcare. This 97,364-squarefoot facility serves patients throughout South Texas with the latest rehab technology and a team approach to medical care. Southwest General Hospital www.swgeneralhospital.com
Southwest General Hospital, a 327-bed acute-care hospital, boasts a wide range of specialties and services, including cardiology, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, diabetes care, women’s health, emergency services, psychiatric services, hyperbaric medicine and wound care. In early 2013, CIMA opened a new inpatient hospice care unit at Southwest General as well, offering a holistic approach to care for terminally ill patients and providing resources for the patients’ families. Southwest General has earned numerous distinctions for quality, including a HealthGrades 5-Star rating for maternity care seven years in a row. South Texas Spine and Surgical http://southtexassurgical.com
true culture of collaboration for the good of the patient; where a smaller, more nimble workflow promotes highly efficient care; and where the expertise of multiple disciplines is provided in several convenient locations.
SPECIALTY HOSPITALS San Antonio has a number of private healthcare facilities and hospitals providing specialized medical care in diverse practice areas. Warm Springs Hospital System www.warmsprings.org
Warm Springs Hospital System, a subsidiary of Post Acute Medical, has been caring for Texans for over 75 years. Patients with amputations; life-threatening wounds; brain injury; pain management problems; orthopedic, pulmonary and spinal cord issues; and strokes benefit from its rehabilitation, skilled nursing, long-term acute-care services and assisted living. Locally, Warm Springs offers both inpatient and
outpatient programs for adults and children. The Medical Center location is its flagship hospital and home for the Center of Healing for Wound Care & Hyperbarics. The year 2012 was a time of rapid growth for the Warm Springs system in the San Antonio region, starting in March with the opening of the Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital of Thousand Oaks. This 34-bed facility features a military unit to serve wounded warriors together with general rehabilitation cases. Then, in June, the community saw the opening of the Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital of Westover Hills, a state-of-the-art, 40-bed facility for both adults and children. It is also home to the Center of Excellence for Pediatric Rehabilitation. Finally, in August 2012, Post Acute Medical acquired the 26-bed Promise Hospital on the campus of Southwest General, offering long-term acute care under the new name of Warm Springs Specialty Hospital. Post Acute Medical now operates 22 facilities in five states.
South Texas Spine and Surgical specializes in advanced medical and surgical treatment of patients suffering from diseases of the joints and the spine, as well as in pain-management procedures. Procedures are performed on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Its wide range of surgical procedures includes total hip, knee and shoulder replacements; knee and shoulder arthroscopy; various “fusion” surgeries; carpal tunnel release; and ACL repair. The hospital also has a 24/7 emergency department. Foundation Surgical Hospital of San Antonio www.fshsanantonio.com
Foundation Surgical Hospital of San Antonio offers four state-of-the-art operating arenas and 20 private patient suites. Surgeons here specialize in bariatric surgery, orthopedics, general surgery, neuro/spine surgery, pain management and ear, nose and throat care. Diagnostic services include a sleep lab and imaging, as well as a multi-place hyperbaric chamber. The hospital features a 4-to-1 patient-to-nurse ratio to ensure attentive care for every patient.
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FIT AND HAPPY HEALTH CLUBS & SPAS San Antonio features a variety of service providers dedicated to the fitness and wellness of their clients. There are dozens of gyms, fitness centers and health clubs throughout town that offer physical fitness programs designed to keep you at the top of your game, including instantly recognizable national chains such as Gold’s Gym, LA Fitness and CrossFit. The Greater San Antonio YMCA also operates seven familyoriented locations within San Antonio. While many of the gyms in the area provide access to outstanding personal trainers, residents specifically interested in physician-supervised weight loss or maintenance programs also have
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the option of choosing a special consultant. Highly acclaimed by Forbes in its list of America’s best small companies, Medifast Weight Control Centers has three locations in San Antonio, including centers in the Bandera Oaks and Lincoln Heights areas. You’d expect a resort town like San Antonio to have quite a few day spas. And we do. But these facilities aren’t just popular with tourists; they do a booming business with local residents, too. Both women and men of all ages enjoy visiting these wellness and beauty centers to relax, refresh and renew their bodies and minds. Services offered include everything from facials, manicures and laser skin treatments to cleansing, acupuncture and other holistic approaches.
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Luxurious hotel spas abound, offering a variety of creative approaches to physical and cerebral rejuvenation. For example, WindflowerThe Hill Country Spa at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort has designed its offerings to pay homage to the seasons. Meanwhile, pampering packages at the four-star Mokara Hotel & Spa downtown include treatments such as the River Walk Foot Fix and The Texas Tingle Body Wrap. Guests of the Lantana Spa at JW Marriott can follow up a workout at the spa fitness center with a massage and their signature active organic facial treatment. The Eilan Hotel Resort & Spa, one of San Antonio’s newest luxury hotels, includes Swedish massages and serene aromatherapy among its spa’s offerings.
Dentistry
for
Today’s
Dr. John Bec and his team combine advanced dentistry with a gentle, friendly style that will make you and your family more comfortable than you ever thought possible. The office’s comforting atmosphere and warm, inviting staff will make you feel right at home. Trained in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Bec uses the latest dental technology including digital x-rays, tooth-colored restorations, and soft-tissue laser dentistry to help you and your family maintain beautiful, healthy smiles.
Care Whole for the Family
Family
Comprehensive Family Dental Care • Prompt and attentive care • Great with children and adults • Digital x-rays & intraoral photos. • Professional dental cleanings • Snoring/Sleep apnea appliances Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dentistry • Advanced training in cosmetic dentistry and TMD treatment • Take-home smile-whitening • In-office implants for missing teeth and dentures Patient Comfort • A fun, relaxing atmosphere • Nitrous oxide for relaxation • Conscious sedation
Children deserve a wonderful dental experience, too. We encourage parents to bring their children in for a visit any time after the age of one or after the first tooth has come in. Your child will love it here.
Now Welcoming New Patients! www.becdentalcenter.com Ioan "John" Bec DMD I General Dentist
Hemisfair Park
THINGS TO DO IN SAN ANTONIO A CITY THAT SWEEPS YOU OFF YOUR FEET
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an Antonio — it’s a great place to visit, but you may really want to stick around. While serving as hosts in an internationally renowned beacon for leisure and convention visitors, the 1.3 million residents of San Antonio harbor a secret: This place is so wonderful, you may not want to leave.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES GALORE San Antonio’s year-round glorious weather makes virtually every day perfect for being outside. City of San Antonio Recreation Department The city of San Antonio extends the hand of friendship with 243 parks showcasing myriad offerings, including 13 skate plazas; 24 outdoor swimming pools; a natatorium; gymnasiums; disc golf; six dog parks; a lake with fishing and canoeing options; more than 118 miles of walking, hiking and biking trails; and many other sports and recreation centers. 48
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The city’s Parks and Recreation Department coordinates soccer leagues, dance classes, swimming and music lessons, and its popular summertime day camps for children. Sports leagues for all age and skill levels offer football, basketball, tennis, softball, soccer and volleyball. Even the timehonored Sweet Science of boxing may be enjoyed by the intrepid. One of the latest signature recreation areas is the 311-acre Phil Hardberger Park on the North Side. Featuring unspoiled nature up close, the savannah-restoration project harbors rare plants and flowers, and it’s a mecca for bird watchers. For a day of family fun, enjoy the large playground, two dog parks, picnic units and more than a mile of trails. Another jewel is the 33-acre San Antonio Botanical Garden. Opening in 1980 after decades of grassroots effort, a conservatory, outdoor gardens and trails, and community events (a favorite is “Gardens by Moonlight” in the fall) connect people and bring them in touch with nature in all its amazing variety.
AT&T Oaks Course at JW Marriott
Golf
With more than 50 public, private, military and resort golf courses scattered throughout the area, San Antonio is recognized by Golf Magazine as a paradise for link lovers. The Alamo City Golf Trail features six cityoperated big courses plus a par-three, and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa offers TPC San Antonio, a magnificent pair of championship golf courses designed by Pete Dye and Greg Norman. Caving Those seeking unique adventures and a place to beat the summer heat can find nothing better than a South Texas cavern. In Greater San Antonio, a number of underground wonderlands are open to the public and are safe for families to explore on friendly guided tours. Outings include Natural Bridge Caverns, Cascade Caverns, Wonder World Park Cave, Inner Space Cavern, Cave Without a Name and Caverns of Sonora. Soccer Soccer has grown enormously in popularity: More than 15,000 youth play in the San Antonio area and are registered through the state association. One of the largest clubs is Classics Elite Soccer Academy (www. ClassicsElite.com). This club has programs for children ages 3 through 18 with a large professional staff and a number of licensed trainers; many are high school, college and university coaches. Sports Facilities There are more than a dozen new sports facilities coming online, funded by the Venue Tax and Tourism Industry. Bexar County has applied its 1.75 percent levy to fund sports complexes all over the county; in June 2012, the county celebrated the opening of the $16.1 million Mission Concepción Athletic Complex, featuring a gymnasium with six basketball courts, softball and baseball fields, a track with lighting, and trails that tie the park into the historic Mission Concepción and the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration Project on the San Antonio River. Even More Other popular outdoor activities include “tubing” (enjoying lazy rivers on inflatable inner tubes), camping, hiking, bike riding, horseback riding, marathon walking/running, hunting and fishing, swimming, bird watching, and even geocaching (GPS treasure hunting).
WORLD-FAMOUS RIVER WALK Every year, millions from around the world visit the delightful River Walk, making it the most popular destination in Texas. Scores of attractive shops, sumptuous hotels, and enchanting dining and entertainment venues grace the original 2.5-mile cobblestone path wending through downtown along the San Antonio River. The River Walk connects several of the city’s major tourist draws, including the Alamo, Rivercenter Mall, Arneson River Theatre, La Villita, the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Pearl Brewery, and is home to more than 20 annual events. Whether you board a river-taxi for a leisurely narrated tour, or explore the landscapes, waterfalls, colorful art and outdoor patios on foot, you’ll enjoy a splendid experience. The River Walk’s expansion to 15 miles is nearing fruition after 15 years of effort.
on March 6, 1836, fighting Gen. Santa Anna’s army. Make time to visit the chapel, Long Barracks Museum and Library, a museum bursting with Republic of Texas artifacts, and a large gift shop unique to the city. There’s a truly eclectic assortment of attractions along the River Walk. Located near the Alamo are Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Guinness World Records Museum, Tomb Rider 3D adventure ride, the Amazing Mirror Maze: A 4D Experience, The Vault Laser Challenge, Buckhorn Saloon and Museum (which features Old West and wildlife exhibits) and the Texas Ranger Museum. Other popular nearby attractions include the 750-foot Tower of the Americas (offering a magnificent views of the city),
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Attractions Some guests are pleasantly surprised to find the world-famous Alamo along the busy River Walk. Established in 1718 as San Antonio’s first mission, the Alamo later became known as the fort where 189 defenders died www.sachamber.org
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McNay Art Museum
the La Villita Historic Arts Village and farther south, the famed historic missions of San Jose, Concepción, San Juan and Espada. The River Walk doubled in length in 2009 with the opening of the $72 million Museum Reach-Urban Segment. Stretching from Lexington Avenue to Josephine Street, the 1.3-mile urban stretch features new walkways, flowers galore and mini-parks along the meandering San Antonio River. It joins many downtown, historic, commercial and cultural institutions, including the San Antonio Museum of Art and the 22-acre Pearl — an erstwhile brewery turned culinary and cultural center, replete with metropolitan residences, restaurants, shops and offices. Ensconced on this stretch are engrossing public-art installations created by eminent local, national and international artists. Blending sound, waterfalls, architecture, light and movement, they’re a joy to view via a river-taxi tour or more casually on a self-guided walk. Mission Reach Set for completion by the end of 2013, the $245.7 million Mission Reach will extend eight miles from South Alamo Street to Mission Espada and connect four of the five missions. An ecosystem restoration, this area will feature hike-and-bike trails along transformed river environs made more pleasing with wildlife and native vegetation (20,000 young trees will be planted here). Future water activities may include the use of canoes or kayaks.
ARTS, CULTURE & MUSIC San Antonio is home to dozens of celebrated cultural institutions. Here is a sampling of a few of the better-known offerings that have delighted millions of visitors and residents over many years. Museums, Galleries and the Visual Arts The Witte Museum focuses on South Texas history, science and water resources. Its extensive permanent collection features historic artifacts and 50
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photographs, Texas art, textiles, the world-renowned Hertzberg Circus Collection, dinosaur bones, cave drawings, Texas wildlife dioramas, and a four-story science treehouse for kids of all ages. It also hosts nationally acclaimed traveling exhibits. The recently renovated San Antonio Children’s Museum, located downtown, is especially fun for youngsters (ages 0 to 10) and offers three floors of interactive exhibits, plus science and art activities. The McNay Art Museum opened in 1954 as Texas’ first museum of modern art. This former residence of an art patron features remarkable Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. More than 100,000 visitors each year view works by masters such as Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The San Antonio Museum of Art features numerous acclaimed, permanent collections featuring Western antiquities, Asian art and Latin American art, as well as contemporary American paintings, sculpture and decorative arts. World-esteemed specialists curate the collections. Additional works — both modern and traditional — may be enjoyed in more than 60 local galleries. ArtPace San Antonio hosts cutting-edge international artists, while Blue Star Contemporary Art Center hosts more 20 exhibits annually within its four on-site galleries. On the city’s north side, galleries in Hill Country towns tend to feature realistic Western art in a variety of media. Serving more than 225,000 people a year, the Southwest School of Art can help you create your own masterpieces. This universally recognized leader in arts education provides studio programs for 4,000 adults, children and teens annually and sponsors art exhibits as well. If you’re new to the Lone Star State, you may want to learn more about the diverse ethnic groups. First stop: the 182,000-square-foot Institute of Texan Cultures (a new Smithsonian Institute affiliate). Its most popular exhibit, “Texans One and All,” explores the stories and customs of the 20-some original cultural groups that settled in the state.
MUSIC AND THEATER Texas’ legendary musical influence is felt worldwide, yet somehow continues making further inroads. The Center for Texas Music at Texas State University explains, “Many different ethnic musical influences [are] involved in the development of the region, including Hispanic, Anglo, African-American, Irish, German, Polish, Czech, French and others.” In San Antonio, those same diverse musical genres are integral parts of the culture. It’s easy to find performers playing country-western, mariachi, Latin, reggae and rock-and-roll tunes at local joints, festivals and rodeos. This melting pot of musical inspirations makes for a spicy dish. Tejano music — an accordion-rooted sound born in South Texas and known for its blend of Mexican and German-American influences
— enjoys a strong fan base in San Antonio. Graham Central Station’s six nightclubs regularly feature Tejano tunes as well as karaoke, house techno, hip-hop, top 40 and country. Tejano aficionados flock to the six-day TejanoConjunto Music Festival, held annually downtown. Attracting 40,000 fans, more than 35 Tejano-Conjunto bands and dance groups that put on a Show of Shows. Classical devotees enjoy myriad occasions to enjoy a symphony, concerto or sonata. Each season the San Antonio Symphony — a professional orchestra of more than 70 world-class musicians — proffers a large, diverse selection of classical and pops programs. Working on two decades of high culture, San Antonio Opera has produced 50-plus major operas and concerts featuring the greatest opera and music stars, including Plácido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, Frederica von Stade and Roberta Peters. And each July, chamber music comes alive at the classically focused Cactus Pear Music Festival. Throughout the region, talented performance groups weave an ever-wider array of music, dance and theatre productions at Majestic Theatre, Lila Cockrell Theatre, Arneson River Theater, Josephine Theatre, The Rose Theatre and The Playhouse. Blended with splendid, homegrown talent, San Antonians often host a multitude of world-class performers on international tours at AT&T Center and Alamodome.
THRILLING THEME PARKS Many San Antonio families invest in season passes to the numerous theme parks — one
MORGAN’S WONDERLAND Things to Do Single Column (SC) 2.333" x 3.167" weekend just isn’t enough to fully enjoy the adrenaline-driven thrills and varied sights and sounds of these family-friendly destinations. Local attractions perpetually rank as top in the nation for exciting and innovative shows, whether you’re an animal lover or just enjoy a great water slide. Animal Attractions Every year, 1 million guests visit the 35-acre San Antonio Zoo to experience 3,500 creatures from 750 species. SeaWorld San Antonio offers amazing animal attractions, sensational shows, thrilling rides and water parks. Aquatica opened next to SeaWorld in May 2012, mixing up-close
Institute of Texan Cultures
For a serene and contemplative experience, visit the newly restored Japanese Tea Garden, which gracefully represents an Asian culture with deep roots in San Antonio. Fashioned on the grounds of a rock quarry, this magical garden delights the senses with lush vegetation, a pagoda, lily ponds, koi-stocked tranquil pools, pebble walkways, stone bridges and a 60-foot waterfall. The city’s newest museum, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is in the downtown area on the River Walk, across from Hilton Palacio del Rio. Named for former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr., who donated $4 million to the project, the museum highlights the pioneer roots of city and state, from the days of cattle drives and outlaws through historic and arts exhibits.
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animal encounters, serene-to-extreme waters, high-speed thrills and sandy beaches. Just outside town, you’ll discover even more opportunities for high adventure and family fun. For those with visions of safaris to meet large, exotic animals, the 400-acre Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch awaits. Here, guests on self-guided auto tours become personally acquainted with wild animals from six of the seven continents. Water and Amusement Parks An immense water park is but one of many thrilling diversions at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, a renowned theme park with live entertainment on top of thrilling roller-coaster adventures plus countless of other heartaccelerating rides. Both SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas also have holiday hours and spectacular fireworks shows throughout their seasons, and both offer water parks in their admission price. More “H2-whoa!” fun may be found at the 20-acre Splashtown water park, featuring more than 50 rides and attractions. At the 65-acre Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels, you’ll find the No. 1 water park in the world as ranked by the Travel Channel. Schlitterbahn’s ride The Falls has been recognized as “World’s Best New Waterpark Ride” by the readers of Amusement Today (Golden Ticket Award) and the readers of About.com (Reader’s Choice Award). Among its 40-plus attractions are tube chutes, water slides, uphill water coasters, pools, hot tubs and kiddie water playgrounds. The nighttime laser-and-fireworks show alone is well worth an admission. Bowing in 2010, Morgan’s Wonderland is the first ultra-accessible family fun park for children and adults with special needs (they get free admission) and their caregivers. The park features 25 acres of rides, attractions and activities for everyone. Volunteering here is a most satisfying avenue for those 16 and older to connect with local neighbors.
TEXAN & WORLD CUISINES
San Antonio Botanical Garden
Sampling San Antonio’s diversely delectable cuisines is a popular activity in this seriously epicurean city. A wealth of homegrown eateries as well as establishments with roots beyond the area offer an eclectic mix of familiar and yet-to-be-enjoyed flavors in fancy and casual environs. Of course we’ve got some of the world’s best Tex-Mex (try Casa Rio and Mi Tierra), Mexican (La Fonda on Main and El Mirasol), barbecue (Rudy’s and Bill Miller Bar-B-Q) and good old-fashioned American cuisine (Biga on the Banks, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Big’z Burger Joint and Chris Madrid’s). Or explore an array of international cuisine — San Antonio selections include Asian, Mediterranean, French, Indian and vegetarian establishments. Few foods define San Antonio more than the breakfast taco: a soft tortilla filled with any combination of eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, beans and cheese. Another favorite is the puffy taco, a deep-fried tortilla (soft inside, crunchy outside) filled with traditional taco ingredients. Any time — but especially during the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas season — the populace goes crazy for tamales, handmade in family or restaurant kitchens. Corn-based dough is filled with seasoned pork or chicken, then steamed within a corn-husk wrapping. Anyone wishing to employ the spices of San Antonio’s Latino cuisines at home may wish to enroll in classes at the new Culinary Institute of America, an internationally celebrated culinary college. Cooking classes exploring more varied cuisines are also offered at Central Market Cooking Schools.
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THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNUAL EVENT CALENDAR NEVER RUN OUT OF FUN IDEAS JANUARY Light the Way at the University of Incarnate Word www.uiw.edu/lighttheway/
Through January 6, a million twinkling lights brighten the night sky at University of Incarnate Word to illume the holiday season. The walking or driving experience has been happening for more than two decades — truly a San Antonio-style holiday event. Free.
U.S. Army All-American Bowl www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com
America’s premier high-school all-star football game showcases the next greats of the collegiate ranks and pro stars. Witness the talented athletes who will become tomorrow’s superstars. Weeklong festivities usher in game day.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March and Rally www.sanantonio.gov/mlk/
In honor of the fallen civil-rights leader — and building on his inspirational legacy — San Antonio’s rally is the largest people’s march in the country. Other activities throughout the city include art exhibits, workshops and candlelight vigils.
FEBRUARY San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo www.sarodeo.com
Held at the AT&T Center, the Stock Show & Rodeo features great entertainment with starstudded country, rock ‘n’ roll and Latin artists during rodeo performances. There’s also plenty of fun for the entire family, including shopping and livestock centers.
Asian Festival at Institute of Texan Cultures www.texancultures.com
In honor of Chinese New Year, this celebration honors Asian cultures plus traditions from the Middle East to the Pacific Rim. A variety of tempting fare (Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Pakistani, Filipino and Polynesian, just to sample a few) is spread everywhere, and there are always performances, including martial arts and dance demonstrations.
SeaWorld San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas Season Openings www.seaworld.com • www.sixflags.com
Enjoy Texas-sized thrills at these great family theme parks.
MARCH Contemporary Art Month http://contemporaryartmonth.com
Now approaching its 30th year, this month-long celebration features more than 400 exhibitions and incorporates more than 50 venues. Events take place in galleries, museums, studios, schools, restaurants and stores. Some venues have an admission charge.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas Opens for Season www.sixflags.com/fiestaTexas
Let the fun begin! Check out themed rides, thrilling roller coasters — including the new Iron Rattler — and attractions and shows for every age, including opportunities to meet the Looney Tunes characters throughout the astonishing 200-acre park. Admission.
Remember the Alamo Weekend www.thealamo.org
This event is a dramatization of the events in the final two days (March 5-6, 1836) of the 13-day Alamo siege by Gen. Santa Anna’s Army of Operations, brought to life in Alamo Plaza. Free.
Luminaria — Arts Night in San Antonio http://luminariasa.org
Explore the San Antonio arts scene during this annual spectacle featuring artists, musicians, performers and cultural organizations.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a 5K run, golf tournament, street parade and other events around town.
APRIL Poteet Strawberry Festival More than just a mere strawberry celebration, Poteet is one of the oldest, most popular events in the state and the largest agricultural festival in Texas. Located just south of San Antonio, the Poteet Strawberry Festival includes 14 stages of continuous entertainment, concerts, dancing, rides, gunslingers, rodeo performances and, of course, bushels of strawberries.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort and Splashtown San Antonio – Season Openings www.schlitterbahn.com • www.splashtownsa.com
Make a splash at these family-fun water parks.
Fiesta San Antonio! www.fiesta-sa.org
Celebrate San Antonio-style during this citywide party including a carnival, ethnic feasts, art exhibits and parades that glide down the River Walk and streets.
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JUNE Texas Folklife Festival www.texancultures.com
Join in the celebration of all things Texas at the Texas Folklife Festival. Hosted at The Institute of Texan Cultures, this three-day cultural extravaganza brings more than 40 ethnic groups together in one place to showcase their authentic food and crafts and perform traditional music and dance. Come celebrate your heritage and share in a Texas tradition. The Institute of Texan Cultures is located in HemisFair Park, a short walk from the Alamo and the River Walk.
Juneteenth www.juneteethsanantonio.com
Observances throughout the city, including a picnic, festival, Freedom Fair and cultural celebrations commemorating June 19, 1865, the day that Texas slaves received the word of the Emancipation Proclamation.
JULY MAY
The Chamber’s Stars and Stripes over San Antonio
www.wnba.com/silverstars
Enjoy San Antonio’s largest and longest fireworks spectacular over downtown skies for The Chamber’s annual Stars & Stripes over San Antonio, an Independence Day Celebration. The evening features hear live music, gourmet food trucks, a kids play zone and 20 minutes of eye-popping sky explosions over our beloved Hemisfair Park.
Go Silver Stars Go! San Antonio’s WNBA team continue to rock the AT&T Center as they kick off their preseason in May with a regular-season finale in September. AT&T Center. Admission.
Contemporary Art Month
WNBA - San Antonio Silver Stars
Cinco de Mayo
www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec
www.marketsquaresa.com
The monthlong celebration of contemporary art features more than 400 exhibitions and events at galleries, museums, neighborhoods and studios.
Celebrations commemorate the Mexican Army’s defeat of the invading French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Music and food at historic Market Square, concerts and other commemorations.
AUGUST
Valero Texas Open www.golfsanantonio.org
The third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR, originated and played in San Antonio since 1922.
Culinaria
Ford Canoe Challenge www.thesanantonioRiverWalk.com
Almost 100 canoe teams compete in timed heats, including local celebrities, city officials, corporate teams, and boy and girl scouts. The race begins at The Chamber of Commerce, heads east through and around the Convention Center Lagoon, through the Rivercenter Mall Lagoon and ends back at The Chamber of Commerce.
http://culinariasa.org
Culinaria: Restaurant Week
Giving wine and food enthusiasts yet another happy May occasion, Culinaria showcases the Alamo City’s finest restaurants and chefs as well as celebrity guests from Mexico, Miami, Manhattan and all over Texas. Culinaria celebrates San Antonio as a pre-eminent wine and food destination and an important culinary and cultural gateway to Mexico and Latin America. It features formal dinners, casual luncheons, tequila and Texas produce tastings, cooking classes, chocolate and champagne pairings, and an array of event activities for connoisseur and amateur alike.
http://culinariasa.org
Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio
www.peopleenespanol.com/festival
www.guadalupeculturalarts.org
Features live performances from a diverse selection of the finest musical groups, from traditional Conjunto to progressive Tejano. Rosedale Park. Admission.
America’s Armed Forces River Parade www.thesanantonioRiverWalk.com
Inaugurated in 2012, the America’s Armed Forces River Parade is dedicated to the men and women serving our country. Professionally adorned floats waft down the River Walk, themed according to their participants: all branches of service, veterans of recent conflicts, military support groups, etc. Floats feature live entertainment from military groups, as well as local artists offering their talents to honor the troops.
MAY – AUGUST Fiesta Noche Del Rio Enjoy the songs and dances of Mexico, Spain, Argentina and Texas on Friday and Saturday evenings at the River Walk’s historic Arneson River Theatre.
Patterned after the May Culinaria, this is a chance to find great deals on sumptuous meals at San Antonio’s top restaurants.
SEPTEMBER People en Español – Festival People en Español will bring its Festival event — celebrating Latino culture and entertainment — to San Antonio from August 31-September 1. The weekend celebration of the hottest in Latino culture features concerts, celebrity appearances, family activities, workshops and more. The annual event relocated in 2012 from New York City. Festival San Antonio is now a destination weekend for all things celebrating Latino heritage and culture.
FOTOSEPTIEMBRE USA www.fotoseptiembreusa.com
This annual international festival — a unique and eclectic month-long photographic-arts gala — is nearing its 20th anniversary. Dozens of exhibits showing traditional photographs, digital images, photography-based works, photographic installations, funky cameras and alternative processes are presented in galleries, museums, art centers and other exhibition spaces throughout San Antonio. Free.
International Accordion Festival www.internationalaccordionfestival.org
This three-day festival of music, dancing, food and fun celebrates the versatility of the accordion and accordion-based international styles of music. La Villita. Free.
Diez y Seis Events Marking Mexico’s independence from Spain, San Antonio celebrates September 16 with special events all over town, including a street parade with floats and marching bands, a gala, Market Square celebrations, festivals, dance presentations, and special activities. 54
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Jazz’SAlive www.saparksfoundation.org
The nation’s top jazz performers join regional and local talent to take over Travis Park and dazzle the crowd with their cool stylings. Free.
OCTOBER Oktoberfest San Antonio Head over to the Beethoven Halle & Garten to celebrate the ultimate German festival, hosted by the Beethoven Maennerchor. Music and dancing plus German specialties such as bratwurst, Reuben sandwiches and beer are available to help put you in the spirit! Suggested donation at the gate.
AT&T Championship http://attchamp.com
Held at the AT&T Canyons Course, TPC San Antonio, this PGA Champions Tour event features 54 holes of stroke-play competition without a cut. A two-day Pro-Am precedes the tournament. All proceeds support AT&T Champions Charities.
San Antonio SPURS Season Begins www.nba.com/spurs/
GO SPURS GO! After taking fans on an exciting ride through the championship series in 2013, the four-time NBA Champions will take to the court again to match their skills against the league’s top stars in the 2013–14 regular season, from October through April in the AT&T Center.
Wurstfest www.wurstfest.com
Wurstfest — starting the Friday before the first Monday in November — is a unique celebration brewed in German culture and steeped in Texas fun! During this 10-day sausage salute, you’ll enjoy a variety of entertainment options, including a polka contest, games, rides, and food and drinks on the Wurstfest Grounds, as well as special events throughout New Braunfels and Comal County. New Braunfels at Landa Park.
NOVEMBER Celebrate America’s Military www.celebrateamericasmilitary.com
Launched in 1970 by The Chamber as a way to say “Thank You” to our military, this annual 11-day event is packed with opportunities to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. The events include a Veterans Parade and wreath-laying ceremony, Birdies for the Brave Golf Tournament, and various luncheons and dinners honoring men and women in uniform.
El Dia de los Muertos www.sacalaveras.com
Translated as “the Day of the Dead,” this Mexican cultural tradition is a celebration in which the family welcomes back departed loved ones, sharing the joys of life with them as their memories live on. Creative and respectful altars are set up around town at galleries, cultural centers, cemeteries and restaurants to commemorate loved ones who have passed. Poetry readings and calavera processions (participants dress as skeletons) are typical events as well. Citywide. Admission for some events.
Diwali San Antonio: Festival of Lights www.diwalisa.com
Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in India, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Revel in a colorful event filled with Indian music, dance, food and a lighting ceremony, as a thousand tea lights are released into the fountains at HemisFair Park. The event closes with a professional fireworks display.
San Antonio Rock ’N’ Roll Marathon & ½ Marathon http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-antonio
This one-of-a-kind marathon pumps up runners and spectators with more than 70 bands along the course, which wends past several historic missions and wraps up at the Alamodome.
Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony www.thesanantonioRiverWalk.com
The day after Thanksgiving, the River Parade kicks off the holidays as decorated floats ply the river in one of the country’s only nighttime river parades. Celebrities, bands and lavishly costumed participants are featured. Admission for all river-level access. Nearly 1.8 million lights illuminate the River Walk trees and bridges throughout the holiday season.
NOVEMBER–DECEMBER Mariachi Vargas www.mariachimusic.com
An eight-day festival featuring the best mariachi music in the world, Mariachi Vargas offers many events, including mariachi-themed art exhibits, presentations and concerts. More than a thousand musicians converge each year to play at the first festival of its kind in the country.
Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias www.thesanantonioRiverWalk.com
Guided by more than 6,000 luminarias, meander along the lush banks of the San Antonio River. Warmly glowing candles in sand-filled bags line the walkways to symbolically mark the “lighting of the way” for the Holy Family. This centuries-old tradition begins at dusk Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.
DECEMBER Valero Alamo Bowl www.valeroalamobowl.com
Major college football comes to the Alamodome. The Valero Alamo Bowl showcases two of the premier conferences in the country, the Big 12 and Pacific-12. It has quickly become one of the most popular bowls in the country, producing some of the most-watched bowl games in history and selling out most years.
Celebrate San Antonio www.saparksfoundation.org
Bring in the New Year with San Antonio style! Enjoy spectacular fireworks, live music on multiple stages, food booths, family activities and more. On South Alamo between Durango and Market streets, and in La Villita. Free.
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SPORTS
Spurs Spirit and Entertainment
CITY OF CHAMPIONS
T
here is no time during the year when San Antonio sports fans can’t find the thrills of a big league event or outdoor activity to enjoy. San Antonio is home to professional basketball, baseball, football, soccer, hockey and golf, and remains a perennial host of numerous NCAA teams and prime-time NCAA events. Many around the country have decided their favorite sporting events are no longer affordable. In contrast, San Antonio is one of the most financially accessible sports cities, especially when you consider that the price of taking a family to a football or baseball game in many markets has reached higher than $500. San Antonio has a wealth of events that a family of four can attend for well under $100 — including parking, food and refreshments. In addition to reasonable ticket prices, San Antonio’s sports attractions are easy to get to, thanks to its modern highway network, and are user-friendly for patrons with accessibility requirements.
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
most successful franchises and winner of four NBA titles. This star-spangled team of phenomenal players has been the Alamo City’s top draw since beginning play here in 1973. Initially part of the American Basketball Association, the Spurs were one of four ABA teams to join the National Basketball Association in 1976. They’ve been on a tear ever since, boasting one of the highest winning percentages in the NBA — 17 division titles and four NBA titles — and have only missed the playoffs four times. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili anchor the 2013–14 team, joining such legends as Avery Johnson, James Silas, George Gervin and David Robinson in donning the black-and-silver. After many years in the Alamodome, the Spurs moved in ’02 to the state-of-the-art AT&T Center, which seats nearly 19,000 for basketball and offers 50 luxury suites. Ticket prices range from low double-digits for the upper reaches to $300 for seats by the court. Although the Spurs are far from average, their ticket price of approximately $63.10 is far from the priciest for an NBA team.
www.nba.com/spurs
San Antonio Silver Stars
Coming off a championship series appearance in 2013, the major force of the local sports scene is the San Antonio Spurs, one of the NBA’s
www.wnba.com/silverstars
San Antonio Spurs
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The Spurs aren’t the only hoops stars to light up AT&T Center. The San Antonio Silver Stars
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
are proof that this town is big enough for two basketball champs. Since moving from Utah to San Antonio for the 2003 season, the Silver Stars have truly become the “sister team” of the Spurs, donning the same black-and-silver colors. Just as the Spurs finish their perennial drive to become NBA champions in mid-spring, the Silver Stars begin their quest for a WNBA title. The team plays more than 30 games from May through September. The Silver Stars have only added to San Antonio’s playoff fever: They have played in the WNBA playoffs every year since 2007, winning a conference championship in 2008. Tickets range from about $11 to $132 for the best courtside seats. The team’s roster includes WNBA all-stars Becky Hammon and Danielle Adams. San Antonio Rampage www.sarampage.com
If playoff-hoops fever isn’t “cool” enough for you, AT&T Center gets frosty every winter when hockey’s San Antonio Rampage take to the ice. Since playing their inaugural season in San Antonio in 2002, the Rampage have become one of the hottest draws on ice. In 2009–10, the team set a season attendance record with an average of more than 5,000 a game. That
increased to 6,411 in 2010–11 and 7,134 in 2011–12. The Rampage are part of the American Hockey League, the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League (NHL). The team is affiliated with the NHL’s Florida Panthers and each year sends players to the NHL for action. It shares an affiliation with the Spurs and Silver Stars by sporting the same black-andsilver colors, and the team’s mascot — T-Bone the bull — is a fan favorite as well as a nod to Texas lore. Despite high popularity, Rampage tickets are still very affordable, with individual game tickets ranging from $10 for balcony seats to $41 for seats by the boards. Most games include promotional events, including $1 Drink Night ($1 beer and sodas) and All You Can Eat Weeknights ($20 for a ticket and all the food and soda you desire). The team plays 38 home games per season at AT&T Center.
Valenzuela, Mike Piazza and Alex Cora. The team has been the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres since 2007. The Missions are one of the city’s most affordable sports attractions. Wolff Stadium is easy to access, offers splendid seating and is chock-full of sweet amenities and fun promotions. Heavily updated in 2007, the ballpark can accommodate up to 9,200 fans and has all the trimmings of a major league venue: 14 luxury suites, a picnic area for up to 500 and an all-you-can-eat fiesta deck that can be rented for groups of up to 200. Single-game ticket prices range from $2 to $11 and there are exciting theme nights every week, including Dollar Night ($1 hot dogs, popcorn,
beer and soda), Fireworks Nights and many giveaways. The Missions’ season begins in April and ends in September. The team plays about six games a week, including road games. San Antonio Talons www.sanantoniotalons.com
The Talons are San Antonio’s new professional arena football team. The team celebrated its inaugural season in 2012 with an 18-game regular season running from March through July. Home games are played in the friendly confines of the Alamodome, with single-game ticket prices starting at a mere $12.
San Antonio Scorpions www.sanantonioscorpions.com
An immense base of Alamo City soccer fans and exciting talent from our youth and university teams locked arms to usher in the era of the San Antonio Scorpions. A North American Soccer League franchise, the Scorpions kicked off their inaugural season in 2012 and immediately began to climb to the top of the league in victories and turnstile counts. With the season beginning in the spring each year and lasting into the summer, the Scorpions are a great complement to the city. A four-phase stadium project will incrementally increase capacity from 6,169 to 18,500. Additionally, the Scorpions add special value for the community because their revenues help support Morgan’s Wonderland, the country’s first all-access family attraction theme park, designed especially for those with special needs. San Antonio Missions www.samissions.com
San Antonio Rampage
The local baseball nine — the San Antonio Missions — have a history that could seem nearly as lengthy as their namesake Spanish missions. The team traces its roots to 1888 as a founding member of the Texas League. The Missions won their first title in 1897 and have matched the Spurs’ success by winning four league titles since 1997. During the past 110-plus years, the Missions have been affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners. More than 700 players have played in San Antonio before advancing to Major League Baseball, including Joe Morgan, Fernando www.sachamber.org
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San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO www.sarodeo.com
The Alamo City boasts one of the largest and most celebrated stock shows and rodeos in the nation — and that’s no bull! Founded in 1950, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is so big that it requires three weeks in February to present all of its events. The full schedule includes judged animal shows, PRCA rodeo competition, carnival rides and booths, and top-notch entertainment featuring nationally and internationally recognized talent. It ranks as one of the top five rodeos for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and attracts more than 1.5 million visitors annually. Most impressively, this home-grown rodeo with a global reputation is staged entirely by thousands of volunteers. Better yet, the millions of dollars in proceeds go to support scholarships and other educational endeavors. Everyone is welcome to volunteer to work at the event.
GOLF San Antonio’s unspoiled hills, semi-tropical weather and clear skies make it an ideal setting for golf. Each year, the city hosts PGA golf professionals at two marquee events. Valero Texas Open www.valerotexasopen.org
The Valero Texas Open dates to 1922, and Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Nick Price and Justin Leonard have been among its winners. Today the Valero Texas Open is part of an elite set of PGA events that make up the FedEx Cup. It’s held at TPC San Antonio, one of the jewels of the PGA Tour. Located in the beautiful Hill Country in north San Antonio, the TPC golf
S.T.A.R. SOUTH TEXAS AREA REGIONAL SOCCER COMPLEX Sports Single Column (SC) 2.333" x 3.167" 60
courses are part of the sprawling JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa complex, accessible to guests of the resort as well as club members and their guests. Nationally televised by CBS and the Golf Channel, the Valero Texas Open is held in April. It has an impressive purse of $6.2 million and typically draws about 50,000 attendees. Tickets can be purchased for as little as $25. Approximately 2,000 volunteers help make this high-profile event run smoothly. In 2012, it raised about $9 million for children’s charities, one of the highest totals of any PGA event. AT&T Championship www.attchamp.com
San Antonio also hosts a premier golf event every fall: The AT&T Championship. This event is part of the PGA Champions Tour, the PGA circuit for golfers 50 and over. Held in October at TPC San Antonio’s AT&T Canyons Course, the tourney has a purse of $1.9 million. Golf legends such as Tom Kite, Fred Couples and Ben Crenshaw have played at the event. Past winners have included Chi Chi Rodriguez, Lee Trevino and Craig Stadler. The AT&T Championship is supported by more than 850 volunteers and raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities. Admission to the AT&T Championship is free, and tickets can be obtained from participating
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
charities. Every ticket redeemed at the gate earns each organization $2, and the top five organizations earn a bonus from the tournament. It is televised nationally on the Golf Channel and watched by hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide.
NCAA/COLLEGE SPORTS San Antonio has basked in the national spotlight as the host of several NCAA Final Four basketball championships, but it is also home to many other NCAA sporting events and college teams. The New Year kicks off with collegiate frenzy in The Valero Alamo Bowl, which pits a top Pac-12 team against a top Big 12 team. The event has a team payout of more than $6 million and draws more than 60,000 fans. The city has also played host to several Big 12 football championships at the Alamodome, which seats about 65,000 spectators for football and is expandable to hold 72,000. It has 52 luxury suites. Partly due to great weather and a neutral location, San Antonio also hosted several NCAA women’s Final Four basketball championships, the most recent being the 2010 Final Four. The city has hosted the NCAA Big 12 soccer championships and, when it isn’t hosting the NCAA Final Four basketball championship, is a host for the Southwest Regional games (part of the Sweet 16).
San Antonio has its own roster of college sports teams, including prominent NCAA football, baseball and basketball squads. The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners operate one of the more prominent programs. UTSA has men’s and women’s basketball and soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s baseball, and in 2011 UTSA kicked off its inaugural football season in the Alamodome. Other universities in the city, including Trinity University, St. Mary’s and the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), offer a range of collegiate sports entertainment.
ATHLETIC EVENTS While you can fill your weekends trying to watch all the sporting events that San Antonio has to offer, you can also find yourself busy personally competing. The city hosts a number of prominent runs, walks and cycling events — enough to fill the calendar year. Among the most notable local events is the Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and Half Marathon, benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure and serving as a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. More than 30,000 runners and walkers converge on San Antonio to participate. The event is part of the Rock ’n’ Roll marathon series of events held in cities
throughout the United States and in five international destinations, known for lining courses with dozens of live, local bands and numerous cheerleading groups. It’s a fun event to compete in — or just to watch from the sidelines! In its first five years, the Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and Half Marathon raised more than $6 million for charity. San Antonio also hosts a major Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event in mid-spring, which includes a 5K run and a one-mile walk. Established in 1997, Komen San Antonio has invested more than $15.5 million. For those preferring to support their favorite charitable endeavor on two wheels, the Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon now hosts the 22-mile Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio Bike Tour, and San Antonio also welcomes the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River in October. Thousands participate in the two-day Ride to the River event, which begins in San Antonio and winds through beautiful Texas towns and Hill Country. Ride to the River has two tour options — both more than 100 miles in length — with an overnight stay in historic New Braunfels. The event raises money for multiple sclerosis and is one of the major MS bike rides in the nation.
SAN ANTONIO SPORTS: KIDS’ PROGRAMS. PREMIER EVENTS. For 29 years, San Antonio Sports has put the Alamo city on the global stage. From NCAA championships to the Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon, premier events hosted by San Antonio Sports have delivered more than $446 million to the local economy. But San Antonio Sports is not just about big games. It’s a nonprofit organization that works every day to transform the community through the power of sport. Year-round kids’ programs deliver sports and fitness events to thousands of children in every part of the community. They’re in 290 local elementary schools with the ING Kids Rock Marathon training program and Go!Kids Challenge™. San Antonio Sports’ Dreams for Youth Afterschool Program introduces U.I.L. sport fundamentals after school to inner-city children by providing coaching, equipment, and nutrition and character-building lessons. Its Fit Family Challenge expands their kids’ fitness efforts with a fun, incentivized, four-month countywide program for the whole family. Everyone is invited to become a part of the San Antonio Sports team, as a participant, a volunteer and a member. Visit SanAntonioSports.org or call 210-820-2100.
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La Cantera Shopping Center
SHOPPING EXPLORE STYLISH SAN ANTONIO
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rom large-scale indoor/outdoor malls and outlet centers with well-known national chains to trendy boutiques and unique treasures, the Alamo City has something for everyone.
OPEN-AIR MALLS On the grounds of what used to be the Alamo Cement Plant, the huge smokestacks now welcome shoppers to the Alamo Quarry Market. A fabulous collection of 75 stores, restaurants, movie theaters and beauty/fitness options await. From Ann Taylor to Whole Earth Provision Co. and Alta Moda Salon to Whole Foods Market, the Alamo Quarry Market is a landmark for shopping, dining and entertainment, found just minutes from downtown off Highway 281. Huebner Oaks Center, in the north-central part of town, offers a variety of shopping favorites, including Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Stop by the host of casual dining options, such as La Madeleine, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Starbucks, to refuel.
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The sign at the Los Patios’ entrance invites all to “DINE•SHOP•DISCOVER,” and what a discovery it is, beautifully located on 20 acres of wooded green space off Loop 410. An oasis in the heart of the city, Los Patios welcomes shoppers to stroll the Paseo Salado nature trail alongside the Salado Creek in addition to enjoying the unique boutiques, galleries, salon and day spa that grace the grounds. Top off a day of shopping with a visit to the onsite Gazebo restaurant, featuring a lunch-only menu with dog-friendly dining on the patio and a not-tobe-missed Sunday buffet. Once considered one of the nation’s top breweries, what’s now just called The Pearl has become into one of San Antonio’s hottest cultural and culinary destinations. Just outside the center of downtown on the new Museum Reach of the River Walk, its unique architecture welcomes shoppers with one-of-a-kind offerings, including the Melissa Guerra Tienda de Cocina, voted the best new retail store in the city. Make time to browse nearby resident artist studios, take classes at the newest branch of the Culinary
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Institute of America, buy fresh produce at the Saturday morning farmers market, luxuriate in the Aveda Institute, and simply sample the best local flavors of the city at the renowned Il Sogno Osteria or La Gloria. Chic residences are built and offered on the site. The Shops at La Villita Historic Arts Village, located in downtown’s River Walk area, is built on an area used as primitive barracks for Spanish soldiers. Its Victorian and palisade-style buildings now house shops, galleries and upscale restaurants. Alongside Latin American imports of tin art and rugs, craftspeople fashion everything from handmade jewelry to sculpture, Southwest art, shawls and various articles of clothing. It’s a terrific place for souvenir shopping. The Forum at Olympia Parkway is one of the largest outdoor shopping centers in all Texas. Easily accessible from I-35 and Loop 1604, there’s something for everyone, including plenty of convenient, storefront parking. It’s a place where you can run to the bank, get some automotive work done, visit an optometrist, find a special gift, and pick up office supplies with one
stop, in addition to outfitting the kids and your home. Restaurants run the gamut from Asian to British, Mexican to Italian — and everything in between. On the northwest edge of the city, The Rim is an amazing 3 million-square-foot retail destination for serious shoppers. The largest Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor World in Texas, as well as off-price outlets such as Nordstrom Rack and Saks Fifth Avenue’s OFF Fifth, stand shoulderto-shoulder with major department stores, specialty shops and designer boutiques. A plethora of restaurants, a 19-screen movie theater with IMAX and other entertainment venues round out The Rim. Just minutes away, The Shops at La Cantera is comprised of 160 specialty retailers, restaurants and department stores — including Neiman Marcus — with lush greenery and soothing water. All your favorite designers have taken up residence in this garden-like retail paradise, including Burberry, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and Tiffany Co. Designed by an awardwinning architectural firm, the surrounding master-planned community also includes The Westin resort and two world-class golf courses. For the ultimate in shopping luxury, try the valet parking, available at three locations. The Alley on Bitters is a tempting shopping treat about 10 minutes from the airport. Locally owned and operated for more than 30 years, this village of shops is bursting with opportunities to find out-of-the-ordinary gifts, antiques, and funky decor and clothing. A recent renovation infused its boardwalk with even more new stores and added to its delectable fare of restaurants, including Bin 555 Restaurant and Wine Bar, Bahia Azul seafood restaurant, and Madexalli Cultural Coffee Bar. The Collection at Broadway and Sunset offers an array of galleries, antique and accessories shops, quirky local designers, and trendy labels, along with a Bikram yoga studio and sushi bar at a convenient in-town location.
1.3 million square feet. One reason the mall has been successful for so long is that it has continued to change with the times and offers a broad mix of stores that attract all kinds of shoppers. Wonderland of the Americas Mall is often called the city’s bargain mall. More than 50 of the best brand-name retailers, including Stein Mart, Burlington Coat Factory and Super Target — plus small discount stores and a six-screen dinner theater — fill this mall with “what you need, when you need it.” Crossroads is near the South Texas Medical Center off I-10 and Loop 410. One of the largest regional shopping centers, Ingram Park Mall is filled with distinctive department stores such as Dillard’s (with a separate Dillard’s home store), JCPenney, Sears, Macy’s and Bealls, plus more than 150 specialty stores. Kids are sure to enjoy The Disney Store, The Children’s Place and Gymboree. Situated on the dynamic northwest side of the city, the mall also features more than 10 casual dining restaurants. Rivercenter Mall is an indoor mall with an outdoor feel, thanks to abundant natural light streaming through huge glass walls and its proximity to the River Walk (river taxis dock right at the mall’s lagoon). The energized,
festive atmosphere is reflected in the myriad options, including dining choices ranging from Gourmet Kabob House to four-star Morton’s The Steakhouse, more than 130 stores, Texas’ biggest IMAX 3D screen and a popular comedy club. Obviously an attraction for tourists, the mall is also a favorite with locals, who enjoy its exciting mix of “fashion, flavor and fun.” Plans are in the works to expand the space even more. Located in the northeast outskirts of San Antonio is Rolling Oaks Mall. Dillard’s, Macy’s, Sears and JCPenney join more than 100 specialty shops, a movie theater and a food court that pleases a variety of tastes. While you’re busy browsing, your young ones will love the Inflatable Wonderland, an 18,000-square-foot indoor playground with giant slides, obstacle courses, moonwalk and more. South Park Mall serves the south side of town and is conveniently located along I-35. One of the city’s most popular indoor malls, it maintains a family-friendly image with a children’s play area and frequent community entertainment. Macy’s and more than 70 of your favorite stores join two sit-down restaurants and food-court options.
INDOOR MALLS
The Rim Shopping Center
On the rare occasion when you might consider it a bit sultry outside, San Antonio’s indoor malls offer respite. The largest pair of cowboy boots in the world greets visitors to North Star Mall. At 40 feet high and 20 feet long, they’re easy to spot on your final descent into the San Antonio International Airport (right next door) and a sure sign that everything is bigger in Texas! At 50 years old, North Star Mall was one of the first enclosed malls in the country, with 53 stores when it opened. Today, it boasts more than 200 specialty stores and restaurants spread across www.sachamber.org
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SAN MARCOS OUTLET CENTERS Located along I-35 about 45 minutes northeast of San Antonio, Exit 200 at San Marcos is home to two adjacent outlet malls and has earned its reputation as a genuine shopping mecca. If you’d like to share the ride and have someone else do the driving, Alamo City Shuttle and My Shuttle Home provide regular shuttle service. San Marcos Premium Outlets is the destination for upscale shopping at savings of 25 to 65 percent off retail prices. Offerings at 140 outlets range from A’Gasi to Zales and every highend designer crafting classic and trendy styles. In addition to being a feast for the wallet, the center is a banquet for the eyes. Exquisite arches, statues and even a gondola pond styled after the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy, beckon the weary to relax and shop. Tanger Outlets (right next door) was recently named “Official Best Outlet Mall in Texas.” General Manager Juan Carlos Linares attributes the praise to the center’s great value. More than 10 million bargain hunters visit Tanger each year to reap the benefits of buying directly from manufacturers.
UNIQUE STORES TO VISIT
La Cantera Shopping Center
Upscale grocery H-E-B’s Central Market is a foodie paradise with the freshest, finest comestibles from Texas — and the world — on offer. When the first location opened in Austin in the 1990s, it was dubbed an amusement park for food lovers, and it still attracts millions of guests each year. After learning that customers trekked from San Antonio to Austin for provisions, H-E-B opened a Central Market store on Broadway Street, north of downtown. Staff and patrons celebrate food every day, enjoying the market’s famous cooking classes, fun events (Hatch Chili Festival) and even occasional live music. The Broadway store features well over 700 hand-cut cheeses, organic and local produce, meat, seafood, hot-baked breads, and specialty items aplenty. Located near North Star Mall, high-end store Julián Gold is 30,000 square feet of sophisticated, designer luxury. Products from Armani, Escada, Pucci and other exciting contemporary collections are complemented by lingerie, shoes and the ultimate bridal salon. Recent renovations showcase the addition of several new lines and exciting contemporary collections, making this landmark retailer’s offerings doubly appealing to a highly diverse group of discriminating clients. Since 1945, its acclaimed “gold standard” in service has been delighting customers through exclusive trunk shows, custom
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THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
tailoring, after-hours appointments and the company’s hallmark attention to detail. A legend in boot making, the Lucchese Boot Company has been a San Antonio favorite since 1883. Probably best known for a jaw-dropping list of celebrity clientele, Lucchese handmade boots have been spotted on England’s Prince Harry and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, legion of country music legends, and scores of celebrities (such as the Kardashians). Satel’s men’s store on Broadway has been the haberdasher of choice for Texas businessmen since 1950. Known for its high-quality suits, formal wear and sportswear, personal service makes this family-owned men’s store a peerless proprietor.
WORTH THE DRIVE
the grand old Texas town has no shortage of things to do! The 6,000-square-foot Gruene Hall — built in 1878 and touted as the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas — attracts major performers and two-steppers, while fun and funky boutiques lure shoppers. Add some wine tasting or tubing on the Guadalupe River and Gruene is a perfect weekend getaway. The picturesque village of Wimberley is well known as the hometown of many authors and artists. Clustered around the town square, creative studios and quaint shops trade in handicrafts and mementos. On the first Saturday of each month, the town is transformed with Market Days, the second-largest outdoor market (and oldest in Hill Country) in the state. Nearly 500 vendors attract throngs of cheerful customers enjoy a backdrop of live music. The local Lions Club provides plenty of delectable food offerings with all profits donated to charity.
Rivercenter Mall
The German village of Boerne (pronounced “Bernie”), less than 30 minutes from downtown
San Antonio in the Hill Country, is a popular draw for its Hauptstrasse (Main Street) lined with craft and antiques shops. Hundreds of stores, restaurants, galleries and small-town geniality beckon. Don’t miss the many popular festivals, including Second Saturday Art & Wine, the summer concert series, Oktoberfest and Dickens on Main. Fredericksburg is an enchanting burg about an hour’s drive north of San Antonio. The “widest Main Street in Texas” features 200 shops and stores with a cornucopia of antiques, art, home decor, gifts, furniture, fashion, books, specialty food, wine and collectibles. Well over 100 bedand-breakfasts cater to happy sojourners who visit on multi-day shopping excursions. Utterly deserted by 1950 and frozen in time, perfectly preserved Gruene (pronounced “Green”), now a part of New Braunfels, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But
www.sachamber.org
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IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS WHERE TO FIND KEY INFORMATION
ORGANIZATION/DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION/DEPARTMENT
PHONE (AREA (AREA CODE CODE 210 210 THROUGHOUT) THROUGHOUT) PHONE
CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
207-6000
City Services Airport Information
WEB WEB WWW.SANANTONIO.GOV
Dial 311 207-3433 (SAT) or 207-1801 (Stinson)
www.sanantonio.gov/aviation/
Animal Care Services
207-4738
www.sanantonio.gov/animalcare/
City Council – Main Number
207-7040
www.sanantonio.gov/council/
City Manager’s Office
207-7080
www.sanantonio.gov/manager/
Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
207-6700
www.visitsanantonio.com
207-8500 Convention Sports and Entertainment Facilities (Alamodome, Convention Center)
www.alamodome.com www.sahbgcc.com
207-8080
www.sanantonio.gov/edd
207-8400 or 911
www.sanantonio.gov/safd/
Economic Development Office Fire/EMS Historic Preservation
215-9274
www.sanantonio.gov/Historic/
Intergovernmental Relations
207-8109
www.sanantonio.gov/intergovernmental/
Library
207-2500 www.mysapl.org
Mayor’s Office
207-8998
www.sanantonio.gov/mayor/
Parks and Recreation
207-8480
www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec
207-7273 or 911
www.sanantonio.gov/sapd/
Solid Waste Management
207-6428
www.sanantonio.gov/swmd
BEXAR COUNTY – PRONOUNCED “BEAR”
335-2011
WWW.BEXAR.ORG
Most Wanted Tip Line
335-8477
County Clerk’s Office
335-2216
Police
Voter Registration THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
335-VOTE (8683)
229-2100
gov.propertyinfo.com/tx-bexar/ elections.bexar.org
WWW.SACHAMBER.ORG
Membership 229-2107 Publications and Advertising
229-2117
Education and Workforce
229-2134
Events 229-2129 UTILITIES Electric and Gas: CPS Energy Water: San Antonio Water System
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800-870-1006 704-7297
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.cpsenergy.com www.saws.org
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS PREFERRED BUSINESS LISTINGS ACCOUNTANT
ART GALLERIES
ATTRACTIONS
Art Incorporated Ike’s Air Conditioning Inc. Steven Bankler CPA 9901 IH 10 W Suite 670 San Antonio, TX 78230 (210) 691-3133 steven@bankler.com www.bankler.com
Niche CPA firm catering to closely held businesses. Our job is to put money in your pocket!
5504 Bandera Road Suite 403 San Antonio, TX 78238 (210) 680-1234 www.ikesair.com
Ike’s Air Conditioning offers the best in heating and air conditioning. Our rates are competitive, with no hidden fees. We offer 24-hour emergency heating and cooling repair services — seven days a week.
Cathie Clark, Gallery Director 9401 San Pedro Avenue San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 340-1091................................. fax (800) 225-0278 www.artincorporated.com
Fine Art Gallery focusing on Corporate Art Services and featuring a Custom Framing Studio. A vast art collection including original works, sculpture, glass, giclees, prints, posters, unique gifts, jewelry and pottery. Mon.-Sat. 10-6; Thurs. 10-8.
ASSISTED LIVING
ADVERTISING AGENCIES
The Atkins Group 501 Soledad Street San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 444-2500
The Atkins Group is a strategic brand communications agency designed to deliver comprehensive brand marketing programs for a diverse range of clients in the travel and hospitality, health care, and consumer products categories.
Insco Distributing Inc.
Cave Without A Name
Mr. Tom Summers 325 Kreutzberg Road Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 537-4212 www.cavewithoutaname.com
Tour the cave (a National Natural Landmark), browse the gift shop, pan the mining sluice, select and discover a geode surprise, walk the labyrinth, and hike the trails. Find a true harmony of nature and enjoy the beauty of the Hill Country.
Sunny Spirits Assisted Living
12501 Network Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 690-8400 www.inscohvac.com
705 Fenwick San Antonio, TX 78239 (210) 618-5203 www.sunnyspirits.com
Insco Distributing, Inc. is a distributor of HVAC/R equipment, parts and supplies for over 50 years. Serving the air conditioning and heating market with 33 branch locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma.
One of San Antonio’s best-kept secrets, we are located in the tranquil city of Windcrest. We offer two beautiful Type B Assisted Living Homes that are RN-owned and -operated. We offer over 13 years’ experience and a long list of services at an all-inclusive price.
AGRIBUSINESS
ASSOCIATIONS
SeaWorld® San Antonio 10500 SeaWorld Drive San Antonio, TX 78251 (800) 700-7786 www.SeaWorld.com
SeaWorld® San Antonio offers a new show opening June 8, 2013, featuring furry, four-legged stars in Pets Ahoy®. Plus, enjoy thrilling rides, animal attractions and Aquatica™, SeaWorld’s waterpark, where the South Seas meets South Texas.
AUTO BODY REPAIR & PAINT
Will Fix It Plumbing Heating & Cooling Mr. Rick Hoffart 7847 Forturne Drive San Antonio, TX 78250 (210) 333-3300 www.willfixit.com
Murphy Tomatoes
6407 Rail Way San Antonio, TX 78244 (210) 310-2700 www.murphytomatoes.com
We bring the safest, tastiest tomatoes to our valued customers from our farms in California and Florida, with control of our fruit each step of the way. We are inspected and food safety certified by Primus, consistently maintaining a SUPERIOR rating.
Recognized for the quality of its service professionals, Will Fix It is the trusted local source for installation, repair, replacement or troubleshooting and maintenance of all your plumbing, heating and cooling needs.
APARTMENTS
`
San Antonio CPA Society
Service King Collision Repair Centers
901 NE Loop 410 Suite 420 San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 828-2722 jacqui@sacpasociety.com
16211 San Pedro Avenue San Antonio, TX 78232 (866) 730-KING (5464) www.serviceking.com
SA CPA Society is a nonprofit organization supporting professional activities to advance the accounting profession and protecting the interests of our members and the general public.
A Texas-based collision repair center with 10 locations in the San Antonio area. We offer free estimates, lifetime warranty and direct repairs for all major insurance companies.
BANKS
ATTORNEYS Enclave at Buckhorn Crossing 6650 Prue Road San Antonio, TX 78240 (210) 699-9900 buckhornmgr@ti-f.org
Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard 25195 Mathis Road Elmendorf, TX 78112 (210) 621-0044 www.sandyoaks.com
Experience quality living at the Enclave at Buckhorn Crossing, where rustic meets luxury. Enjoy the qualities of a true community with weekly resident socials. The Enclave at Buckhorn Crossing provides luxury interior comforts and a variety of community features.
This 11,000-tree orchard produces olive oil, olives and a full line of skin care products. It is a perfect setting for corporate and private events.
Vineyard Springs Apartments
Mr. Steven McGuffey 12019 Starcrest San Antonio, TX 78247 (866) 798-1808 smcguffey@holmanboiler.com www.holmanboiler.com
R. Wes Johnson 745 E Mulberry Suite 500 San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 733-8191 www.gardner.sa.com
The Gardner Law Firm provides legal services to foreign and domestic businesses, individuals, and government entities. The firm enjoys an outstanding reputation for legal expertise and client service and counsels clients proudly and effectively.
AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING
Holman Boiler Works
Frost Gardner Law
18200 Blanco Springs Road - Office San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 424-0116 www.vineyardsprings.com
We offer privacy with natural rustic settings with all the conveniences of premier living. Secluded Hill Country views, natural landscaping, spacious 1-3 bedrooms, spectacular clubhouse, stadium-seated theater, poolside Internet access and so much more!
100 W. Houston Street San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 220-4011 www.frostbank.com
The largest Texas-based bank that operates only in Texas, Frost has helped Texans with their financial needs since 1868, offering banking, investment and insurance services at more than 110 financial centers, including 25 in the San Antonio area.
JPMorgan Chase Bank
1020 NE Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 829-6130 www.chase.com/commercialbanking
Chase Commercial Banking serves over 23,000 corporate, state, municipal, financial institution and nonprofit clients in the U.S. The firm offers a comprehensive set of financial products and services and provides clients with access to the investment services of J.P. Morgan.
The Southwest’s Largest and Most Complete Boiler Service Company, providing sales and field service, code repairs, parts, mobile rental fleet, tubes and tube fabrication, remanufactured and used boilers. 24-hour service, 7 days a week.
www.sachamber.org
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CONTRACTORS – GENERAL
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
ENGINEERS – CONSULTING
Vantage Bank Texas, N.A. 45 NE Loop 410 Ste 190 San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 408-5700 www.vantagebank.com
Vantage Bank Texas is a community bank serving South Texas. The bank offers traditional banking products and services for individuals and business consumers. Vantage Bank Texas is currently headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with branches in Laredo, McAllen and Refugio, Texas. To experience community banking with great products and expert service, visit your local branch today!
BOOTS – RETAIL
HDR Engineering Inc. Brandt Companies LLC
6023 Corridor Parkway Suite 100 Schertz, TX 78154 (210) 599-6120................................. fax (210) 599-7921 www.brandteng.com
As Texas’ largest full-service MEP services provider and Engineering News-Record’s 2011 Specialty Contractor of the year, Brandt exceeds customer expectations by providing innovative/value-conscious solutions.
Alamo Heights ISD 7101 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 824-2483 http://www.ahisd.net
Alamo Heights ISD combines the refinement of the 21st century with the intimacy of a small town. Our staff is highly motivated and recognized for academic/ extracurricular excellence. We offer small teacher-student ratios and innovative course options.
Mr. Alfredo Arce 1020 NE Loop 410 Suite 400 San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 841-2800 www.hdrinc.com
HDR is an employee-owned A/E firm that provides a total spectrum of services. Our professionals represent hundreds of disciplines and partner on teams worldwide to provide solutions beyond the scope of traditional A/E firms.
FLORIST
CREDIT UNIONS
Red Wing Shoe Store
1413 SW Military Drive San Antonio, TX 78221 (210) 922-2901 www.redwingsanantonio.com
This was the first Red Wing Shoe Store in South Texas. Same family and location since 1969. We carry over 100 styles of shoes and boots for men and women. Sizes in stock from men’s 4-18 and women’s 5-11. Safety/NonSafety toe. Commercial accounts welcome.
BUS – CHARTERS & TOUR
United SA Federal Credit Union
Southwest ISD
United SA Federal Credit Union was founded in 1955 as USAA FCU. We’re a full-service financial cooperative offering superior products and personal service to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Bexar County.
Southwest Independent School District will be the leader in educational innovation. Southwest Independent School District will identify and develop the potential of all individuals. • Compassion • Excellence • Integrity • Dedication • Respect • Responsibility
5500 UTSA Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 561-4500 www.unitedsafcu.org
DENTISTS – GENERAL PRACTICE
11914 Dragon Lane San Antonio, TX 78252 (210) 622-4300 www.swisd.net
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Janal Wholesale Florist Inc.
1942 N. St. Mary’s San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 225-3367................................. fax (210) 225-3369 www.janalsa.com
We offer retailers, florists, event companies and mass markets a direct source to our vast and distinguished collection of enticing, high-quality flowers. We specialize in bringing floral designs to our consumers, bringing to the retailer and mass markets the finest, freshest and most beautiful cut flowers at wholesale prices.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION Daisy Tours-Conventions San Antonio 1505 E. Houston Street San Antonio, TX 78202 (210) 225-8600 june@daisytours.com
Family-owned and -operated for over 30 years, we provide charter buses for schools, churches and groups of all types. We own and maintain our own fleet of 57-passenger motor coaches equipped with restrooms and DVD players. Department of Defense approved.
COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE
Cheryl E. Davis, DMD Family Dentistry
Dr. Cheryl Davis 210 Chestnut Street San Antonio, TX 78202 (210) 212-8707................................. fax (210) 212-8780 cheryldavis.dmd@sbcglobal.net www.cheryldavisdental.com
Education Service Center Region 20
Our Philosophy: The purpose and goal of our office is to deliver quality dental care based on the three C’s: Courteous, Comprehensive & Caring.
Education Service Center, Region 20 is one of 20 regional education service agencies within Texas which assist school districts in improving student performance and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of school operations.
DISCOUNT STORES
Dr. Ronny Beard, Excutive Director 1314 Hines Avenue San Antonio, TX 78208 (210) 370-5750................................. fax (210) 370-5601 www.esc20.net
ENGINEERING
Sysco Central Texas, Inc. 1260 Schwab Road New Braunfels, TX 78132-5155 (830) 730-1000 Toll Free (800) 877.5385 www.syscocentraltexas.com
A full-service distributor capable of supplying every need (food items, paper/plastic goods, equipment, chemicals, etc.) to the restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools and other eating establishments of the South Texas area.
FUNERAL HOMES Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Sirius Computer Solutions Mr. Michael Harwood 613 NW Looop 410, Suite 1000 San Antonio, TX 78216 (800) 460-1237 www.siriuscom.com
Sirius is a nationally recognized solutions integrator with over 30 years’ IT experience providing best-of-breed hardware, software, storage networking, security, cloud and business resilience solutions.
1209 IH 35 S New Braunfels, TX 78130 (830) 481-6572 www.walmart.com
Save money. Live better.
DOCUMENT IMAGING
IHI Southwest Technologies Inc. 6766 Culebra Road San Antonio, TX 78238 (210) 256-4100 arodriguez@ihiswt.com
IHI provides quality inspection services to the power, petroleum, chemical and wind industries around the world. All of IHI’s examiners are trained, qualified and certified in the appropriate methods and on the applicable equipment in accordance with IHI procedures and client-specific guidelines.
ENGINEERING – CIVIL
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Foster CM Group Inc.
8610 N. New Braunfels Suite 606 San Antonio, TX 78217 (210) 804-1004................................. fax (210) 828-5484 www.fostercmgroup.com
Foster CM Group specializes in Program/Construction and Project Management. Since 1992, we’ve provided quality services to Aviation, Education, Government, Healthcare, Sports & Entertainment, Transportation and Water/Wastewater clients. SBE/AABE/MBE/DBE and HUB.
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Access Imaging Solutions LLC
4224 Centergate Street San Antonio, TX 78217 (210) 590-8338................................. fax (210) 590-8322 dcarney@accessimagingsolutions.com www.accessimagingsolutions.com
Access Imaging Solutions provides superior business process optimization and document management solutions. Services that include assessment, implementation, ongoing conversion and content management help companies manage paper-intensive business processes.
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
GE Reaves Engineering Inc.
Mr. Gaylord Reaves 12508 Jones Maltsberger, Suite 108 San Antonio, TX 78247 (210) 490-4506 www.gereaveseng.com
Civil-Structural Engineering and Survey in continuous business for 30 years, serving residential and commercial builders and developers to government contracting. Providing structural design, civil engineering, survey and forensics services.
Porter Loring Mortuaries 1101 McCullough Avenue San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 227-8221 www.porterloring.com
San Antonio’s oldest family-run funeral homes offer two locations, pre-need planning, funeral services for all faiths (plus military and specialized), embalming, cremation, memorials, and accessories. porterloring.com
GARBAGE & RUBBISH REMOVAL
Texas Disposal Systems
P.O. Box 17126 Austin, TX 78760 (800) 375-8375 CustomerCare@TexasDisposal.com www.TexasDisposal.com
TDS feels Resource Management includes keeping the environment, our customers and our employees a top priority. We reclaim, recycle and repurpose as many waste materials as possible through landfill diversion.
HEALTH CARE SERVICES
University Health System 4502 Medical Drive San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 358-4000 Public.Relations@ush-sa.com UniversityHealthSystem.com
• Academic medical center in partnership with UT Medicine • Owned by the people of Bexar County • San Antonio’s only Magnet health system • Honored by U.S. News for advanced treatments, new technologies and clinical research
Marriott San Antonio Mr. Mario Bass 101 Bowie San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 233-1000 www.marriott.com
Marriott Rivercenter and Riverwalk Hotels are located in the heart of downtown San Antonio. Our $55 million reinvention of guest rooms, meeting and public space creates an atmosphere that engages and encourages play, connectivity and achievement.
HOTELS / MOTELS
Super 8-Motel South/ Ocean Property Management Mr. Sam Allouche 723 Hot Wells San Antonio, TX 78223 (210) 560-5807 www.ocean2ocean.us
Super 8 is a wonderful place to stay. It’s the leading Super 8 in Texas! Newly remodeled rooms and friendly staff that will treat you like family! Call today — 210-265-8888.
UT Medicine Health Science Center S.A. 8300 Floyd Curl Dr. San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 459-9000 www.UTMedicine.org
From a flu shot to the surgery and cancer care, UT Medicine is a private practice offering experts in all branches of mediciane from the experts at the School of Medicine in the UT Health Science Center.
HEALTH CONSULTANTS - WELLNESS
TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Antonio Airport Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio NW 6809 N Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 690-0300 www.fourpointssanantonionw.com
The Four Points by Sheraton NW is conveniently located on Loop 1064 at the UTSA/La Cantera exit. We offer complimentary Internet, parking, fitness center and many other amenities.
214 NE Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 308-5510................................. fax (210) 308-5519 celeste.walters@marriott.com www.marriott.com/satts
Our hotel accommodations feature comfortable neighborhood-style living at a great value for our guests. Enjoy a complimentary hot full breakfast buffet, evening dinner with beverages 4 nights a week.
11398 Bandera Road, Suite 304 San Antonio, TX 78250 (210) 647-1931 www.medifastcenters.com
HOME HEALTH SERVICES
Grand Hyatt San Antonio and Hyatt Regency San Antonio Mr. Kyle Stevens 600 E. Market Street San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 224-1234 www.grandsanantonio.hyatt.com
Enjoy the contemporary charm and Latin culture blended seamlessly at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio. Warm hospitality, bold colors and graceful touches create a hotel perfect for every guest, whether traveling for work or vacation.
HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Antonio Northwest
5014 Prue Road San Antonio, TX 78240 (210) 694-5100................................. fax (210) 694-5111 yolanda.cuellar1@marriott.com www.marriott.com/sattn
Our hotel accommodations feature comfortable neighborhood-style living at a great value for our guests. Enjoy a complimentary hot full breakfast buffet, evening dinner with beverages 4 nights a week.
HOSPITALS
Medina River Ranch Resort & Conference Center Holiday Inn Market Square
Mr. Ben Baker 318 W. Cesar Chavez Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78204 (210) 225-3211 www.sanantonio.com/holiday-inn-downtown
Our hotel’s location near Market Square makes it easy to discover the unique melting pot of history and beauty in the city. Make your reservations today, enjoy complimentary parking and experience the heart of San Antonio from our hotel.
Ms. Kelly Clark 1515 Old Castroville Road Bandera, TX 78003 (713) 703-5221 www.medinariverranchresort.com
Home to some of the finest Texas Hill Country views along with upscale luxury accommodations. Medina River Ranch is a scenic serenity located six miles outside of historic Bandera, Texas, “Cowboy Capital of the World,” and an hour west of San Antonio.
215 E. Quincy Street Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78215 (210) 297-1000 www.baptisthealthsystem.com
414 Navarro Street, Suite 600 San Antonio, TX 78205 (877) 938-7070 www.nixhealth.com
With locations throughout San Antonio, Nix Health offers a full range of comprehensive healthcare services, including primary care doctors, specialists, behavioral health, physical rehabilitation and home care.
INSURANCE
State Farm Agent – Jacqui Lugar Ms. Jacqui Lugar 1248 Austin Highway, Suite 202 San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 822-2121 jacqui@jlugar.com www.jlugar.com
JANITORS – EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES & SERVICES
LaQuinta Inn & Suites Fiesta Texas Mr. Robert Minto 5622 Utex Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 696-0100 www.lq.com
Our competitive rate includes our Fitness Center, Free WiFi, Free Full Breakfast, Comfy Beds, Pools and Spa. All rooms have a LCD TV, Work Desk, Micro/Fridge, Hairdryer and Iron w/Board.
Nix Healthcare System
11015 Iota Drive San Antonio, TX 78217 (210) 654-6475 rharrison@hydraulicsupply.com www.hydraulicsupply.com
Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is There®. Come to Jacqui’s office where we know you by your first name and let us take care of all your insurance needs. AUTO - FIRE - LIFE - FINANCIAL SERVICES
Baptist Health System
Nationally ranked. Locally Trusted. Baptist Health System, Built on 110 years of Trust. Call (210) 297-7005 to FIND A DOCTOR today. Visit BaptistHealthSystem.com for more information.
Hydraulic Supply & Service Co.
Hydraulic Supply & Service Co. is a fluid power distributor providing sales, service and manufacturing to the South Texas industrial community for the past 35 years.
Ageless Living Home Health LLC
3463 Magic Drive Suite 255 San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 582-5840 www.agelesslivinghh.com Ageless Living Home Health “Pediatric & Adolescent Care” provides physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as private-duty nursing, social services and behavioral therapy. Medicaid and private insurances accepted.
Bill Brendel, G.M. San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 225-6500 (800) 292-1050 www.crocketthotel.com
A truly Texan hotel in the heart of San Antonio, just steps from the Alamo. Providing legendary comfort and convenience with a fresh new feel, celebrating our second century of Texan hospitality.
Medifast Weight Centers-Bandera
Medifast Weight Control Centers® provide clinically proven weight loss to help you take weight off and keep it off. You’ll get the support tools you need to stay on track. Call or click for your nearest center today!
The Crockett Hotel an Historic Hotel of America
Quality Inn Near Medical Center
Mr. Harish Bhula 4 Piano Place San Antonio, TX 78228 (210) 684-8606 www.qualityinn.com/hotel-san_antonio-texas-tx322
You’ll get more than you expect when you stay with Quality®. In addition to welcoming accommodations at a great value, our hotels offer a great night’s sleep with our signature Quality Bed by Serta®.
ISS Facility Services
8506 Speedway San Antonio, TX 78230 (210) 349-4647 david.pinkston@us.issworld.com
Since 1978, ISS US has been providing janitorial, mechanical, landscape and security services of the highest quality for commercial office buildings, schools and universities, historic properties, medical facilities, retail chains, stadiums, theaters, convention centers, and high-profile events throughout the United States.
www.sachamber.org
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MAGAZINES
POOLS – IN GROUND
Our Kids Magazine
P.O. Box 1809 Casproville, TX 78009 (210) 305-4181 www.ourkidssanantonio.com
Our Kids Magazine is the go-to resource for San Antonio families. Look here for health, education, lessons and classes, family fun, and more in and around San Antonio. Available in over 700 locations and online.
MAILING MACHINES & EQUIPMENT
RESORTS
Rio Raft & Resort YMCA of Greater San Antonio 3233 N. St. Mary’s San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 246-9600 www.ymcasatx.org
With a focus on developing the potential of kids, improving individual health and well-being, and giving back and supporting our neighbors, the YMCA is committed to strengthening the foundation of the San Antonio community.
NURSING HOMES
Keith Zars Pools Ltd Mr. Keith Zars 17427 San Pedro Avenue San Antonio, TX 78232 (210) 494-0800 www.keithzarspools.com
Keith Zars Pools has designed and constructed over 6,000 pools and is the largest swimming pool builder in Texas. What makes us different is our dedication to designing and constructing breathtaking custom pools and spas to turn backyards into retreats.
P.O. Box 2036 Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (877) 746-7238 www.rioraft.com
Rio Raft & Resort, located on the Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake, the perfect place for family fun or a private getaway — year round! Enjoy tubing, rafting, trout fishing, reunions, full RV hookups or a private cabin in the scenic Texas Hill Country.
RESTAURANT FOOD DELIVERY
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Mailing Systems of Texas Inc.
Southeast Nursing & Rehab Center LP
4737 Shavano Oaks Suite 105 San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 764-0606 etcastillo@msotsa.com
4302 E. Southcross Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78222 (210) 333-1223 southeast.admin@apexltc.com
Since 1992 Mailing Systems of Texas has provided large and small businesses with state-of-the-art mailing equipment. We represent the leading manufacturers in the mailing industry.
Southeast Nursing & Rehab Center offers rehab, skilled nursing and respite care services in a comfortable, caring atmosphere, along with activities, dining choices and transportation. Call us to schedule a tour at (210) 333-1223.
MEDICAL SERVICES
OFFICE EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES & SERVICE
Eat Out In Inc. Boardwalk It’s Not a Game, It’s a Business Mr. Stephen Foster 2141 NW Military Highway Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78213 (210) 340-1717 www.boardwalkrpm.com
A Certified Residential Management Company, we provide the highest-quality professional management services, tailored to the individual owner. Our goal is to assist owners in obtaining maximum financial benefit from controlled leasing of properties. Founded 1986.
11230 West Avenue Suite 2202 San Antonio, TX 78213 (210) 447-3777 www.eatoutin.com
Eat Out In is a unique meal delivery and catering service working with San Antonio’s most popular restaurants to bring your favorite foods right to you. Specializing in corporate catering, special event catering and casual home dining delivery.
RESTAURANTS
Faith Family Clinic
Mr. Jim Young (210) 653-1511 www.faithfamilyclinic.org
Our nonprofit medical clinic serves businesses and families who do NOT have medical insurance. With healthcare changes, MEMBERCARE is a membership approach to primary medical care. Email membercare@faithfamilyclinic.org
WellMed Medical Group
Benchmark Business Solutions Ms. Amber Goodrich 224 E. Ramsey San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 979-0123 www.benchmarkyouroffice.com
Benchmark, an authorized Platimun Xerox Sales Agent, provides document solutions, technology and supplies with unparalleled service before and after the sale. Our tenured team of professionals are standing by to provide you “Service that’s unduplicated.”
PAPER DISTRIBUTERS
8637 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX 78240 (210) 615-WELL (9355) www.wellmedmedicalgroup.com
Providing quality healthcare to seniors throughout Greater San Antonio and its surrounding counties. Through our recognized care model, our physicians are dedicated to focusing on wellnes and preventive care. Marketing@wellmed.net
NEWSPAPERS
P.O. Box 200184 San Antonio, TX 78220 (210) 892-5101 www.materapaper.com
Distributer of janitorial and sanitary supplies and equipment. Providing solutions for your cleaning problems since 1957.
Avenue E & Third Street San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 250-3000................................. fax (210) 250-2076 www.mysa.com
HomeSpring has over 35 years dedicated to multifamily management. With highly motivated and experienced professionals, we pride ourselves on obtaining results and maintaining relationships. See our communities at www.homespringcommunities.com
Investment Realty Company L.C. 16350 Blanco Road Suite 114 San Antonio, TX 78232 (210) 828-9261 www.investmentrealty.com
Investment Realty Company L.C. specializes in Commercial Real Estate Brokerage and Investments. Expertise includes Investment Sales & Purchases, OwnerUser Sales/Purchases, Asset Management, Landlord or Tenant Representation, Multi-Family Investments.
450 Pinn Road San Antonio, TX 78227 (210) 341-6124 dc@aaa-auger.com
AAA AUGER is a full-service plumbing company specializing in drain cleaning and plumbing repair since 1962. We never charge to come out and there is never an extra charge for nights, weekends or holidays. The plumbers you can trust® … for over 50 years!
Will Fix It Plumbing Heating & Cooling
Ms. Barbara Hawkins 6903 Sunbelt Drive S San Antonio, TX 78218 (210) 804-1786 www.igervin-school.org
Mr. Rick Hoffart 7847 Forturne Drive San Antonio, TX 78250 (210) 333-3300 www.willfixit.com
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our primary focus is to provide culturally sensitive services that impact the lives of troubled youth and their families, specifically aimed at the needs of at-risk and disadvantaged youth.
Recognized for the quality of its service professionals, Will Fix It is the trusted local source for installation, repair, replacement or troubleshooting and maintenance of all your plumbing, heating and cooling needs.
THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1201 Austin Highway Suite 175 San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 822-7333 www.earlabelssa.com
Earl Abel’s, serving San Antonio since 1933, is famous for its homestyle foods made fresh daily and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. 210-822-3358 (Restaurant); 210-822-7333 (To Go); 210-822-4541 (Fax); 210-818-4400 (For Sales).
India Oven
1031 Patricia Drive Suite 106 San Antonio, TX 78213 (210) 366-1030 gogajess@hotmail.com
We offer fresh, innovative Indian cuisine at moderate prices, along with an extensive selection of wine, beer and traditional Indian drinks. We invite you to come experience our carefully prepared authentic dishes from the history of northern India.
Jimmy’s Egg
8055 West Avenue San Antonio, TX 78213 (210) 377-3441 jchaney182@gmail.com
AAA AUGER
George Gervin Youth Center
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Mr. Mike Hogan 1618 Lockhill Selma Road San Antonio, TX 78213 (210) 682-1500 www.homespringrp.com
Matera Paper Company Ltd.
San Antonio Express-News
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
HomeSpring Residential Services
REAL ESTATE
PLUMBERS
The San Antonio Express-News has been the voice of South Texas since 1865. San Antonio’s most enduring source of news and information has expanded to include specialized publications and magazines and the city’s No. 1 website, mySA.com
Earl Abel’s Restaurant
Tarantino Properties Inc. 12770 Cimarron Path Suite 122 San Antonio, TX 78222 (210) 212-6222 mmangum@tarantino.com
Tarantino’s professional real estate associates represent buyers and sellers of multifamily and commercial properties throughout Texas. We also represent landlords in marketing commercial spaces. Our specialties include office buildings, retail and industrial.
At Jimmy’s Egg, expect full cups of coffee, fresh-baked biscuits and breads, and over 100 combinations of omelettes served by a friendly, attentive staff at honestto-goodness everyday prices. Breakfast is served all day, and our lunch menu features fresh salads, juicy burgers, and a variety of delicioius sandwiches.
Maggiano’s Little Italy Mr. Jody Webb 17603 IH-10 West San Antonio, TX 78257 (210) 451-6000 www.maggianos.com
Open seven days a week, we boast a scratch kitchen for lunch, dinner and delivery. A circa 1940s pre-war feel with crystal chandeliers, marble tile, checkered tablecloths and dark wood trim. Banquet spaces. Dedicated free parking. Reservations suggested.
ITT Technical Institute
5700 Northwest Parkway San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 694-4612................................. fax (210) 694-4651 www.itt-tech.edu
Ruth’s Chris Steak House Downtown: 600 E. Market Street San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 227-8847 www.RuthsChrisSA.com
ITT Technical Institute is a leading private college system offering technology-oriented programs at this Texas college. Be a part of the San Antonio college location and enroll in one of more than 140 ITT Technical Institutes in over 35 states. ITT Tech offers career-focused degree programs available at this Texas college location.
We will be open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and will offer Complimentary Valet Parking. We will have an extensive Prime Bar inside and a large Patio with Bar outside directly on the River Walk.
TITLE COMPANY UT Medicine Health Science Center S.A. 8300 Floyd Curl Drive San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 459-9000 www.utmedicine.org
The School of Medicine includes degree programs in medicine and graduate medicine in all specialties. Located in San Antonio’s Southwest Medical Center, the school partners with University Hospital and others for teaching and patient care.
SCHOOLS – PRIVATE Kaplan College
Independence Title Company
Mr. Mark Macejewskik, VP/Area Manager 300 Austin Highway, Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 237-4660 www.independencetitle.com
At INDPENDENCE TITLE COMPANY, our focus is on YOU. We offer the best in title examination, underwriting resources, statewide connectivity, business tools and brainpower. We’re locally owned and locally committed.
7142 San Pedro Ste 100 San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 733-0777 krogers@kaplan.edu www.kaplan.edu
TOURISM
Wildfish Seafood Grille 1834 NW Loop 1604 San Antonio, TX 78248 (210) 493-1600 www.eddiev.com
Offering top-of-the-catch prime seafood fresh daily, USDA prime center-cut steaks, and selections from our raw bar. From the centerpiece bar to an impressive glass-walled wine room, we present fine dining in a casual, contemporary environment.
RETIREMENT COMUNITIES
Keystone School Our Lady of the Lake University Admissions Office 411 SW 24th Street San Antonio, TX 78207 (210) 434-6711 www.ollusa.edu
Founded in 1895, our comprehensive institution offers 33 bachelor’s programs, 16 masters’s programs and two doctoral programs. Classes are offered weekly, evenings, weekends and online, formatted to meet the needs of traditional students and working adults.
119 E. Craig Place San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 735-4022 zwormley@keystoneschool.org www.keystoneschool.org
Keystone provides motivated students from grades PK3-12 an accelerated curriculum in a well-rounded, supportive, inclusive environment. We encourage academic excellence, ethical growth, community involvement and responsible leadership.
SECURITY – GUARDS – PRODUCTS
South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ms. Lacey Ekberg 7355 Padre Boulevard South Padre Island, TX 78597 (956) 761-3005................................. fax (956) 761-3024 lacey@sopadre.com www.sopadre.com
South Padre Island is San Antonio’s favorite sandbox! The widest, cleanest beach in Texas, plus watersports, fishing, dolphin watches and so much more! Be yourself!
TRAVEL SERVICES
Army Residence Community Col. Bruce Furbish 7400 Crestway San Antonio, TX 78239 (210) 646-5300 www.armyresidence.com
A premier accredited continuing care retirement community for retired career military officers, their spouses, widows and widowers who enjoy the camaraderie of shared community with fellow retirees who represent all branches of U.S. military service.
St. Mary’s University One Camino Santa Maria San Antonio, TX 78228 (800) 367-7868 www.stmarytx.edu
St. Mary’s University is a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution and the oldest Catholic university in the Southwest. It offers programs in more than 75 areas marked by academic excellence.
A luxury, high-rise condominium in the heart of San Antonio. The 50-plus community caters to both civilian and military individuals. Sophisticated, yet affordable, The Towers provides the advantages of ownership in an upscale residential community.
SCHOOLS
Texas A&M University – San Antonio 1 University Way San Antonio, TX 78224 (210) 932-6269 http://tamusa.tamus.edu
Located in the heart of San Antonio’s South Side, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is the state’s fastest-growing public university and offers the lowest university tuition in the area.
Cross-cultural education, both in and out of the classroom. BA degrees in Biblical and Theological Studies, Business Leadership, and Spanish. AA degree in Cross-Cultural Studies.
110 Woodland Ranch Road Boerne, TX 78015 (210) 332-3444 brandy@seabluecruiseandtravel.com
As a member of Cruise Planners we are travel industry leaders, enabling us to provide you with the most competitive prices available and personalized service. We focus on providing value in the products we offer and the services we provide to you.
UNIFORMS
Aramark Uniforms Ventanex
7410 Blanco Road Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 581-3200 www.ventanex.com
Ventanex is the trusted source for secure financial transaction processing. We don’t simply process payments for our clients, we are a fundamental part of the cash management process.
10501 Fischer Rd Von Ormy, TX 78073 (210) 623-1255 www.aramark.com
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to healthcare institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums, arenas, and businesses around the world.
VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
Incyte Venture Partners LLC
Trinity University
18618 Tuscany Stone San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 667-7920 paul@incyteventures.com
One Trinity Place San Antonio, TX 78212 1-800-TRINITY www.trinity.edu
Trinity University is a nationally recognized liberal arts and sciences institution. Primarily undergraduate with master’s degrees offered in selected areas. Trinity is noted for its distinguished faculty, bright students and superb facilities.
Sea Blue Cruise & Travel
SOFTWARE – FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
SPECIAL EVENT DESTINATIONS
Baptist University of the Americas 8019 S. Pan Am Expressway San Antonio, TX 78224 (210) 924-4338 www.bua.edu
2941 Mossrock Suite 107 San Antonio, TX 78250 (210) 690-1212................................. fax (210) 690-2020 info@txlawmansecurity.com www.txlawmansecurity.com
Locally owned by Peace Officers who focus on the highest-quality service to you and your business. We provide Off-Duty Texas Peace officers, commissioned and non-commissioned security officers, patrol services, private investigation, and many additional services to fit your budget and needs. We are committed to the protection of you, your family and your property. Contact us for free consultation.
The Towers on Park Lane 1 Towers on Park Lane San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 805-6276 www.thetowerslife.com
Texas Lawman Security
National Skeet Shooting-NSCA-NSC 5931 Roft Road San Antonio, TX 78253 (210) 688-3371 nmartin@nssa-nsca.com www.nationalshootingcomplex.com
Dr Paul Castella specializes in financing, licensing, formation and management strategies for technology startup companies.
Offering public shotgun clay target shooting on Thursday and Saturday. Instructors, charity fundraisers, meeting space and company outings available. Facilities include Club House, catering, RV hook-ups and shooting events for any size.
www.sachamber.org
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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS THANKS TO OUR ADVERTISERS
AAA AUGER.............................................................................................. 70 Access Imaging Solutions LLC....................................................................... 68 Ageless Living Home Health LLC................................................................... 69 Alamo Area Council of Governments........................................................... 20 Alamo Heights ISD...................................................................................... 68 Aramark Uniforms...................................................................................... 71 Army Residence Community.................................................................. 40, 71 Art Incorporated......................................................................................... 67 The Atkins Group........................................................................................ 67 Steven Bankler CPA..................................................................................... 67 Baptist Health System.................................................................................. 69 Baptist University of the Americas................................................................. 71 Bec Dental Center....................................................................................... 47 Benchmark Business Solutions...................................................................... 70 Boardwalk – It’s Not a Game, It’s a Business................................................. 70 Brandt Companies LLC................................................................................ 68 Broadway Bank................................................................. Outside Back Cover Cave Without A Name................................................................................ 67 Centro San Antonio..................................................................................... 49 CHRISTUS® Santa Rosa Health System................................... Inside Back Cover Coldwell Banker – D’Ann Harper, REALTORS®.......................Inside Front Cover Country Inn & Suites – San Antonio Airport.................................................. 17 The Crockett Hotel an Historic Hotel of America............................................ 69 Daisy Tours-Conventions San Antonio........................................................... 68 David Weekley Homes................................................................................ 35 Cheryl E. Davis, DMD, Family Dentistry........................................................ 68 Cheryl E. Davis, DMD, Family Dentistry........................................................ 44 The Dominion Hills...................................................................................... 37 Earl Abel’s Restaurant.................................................................................. 70 Eat Out In Inc............................................................................................. 70 Education Service Center Region 20............................................................. 68 Enclave at Buckhorn Crossing...................................................................... 67 Faith Family Clinic....................................................................................... 70 Farmers Insurance Group – Charles R. Manley III AAI, LUTCF........................ 36 Fisher House, Inc........................................................................................... 4 Foster CM Group Inc................................................................................... 68 Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio NW.................................................... 69 Frost........................................................................................................... 67 Gardner Law.............................................................................................. 67 GE Reaves Engineering Inc.......................................................................... 68 George Gervin Youth Center........................................................................ 70 Grand Hyatt San Antonio and Hyatt Regency San Antonio............................ 69 HDR Engineering Inc................................................................................... 68 Holiday Inn Express & Suites.......................................................................... 4 Holiday Inn Market Square.......................................................................... 69 Holman Boiler Works.................................................................................. 67 HomeSpring Residential Services.................................................................. 70 Hydraulic Supply & Service Co.................................................................... 69 IHI Southwest Technologies Inc..................................................................... 68 Ike’s Air Conditioning Inc............................................................................. 67 Incyte Venture Partners LLC.......................................................................... 71 Independence Title Company....................................................................... 71 India Oven................................................................................................. 70 Insco Distributing Inc................................................................................... 67 Investment Realty Company L.C.................................................................... 70 ISS Facility Services..................................................................................... 69 ITT Technical Institute................................................................................... 71 Janal Wholesale Florist Inc.......................................................................... 68 JBGoodwin REALTORS.................................................................................. 5 Jimmy’s Egg................................................................................................ 70 JPMorgan Chase Bank................................................................................ 67 Kaplan College........................................................................................... 71 Keith Zars Pools Ltd..................................................................................... 70 Keystone School.......................................................................................... 71 Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty............................................................... 7 LaQuinta Inn & Suites Fiesta Texas............................................................... 69 Maggiano’s Little Italy.................................................................................. 70
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THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Mailing Systems of Texas Inc........................................................................ 70 Marriott San Antonio................................................................................... 69 Marriott TownePlace Suites San Antonio Airport............................................ 69 Marriott TownePlace Suites San Antonio Northwest....................................... 69 Matera Paper Company Ltd......................................................................... 70 Medifast Weight Centers-Bandera................................................................ 69 Medina River Ranch Resort & Conference Center.......................................... 69 Methodist Healthcare..................................................................................... 1 Monarch Academy..................................................................................... 32 Morgan’s Wonderland................................................................................ 51 Morningside Ministries Senior Living Communities......................................... 40 Murphy Tomatoes........................................................................................ 67 National Skeet Shooting-NSCA-NSC............................................................ 71 Newmark Grubb Knight Frank..................................................................... 22 Nix Healthcare System................................................................................ 69 North Park Lincoln...................................................................................... 61 Our Kids Magazine.................................................................................... 69 Our Lady of the Lake University................................................................... 71 Porter Loring Mortuaries.............................................................................. 68 PrimeLending A PlainsCapital Company....................................................... 38 Quality Inn Near Medical Center................................................................. 69 Red Wing Shoe Store.................................................................................. 68 Rio Raft & Resort......................................................................................... 70 Ruth’s Chris Steak House.............................................................................. 70 S.T.A.R. (South Texas Area Regional) Soccer Complex................................... 60 San Antonio CPA Society............................................................................. 67 San Antonio Economic Development Foundation........................................... 13 San Antonio Express-News.......................................................................... 70 Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard......................................................................... 67 Scobey Moving & Storage............................................................................. 4 Sea Blue Cruise & Travel.............................................................................. 71 SeaWorld® San Antonio............................................................................. 67 Service King Collision Repair Centers........................................................... 67 Sirius Computer Solutions............................................................................ 68 Sitterle Homes............................................................................................... 3 South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau.......................................... 71 Southeast Nursing & Rehab Center LP.......................................................... 70 Southwest ISD............................................................................................. 68 St. Mary’s University.................................................................................... 71 State Farm Agent – Jacqui Lugar.................................................................. 69 Staybridge Suites Downtown........................................................................ 56 S taybridge Suites Stone Oak / Staybridge Suites at Sea World / Candlewood Suites at Sea World................................................................. 2 Studio-6 – Lackland AFB............................................................................. 18 Sunny Spirits Assisted Living........................................................................ 67 Super 8-Motel South/Ocean Property Management...................................... 69 Sysco Central Texas, Inc.............................................................................. 68 Tarantino Properties Inc............................................................................... 70 Texas A&M University – San Antonio..................................................... 32, 71 Texas Disposal Systems................................................................................ 69 Texas Lawman Security................................................................................ 71 The Towers on Park Lane............................................................................. 71 Toyota........................................................................................................ 22 Trinity University.......................................................................................... 71 United SA Federal Credit Union................................................................... 68 University Health System.............................................................................. 69 The University of Texas at San Antonio......................................................... 30 UT Medicine Health Science Center S.A.................................................. 69, 71 Vantage Bank Texas, N.A............................................................................ 68 Ventanex.................................................................................................... 71 Vineyard Springs Apartments...................................................................... 67 Visionworks................................................................................................ 43 Wal-Mart Stores Inc.................................................................................... 68 WellMed Medical Group............................................................................. 70 Wildfish Seafood Grille............................................................................... 70 Will Fix It Plumbing Heating & Cooling.................................................. 67, 70 YMCA of Greater San Antonio.................................................................... 70