The idea of a Texas Vacation Fun Belt came to me in the 1970s while driving between my Alamo Heights' home office and my Austin office at Armadillo World Headquarters. I worked with music, art and film projects in both cities. No other place in the USA has a greater concentration of talent or more diversity of expression. One afternoon it flashed through my mind:
From the south side of San Antonio to the north side of Austin is the Texas Talent Belt!
But thirty years passed ... it was 2002 before I began in earnest to establish a new tourism region which I call the Texas Tourism District. Running through its middle is the Texas Fun Belt anchored by the Alamo and the Capitol.
My goal is to have these two famous neighboring communities --San Antonio & Austin-- join hands and promote their fabulous belt to the world. Tourism district unity benefits our local entertainment - hospitality workers ... and you, the visiting traveler.
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Here's the list of community leaders whom I have spoken with about formally recognizing our fabulous Texas Tourism District and its exciting Texas FunBelt....
2002 September: Austin Councilman Raul Alvarez.
2003 July: Austin Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman.
2003 October: Austin Convention and Visitors President & CEO Robert Lander.
2004 February: San Antonio Convention and Visitors President & CEO Melvin Tennant. 2004 February: San Antonio Convention and Visitors Assistant Executive Director Sales & Marketing John H. Solis.
2005 August: Austin Mayor Will Wynn.
2005 November: Austin Councilman Daryl Slusher.
2006 December: San Antonio Hispanic Marketing & Political Consultant Lionel Sosa.
2007 November: San Antonio Chairman & CEO Bromley Communications Ernest Bromley.
2007 November: Austin City Manager Toby Futrell.
2007 December: Blanco Mayor Pro Tem Ron Houston.
2008 January: Austin Mayor Pro Tem Betty Dunkerley.
2008 January: Austin Assistant City Manager Rudy Garza.
2008 January: Austin Director of Economic Growth and Development Services Sue Edwards.
2008 February: Austin Assistant to the Mayor Rich Bailey.
2008 June: Chairman Solar San Antonio & World's Fair Tourism Visionary William Sinkin.
2008 July: The Father of San Antonio Tourism David Straus.
2008 July: CEO Valero Energy & General Chair Old Spanish Missions of San Antonio Bill Kleese.
2008 August: Austin City Manager Marc A. Ott.
2008 August: President University Of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio & Chairman Greater San Antonio Chamber Of Commerce Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D.
2008 August: Bexar County Judge Nelson W. Wolff.
2008 August: President San Antonio Economic Development Foundation Mario Hernandez.
2008 September: San Antonio Mayor Chief Of Staff Larry Zinn.
2008 December: Austin Mayor Pro Tem Brewster McCracken.
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"From The Alamo To The Capitol -- It's ALL Here" slogan created by Woody Roberts in 2002.
"Texas Fun Belt" and "Texas Vacation Belt" slogans created by Woody Roberts in 2007.
"80 Miles Of Fun" and "Texas Tourism District", "Tourism District Of Texas" slogans created by Woody Roberts in 2008.
FunBelt icon: State outline with stripe designating a tourism reigon created by Woody Roberts in 2008.
These slogans and icon are used internationally and copyright Woody Roberts.
