ATXelerator Intermission

With Saturday's annual It's My Park Day event in the books, the 13-week 2019 ATXelerator is now just over halfway through. 

From an immersive opening weekend retreat at The Native to the 7th weekly session and all things in between, the 13-week ATXelerator program is a little more than halfway done.

Wednesday evening's final weekly session, a presentation by City of Austin Deputy Chief Finance Officer Greg Canally, will complete the formal weekly education sessions, leaving the closing retreat (media training, how to run a campaign and class project presentations), The Pitch competition and, finally, the program-closing Center4ATX Games II (April 11 at the North Door).

Please see a by-the-numbers look at this year's ATXelerator below.

24 - the number of class members in this year's cohort and the number of mentors. Each class member is paired with an outstanding mentor, either a current or former elected official or a professional who has deep experience working in and around city government.

27 - the number of unique program sessions, from the opening weekend retreat to the closing Center4ATX Games II and everything in between. Weekly sessions include land use, transportation, utilities, economic development, diversity & social equity, public safety, nonprofits & P3s and city finances.

39 - the number of program speakers. We are blessed to live in a great community with an abundance of expertise on city government and related issues and a willingness to volunteer their time to pass along their knowledge.

6 - the number of ATXelerator teams that will study three COA ordinances in case studies. Two teams will each study one of three ordinances and develop presentations at the closing retreat in Dripping Springs: the Save Our Springs Ordinance, Water Treatment Plant #4 and alternative transportation modes.

9 - the number of finalists emerging from the first round of The Pitch and performing at the Center4ATX Games II at 5:30 pm Thursday, April 11 at the North Door. Please save the date and expect an invitation soon.

468 - the number of photos taken so far for the 2019 ATXelerator. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram (@center4atx) and Twitter (@center4atx) to keep up to date with photos and posts. You may also sign up for blog updates on our website at https://www.centerforaustinfuture.org.

For a more detailed program schedule, including a list of the class members, mentors and speakers, click on the link below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D-0ogg82mA7XFlO5OW8Wo30BNUqHnOzsymeg0BPtKfY/edit?usp=sharing

It is a joy and privilege to not only work with this year's class but also the fabulous mentors, speakers and others involved in the ATXeleator. I am especially grateful for Jeff Hahn and Hahn Public Communications for providing space and meals for the weekly sessions and the two Lunch 'n Learn events we have had with Cap Metro CEO Randy Clarke and Deep Nasta and Steve Conn for the screening of their documentary, "Ten Won."

For those who have contributed to the Center to make the ATXelerator possible, thank you. We always need donations to keep the train running. You can donate at our website, www.centerforaustinfuture.org.

Thanks,

📷