Bring your voice and your passion for senior living to the Texas Capitol.

What is Advocacy Day?

During years that the Texas Legislature is in session, TALA hosts an Advocacy Day at the Texas Capitol for TALA Provider Members and TALA Industry Partner Members to engage with legislators about the significance of assisted living in the lives of Texas seniors, their families, and their staff. Advocacy Day returns on February 25, 2025. This event is an opportunity to elevate the profile of assisted living, what’s important when caring for others, and educate legislators about the senior living sector in Texas.

All TALA Members and Industry Partners are invited to 2025 Assisted Living Advocacy Day. Participants will attend meetings organized by TALA with key elected officials and staff.

New Members, New Perspectives

November’s elections brought in a wave of new legislators from diverse backgrounds and experiences. TALA needs you to introduce them to the world of assisted living and what it means to provide thoughtful care and service to residents. Elected officials and their staff members will be asked to weigh-in on issues which will have a direct impact on your budgets, your associates, and your residents.

Sharing Your Priorities

Each legislative session brings its own challenges and opportunities. This is your chance to let your elected officials know how their votes affect the daily lives of thousands of seniors in the state. TALA will prepare you for conversations at the Texas Capitol; VP of Public Policy Carmen Tilton, CEO and President Diana Martinez, and Advisor Jaime Capelo will walk you through what to expect, how to communicate, ideas to highlight, and strategies for getting the most out of each meeting.

General Schedule

  • Plan to arrive by 8:30AM and expect to be done with meetings around 4PM. There will be a debrief happy hour that will be over around 6:30PM.
  • In the morning, meet at 8:30AM in the Apex room at the Hilton Garden Inn University Capitol District hotel for a preparation and info session.
  • Participants will break up into their pre-arranged groups and head off to their pre-scheduled meetings at the Capitol.
  • Participants will return to the hotel for lunch at noon and then go back to the Capitol for afternoon meetings.
  • Once afternoon meetings have concluded, participants are invited to meet back up for a post-Advocacy Day debrief.
  • Registered participants will receive a detailed agenda in mid-February.

Where to Stay

  • TALA has negotiated a small room block for participants who will be coming in the day before at the Hilton Garden Inn University Capitol District at 301 W 17th St, only blocks from the Capitol. Please click here to reserve your hotel room. We have a limited number of rooms at this rate so please get your room now.
  • There are many other hotels in the nearby area, including the DoubleTree, the historic Driskill Hotel and the Stephen F Austin Hotel.

Tips and Recommendations

  • Parking can be challenging around the Texas Capitol. The Hilton Garden Inn University Capitol is providing day-of parking at a reduced rate of $22 per vehicle. Street parking around the Capitol and downtown is sometimes available, and the ParkATX app is convenient for re-upping a virtual parking meter throughout the day.
  • Though the Texas Capitol is ADA-accessible, the building and grounds are spread out. Participants should expect quite a bit of walking and should pack comfortable shoes.
  • Business attire is recommended, and the thermostat inside the Capitol tends to be kept cool. Most elected officials and staff wear suits. That said, don’t be surprised by visiting families and tourists walking through the Senate Gallery in flip-flops and jean shorts.
  • If you have business cards, please bring them!
  • If you get hungry while in the Capitol, the first floor of the underground extension is home to the Capitol Grill. It has a small selection of grab and go items and will be open all day.

We look forward to seeing you on February 25, 2025. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Carmen Tilton at [email protected].