TALA Members are Invited to Senior Living Day at the Capitol 

What is Senior Living Day at the Capitol?

During years that the Texas Legislature is in session, TALA hosts a Senior Living Day at the Texas Capitol for TALA Provider Members and TALA Industry Partner Members to engage with legislators about the significance of senior living in the lives of Texas seniors, their families, and their staff. Senior Living Day returns Thursday, February 25, 2027. This event is an opportunity to elevate the profile of senior living, what’s important when caring for others, and educate legislators about the senior living in Texas. 

All TALA Members and Industry Partners are invited to 2027 Senior Living Day at the Capitol. Participants will attend meetings organized by TALA with key elected officials and staff. Register here to participate in this important event.

 

Event Highlights

Pre-Event Zoom: Wednesday, February 17th

Event Date: Thursday, February 25th, 2027

Schedule of Events: 8:30AM-4:30PM with breakfast and lunch provided

Meeting Location: Great Hall at First United Methodist Church of Austin, at 1201 Lavaca, Austin TX 78701

Post-Event Debrief and Networking: 4:30PM Texas Chili Parlor

Day-Of Parking: Discounted parking available at the Peak Parking Congress garage, entrance at 816 Colorado St. We’ll hand out validation tickets that attendees will scan when exiting the garage. Parking is not allowed in the First United Methodist Church lot.

Hotel: TALA has a room block at the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District at 301 W 17th St, Austin, TX 78701

 

New Members, New Perspectives

November’s elections will bring in a wave of new legislators from diverse backgrounds and experiences. TALA needs you to introduce them to the world of senior living and what it means to provide thoughtful service and care to residents. Elected officials and their staff members will be asked to weigh in on issues that 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 and CEO and President Diana Martinez 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 Great Hall at First United Methodist Church of Austin 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 church 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-Senior Living Day debrief at the Texas Chilli Parlor.
  • 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.

Parking

  • Discounted parking available at the Peak Parking Congress garage, entrance at 816 Colorado St. TALA will hand out validation tickets to attendees.
  • Parking is not allowed in the First United Methodist Church lot.
  • Parking can be challenging around the Texas Capitol. 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.

Tips and Recommendations

  • 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.