2026 TECNA CEO Retreat
The 2026 TECNA CEO Retreat will be held in Austin, Texas, on March 9-11, 2026, coinciding with SXSW, in the days just before that international event begins.
At the retreat, TECNA member CEOs and Executive Directors can get to know one another, share lessons learned and acquire new leadership skills and business development ideas. Our sessions respond to member needs and are designed to help CEO's grow their organizations.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Young, TECNA CEO, at jyoung@tecna.org.
*Early Bird Discount Extended through January 30, 2026.
2026 TECNA CEO Retreat
Dates:
Monday-Wednesday, March 9-11, 2026
Location:
Austin, Texas, USA
Registration & Pricing:
- Event open to CEOs and Executive Directors of technology councils/associations/hubs.
- Registration fee includes room reservation for 2 nights at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, 2 dinners, 2 lunches and programming.
- Attendees are separately responsible for their own travel to and from the hotel, any additional activities, food or beverages outside of the scheduled meals, and hotel fees and taxes.
Early Bird Member Registration: $1,750 USD
Non-Member Early Bird Registration: $2,500 USD
Member Registration $2,000 USD
Non-Member Registration $3,000 USD
- Registration Deadline February 13, 2026
Cancellation Policy
>> 2026 CEO Retreat Agenda*
- Check-in at Hotel
The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel Austin, 701 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
- 5:30pm - Austin Tech Council's SXSW Pre-Event Happy Hour Party
For over 20 years the Austin Technology Council has hosted a party for our local tech community in the days before the world comes to Austin for SXSW. “This is the one event where you see old time Austin tech and newcomers coming together to celebrate the Austin Tech Ecosystem”.
at Woody's Bar, 715 W. 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701 - 7:30pm - Dinner
Verbena, 612 West 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701
- 9:10am - Tour of Texas State Capitol
The Texas Capitol is widely recognized as one of the nation's most distinguished state capitols. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Meet in hotel lobby at 9:10am for a short walk to the Capitol for a 9:30am tour. - 12:30pm - Lunch & Facilitated DiscussionAvvey Peters, President, NorthGuide
at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, 401 W 4th Street, Suite 3200, Austin, TX 78701 - 3:00pm - Threshold Presentations
This private portion of the agenda is only open to CEOs/EDs of TECNA member organizations
- 5:15pm - Break
- 7:00pm - Dinner
Roaring Fork, in lobby of Stephen F. Austin hotel
- 9:15am - AI & Breakfast
Jet Hanson, Idaho Technology Council Board Member & Principal Solution Architect, CRM, Intuit
at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, 401 W 4th Street, Suite 3200, Austin, TX 78701 - 11:00am - Facilitated Discussion & Lunch
Avvey Peters, President, NorthGuide - 1:00pm - Adjourn
- SXSW Kicks Off
Separate tickets must be purchased through SXSW to attend the events. TECNA Members can contact us to receive a discount code for the Innovation Badge.
Thank You to TECNA's Partner Sponsors!
>> Frequently Asked Questions
Travel
Plan your travel to arrive in Austin on Monday afternoon, March 9th. We'll open the CEO Retreat by attending the Austin Tech Council SXSW Party beginning at 5:30pm CT, afterward we'll go to dinner. The retreat will conclude by early-afternoon on Wednesday, March 11th.
Learn more about our host city at Visit Austin.
What does the registration fee cover?
Registration fee includes room reservation for 2 nights at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, 2 dinners, 2 lunches and programming. Attendees are separately responsible for their own travel to and from the resort, any additional activities, food or beverages outside of the scheduled meals, and hotel resort fees and taxes.
Dress Code
The TECNA CEO Retreat dress code is resort casual or business casual. Similar to the SXSW dress code, dress comfortably in weather-appropriate layers to handle Austin's variable spring weather and potential walking. The TECNA Team will likely be wearing sweaters, jeans, casual dresses and sneakers (or cowboy boots).
Contact
Please contact Jennifer Young, TECNA CEO, at jyoung@tecna.org or Alina Hardy, TECNA Communication Director, at ahardy@tecna.org with any questions.
Sponsorship
Click here for sponsorship opportunities, and please contact Jennifer Young, TECNA CEO, at jyoung@tecna.org
Can I view photos from the last CEO Retreat?
Yes! Click Here
Not a TECNA Member but want to join us?
Contact Jennifer Young at jyoung@tecna.org for more details.
*Early Bird Discount Extended through January 30, 2026.
