Fiesta is more than a celebration. It is one of San Antonio’s most powerful drivers of community, culture, and economic impact.

In this episode of Greater 210, Chamber President and CEO Jeff Webster sits down with Jim Mery, President-Elect of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, to go inside one of the city’s most iconic traditions.

They explore how Fiesta has grown from a single parade in 1891 into an 11-day celebration with more than 100 events, all supporting local nonprofits and fueling millions of dollars back into the community.

Jim shares the history behind Fiesta, the role of participating member organizations, and what it takes to plan and execute an event of this scale. From supporting small businesses and nonprofits to attracting visitors from across Texas and beyond, Fiesta plays a critical role in San Antonio’s identity and economic growth.

If you want to better understand what makes San Antonio unique and how community-driven events can shape a city’s future, this is a conversation worth listening to.

Key Takeaways

1. Fiesta generates significant economic impact and supports hundreds of local nonprofits
2. The celebration reflects San Antonio’s deep culture, heritage, and community spirit
3. Over 100 events take place across 11 days, driven by local organizations
4. Tourism and regional visibility are key priorities for future growth
5. Public safety, city coordination, and planning are critical to execution
6. Fiesta strengthens small businesses, families, and community organizations

Timestamps

1. (00:00) – Introduction to Fiesta and its significance
2. (03:50) – The role of nonprofits and community impact
3. (05:20) – Economic impact and support for local businesses
4. (09:00) – The cultural and family-focused nature of Fiesta
5. (10:30) – Supporting the military and Military City USA
6. (12:00) – How Fiesta is planned and organized each year
7. (14:00) – Expanding tourism and attracting new audiences
8. (17:30) – Safety, logistics, and city coordination
9. (19:00) – How to attend, get tickets, and participate
10. (20:30) – The scale and size of Fiesta crowds
11. (21:30) – Final thoughts and invitation to Fiesta

Links and Resources

Greater San Antonio Chamber

https://www.sachamber.org/

Fiesta San Antonio

https://fiestasanantonio.org/

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What shapes a leader who is committed to fighting for her community?

In this episode of Greater 210, Jeff Webster sits down with Bexar County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores to talk about her remarkable journey, her priorities for the community, and the challenges she has faced along the way.

Commissioner Clay-Flores shares her story growing up in San Antonio, overcoming early hardships, and earning scholarships to Princeton and Harvard before returning home to serve her community. The conversation explores her work in education, nonprofit leadership, and public service before running for office and becoming the first woman of color elected to Bexar County Commissioners Court in more than a century.

She also discusses a deeply personal challenge: her recent colon cancer diagnosis and how that experience inspired her to launch a community effort to raise awareness about early screening and prevention.

The discussion also highlights important issues shaping the future of Bexar County, including infrastructure investment, mental health services, economic development, and the importance of bringing communities together through shared civic priorities.

This conversation offers a powerful reminder that leadership, service, and resilience can help move San Antonio from great to greater.

Timestamps:

1. 01:00 – Rebeca Clay-Flores’ background and early life in San Antonio
2. 03:30 – Returning to San Antonio to serve in education and nonprofit work
3. 04:30 – Running for office and defeating a longtime incumbent
4. 05:30 – A personal health challenge and colon cancer diagnosis
5. 07:30 – Launching a community effort for Colon Cancer Awareness Month
6. 09:00 – Why early screening and awareness matter
7. 11:30 – Faith, leadership, and personal resilience
8. 13:30 – Policy priorities: healthcare access and mental health services
9. 18:30 – Economic development and infrastructure investment
10. 22:00 – Regional planning and transportation through the MPO
11. 24:00 – Funding challenges for infrastructure growth in Texas

Links and Resources:

1. Greater San Antonio Chamber: https://www.sachamber.org/
2. Colon Cancer Awareness Month (March): https://www.cancer.org/
3. Bexar County Commissioners Court: https://www.bexar.org/

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

When federal decisions shape your city’s future, you cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.

In this episode of Greater 210, host Katie Ferrier, Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Economic Development at the Greater San Antonio Chamber, is joined by SA to DC 2026 co-chairs Kevin Matula (USAA) and Krista Piferrer (FirstDay Foundation).

They break down why more than 200 business, civic, nonprofit, and community leaders travel to Washington each year with one unified message. From advocating for Joint Base San Antonio and major infrastructure priorities to strengthening relationships with members of Congress and their staff, SA to DC is more than a trip. It is a long-term strategy.

The conversation highlights how consistency, collaboration, and relationship-building drive results for San Antonio and contribute to the broader growth of Texas. Whether it is securing direct flights, protecting military assets, or ensuring our city has a seat at the table, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how advocacy fuels economic development.

If you care about the future of San Antonio, this conversation explains why showing up matters.

1. 00:00 – Welcome and introduction with Katie Ferrier
2. 01:00 – What is SA to DC and why it matters
3. 02:25 – Joint Base San Antonio and national security priorities
4. 03:30 – Why traveling as a unified delegation makes a difference
5. 09:45 – Building relationships, not just making asks
6. 11:50 – Defining success in federal advocacy
7. 15:40 – Why in-person conversations matter
8. 17:45 – 2026 programming preview and keynote announcement
9. 18:50 – Who should participate in SA to DC
10. 20:30 – Final thoughts on showing up for San Antonio

1. Greater San Antonio Chamber: https://www.sachamber.org/
2. SA to DC Information and Registration: https://www.sachamber.org/
3. Joint Base San Antonio: https://www.jbsa.mil/
4. Punchbowl News: https://punchbowl.news/

Follow the Greater San Antonio Chamber on LinkedIn and social media for updates on SA to DC and other advocacy efforts shaping our region.

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

San Antonio is growing fast, and our energy needs are growing with it.

In this episode of Greater 210, Jeff Webster sits down with CPS Energy CEO Rudy Garza to talk about how the nation’s largest municipally owned electric and gas utility is preparing for the future. From nuclear, wind, and solar to battery storage and grid upgrades, CPS Energy is balancing reliability, affordability, and long-term growth.

Rudy shares his journey to leading the organization, the investments being made to support new businesses, and how CPS continues to deliver strong returns to the City of San Antonio while maintaining competitive rates.

If you care about economic development, infrastructure, and the future of our city, this conversation offers a clear look at how San Antonio is being powered for what’s next.

Connect with us!

https://www.sachamber.org/

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

Texas is growing at an unprecedented pace, and infrastructure is at the center of it all.

In this episode, Chamber President and CEO Jeff Webster sits down with Texas Transportation Commissioner Alex Meade to discuss how TxDOT is managing more than $100 billion in transportation investments while keeping up with rapid population growth across the state.

From the $5 billion in active projects in the San Antonio region to the long-term vision for the Texas Triangle, Commissioner Meade shares how transportation fuels economic development, supports commerce, and positions Texas for continued growth. The conversation covers funding challenges, border trade impacts, regional project prioritization, and why building consensus is just as important as securing funding.

As San Antonio continues to grow at the heart of Texas, this episode highlights how strategic infrastructure investments will shape the future of our city and strengthen the state as a whole.

🎧 Listen to learn how transportation policy drives opportunity across Greater San Antonio and beyond.

Connect with us!

1. https://www.sachamber.org/

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

San Antonio’s downtown is being reimagined, and Hemisfair Park sits at the center of it.

On this episode of Greater 210, Chamber CEO Jeff Webster talks with Melissa Robinson, Interim CEO of the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation, about the vision guiding one of the city’s most important redevelopment efforts. Melissa shares how Hemisfair is honoring its history while creating vibrant public spaces, new neighborhoods, and long-term economic opportunity.

They discuss the master plan for Hemisfair, partnerships tied to major downtown projects, and what this transformation means for residents, businesses, and visitors. It is a behind-the-scenes look at how collaboration, thoughtful design, and community focus are shaping the future of downtown San Antonio.

In this episode we explore San Antonio's Ready to Work program, a transformative workforce development initiative funded by voter-approved sales tax. City Manager Erik Walsh, Advisory Board Chair Ben Peavy (Accenture), and Program Director Mike Ramsey discuss how this program is connecting local employers with trained talent while transforming lives across the community. With over 24,000 people through the intake process and 1,100+ companies hiring from the program, Ready to Work is bridging the gap between employers' needs and job seekers from underserved communities. Learn how businesses of all sizes can tap into this workforce pipeline, the role of apprenticeships, and why this represents the largest economic development investment a city is making in itself anywhere in the country.

Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito joins the podcast to discuss the dynamics of today’s San Antonio City Council and why building strong, respectful relationships across political perspectives is essential to getting results. She shares insights into her priorities, including addressing long-neglected vacant properties, evaluating policies and services to better respond to homelessness, supporting a strong business climate, and ensuring the City delivers the core services residents expect.

Join us for a thoughtful conversation with one of San Antonio’s most dynamic city leaders!