About
Since 1995, the United States – Spain Council and the Fundación Consejo España –Estados Unidos meet annually, alternating between the United States and Spain at a Forum to discuss salient topics pertaining to trade, defense, investment, economic growth, the role of Spain in the European Union, technology, immigration, and energy. These meetings invite speakers from the highest levels of government in both countries, experts in fields of particular interest, academia, as well as major financial institutions and industrial companies worldwide.
Welcome to San Antonio
It is an honor and privilege to host the XXIV Annual United States – Spain Forum in my home state of Texas! San Antonio is also a special place for me. Beyond being born here, I have had the honor to represent parts of the city as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013.
The history of San Antonio reflects the ongoing strong relationship we have always had with Spain. Founded in 1718 as a Spanish mission and colonial outpost, San Antonio became the first chartered civil settlement in now-Texas in 1731. San Antonio today is still influenced by its Hispanic past of the Spanish Empire and Mexican Republic through the city’s culture, traditions, and architecture. As the 7th largest city in the United States, San Antonio’s rich history compliments its rapid and recent growth into a more contemporary scene.
San Antonio is home to The Alamo, one of the most well-known Spanish missions in Texas, as well as an important base during the Texas Independence War. Alongside the Alamo, San Antonio has four other Missions that are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the Riverwalk (or Paseo del Rio), one of the nation’s largest urban ecosystems, to the modern and contemporary Pearl, San Antonio offers a unique insight of Spain’s empire in North America as well U.S. progression in the last couple of decades.
Our team is working very hard to design a program that will highlight both the U.S. and Spain’s impact in and on the city. Chairman Lladó Arburúa and I look forward to a very rich discussion on the important topics of cleaner energy, tech innovation, and entertainment.
It is my honor to host the forum this year and give you the opportunity to visit and explore this wonderful city. There is no doubt you will be amazed by San Antonio’s historic, contemporary architecture, it’s culture, and its wonderful people who comprise the soul of this wonderful city!
Congressman Joaquin Castro
Honorary Chairman
San Antonio, Texas
November 1 & 2, 2019
Participants Agenda: Day 1
Friday, November 1, 2019
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cultural Tour of San Antonio
Attire: Casual - Comfortable Shoes
9:00 AM - Depart on the Tapestry of Cultures Tour
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM - Guided Tour of the Alamo Shrine
10:10 AM - Driving Tour of Downtown to Include: Hemisfair Park, La Villita, South Town, King William
10:30 - Arrive at Bexar County Courthouse - Designing America Exhibit
11:15 - Walk to Main Plaza, Canary Islanders, San Fernando Cathedral -
Tour of Cathedral and Visit to Spanish Governor’s Palace
11:45 - Depart for Hotel Emma
12:00 PM
Bus Arrives at Hotel Emma
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Welcome Cocktail Lunch sponsored by Visit San Antonio
Location: Elephant Cellar (Hotel Emma) | 136 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215 | Attire: Business Casual
Light Lunch Provided
Walking Transition (5 min) The Pearl Stable
2:30 PM
XXIV United States - Spain Forum Participants Arrive
Location: The Pearl Stable | 307 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215 | Attire: Business Casual
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM
XXIV United States - Spain Forum Opening Remarks
Location: The Pearl Stable | 307 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215 | Attire: Business Casual
Sponsor & Host Committee Remarks:
Alfonso de Goyeneche, President, United States Spain Council
Javier Rodríguez Soler, CEO, BBVA USA
Diane Sánchez, President & CEO, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Speakers:
Joaquín Castro, Honorary Chairman of the United States – Spain Council
Juan Lladó, Chairman of the Fundación Consejo España – EE.UU.
Richard "Duke" Buchan III, Ambassador of the United States to Spain and Andorra
Santiago Cabanas, Ambassador of Spain to the United States
Fernando M. Valenzuela, Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs
3:25 PM
Session I – The Entertainment Industry: A Cultural Bridge
Location: The Pearl Stable | 307 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215 | Attire: Business Casual
USSC Speakers:
Tatiana Rodriguez, Senior Vice President, Brand Head, Nickelodeon Kids and Family
Fundación Speakers:
Adriana Moscoso del Prado, General Director for Cultural Industries and Cooperation, Ministry of Culture and Sport
Pilar Benito, Director General of Morena Films and Chairman of the Cinema National Association
Moderator:
José Ignacio Torreblanca, Head of Madrid Office European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
4:47 PM
Fireside Chat: Honorary Chairman Joaquin Castro and Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal International Group
Location: The Pearl Stable | 307 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215
5:09 PM
End of Session I
5:09 PM
Special Presentation
Special Presentation by San Antonio’s First Lady, Erika Prosper Nirenburg
5:30 PM
Depart to Hotel Emma
Walking Transition (5 min)
6:45 PM
Bus departs from Hotel Emma
7:00 PM
Opening Reception for the XXIV United States - Spain Forum
Location: Mission San Jose | 701 E Pyron Ave, San Antonio, TX 78214 | Attire:
Speakers:
Lisa Pino, Attorney, US Spain Council Board Member – 2013 Young Leader
Denisse Hudock, Senior Project Architect, StoryBuilt – 2019 Young Leader
8:00 PM
Opening Dinner for the XXIV United States - Spain Forum
Location: Mission San Jose | 701 E Pyron Ave, San Antonio, TX 78214
Moment of silence in recognition of Dr. Alfonso “Chico” Chiscano
Speakers:
Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of San Antonio
Commissioner Tommy Calvert, Bexar County, Texas
Joaquín Castro, Honorary Chairman of the United States – Spain Council
Juan Lladó, Chairman of the Fundación Consejo España – EE.UU.
Fernando M. Valenzuela, Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs of Spain
Gustavo García-Siller, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas
10:00 PM
End of the opening dinner for the XXIV United States - Spain Forum
10:15 PM
Bus departs for Hotel Emma
Participants Agenda: Day 2
Saturday, November 2, 2019
8:45 AM
Depart from Hotel Emma
Walking Transition (5 min)
9:00 AM
Breakfast Networking
Location: Foyer of The Pearl Stable | 307 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215 | Attire: Business Casual
10:00 AM
Session II - The Future of Cleaner Energies (Tentative Placement)
Location: The Pearl Stable | 307 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215 | Attire: Business Casual
USSC Speakers:
Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) - Invited
James Jackson, Chairman, Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN), Board of Directors
Fundación Speakers:
José Dominguez, Secretary of State of Energy, Ministry for the Ecological Transition
Xabier Viteri, Director of the Renewable Energy Business, Iberdrola
Moderator:
José Ignacio Torreblanca, Head of Madrid Office, European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
11:35 AM
Depart The Pearl Stable
Walking Transition (5 minutes)
11:45 AM
Working Lunch
Location: The Elephant Cellar (Hotel Emma) | 136 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215
US Presenter:
Estuardo Rodriguez, President & CEO, National Museum of the American Latino
Spain Presenter:
Rafael Soriano, Director for International Relations, Cervantes Institute
“Spanish as a global language: Spanish language in the USA”
1:05 PM
Depart the Elephant Cellar (Hotel Emma)
Walking transition (5 min)
1:15 PM
Session III - Disinformation in the Face of Tech Innovation
(Tentative Placement)
Location: The Pearl Stable | 307 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215
USSC Speakers:
Rear Admiral William W. "Trey" Wheeler, III, Director, Plans, and Policy, J5, United States Cyber Command
Bret Schafer, Media and Digital Disinformation Fellow, Alliance for Securing Democracy, German Marshall Fund of the United States
Fundación Speakers:
Joaquín Arístegui, Director General for Global Spain, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
Antonio Caño, Journalist, former Director of El Pais
Moderator:
José Ignacio Torreblanca, Head of Madrid Office, European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
2:45 PM
End of Session III
2:45 PM
Group Photo
Location: Immediately Outside of the Pearl Stable
3:15 PM
Depart The Pearl Stable
Walking Transition (5 min)
3:30 PM
Separate Fundación and USSC Member Meetings
Location: Hotel Emma
USSC Room: Cellar J | Fundación Room: Elephant Room | 136 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Joint Members Meeting – Sharing of Conclusions
Location: Hotel Emma
Room: Elephant Room
5:00 PM - 5:20 PM
Special Presentation by Eduardo Garrigues accompanied by Nicolas Kanellos, Director of Arte Público Press:
“I Alone, the American Revolution of Bernardo de Galvez”
7:00 PM
Buses depart Hotel Emma
7:30 PM
Closing Reception
Location: The Witte Museum | 3801 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209 | Attire: Cocktail
The Valero Great Hall
8:30 PM
Closing Dinner
Location: The Witte Museum
Mays Family Center
Speakers:
Joaquín Castro, Honorary Chairman of the United States – Spain Council
Juan Lladó, Chairman of the Fundación Consejo España – EE.UU.
9:30 PM
Cigar & Dessert Reception Cigars sponsored by Tabacalera
Location: The Witte Museum
Zachary Family Acequia Gardens
10:15 PM
Buses Departs The Witte Museum
Companion Agenda: Day 1
Friday, November 1, 2019
9:00 AM
Depart for the Tapestry of Cultures Tour
Attire: Casual – Comfortable shoes
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Guided Tour of the Alamo Shrine
10:10 AM
Driving Tour of Downtown to Include: Hemisfair Park, La Villita, South Town, King William
10:30 AM
Arrive at Bexar County Courthouse - Designing America Exhibit
11:15 AM
Walk to Main Plaza, Canary Islanders, San Fernando Cathedral -
Tour of Cathedral and Visit to Spanish Governor’s Palace
11:45 AM
Depart for Hotel Emma
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Welcome Cocktail Lunch
Attire: Business Casual
6:45 PM
Group departs Hotel Emma
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Opening Reception for the XXIV United States - Spain Forum
Location: The Missions | Attire: Cocktail
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Opening Dinner
10:15 PM
Bus Departs for Hotel Emma
Companion Agenda: Day 2
Saturday, November 2, 2019
9:00 AM
Depart for La Villita - Guided Tour of the Plazas and Historic Buildings
Attire: Casual
9:30 AM
Hands on Leather Class Presented by Gallery Owner and Artisan Claudia with B & C Studios
11:15 AM
Depart for HEB Central Market Cooking School
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Cooking Class - Demo and Lunch served with Texas Wine Pairing
1:30 PM
Private Tour of Villa Finale
2:15 PM
Group to Walk Through the King William to Gunther House
2:30 PM
Depart for Seersucker Distillery (home to Cinco Vodka and Seersucker Gin)
3:00 PM
Tour and Tasting at Seersucker Distillery
4:30 PM
Depart for The Hotel Emma
7:00 PM
Bus departs from Hotel Emma
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Closing Reception & Dinner
Location: The Witte Museum | Attire: Cocktail
10:00 PM
Buses Depart to Hotel Emma
Companion Agenda: Day 2
Saturday, November 2, 2019
9:00 AM
Depart for La Villita - Guided Tour of the Plazas and Historic Buildings
Attire: Casual
9:30 AM
Hands on Leather Class Presented by Gallery Owner and Artisan Claudia with B & C Studios
11:15 AM
Depart for HEB Central Market Cooking School
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Cooking Class - Demo and Lunch served with Texas Wine Pairing
1:30 PM
Private Tour of Villa Finale
2:15 PM
Group to Walk Through the King William to Gunther House
2:30 PM
Depart for Seersucker Distillery (home to Cinco Vodka and Seersucker Gin)
3:00 PM
Tour and Tasting at Seersucker Distillery
4:30 PM
Depart for The Hotel Emma
7:00 PM
Bus departs from Hotel Emma
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Closing Reception & Dinner
Location: The Witte Museum | Attire: Cocktail
10:00 PM
Buses Depart to Hotel Emma
Venues
136 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215
Once a 19th century Brewhouse, Hotel Emma is an extraordinary 146-room hotel in downtown San Antonio & the flagship for Pearl's culinary and cultural community on the northern edge of downtown San Antonio.
Pearl Stable
307 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78215
Pearl Stable provides a uniquely elegant site for social occasions and business events. With an intriguing history as the former home for the Pearl Brewery's draft horses in the late 19th century, The Stable has been meticulously renovated to preserve the charm and integrity of the original structure while providing state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and communication technologies for weddings, receptions, entertainment and other events.
Hotel Information
Classic Rooms |
Landmark and Artesian Kings |
Hotel Emma
136 E. Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215
Rooms & Pricing:
Classic Rooms - $395.00
Landmark and Artesian Kings - $445.00
Landmark Double Queen - $445.00
Plaza Suite - $895.00 (very limited availability)
River Cellar Suite - $695.00 (very limited availability)
**Accessible Guest Rooms Available**
Parking:
Complimentary self-parking (open parking and closed garage parking)
Valet parking - $20 a day, $21.69 for the night
The hotel block is now expired.
Please call 1-877-801-6134 and let the reservation agents know you’re making a reservation for the XXIV United States – Spain Forum. They will provide you rooms types still available and what the going rate is for the room.
Useful Information
Local Weather
SAN ANTONIO TEXASHow to Get to There
San Antonio International Airport – 7.6 miles (driving time to the Pearl, 15 minutes)
The next closest airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport- 79.8 miles (driving time to the Pearl, 1 hour 23 Minutes)
Major Airlines that Fly Into SAT: Aeromexico Airlines, Air Canada Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines
Restaurants & Things to Do within Walking Distance of Hotel
The Pearl Brewery
Restaurants and Bars located on the Pearl Brewery Campus:Blue Box Bar Botika The Boiler House Texas Grill and Wine Garden The Granary ‘Cue & Brew Cured Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery Bakery Lorraine Local Coffee Lick Honest Ice Creams Green Vegetarian Cuisine High Street Wine Co. | The Bottling Department, San Antonio’s first food hall, includes:Bud’s Southern Rotisserie Fletcher’s Hamburgers Maybelle’s Donuts Tenko Ramen The Good Kind |
Register Today
You will need a passport, brief bio, and headshot to complete registration. Please have these ready.
Contact: Lena Hernadez | lhernandez@dpcreativestrategies.com | 202.294.4900
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