Join our team at the upcoming 2026 International Town & Gown Association’s City & University Relations Conference, hosted by the city of College Station, Texas and Texas A&M University.

More Than a Building: Using Hospitality, Industry Partnerships, and Education to Drive Community Economic Impact

• Wednesday, May 20 | 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM

  Higher Education Leader Emily Winters, AIA, LEED

  Opening in 2028, the Aplin Center at Texas A&M University demonstrates how industry-aligned education and public-facing partnerships can advance regional economic development. Integrating agriculture, business, and hospitality, the Center mirrors the full food and beverage pipeline through experiential learning spaces, labs, event venues, and student-operated enterprises. Backed by Buc-ee’s founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin III ’80, this session examines how campus investments strengthen town-gown ties, workforce development, sustainable architecture, and boost economic impact.

  Emily will be joined by Kelli G. Hollinger, director of visitor experience visitor experience, Austin Fannin, director of strategic program development, Office of the Provost, Texas A&M University.

From Assumption to Alignment: Measuring Where Students Actually Engage

• Thursday, May 21 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

  Senior Campus Planner Steve Wilson, AICP, AIA, LEED

  Belonging and retention are shaped largely beyond the classroom, yet campus and municipal decisions are often made without evidence of where students actually spend time. This session examines measurable patterns of boundary crossing across diverse campuses, revealing gaps between assumptions and behavior. Participants will explore how engagement data can support local government service delivery, development planning, and coordinated town-gown strategy that benefits both students and long-term residents.