April 2026
Hello Finance Professionals,
The bluebonnets are blooming, the River Walk will soon be decked in papel picado, and San Antonio is calling our names because it is time for the 2026 GFOAT Spring Conference!
I could not be more excited to welcome you to the Grand Hyatt on the River Walk, April 19–21, for what promises to be one of our most memorable gatherings yet. We have chosen the perfect backdrop in Fiesta San Antonio. If you have never experienced this city in full Fiesta mode, prepare to be amazed. From our Sunday evening Fiesta Party at the Grand Promenade featuring live music and the best Texas food and fun, to the breathtaking Texas Cavaliers River Parade on Monday night, this conference offers something that no webinar or virtual training ever could – the energy and community that make GFOAT truly special.
And yes, the casual attire policy is still very much in effect, so bring your best Fiesta look and leave the ties at home. But beyond the music, the food, and the river magic lies the real reason I hope you will be there – the people.
One of the hallmarks of great organizations is their ability to renew themselves to constantly bring forward the next generation of talent, wisdom, and leadership. Nothing matters more to me than this. Every one of us in this profession got here because someone took the time to invest in us. A supervisor who explained the nuance behind a budget amendment. A mentor who told us we were capable of more than we imagined. Those moments shaped who we became as professionals and as leaders.
The Conference is one of the most powerful environments we have for that kind of investment. When a seasoned finance professional sits beside a newer analyst at a session and then continues the conversation over dinner on the River Walk, that is mentorship in its most organic and powerful form. When a long-time member introduces a young colleague to a peer from another city, that is the network that will sustain a career. These moments do not happen by accident. They happen because experienced professionals choose to be present, to be generous with their time, and to recognize that the future of public finance in Texas is sitting in the room right alongside them.
I am asking each of you to come to San Antonio with that intention. Look around the room. Introduce yourself to someone earlier in their career. Share a lesson you learned the hard way. Ask a rising professional what they are working through and offer your perspective. The CPE you will earn is valuable, but the wisdom you pass forward may prove to be the most impactful thing you do this year.
The future of our communities and the quality of the public servants who will steward their finances for the next generation depends on the time and attention we invest right now.
San Antonio is ready. Fiesta is in the air. And our profession needs you there. I will see you on the River Walk.
¡Viva Fiesta!
Blu Kostelich
President, GFOAT
Assistant City Manager & Chief Financial Officer
City of Waco
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