Staff Report
A new face will join Kyle city staff in 2016 as the city filled its Event Coordinator position vacancy.
Last month, Kyle hired Cindy Stohr as its new Events Coordinator.
The Kyle City Council approved the position during the 2016 fiscal year budget discussion. A portion of Stohr’s salary will come out of the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds, which are generated from hotel bookings.
While Stohr will focus on smaller community events for this fiscal year, she is already moving forward with developing a signature event beginning in 2017.
“We are perfectly situated within Central Texas to attract visitors from as near as San Marcos or as far as Dallas,” she said in a statement “We want to put Kyle on the destination map and host an event that showcases our small town charm alongside our welcoming personality.”
Kyle Chief of Staff Jerry Hendrix said in a release that the city will “capitalize on (Stohr’s) experience as we move forward” in developing community events.
“She hit the ground running on day one, and we’ll be hearing a lot from her in the very near future,” Hendrix said.
Stohr recently worked at San Antonio’s DoSeum, or the Museum for Kids, where she served as its Special Events Manager. Stohr has 15 years of experience in the planning and execution of festivals and special events.
Prior to coming to Texas, Stohr worked as the Senior Events Manager for Festivals Inc./ New Growth Event Solutions in Issaquah, Washington, where she produced and managed a multitude of large-scale events. That included the Bite of Seattle, Taste of Tacoma and Oktoberfest Northwest events.
According to Stohr, she said she likes to “plan events that highlight the area’s history and products unique to the area.”
She said that ranges from food, beverages to artisans and authors.
“One example might be a multi-locale, multi-day festival that would draw from local talent including musicians and artists, spanning genres of activities that appeal to a diverse audience,” Stohr said in a statement.
The addition of at least one new hotel in Kyle within the next year could attract travelers for future multi-day events.
On Nov. 10, the Kyle Planning and Zoning Commission approved plans for a 71-room, three story Comfort Inn and Suites hotel, which is to be located along Physican’s Way behind Target.
Stohr said another example could be a “Taste Of” style event featuring local foods, wine and products.
“I’m also looking forward to working alongside local businesses who see the importance of investing in our community,” Stohr said. “I hope local musicians, artists and others will get involved to create a fun, entertaining and family-friendly event.”