Public pension trustees play an important role in helping lawmakers understand the responsibilities, challenges and needs of Texas public retirement systems. Guided by the theme “Making Your Pension’s Story Impossible to Ignore,” the TEXPERS 2026 Legislative Advocacy Workshop will provide practical guidance and tools to help trustees and administrators communicate their systems’ stories and participate more effectively in the legislative process.

The day-and-a-half workshop will take place Oct. 27–28, 2026, at the Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin.

Registration: $150 for TEXPERS System Members and $195 for Non-member Systems.

Practical Lessons for Legislative Engagement

Workshop programming will offer a practical look at how public retirement systems can prepare for and engage in the legislative process. Sessions will include:

• A candid public pension advocacy panel: Panelists will discuss what it is like for a public retirement system to take an issue to the Texas Capitol. They will share real-world experiences, challenges, lessons learned and strategies that systems can apply to their own legislative efforts.
• Interactive grassroots advocacy training: Grassroots trainer Joe Gagen will lead a hands-on session focused on building support, communicating effectively and engaging decision-makers.
• A Texas legislative update: A member of the TEXPERS Legislative Committee and Eddie Solis of HillCo Partners will discuss the legislative environment and look ahead to the 2027 Texas Legislative Session.

Additional programming will be announced as the workshop approaches.

Continue the Conversation After Hours

Workshop attendees are also invited to an evening networking reception on Oct. 27.

Evening Networking Reception
5–7 p.m.
The Independent Condominiums

The reception will give attendees an opportunity to continue the day’s conversations through informal discussions with workshop speakers, TEXPERS Board members and peers.

Reception Sponsor: Dimensional Fund Advisors

Thank You to Our Leadership Partner

TEXPERS recognizes Campion Research & Associates as a Leadership Partner of the 2026 Legislative Advocacy Workshop. Its support helps TEXPERS provide public pension trustees and administrators with practical education and resources for effective legislative engagement.

Continuing Education Credit Available

Attendees may earn up to two hours of continuing education credit applicable toward the Texas Pension Review Board’s Minimum Educational Training requirements.

Whether you have years of experience working with legislators or are preparing to engage at the Texas Capitol for the first time, the workshop will help you approach the upcoming session with greater knowledge, preparation, and confidence—and make your pension system’s story impossible to ignore.

Register Today

TEXPERS System Members: Register Online

Non-member Systems should contact TEXPERS at [email protected] to register.

About the Author: Allen Jones is the director of communications and event marketing for TEXPERS, where he leads editorial strategy, member communications, conference marketing, and digital engagement initiatives for Texas public employee retirement systems. He began his journalism career in 1998 and has worked in journalism and communications for more than 25 years.