However, the organization's work isn't done as it has more events on the horizon for the rest of 2024.
A closer look
In partnership with the Historical Preservation Commission, the chamber is putting on a new event called Spirits of Bagdad, which is a historical, spooky reenactment tour where attendees can learn the stories of five people who lived in Leander. The event will take place on Oct. 19 at Bagdad Cemetery.
“It isn't a haunted house tour. It is a historical reenactment, but it will have a little bit of spookiness to it, and it will be really cool,” Brandt said. “Lots of cities do these, and we've wanted to do it forever and ever, so we're finally making it happen.”
Preparations for the Old Town Christmas Festival on Dec. 7 are also underway, with this year’s theme being the Polar Express. Brandt said out of 292 first-round vendor applications, the first 50 spots have been secured, and the Rudolph Run 5K already has 152 runners signed up as of Aug. 15.
Leadership Leander—a program that cultivates qualified leaders to develop the community—has 13 students that will graduate during the chamber’s annual gala Sept. 21, which will be held in Old Town, Brandt said.
Another event for the Leander community to look forward to is the Real Estate Summit on Oct. 3, which already has 50 people signed up to attend. Brandt said this event is also anticipated to surpass its expected number of participants.
Another detail
Brandt said the chamber is in predevelopment for another property to serve as the organization’s temporary home. She said she hopes to announce additional details soon.
This property will provide the chamber with more space and allow it to bring a training room to Leander, which Brandt said is needed to host larger conferences and events.
However, she said the chamber is still interested in pursuing a permanent home at the Bryson Farmstead.
Looking back
Brandt said one of the biggest highlights of 2024 so far is the continued success of The Old Town Street Festival. Brandt said the June event had between 15,000-17,000 people in attendance and poured an estimated $1.2 million back into Leander’s economy.
“I don't think we hit [20,000 attendees] this year; it was just so hot for that main part of the day,” Brandt said.
To provide some relief during next year’s festival, she said the chamber has plans to implement misting systems and provide designated areas for eventgoers to cool down, hopefully encouraging them to stay longer.
“Getting people to come there is not hard. You want to keep them there longer to shop more, essentially,” Brandt said. “Most people made it down one street, maybe two. Usually, people will [shop the whole entire area], which is what we really want. So, we're working on that.”
The chamber also launched several professional development series this year and has had 34 ribbon-cuttings so far, which is the most in chamber history, Brandt said.
“Lots of things happening—it has been an insane first half of the year,” she said. “But, what a wonderful problem to have. I'd much rather have that problem than the opposite, which is stalling businesses and all of the other things.”
