2026 Celebrity Guests

David Elder of Texas Eats Don’t miss David Elder of Texas Eats on the culinary stage, where he’ll be cooking live while sharing behind-the-scenes secrets and his favorite food spots.

Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 3pm

David Elder of Texas Eats Don’t miss David Elder of Texas Eats on the culinary stage, where he’ll be cooking live while sharing behind-the-scenes secrets and his favorite food spots.

David Elder is the host and executive producer of Texas Eats, San Antonio’s popular food show on KSAT 12. His digital series, Elder Eats, gained widespread attention across Central and South Texas, with more than 18 videos topping one million views each. The first season is available to stream on the KSAT TV app.

David’s passion for food began at a young age, learning recipes and techniques from his mother. He got his start working at a Texas BBQ chain before advancing through the kitchen of an award‑winning Hill Country bistro and vineyard, where he rose to head grill chef by age 19. His experience spans both back‑ and front‑of‑house roles, giving him a well‑rounded approach to creating memorable dining experiences.

In addition to his culinary career, David is an award‑winning graphic and web designer. A New Braunfels native, he studied design and marketing in San Antonio and began working at KSAT 12 in 2015, where he now combines his creative and culinary talents as the face of Texas Eats.

Sloan Rinaldi of Netflix's Barbecue Showdown See Houston native, Sloan Rinaldi of Netflix's Barbecue Showdown on the culinary stage to show you how to cook the BEST brisket!.

Friday at 4pm and Saturday at 1pm

Sloan Rinaldi of Netflix's Barbecue Showdown See Houston native, Sloan Rinaldi of Netflix's Barbecue Showdown on the culinary stage to show you how to cook the BEST brisket!.

Sloan Rinaldi is an internationally recognized fourth-generation Texas pitmaster, TV personality, and outdoor living expert who blends over 40 years of landscaping and irrigation experience with authentic Texas barbecue culture.

A standout on Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown and featured on Chopped Grill Masters and Top Chef, Sloan is also the founder of Texas Q, an award-winning line of sauces and rubs inspired by family tradition.

Known for creating outdoor spaces designed for entertaining and live-fire cooking, Sloan is now developing a global travel series exploring how cultures connect through barbecue.

Albert Uresti - Bexar County Tax Assessor Collector Learn how to reduce next year’s high property taxes with property tax exemptions through the San Antonio Tax Assessor’s Office.

Saturday at 2pm

Albert Uresti - Bexar County Tax Assessor Collector Learn how to reduce next year’s high property taxes with property tax exemptions through the San Antonio Tax Assessor’s Office.

Albert Uresti is the oldest of nine siblings. Albert has been married to Elsie for over 52 years, and they have three children and five grandchildren and one on the way. Albert has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from UTSA. Albert has 50 years of government service, including 25 years in the San Antonio Fire Department where he quickly rose to the rank of District Fire Chief. Albert also served as a City Manager for over seven years. During his 14 years as Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector, Uresti has revolutionized tax collections by his public mission, “Working to Help Keep Families In Their Homes with an emphasis on helping our Senior Citizens, our Disabled, our Veterans, and ultimately our Children”. Uresti’s Tax Office has the most property tax payment plans of any of the 254 counties in the State, including the only 10-Month Payment Plan in Texas, a program Uresti has received numerous awards for. Uresti’s efforts through the HAF Federal Grant Program, designed to assist families in Texas who had suffered financially as a result of COVID, helped Bexar County become #1 in Households Assisted in Texas. Uresti’s Office has received six National Association of County (NACo) awards, including the NACO Best-In-Category in the Nation Achievement Award for his Special Investigative Unit designed to combat Auto Theft and Vehicle Title Fraud. Uresti’s Motor Vehicle Division was awarded a Performance Quality Recognition Program Award from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Albert’s personal commitments are to work hard every day, to honor God, to love his family, to never forget where he came from, and with the help of his employees, to remain the #1 Tax Office in the State of Texas by providing citizens and businesses the best customer service possible.

"The Brain Coach" Dr. Punjabi - Founder of Brain Science Symposium for the State of Texas Dr. Punjabi’s presentation will provide attendees with practical, science-backed strategies to improve brain health, reduce stress, and optimize daily performance. Guests will leave with actionable tools they can immediately apply to improve their focus, memory, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

Friday at 1pm and Sunday at 12pm

"The Brain Coach" Dr. Punjabi - Founder of Brain Science Symposium for the State of Texas Dr. Punjabi’s presentation will provide attendees with practical, science-backed strategies to improve brain health, reduce stress, and optimize daily performance. Guests will leave with actionable tools they can immediately apply to improve their focus, memory, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

Dr. Sunita Punjabi, PhD, has completed her master’s in counseling from UTSA and has her doctorate as a neuropsychologist from the University of Chicago, specializing in neuro and biofeedback. She is licensed with the State of Texas as a Professional Counselor, who has focused her practice on helping people live “cause-driven lives”.

Founder of the Brain Science Symposium for the State of Texas, Dr. Sunita Punjabi” has recently opened a larger clinic where she utilizes advanced technology, the science of neuroplasticity, ontology, psychology, and quantum physics, to train and enhance brain effectiveness.

Dr. Punjabi recently published a correlations study proving that cause-driven people are 80% more likely to engage in life and work.