San Antonio Conservation Society Hires New NIOSA Director of Operations

Audrey Haake has joined the San Antonio Conservation Society team as Director of Operations for “A Night In Old San Antonio^®” (NIOSA^®) it was announced by Margie Arnold, NIOSA Chairman/Fourth Vice President of Conservation Society. Haake is responsible for management and coordination of NIOSA, the Society’s annual fundraising event, as well as the marketing and coordination of NIOSITAs—private fiesta celebrations held for groups of 300 or more.  Totally sponsored by and benefiting the Conservation Society, the 70^th presentation of NIOSA will be held April 24-27, 2018, during the city’s Fiesta San Antonio^® celebration.

Haake began working as a NIOSA volunteer as Vice Chairman for the Sangria booth in the Villa España area.  She then served as Chairman of the Sangria Booth then Vice Chairman of the Mexican Market area in 2014, advancing to Area Chairman of Mexican Market in 2016 and then NIOSA Treasurer in 2017—all volunteer positions. Her duties as NIOSA Treasurer included preparing and reviewing budgets, finances, contracts and bank transactions, as well as obtaining TABC, health and fire permits.  She has also set up and worked at numerous NIOSITAs over the years.

Haake has been a Conservation Society member since 2004 and served on the Board of Directors from 2016-2017.  She has also served on the Society’s Budget, Audit, Hospitality and Historic Building Survey Committees.  Haake retired from Brock Person Guerra Reyna, P.C. in 2017 after 32 years of practice as a trial lawyer.

NIOSA is the top fundraiser for historic preservation in the nation and truly lives up to its motto as a “Celebration for Preservation.”  The NIOSA committee is able to present the San Antonio Conservation Society with an average of more than $1.5 million annually in NIOSA profits to fund the Society’s preservation of historic properties and parks throughout the city and neighboring counties, as well as education and advocacy programs such as the Heritage Education tours, seminars, scholarships, resource library and house museums.

NIOSA is a four-night festival in the heart of downtown San Antonio that celebrates the city’s diverse cultural legacy for more than 85,000 revelers annually.  Through the magic of 200-plus food, drink and atmosphere booths; 13 live musical acts; children’s games; decorations; souvenirs; and 10,000+ volunteers, NIOSA brings the city’s heritage alive in 15 areas.

Founded in 1924, the San Antonio Conservation Society is one of the oldest and most active community preservation groups in the United States. Beginning with efforts to prevent historic structures from being razed and to preserve such unique sites as the city’s Spanish Colonial missions, the society has been responsible for saving most of the historic attractions that now make San Antonio one of the top tourist destinations in Texas.