March 2026 Monthly Luncheon

Join us on March 10 from 11:30 AM–1:00 PM at the Headliners Club [221 W 6th St., Fl 21 – Granger Room] for a timely luncheon: IREM Community Conversation with APD Assistant Chief JJ Schmidt. Hear directly from JJ Schmidt, Assistant Chief of the Austin Police Department, as he shares updates impacting Austin’s commercial real estate and property management community.

Discussion topics will include APD staffing and funding updates and how those changes are affecting operations and response efforts. We’ll also cover a downtown update, including trends related to the unhoused community and what strategies are currently in place. With SXSW and other major events approaching, Assistant Chief Schmidt will provide insight into current public safety planning and other issues significantly impacting APD. The conversation will also address ICE activity and protests, including practical guidance for property managers on how to respond if ICE appears at their buildings and how to communicate with tenants. This will be an informative, solutions-focused discussion with time for questions and open dialogue.

Meet APD Assistant Chief JJ Schmidt: Assistant Chief Schmidt grew up in Austin and began his law enforcement career in 1992, working for other agencies prior to joining the Austin Public Safety Emergency Management Department in 2007, serving as a Division Chief. He joined APD in 2009 when the two departments merged. He worked various assignments as an APD officer including patrol, Austin Regional Intelligence Center (ARIC), Police Technology Unit, hostage negotiator, and assisted with Executive Protection assignments. Upon his promotions, he worked as a Detective in the Homicide Cold Case/Missing Persons Unit, served as a Sergeant in patrol, Internal Affairs, Air Support Unit, and as a squad leader for the Special Response Team (SRT). As a Lieutenant, he joined the Executive Team and was assigned to Staffing. He transferred to Special Operations, where he managed the Air Support and K9 Units. Additionally, he served in the rotation for tactical command during SWAT operations. As a Commander, he managed the Northeast Area Patrol Command (Edward Sector), with a strong focus on reducing violent crime and building relationships in the community.  Assistant Chief Schmidt holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University, a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Assistant Chief Schmidt has made meaningful and positive contributions to APD and the Austin community.

Deadline to register is Friday, March 6 @ noon. Guarantees to the venue necessitate this policy.

Parking: Parking is available in the attached Procore Tower garage. Please note that there are two entrances and two exits for the garage. The entrances are on 5th Street and Colorado Street and the exits are on 5th Street and Lavaca Street. Carpooling is encouraged as the garage can get congested when exiting. Parking will be validated thanks to our Industry Partner, Peak Parking.

Photography notice: By attending this event, you acknowledge that you are aware your image may appear in on IREM Austin social media platforms, promotional material and other media as requested. Questions: contact Jen George, CAE at atxIREM@gmail.com. Photos by: John Huang Photography

IMPORTANT: Please note any dietary restrictions on your registration form. Onsite special requests for changes are subject to an additional fee.

MEMBERS: You must be logged in to receive the Member/Industry Partner rate. Click here to login.

Questions or issues with registering, please contact Jen George, CAE at atxirem@gmail.com.