Gov Con 2025 Conference Agenda

2025 Governor's Conference presented by TNHTA with partners:

Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Visit Kingsport

M&M Productions

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH

9:00am

MeadowView Convention Center - Box Office

11:00am - 3:00pm

8:00am-10:00am

Regional Directors Meeting & Breakfast (Invite Only)
MeadowView Convention Center - Nolichucky

9:00am-2:00pm

11:00am-12:00pm

Play Tennessee Membership Meeting (Invite Only)
MeadowView Convention Center - MeadowView CD

11:30am-2:00pm

Early Arrival Experiences
PLEASE SIGN UP IN ADVANCE. On-site registration is not available.

Option 1: Guided Hike at Bays Mountain 
Option 2: Golf at Cattails MeadowView 
Option 3: Line Dancing Class at The Reserve 
Option 4: Founders Tour at Tennessee Hills Distillery 
Option 5: Bristol Motor Speedway Tour 
Option 6: Canvas of the City Downtown Walking Tour of Johnson City 

12:00pm-2:30pm

Tennessee Tourism Committee (Invite Only)
MeadowView Convention Center - MeadowView AB

3:00pm-4:30pm

Opening Session 
Sponsored by M&M Productions

Welcome Remarks
TNHTA Chair Chris Massie & CEO Sara Beth Urban; Visit Kingsport President & Chief Tourism Officer Frank Lett; TN Dept. of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell

Mitch Patel - Founder of Vision Hospitality, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell, TNHTA President & CEO Sara Beth Urban

TNHTA Association Update

5:30pm-7:30pm

7:30pm-10:00pm

Transportation provided by Eastman

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH

8:00am-4:00pm

Registration Office Open / Silent Auction Open
MeadowView Convention Center - Box Office

8:00am-9:45am

MeadowView Convention Center - Convention A

9:45am-10:00am Break

🎉 Visit the Exhibitor Hall!
Snack Break - Cornucopia Gourmet Popcorn
Fizzy Fairway Miniature Golf
Sponsored by Play TN
MeadowView Convention Center - Convention B

10:00am-10:40am

Break-Out Sessions

1. Cultural Belonging in Tennessee - Cattails Ballroom
Sharanda Smith, Founder & CEO, Nashville Black Hospitality Group

Sponsored by Advance Travel & Tourism
Josh Gibson, Director of Research, Tennessee Depart. of Tourist Development

3. From Stadium Seats to City Streets: The Sports Tourism Surge
John David, President & CEO, Sports Events & Tourism Association    

10:40am-11:00am Break

11:00am-11:40am

Break-Out Sessions

1. Hospitality is Leadership: Re-imagining Guest Experience from the Inside Out - Cattails Ballroom
Darius McDonald, Founder & CEO, Vanguard Strategy Partners 

Malcolm Griffiths, Senior Vice President, TURNER

11:40am-12:00pm Break

12:00pm-1:30pm

Governor’s Luncheon & Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Update

1:30pm-1:50pm Break

1:50pm-2:30pm

Break-Out Sessions

Amanda Rodriguez, Content Creator & Social Media Strategist

Josh Loebner, Global Head of Inclusive Design, VML

3. Beyond the Session: Legislative Insights & Local Advocacy for Tennessee Hospitality - Grand Ballroom
Sara Beth Urban, President & CEO, TNHTA
Dustin Goforth, Founding Partner, Capitol & 5th
Brad Lampley, Partner, Adams & Reese
Ashley Harbin, Partner, Adams & Reese

2:30pm-2:50pm Break

2:50pm-3:30pm

Break-Out Sessions

1. Unlocking Global Gateways: Strengthening International Tourism for Your Community - Grand Ballroom
Margaret Fuqua, Director of Sales, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

2. Flawless Hospitality™: Boosting Retention, Revenue, and Reputation in Tennessee Tourism - Cattails Ballroom
Dr. Ryan Cate, Holistic Performance
Thea Harvey-Barratt, Holistic Performance

3:30pm-4:30pm

6:00pm-7:00pm

7:00pm-9:00pm

9:30pm-12:00am

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH

8:00am

8:00am-10:30am

MeadowView Convention Center- Convention A

Governor's Conference logo created by Designsensory & Modified by Visit Kingsport for 2025.