Gov Con 2024 Conference Agenda
September 25-27 | Chattanooga, Tennessee
2024 Governor's Conference presented by TNHTA with partners:
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Chattanooga Tourism Co.
M&M Productions
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH
9:00am
Exhibitor Set-Up Begins
Chattanooga Convention Center - North Information Booth
11:00am - 3:00pm
Silent Auction Items Accepted
Chattanooga Convention Center - North Information Booth
Please be sure to grab your badge BEFORE the opening session as you will need it to access conference events.
8:00am-10:00am
Regional Directors Meeting & Breakfast (Invite Only)
Chattanooga Convention Center (Room 12)
9:00am-2:00pm
Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development - Rural Tourism Sessions
Chattanooga Convention Center (Room 13/14)
11:00am-12:00pm
Play Tennessee Membership Meeting (Invite Only)
Chattanooga Convention Center (Room 7/8)
11:30am-2:00pm
Meet at the Chattanooga Convention Center at 11:30am, leaving at noon, back by 2:00pm
PLEASE SIGN UP IN ADVANCE. On-site registration is not available.
Option #1: Chatt Taste Art, History, & Food Tour (Separate Registration Required - Get more info here)
Option #2: Hiking Stringer's Ridge - CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER
12:00pm-2:30pm
Tennessee Tourism Committee (Invite Only)
Chattanooga Convention Center (Room 9/10)
3:00pm-4:30pm
Opening Session Please pick up your badge at the Chattanooga Convention Center BEFORE Opening Session
Sponsored by M&M Productions
TNHTA CEO Sara Beth Urban's Association Updates
Welcome Remarks from TNHTA Chair Hugh Anderson & CEO Sara Beth Urban; Chattanooga Tourism Co. President Barry White; TN Dept. of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell
Opening Speaker: Brand USA President & CEO, Fred Dixon - Hear from the leading advocate for the $1.1 trillion U.S. travel and hospitality industry
The Chattanoogan Hotel (Ballroom)
5:30pm-7:30pm
Please note you must have your badge to enter and receive your dine around voucher.
7:00pm
TN Tourism Committee Dinner (Invite Only)
7:30pm
Experience Chattanooga's Thriving Culinary Scene
Reservations Encouraged
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH
6:45am Arrival for Bike Set-Up
Separate Registration Required
8:00am-4:00pm
Registration Office Open / Silent Auction Open
Chattanooga Convention Center - North Information Booth
8:00am-4:30pm
Hip Hues Swag Bar
Stop by the interactive swag bar offered by Hip Hues to create your own TDTD branded t-shirt.
Chattanooga Convention Center
8:00am-9:45am
Sponsored by Orange 142
The Benefits Cliff: Why it Matters to You
- Timberly Russell, Director of Training & Employer Engagement, Martha O'Bryan Center
- Bishoy Mikhail, Vice President of Research, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Chattanooga Convention Center (Ballroom EFGHIJ)
9:45am-10:00am
Break
10:00am-10:40am
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Cultivating a Thriving Workplace Culture - GB Collective & Nashville Black Market (Meeting Room 3)
Sponsored by Sir Speedy Music City-
Darius McDonald, CEO - Nashville Black Market
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Greg Bradley, Managing Principal - GB Collective
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Supercharging Experiences, Storytelling and Travel (Meeting Room 12)
Sponsored by Madden Media-
Brian Yamada, Chief Innovation Officer - VML
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Building an Earned Media Program (Meeting Room 13/14)
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Jackie Reau, CEO - Game Day Communications
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10:40am-11:00am
Tennessee Aquarium - Meeting the Ambassadors
11:00am-11:40am
Break-Out Sessions
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Under the Influence: When Content Creators and Destinations Combine Forces (Meeting Room 13/14)
Sponsored by HUCK Studios-
Kristin Luna, CEO - Odinn Media
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Matt Maxey, Senior Director Public Relations - Visit Franklin
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From Survey to Strategy: Elevating Tennessee's Workforce Across Restaurants, Lodging, and Attractions (Meeting Room 3)
Sponsored by Bandwango-
Brooks Shaw, Owner - Old Country Store at Casey Jones Village
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Shawn Danko, Owner - Kooky Canuck
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Sabra Beldsoe, Business & Workforce Director Northwest - TN Dept. of Labor and Workforce Dev.
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Junhee Kwon, Department Head and Professor - UT Knoxville
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Rebecca Manley, Human Resources Director - Dollywood
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Michael Sanders, Vice President of Hotel Operations - Chartwell Hospitality
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Kitchen Cabinet Roundtable Discussion (Meeting Room 7/8)
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Sara Beth Urban, CEO - TNHTA
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Commissioner Mark Ezell, TDTD
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- Expand Your Circle: Open Networking Meetup (Exhibitor Hall 4/5/6)
11:40am-12:00pm
Break - Tennessee Aquarium: An Up-Close and Personal Encounter
12:00pm-1:30pm
Governor’s Luncheon & Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Update
Sponsored by VML
Remarks from Governor Bill Lee
Hear from Commissioner Mark Ezell about the growth & influence of tourism in Tennessee as he releases the 2023 economic impact numbers.
Chattanooga Convention Center (Ballroom EFGHIJ)
1:30pm-1:50pm
Break
1:50pm-2:30pm
Break-Out Sessions
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$5,864: Mitigating Turnover Costs with Smart Retention Strategies, Training and Healthcare Solutions for Your Team (Meeting Room 3) Sponsored by Ecolab
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Renee' Hoggay, Sr. Sales Manager Partner Development - ServSafe
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Agustin Sobrino, Manager, Partner and Subscription Services, ServSafe Benefits - ServSafe
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Unlock Destination Success: Applying Data-Driven Strategic Planning Principles (Meeting Room 12)
Sponsored by TrueOmni-
Katie Stadius, Director of Product Experience - Zartico
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CEO Roundtable (Meeting Room 7/8)
- Managing Your Reputation & Reviews Online (Meeting Room 13/14)
- Scott Caufield, Senior Principal Client Partner - TripAdvisor
2:30pm-2:50pm
Break
2:50pm-3:30pm
Break-Out Sessions
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TN Tourism Team Connect: Highlights from the 24-25 Strategic Plan & Partner Resource Guide (Meeting Room 13/14)
Sponsored by Trip Advisor-
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
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Success: A Spirited Journey (Meeting Room 3)
Sponsored by Zartico-
Charity Toombs, Executive Director - Tennessee Whiskey Trail
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Emily Parli, Director Business Development - Orange 142
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Flying High: Roles of Airports in Attracting and Supporting Tourism (Meeting Room 12)
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Jim Evans, VP Marketing & Air Service Development - Metro Knoxville Airport Authority
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Glen Thomas, Director Strategic Marketing & Communications/PIO - Memphis - Shelby County Airport Authority
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Kristen Behm, VP Public Relations & Air Service Development - Chattanooga Metro Airport Authority
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Josh Powell, Assistant VP Airline & Government - Metro Nashville Airport Authority
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3:30pm-4:30pm
Chattanooga Convention Center (Room 4/5/6)
6:00pm-7:00pm
Chattanooga Convention Center - North Rotunda
7:00pm-9:00pm
Sponsored by Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Video Production by LundyThomas Advertising
Chattanooga Convention Center (Ballroom EFGHIJ)
9:30pm-12:00am
Sponsored by Advance Travel & Tourism and Journal Communications
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH
8:00am
Registration Office Opens
Silent Auction Last Chance Bidding (Auction Closes at 9am)
9:00am-10:30am
Chattanooga Convention Center (Ballroom EFGHIJ)
10:30am
Governor's Conference logo created by Designsensory. Modified by the Chattanooga Tourism Co. for 2024.