Gov Con 2024 Conference Agenda

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

Early Arrival Registration
Exhibitor Set-Up Begins
Silent Auction Items Accepted

Chattanooga Convention Center - North Information Booth

11:00am - 3:00pm

Registration Office Open for General Attendees
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 #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

Welcome to Chattanooga Reception - Hosted by Chattanooga Tourism Co. - More Details Here

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

Chattanooga Dine Around - View Participating Restaurants Here
Experience Chattanooga's Thriving Culinary Scene
Reservations Encouraged


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH

7:00am-7:30am

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

Sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

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

Breakfast & General Session
Sponsored by Orange 142
Welcome Remarks from Chattanooga Mayors & Chattanooga Tourism President Barry White
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

Break-Out Sessions
  1. 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

    • Greg Bradley, Managing Principal - GB Collective

  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Supercharging Experiences, Storytelling and Travel (Meeting Room 12)
    Sponsored by Madden Media

    • Brian Yamada, Chief Innovation Officer - VML

  3. Building an Earned Media Program (Meeting Room 13/14)

    • Jackie Reau, CEO - Game Day Communications

10:40am-11:00am

Snack Break

Tennessee Aquarium - Meeting the Ambassadors

11:00am-11:40am

Break-Out Sessions

  1. Under the Influence: When Content Creators and Destinations Combine Forces (Meeting Room 13/14)
    Sponsored by HUCK Studios

    • Kristin Luna, CEO - Odinn Media

    • Matt Maxey, Senior Director Public Relations - Visit Franklin

  2. 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

    • Shawn Danko, Owner - Kooky Canuck

    • Sabra Beldsoe, Business & Workforce Director Northwest - TN Dept. of Labor and Workforce Dev.

    • Junhee Kwon, Department Head and Professor - UT Knoxville

    • Rebecca Manley, Human Resources Director - Dollywood

    • Michael Sanders, Vice President of Hotel Operations - Chartwell Hospitality

  3. Kitchen Cabinet Roundtable Discussion (Meeting Room 7/8)

    • Sara Beth Urban, CEO - TNHTA

    • Commissioner Mark Ezell, TDTD

  4. 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

  1. $5,864: Mitigating Turnover Costs with Smart Retention Strategies, Training and Healthcare Solutions for Your Team (Meeting Room 3) Sponsored by Ecolab

    • Renee' Hoggay, Sr. Sales Manager Partner Development - ServSafe

    • Agustin Sobrino, Manager, Partner and Subscription Services, ServSafe Benefits - ServSafe

  2. Unlock Destination Success: Applying Data-Driven Strategic Planning Principles (Meeting Room 12)
    Sponsored by TrueOmni

    • Katie Stadius, Director of Product Experience - Zartico

  3. CEO Roundtable (Meeting Room 7/8)

  4. 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

  1. 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

  2. Success: A Spirited Journey (Meeting Room 3)
    Sponsored by Zartico

    • Charity Toombs, Executive Director - Tennessee Whiskey Trail

    • Emily Parli, Director Business Development - Orange 142

  3. Flying High: Roles of Airports in Attracting and Supporting Tourism (Meeting Room 12)

    • Jim Evans, VP Marketing & Air Service Development - Metro Knoxville Airport Authority

    • Glen Thomas, Director Strategic Marketing & Communications/PIO - Memphis - Shelby County Airport Authority

    • Kristen Behm, VP Public Relations &  Air Service Development - Chattanooga Metro Airport Authority

    • Josh Powell, Assistant VP Airline & Government - Metro Nashville Airport Authority

    3:30pm-4:30pm

    Meet Me at the Lookouts Exhibitor Reception
    A fantastic networking opportunity where you can connect with exhibitors, meet Louie and the Lookouts staff, and indulge in ballpark eats paired with local craft beers. 
    Chattanooga Convention Center (Room 4/5/6)

    6:00pm-7:00pm

    Stars of the Industry Cocktail Reception (Included with Registration)
    Live music and drinks to get the celebration started!
    Chattanooga Convention Center - North Rotunda

    7:00pm-9:00pm

    Stars of the Industry Dinner & Purple Iris Awards Presentation (Included with Registration)
    Sponsored by Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development
    Video Production by LundyThomas Advertising
    Join us as we honor the best of the best in the industry! 
    Chattanooga Convention Center (Ballroom EFGHIJ)

    9:30pm-12:00am

    Stars of the Industry After Party (Included with Registration)
    Sponsored by Advance Travel & Tourism and Journal Communications
    Let's continue the celebration at the Chattanoogan Hotel! We will have live music and Cigar Rolling from Burns Tobacconist on the outdoor patio adjacent to the lobby. Chatt 360 will provide a 360 photo booth at High Rail Rooftop Bar. Drinks and light bites available! 
    The Chattanoogan Hotel: High Rail Rooftop Bar & Lobby Level Outdoor patio


    FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH

    8:00am

    Registration Office Opens
    Silent Auction Last Chance Bidding (Auction Closes at 9am)

    9:00am-10:30am

    Closing Breakfast General Session - Chatt & Chat: Women Leading the Way in Hospitality
    Sponsored by Visit Kingsport

    Chattanooga Convention Center (Ballroom EFGHIJ)

    10:30am

    Giveaways and Closing Remarks
    A chance to win prizes & cash (must be present to win) and hear where the next Governor's Conference will be held.
    Chattanooga Convention Center (Ballroom EFGHIJ)

    Governor's Conference logo created by Designsensory. Modified by the Chattanooga Tourism Co. for 2024.