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
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)

11:30am-2:30pm

Early Arrival Experiences
Option #1: Chatt Taste Art, History, & Food Tour (Separate Registration Required HERE)

Option #2: Hiking Stringer's Ridge (Link to sign up coming soon)

1:30pm-2:30pm

Tennessee Tourism Committee (Invite Only)
Chattanooga Convention Center (Room 9/10)

1:30pm-2:30pm

Play Tennessee Membership Meeting (Invite Only)
Chattanooga Convention Center (Room 7/8)

3:00pm-4:30pm

Opening Session
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 Dickson
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.

*Please note you must have your badge to enter*

7:00pm

TN Tourism Committee Dinner (Invite Only)

7:30pm

Dine-Around Chatt
Experience Chattanooga's Thriving Culinary Scene
Reservations Encouraged

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH

7:00am-7:30am

6:45am Arrival for Bike Set-Up

Chattanooga Wellness Bike Ride - Details coming soon

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
Presented 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

Hospitality & Tourism Industry Break-Out Sessions

Sponsored by Sir Speedy Music City

  1. Cultivating a Thriving Workplace Culture - GB Collective & Nashville Black Market (Meeting Room 3)
    • Darius McDonald, CEO - Nashville Black Market
    • Greg Bradley, Managing Principal - GB Collective
  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Supercharging Experiences, Storytelling and Travel (Meeting Room 12)
    • 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-11:45am

Break-Out Sessions

Sponsored by HUCK Studios

  1. Under the Influence: When Content Creators and Destinations Combine Forces (Meeting Room 3)
    • 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 13/14)
    • 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. TBD (Meeting Room 12)
  4. Kitchen Cabinet Roundtable Discussion (Meeting Room 7/8)
    • Sara Beth Urban, CEO - TNHTA
    • Commissioner Mark Ezell, TDTD

11:45am-12:00pm

Break - Tennessee Aquarium: An Up-Close and Personal Encounter

12:00pm-1:30pm

Governor’s Luncheon & Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Update
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)
    • 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)
    • Katie Stadius, Director of Product Experience - Zartico
  3. CEO Roundtable (Meeting Room 7/8)

2:30pm-2:50pm

Break

4:00pm-6:00pm

Break-Out Sessions

Sponsored by Trip Advisor

  1. TN Tourism Team Connect: Highlights from the 24-25 Strategic Plan & Partner Resource Guide (Meeting Room 13/14)
    • Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
  2. Success: A Spirited Journey (Meeting Room 3)
    • 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
Chattanooga Convention Center

6:00pm-7:00pm

Stars of the Industry Cocktail Reception (Included with Registration)
Chattanooga Convention Center

Celebrate the best & brightest in hospitality & tourism by joining us for the Stars of the Industry awards. We'll be honoring winners in lodging, restaurant, and tourism categories. One drink ticket included for the reception. Cocktail/Black Tie Optional Attire. We encourage everyone to wear purple to celebrate the theme of the night: the Tennessee State Flower: Purple Iris.

7:00pm-9:00pm

Stars of the Industry Dinner & Purple Iris Awards Presentation (Included with Registration)
Chattanooga Convention Center

Celebrate and cheer for your peers as they are honored for their contributions and service to the industry. 

9:00pm-11:00pm

Stars of the Industry After Party (Included with Registration)
The Chattanoogan Hotel, High Rail Rooftop Bar

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH

8:00am

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

9:00am-10:00am

Closing Breakfast General Session

Sponsored by Visit Kingsport

Chatt & Chat: Women Leading the Way in Hospitality
Chattanooga Convention Center (Ballroom EFGHIJ)

10:00am

Giveaways and Closing Remarks

A chance to win prizes & cash (must be present to win) and hear where the next TWO Governor's Conferences will be held.

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