Register for the 2016 Tennessee Governor's Conference on Hospitality

Tourism and hospitality professionals from across the state will come together September 21– 23 in Chattanooga for the industry’s premier annual event, the 2016 Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Hospitality. With a great host city, outstanding keynote speakers and educational seminars, two simultaneous tradeshows, along with exceptional social and networking events, this year’s conference promises to be the best yet.

This conference is produced by the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Greater Chattanooga Hospitality Association.

“We are delighted to host our peers and partners from across the state for the 2016 Governor's Conference,” said Bob Doak, president & CEO, Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “The CVB and all of our local industry partners are working hard to ensure conference attendees have a truly memorable experience while they are here.”

Thanks to the CVB and local partners, this year’s conference attendees will have a unique opportunity to experience Chattanooga with a wide variety of self-guided sightseeing tours on Wednesday, September 21.  Whether your interests are in exploring Lookout Mountain's attractions and breathtaking views, taking in the exciting and vibrant Chattanooga Riverfront, tracing the steps of  the area's rich Civil War history, exploring the city's vibrant arts and cultural scene or even if shopping and dining is your idea of fun – Chattanooga has it for you!

Our Chattanooga hosts are also planning a truly memorable opening night event on Wednesday, September 21 at the Tennessee Aquarium.  Located on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, the Tennessee Aquarium takes you on a remarkable journey from the mountains to the sea to meet amazing animals up close within the Aquarium’s two buildings. The evening will be complete with food, fun, music and more.

Keynote Speakers
As always, one of the goals of this conference is to feature the very best in nationally-known and highly sought-out speakers.  And with this year’s incredible line-up, that goal has been reached.

Kelly McDonald, one of the nation's top marketing and advertising experts and author of two bestselling books, is known for her insights in consumer trends, generational differences and leveraging the customer experience.

Guy Smith, previously with Gaylord Nashville and the Disney University and Disney Institute, helps leaders and businesses reinvent themselves from the inside out so as to achieve powerful, sustainable, breakthrough results.

Chris Low, a frequent and popular speaker at national conferences and forums, is the Chief Economist for FTN Financial and has more than 25 years' experience tracking U.S. and global economies, financial markets, central banks, and fiscal policy.

Kevin Triplett, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, will be presenting an update on the department’s activities, new initiatives, cooperative programs, and the department’s marketing plan.

Governor Bill Haslam, who has always been a strong supporter of the state’s hospitality and tourism industry, has been invited to present his “Annual Address to the Tourism Industry” at the conference’s closing luncheon.

Educational & Professional Development Seminars
Once again, the conference will offer a variety of seminars on subjects of interest to the entire industry.  While conference registrants are free to attend any seminar of their choice, many of this year's seminars will be of value to all segments of the industry, while some seminars are industry-segment specific. Seminar topics of specific interest to tourism attendees, as well as other industry sectors, will include visitor profile research and travel data update, successful content marketing, developing tourism infrastructure through ECD grants, how Tennessee Welcome Centers can work for you in promoting your destination or business, and case studies in successful amateur sports marketing.  Seminars that will be of more specific interest to the lodging and restaurant sectors will include employment law and the hospitality industry, employer use of criminal background checks, marketing to and creating dining experiences for millennials, and active management control in the foodservice industry.

Two Tradeshows
An important part of the annual conference has always been the tradeshow, where providers of products and services to the Tennessee hospitality and tourism industry have an opportunity to meet personally with decision-making buyers.  But for the first time ever, this year's conference will actually feature two simultaneous and adjoining tradeshows: the Tennessee Tourism Expo directed primarily to our tourism partners, and the Tennessee Food and Lodging Show directed primarily to our lodging and restaurant partners.  Attendees will be free to travel between and visit both shows. This arrangement will allow both vendors and attendees to focus on those partners that are of primary interest for their organization/business.  Both tradeshows will be held on Thursday, September 22.

Stars of the Industry Gala
Also new this year will be the 2016 Stars of the Industry Gala, which will be held Thursday evening, September 22.  This OPTIONAL event (separate fee required) will recognize "The Best of the Best" in the industry, and will celebrate the achievements of the employees, lodging properties, restaurants, destination marketing organizations, attractions, and educators that make our industry and state such an exceptional destination.  There will be a special Chattanooga Dine-Around available on Thursday evening for conference attendees not attending the gala.

Great Networking and Social Events
Everyone knows that the annual Governor’s Conference is about taking care of business.  But there are also plenty of other activities and events that help to make the conference a great opportunity for socializing and networking as well.
 
In addition to the opening night event on Wednesday, there are meal functions, several break and networking times, and the end-of-the-day reception in the Tourism EXPO tradeshow on Thursday.  Another great networking function will be the “Women in Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism” reception on Wednesday evening prior to the opening night event, which gives professional women from the hospitality and tourism industry an opportunity to connect and network with other top professionals from across the state.

When you combine these great programs and events with the outstanding educational and professional development activities, it is easy to see that this will be one conference you do not want to miss!
 
For more information and to register, go to: www.tngovcon.com.