The 2013 Governor’s Conference on Tourism will be held Sept. 17-19, in Franklin, TN, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. This year’s conference themed “Back to the Future,” is presented in partnership with the Tennessee Tourism Roundtable, a statewide association uniting the stakeholders involved in the tourism industry. Governor Bill Haslam will address tourism industry partners during the luncheon on Thursday. The “State of the Industry” address will be delivered by Commissioner Susan Whitaker, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, during Wednesday’s breakfast.
For the first time ever, this year's conference features two Super Seminars. "From Eyesore To Attraction: Reclaiming Historic Assets for Tourism" will be held Tuesday, Sept. 17. Attendees will travel by motorcoach to the Factory at Franklin and the Franklin Theatre, where they will tour these once-slated-for-demolition facilities and learn from the visionary people involved in their restoration how they were turned into genuine tourism attractions for the community. "How to Market to People Who Are Not Like You" will be presented Thursday, Sept. 19, by Kelly McDonald, one of the nation's foremost marketing and advertising experts in multicultural marketing and consumer trends.
Tennessee Tourism’s Strategic Marketing Plan will be presented on Wednesday by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the Tennessee Tourism Committee. Presentation of the marketing plan will be followed by breakout sessions designed to provide attendees a detailed overview of how the plan can be integrated into tourism partner’s marketing efforts statewide.
In addition, Duane Knapp, one of the nation's most highly sought-after experts on destination branding, will present “Seven Factors for Success in Building a Destination Brand.” Rounding out the line-up of top-tier speakers at this year’s conference are Jake Olson and McKay Christensen, co-authors of Open Your Eyes: 10 Uncommon Lessons to Discover a Happier Life.
The conference is open to all tourism industry partners. For information about the schedule of events, visit the Tennessee Tourism Roundtable’s website at www.tenntourismroundtable.com or call 615 734-9380.
The Tennessee Tourism Roundtable is an "Association of Associations" including the Tennessee Attractions Association, the Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, the Tennessee Hospitality Association, and the Meeting Planners International Tennessee Chapter. Its mission is to unite the travel, tourism, and allied industries of the state to promote and strengthen the tourism industry through advocacy, education, and communication.
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