Chattanooga To Host Global Storytellers For 2026 Women In Travel Summit

  • Thursday, June 19, 2025

Chattanooga has been selected as the host city for the 2026 Women in Travel Summit (WITS), taking place May 29–31, 2026, at The Chattanoogan Hotel. Organized by Wanderful, WITS is the premier event for women and gender-diverse travel creators, industry executives, and tourism boards—celebrating travel, storytelling, and connection.

“We’re proud to host a community as thoughtful, dynamic, and visionary as WITS,” said Barry White, Chattanooga Tourism Co. CEO. “Chattanooga is a city rooted in storytelling, innovation, and exploration, and we are certain our community will become a lasting part of every attendee’s journey.”

The WITS Travel Creator Summit brings together a powerful network of content creators, influencers, and brands who are reshaping the global travel space. Past summits have been held in inspiring destinations such as New York City (2025), Salt Lake City & Park City, Utah (2024), and San Juan, Puerto Rico (2023), making Chattanooga the latest city to join this dynamic lineup. With Chattanooga’s recent designation as a National Park City, walkable neighborhoods, and creative energy, hosting the conference here is a natural extension of our mission and long-term vision.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to bring WITS to Chattanooga in 2026!” said Beth Santos, CEO and Founder of Wanderful. “WITS is about more than just a conference — it’s a movement that connects travel creators with destinations that surprise, inspire, and tell powerful stories to millions of followers around the world. With its vibrant culture, rich history, and access to the outdoors, Chattanooga is the perfect place to do just that. We can’t wait for our attendees to experience everything this incredible city has to offer.”

The conference will be headquartered at The Chattanoogan Hotel, offering both accommodations and meeting space. Attendees will have the chance to explore Chattanooga’s unique neighborhoods, scenic landscapes, and culinary gems while making meaningful connections in the global travel space.

“Hosting WITS at The Chattanoogan Hotel isn’t just about providing a space — it’s about creating an environment where ideas, connections, and creativity thrive,” said Tara Dean, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Chattanoogan Hotel. “As a woman in travel and hospitality, I know how powerful it is when women come together to lead conversations that shape the future of our industry. We’re proud to play a role in bringing that energy to life in Chattanooga.”

As part of the official announcement that WITS 2026 will be held in Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Tourism Co. Team worked with retail partners to carefully curate special giveaway boxes to share a taste of the city with Wanderful’s community. The boxes spotlighted products from local, women-owned businesses, including Cheiman Tea, Divine Purity, Starfish and Coffee Design, Cocoa Asante, Miss Ginny’s, and The Rustic House. The curated collection offered a sensory preview of Chattanooga’s creative spirit and entrepreneurial energy — and a warm welcome from the Scenic City.

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