Tennessee Notes - Volume 3, Issue 3

An Official Publication of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association

Three Days of Education and Celebration at the 2017

Governor’s Conference

On Hospitality & Tourism 2017 Stars of the Industry Recap

Volume 3, Issue 3

6

10

Contents | Volume 3, Issue 3 Features

6

Departments 3

TnHTA Board of

4

rom the 2017 TnHTA Chair, F Darik Dawes

5

rom the 2017 F TnHTA President/CEO, Greg Adkins

2017 TnHTA Stars of the Industry Awards

13

elcome, New W TnHTA Members!

TnHTA and Industry

14

Index of Advertisers

Cover

Story in Pictures

2017 Governor’s Conference On Hospitality and Tourism (Oct. 4–7) and TnHTPAC Golf Tournament

10 14

Recent

Event

2018 Calendar of Events

2 • Tennessee Notes • Volume 3, Issue 3

Directors and Staff

An official publication of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association 475 Craighead Street l Nashville, TN 37204 l T: 615-385-9970 l F: 615-385-9957 l john@tnhta.net l www.tnhta.net

Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street l Franklin, TN 37064 l T: 615-790-3718 l F: 615-794-4525 l info@leadingedgecommunications.com l www.leadingedgecommunications.com Tennessee Notes Editor: John Whisenant, TnHTA | Managing Editor: Liz Nutter, Leading Edge Communications

2017 TnHTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS * Denotes Executive Committee Member 2017 Officers Darik Dawes (2017 Chair)* MainStay Suites, Chattanooga Bo Connor (Vice Chair)* Connor Concepts Wayne Tabor (Secretary/Treasurer)* Holiday Inn Select, Downtown Memphis Tom Loventhal (Immediate Past Chair)* Noshville Delicatessen

Carol Agee Dollywood Entertainment Park, Pigeon Forge Andrea Anderson Greater Chattanooga Hospitality Association Martha Axford* ABC Design and Consulting, LLC, Knoxville Strategic Planning Chair Regena Bearden Memphis CVB Shannon Bowles* Marriott, Nashville Airport AH&LA Representative Ben Brock Amerigo Italian Restaurant, Nashville Doug Browne The Peabody Hotel, Memphis Fred Bullard Hilton Garden Inn, Knoxville West Kim Bumpas* Visit Knoxville Non-Dues Revenue & Governor’s Conference Chair Rick Cadena Courtyard by Marriott, Hamilton Place, Chattanooga Phil Campbell Leconte Center of Pigeon Forge Kimberly Carlson Memphis Restaurant Association

Dottie Clabough Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville Don Collier Tennessee Farm Winegrowers Alliance, Nashville Christie Connatser* Hampton Inn, Gatlinburg Local Association Chair Ron Crivellone Smokey Mountain Wedding Association, Gatlinburg Claire Crowell Puckett’s 5th & Church, Nashville

Steve Holmes Cornerstone Insurance Group Anthony House Chick-fil-A, Memphis Brad Ivens Eagles Ridge Resort, Pigeon Forge Patrick Jordon Westin Memphis Beale Street Anita Lane* Hampton Inn & Suites, Downtown Knoxville Communications/PR Chair

Tom Cupo The Chattanoogan Hotel & Conference Center

Jackie Leatherwood* Greystone Lodge on the River, Gatlinburg Membership Chair

Shawn Danko* Kooky Canuck, Memphis Restaurant Caucus Chair

Dee Lundy Lundy & Assoc., Knoxville

Cornelia Dobbins Hilton Garden Inn, Gatlinburg Bob Dollinger 3H Group Hotels, Chattanooga Troy Edwards Sysco Nashville, LLC Anne Marie Famalette Courtyard by Marriott, Collierville Michael Gibson* Gibson Hotel Management, Inc., Knoxville TnHTEF Chair Ben Goldberg Strategic Hospitality, Nashville

Ken Maples* Comfort Inn & Suites, Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge Past Chair Andy Marshall* Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, A. Marshall Family Foods, Inc. Government Relations Chair Brenda McCroskey Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Jeff Messinger* Mt. Vernon Restaurant, Chattanooga NRA Representative

Gary Hahn Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., Memphis

Hugh Morrow* Lookout Mountain Attractions, Chattanooga Tourism Caucus Chair

Jacob Hall Rutherford Co. Hospitality Assn.

Lori Nunnery Jackson CVB

Theresa Harrington Clarksville/Montgomery Co. CVB

Ray Ogle* The Inn at Christmas Place, Pigeon Forge TnHTPAC Chair

Dan Haskell Gullett, Sanford, Robinson, & Martin, PLLC, Nashville, TN Tom Headla Bluff Mountain Rentals Johnny Hill Holiday Inn, Pigeon Forge

Mitch Patel Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Cookeville Dee Patel The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville Heetesh Patel* Neves Investments, Knoxville AAHOA Representative Scott Pejsa Homewood Suites by Hilton, Knoxville Tony Phillips Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Nashville Mary Phillips Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Gatlinburg Chuck Pinkowski Pinkowski & Co., Memphis Michael Riley The Oliver Hotel Restaurant, Knoxville Deanna Ross Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association, Millington John Rothkopf MeadowView Marriott Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport John Rucker Key Magazine of Memphis Matt Scanlan Gullett, Sanford, Robinson, & Martin, PLLC, Nashville Jackelyn Schafer The Park Vista Hotel, Gatlinburg

Danny Sumrall* The Half Shell Restaurant, Memphis Past Chair Butch Sypridon Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation Bobby Tanner S&D Coffee, Inc., Chattanooga Kris Tatum Tennessee Distillers Guild, Nashville Jud Teague Kingsport CVB Mark Thomas Fee Headrick Entertainment, Pigeon Forge Karl Thomas* Inn on the River, Pigeon Forge Lodging Caucus Chair Jill Thompson Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association Mahasti Vafaie The Tomato Head, Knoxville Brenda Whitson Johnson City CVB Melissa Woody Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland

TnHTA STAFF Greg Adkins President & CEO

Paul Schramkowski* JHS Holdings, LLC, Nashville Audit Committee Chair

Lisa Bass Director of Membership & Business Development

Sarah Scokin Hampton Inn & Suites, Jackson

Jessica Cardwell Director of Finance & Administration

Pam Smith Bluff Mountain Rentals, Pigeon Forge

Lynne Overton Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Lenoir City

Sandi Goad Director of Member Services, Retention and Restaurant Liaison

Max Stephenson Puckett’s Chattanooga

Austin Schneider Director of Education

Radesh Palakurthi The University of Memphis

Jindy Strader InterContinental Hotels Group, Franklin

John Whisenant Director of Tourism

Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association • 3

Message from the 2017 Chairman, Darik Dawes

Great Accomplishments for a Strong As

we approach the end of the year, my term as Chair of TnHTA will be ending as well.

As I look back over 2017, I believe we’ve been able to accomplish a great deal by working together through our association.

We’ve certainly had a busy and challeng- ing year in our important government rela- tions work. The association has had some major successes legislatively in terms of both our interaction with and influence on the governmental process as it affects our industry. TnHTA has high visibility with both the legislative and executive branches of state government, and has continued to work closely with our national partners in advocating for hospitality and tourism issues with the federal government. On the local level, we have continued to provide our members with valuable assistance in dealing with issues affecting their business- es. Our 2017 TnHTA Day on the Hill was a great success with strong participation from all industry segments and regions of Tennessee.

Our PAC is strong and has grown to one of the largest in Tennessee and in the 4 • Tennessee Notes • Volume 3, Issue 3

nation compared to other states’ hospital- ity and tourism PACs. This has allowed us to actively assist those individuals who are supportive of our industry and our con- cerns. Our continued support of the PAC will be critically important during next year’s elections.

Two particular areas that I wanted to focus on this past year were communica- tions and marketing. I felt it was important that our organization have first-class prod- ucts and materials that were representa- tive of our professionalism, and that would be more effective in helping us achieve our goals. I’m pleased to say that this year we were able to launch an entirely new and more useful website, as well as a great app.

We also have new marketing and sales ma- terials, and have produced excellent videos about membership benefits and the won- derful work of our Education Foundation.

These efforts have helped us have good growth in all of our membership catego- ries, and we continue to work hard to make sure our members receive a good return on their investment by providing valuable services and benefits.

Year

Our education programs have contin- ued to experience excellent growth. We’ve expanded our high school ProStart and HTMP programs, and have seen great success in our workforce development pro- grams, as well as our professional develop- ment programs such as The Blizzard, the TnHTA Law Symposium and the 2017 Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism.

As an organization, we again end the year as a strong and financially sound association with an excellent board and a strong, tenured and dedicated staff. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to serve our organization this year, and look forward to continuing to be a part of the leadership team under our incoming Chair, Bo Connor. I know that by working to- gether in the year ahead, our association will build on the successes of 2017 and will continue to be the dynamic, unified voice of Tennessee’s second largest industry.

Darik Dawes

2017 TnHTA Chair

Message from the President/CEO, Greg Adkins

TnHTA Strategic Partner Highlight –

Insurance that will Save Money and Time, and Provide Better Coverage

O

perating a successful hospitality business is challenging enough in today’s economy without hav- ing to worry about changing your insurance every year. Through strategic partnerships, TnHTA offers a number of insurance com- panies that are designed to save you money and time, and provide great insurance cov- erage for your business. We have three specific programs that every hospitality company should look at:

a company that specializes in workers comp coverage. They also provide a variety of training and risk mitigation for employers, and it is open to any member of the Asso- ciation. You can contact Steve Holmes— (423) 894-0901 / steve.holmes@usa.net or an independent Tennessee insurance agent. You can also contact a company

representative directly at Employers, Mary Murphy—(629) 200-1175 / mmurphy@employers.com.

If you have any questions, please contact me or Lisa Bass, our Director of Sales & Business Development—(615) 385-9970 / lisa@tnhta.net. J

State Auto Restaurant Insurance (Property / Casualty Coverage): This program is a restaurant-specific dividend pay- back program that has competitive pricing.

It is only for eligible restaurant members who insure through State Auto, who may receive dividends annually up to 12% of the premium. You can contact Will Wright at Anderson Benson Insurance—(615) 630- 7806 / wwright@andersonbenson.com, Barker Evans at State Auto—(615) 855- 0515 / barker.evans@stateauto.com or an independent agent in Tennessee.

United Health Care (Health Coverage): This program is open to all members and offers health care coverage with access to an expansive network of programs and services that include wellness programs, online tools, prescription products and compliance assistance for employers. Vol- untary benefits are also available for dental, vision, life and disability. Please contact Amy Hathaway—(952) 406-3194 / amy_hathaway@optum.com.

Employer’s Insurance (Workers Comp): A competitively priced, great product with Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association • 5

Cover Story

Three Days of Education and Celebration at the 2017

Governor’s Conference On Hospitality & Tourism • October 4–7

Wednesday – Gatlinburg & Sevier County Day It was a beautiful day for the 2017 TnHTPAC Golf Tournament, played at the beautiful Gatlinburg Golf Course.

The tournament was a great success with 27 teams and 19 sponsors supporting TnHTA’s important government relations programs and PAC. Over 100 people attended the Women in Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism reception sponsored by STR and hosted by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

Commissioner Triplett and Department of Tourist Development staff meet with Regional Tourism Directors.

Images from the Opening Night Event at Rocky Top Sports World, Sponsored by Gatlinburg CVB and our Gatlinburg/Sevier County Hosts

6 • Tennessee Notes • Volume 3, Issue 3

Thursday – Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Day

2017 TnHTA Chair Darik Dawes opens the 2017 Governor’s Conference.

Gatlinburg CVB President/CEO Mark Adams welcomes the industry to Gatlinburg.

Daniel Levine, one of the world’s foremost travel trends experts, delivers the opening keynote.

70 TnHTA Preferred Vendor members from all areas of the hospitality and tourism industry had an opportunity to meet personally with attendees in the 2017 tradeshow.

Jill Rutter, Director of Outreach for End Slavery Tennessee, speaking on how Tennessee’s hospitality and tourism industry are on the front lines in the battle against human trafficking.

Anne Madison, Chief Strategy and Communications Director for Brand USA, shares the latest trends in international travel to Tennessee and Brand USA’s marketing programs to attract visitors to the US. Jim Lucas of Sysco Knoxville helps seminar attendees learn how to improve the food safety culture in their workplace.

Alan Kidd, President/CEO of the National Association of Sports Commissions, leads a seminar on changing trends in amateur sports marketing.

Lindsay Miller and Jessica Johnson from Designsensory help attendees learn how to discover and promote their unique selling position.

Judy King of Quality Management Services leads a seminar on addressing employee performance problems. She also led a seminar on successful employee retention strategies.

In a seminar facilitated by Melanie Beauchamp, Dave Santucci of the Chattanooga CVB, Jenna Cole-Wilson of the Benton County/Camden Chamber of Commerce and Ellie Westman Chin of the Williamson County CVB speak on demonstrating the value of DMO funding and programs of work.

Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association • 7

Cover Story | Continued

Friday – Tennessee Tourism Day

Tourism Commissioner Kevin Triplett delivers an update on tourism in Tennessee and the ongoing work of the Department of Tourist Development at Friday morning’s breakfast.

Dave Jones of the Department of Tourism facilitates a seminar on digital marketing innovation in the hospitality and tourism industry. Panelists included Brian Yamada of VML, Evin Duvall of the Department of Tourism and Josh Collins of Visit Franklin.

In a panel seminar facilitated by Kim Holmberg of Journal Communications, Melissa Alley Woody of the Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce, Dennis Tumlin of the Rhea Economic & Tourism Council and Rene Lance of the South Central Tourism Association talk about tourism product development and successful storytelling.

Assistant Commissioner for Welcome Centers Pete Rosenboro announces the Tennessee Welcome Center of the Year Award, which was won by the I-75/Campbell County (Jellico) Welcome Center.

Governor Bill Haslam speaks on the importance of hospitality and tourism to Tennessee’s economy and congratulates the industry for their outstanding work at the Conference’s closing luncheon.

Kingsport City Manager Jeff Fleming closes the conference by inviting attendees to the 2018 Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism September 19–21, 2018 in Kingsport and Northeast Tennessee.

8 • Tennessee Notes • Volume 3, Issue 3

Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association • 9

2017 Stars of the Industry

TnHTA Honors the

Best

of the

Best

at Stars of the Industry Gala

By Austin Schneider, TnHTA Director of Education

The

Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Associa- tion honored its 2017 industry statewide all-stars at the annual “Stars of the Industry” Awards Gala, held on Thursday, October 5, during the 2017 Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Hos- pitality and Tourism in Gatlinburg.

“Hospitality and tourism make up the state’s second largest industry,” said TnHTA President & CEO Greg Adkins.

“The individuals and companies we honor with these awards are the driving force be- hind that success. They provide the top- notch guest service that keeps people com- ing back to Tennessee. The winners were selected to receive these honors by people who truly understand the level of commit- ment that is required to provide excellent service to customers on a daily basis – their peers. We’re honored to have them as part of our membership, and we congratulate them on a job well done!”

The Hotelier, Restaurateur and Tourism Professional of the Year Awards are the pin- nacle of recognition in Tennessee hospitality.

Winners of these prestigious awards have dedicated their careers to the success of the field and have made fundamental con- tributions to the hospitality and tourism industry in Tennessee. Each year’s nominees and winners are hand-selected by a distin- guished panel of previous winners and are chosen for their shining character, demon- strated work ethic, leadership ability and inspiring vision.

10 • Tennessee Notes • Volume 3, Issue 3

2017 TnHTA Hotelier of the Year Ray Waters

Castlerock Asset Management Ray Waters is an experienced hotel icon with over 40 years of experience in the hos- pitality industry, and is currently the Vice President of Castlerock Asset Management.

He began his hospitality career as a ban- quet waiter as one of the original employees when the famous Opryland Hotel opened its doors in 1977. He left the company 25 years later as the Senior Vice President

General Manager of the Opryland Hotel and Attractions Group, where he was a member of the Opryland Hotel’s Exec- utive Committee and served as the Hotel Manager. He oversaw the development and opening of the hotel’s $210 million Delta expansion project and was also responsible for the operations of the Gaylord Opryland Resort, Springhouse Golf Club, General Jackson Showboat, Radisson Hotel and Grand Ole Opry Tours.

He left the Opryland Hotel to be- come the managing director for the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. He later assumed the role of General Manager at the Hilton Nashville Downtown, where

TnHTA President/CEO Greg Adkins, 2017 TnHTA Hotelier of the Year Ray Waters and 2017 TnHTA Chair Darik Dawes

2017 TnHTA Stars of the Industry Award Winners

he also became the regional director of full service hotels (Hilton Nashville, Union Sta- tion Hotel and Sheraton Orlando). After leaving his job as regional director and general manager, Ray assumed the role of President of Hospitality for Turnberry As- sociates, where he oversaw the management of three full service hotels, the Turnberry Isle Resort and four select service hotels.

Ray left this position in 2016 to assume the role of General Manager of the Westin Nashville. After successfully opening the Westin, he was promoted to Vice President of Castlerock.

Ray is a past President of the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association and the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Asso- ciation, and has served on the board of directors for American Hotel and Lodging Association, Nashville Sports Council and BellSouth Senior Golf Tournament. He won AHLA’s General Manager of the Year for Large Properties in 2008 and is the co- author of The Educational Institute book, Managing Conventions.

2017 TnHTA Restaurateur of the Year Andy Marshall

A. Marshall Family Foods, Inc. Andy Marshall is no stranger to good Southern food and hospitality. At age 26, he purchased his first grocery store— a Piggly Wiggly in Hopkinsville, KY—an investment that quickly led to three addi- tional locations and his being named Pres- ident of the Tennessee Grocers Association and the Piggly Wiggly Association. In the mid-1990s, Andy’s love of food, music and community began to steer him in a differ- ent direction, so in 1998, he decided to sell all of his stores and purchase Puckett’s Grocery. In 2002, Andy branched out to start a formal dinner and music program at the local hot spot.

Today, Andy has expanded A. Marshall Family Foods Inc. to encompass Puckett’s Grocery locations in Franklin, Nashville, Columbia, Chattanooga and Murfreesboro; Puckett’s Boat House in Franklin; Puckett’s Trolley, the brand’s mobile food venue; Puckett’s Events & Catering; Scout’s Pub;

TnHTA Attraction of the Year Rock City

Restaurant Manager of the Year – Chain Property

TnHTA Preferred Vendor of the Year

Heather Hall, Collier Restaurant Group

Stages West

Women in Tourism & Hospitality Leader of the Year Jackie Leatherwood, Greystone Lodge on the River

TnHTA Young Professional Emerging Leader of the Year Emmanuel Rupert, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel

Community Service Award – Restaurant Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant Nashville Downtown

Community Service Award – Lodging Property

Chef of the Year – Independent Property Kelly Koppinger, Chattanooga Marriott at the Convention Center

Tourism Employee of the Year – Small Organization Diane Townsend, Rocky Top Sports World

Tourism Employee of the Year – Large Organization Brent Lackey, Knoxville Civic Auditorium & Coliseum

Tourism Manager of the Year – Small Organization

Mountain Laurel Chalets

Joel Becker, M&M Productions, USA, LLC

Community Service Award – Tourism Organization

Tourism Manager of the Year – Large Organization

The Dollywood Company

Good Earth Keeping Award – Lodging Property

Marci Claude, Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau

Renaissance Nashville Hotel

Lodging Employee of the Year – Small Property

Good Earth Keeping Award – Tourism Organization

Judy Olvera, Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga Hamilton Place

Ruby Falls

Lodging Employee of the Year – Large Property

Special Event Award – Lodging Property Hospitality Solutions, Inc.

Robert Turner, Marriott Nashville Airport

Special Event Award – Tourism Organization

Lodging Manager of the Year – Small Property

Beats & Eats, Visit Knoxville

Restaurant Employee of the Year – Independent Property Noe Martinez, Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant Downtown Nashville/Franklin

Restaurant Employee of the Year – Chain Property Andrei Coman, The Lodge Restaurant in Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Franklin

Restaurant Manager of the Year – Independent Property Diane Kauker, Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

Kim Haley, Hampton Inn West End

Lodging Manager of the Year – Large Property Michelle Tavares, The Peabody Hotel Memphis

Lodging General Manager of the Year – Small Property Eric Treadway, Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg

Lodging General Manager of the Year – Large Property Paul Jordan, Hilton Knoxville Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association • 11

2017 Stars of the Industry | Continued

and the multilayer Homestead Manor prop- erty in Thompson Station. In July 2016, Andy and his daughter, Claire Crowell, opened Hattie Jane’s Creamery, and he soon added a second location alongside Puckett’s in Murfreesboro. In October of 2017, he opened Deacon’s New South in Nashville’s historic Life & Casualty Tower.

Over the years, Andy and the A. Marshall Family Foods restaurants have re-

ceived an impressive number of accolades.

In 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, A. Marshall Foods was recognized on the Inc. 5,000 list of America’s fastest-growing private compa- nies. The company was also awarded the Nashville Business Journal’s “Best in Busi- ness” award in 2015. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, Andy received the Nashville Business Journal’s Williamson County IMPACT award, and the publication recognized him

Greg Adkins, 2017 TnHTA Restaurateur of the Year Andy Marshall and Darik Dawes

as one of Nashville’s most admired CEOs in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

He has served as the President of the Downtown Franklin Association, an exec- utive board member of the Heritage Foun- dation of Franklin & Williamson County and a board member of the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce. He cur- rently serves as the Vice President of the Franklin Theatre and is on the board of One Williamson One Chamber. He is also involved in the Franklin High Culinary Arts Program as the culinary advisor. Andy serves on the TnHTA Board of Directors and is a member of its Education Scholar- ship Committee.

2017 TnHTA Tourism Professionals of the Year

The Tourism Industry of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville & Sevier County

Greg Adkins, Representatives of the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Sevier County Tourism Industry and Darik Dawes

12 • Tennessee Notes • Volume 3, Issue 3

“Mountain Tough” is the way to describe the tourism industry of Sevier County. Our friends and partners in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Sevier County cer- tainly had to deal with a catastrophic event when they were hit last November with the devastating wildfires. But in true Tennessee style, they pulled together, took care of their guests and each other, and have worked tirelessly since then to re-claim their place as one of Tennessee’s premier vacation des- tinations. They have also spread the word that yes, the fires happened—but that’s in the past and Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are open for business and better than ever! We honor these three cities and the county, as well as their respective CVBs and industry partners, for their hard work during and after the fires. There are count- less stories of compassion shared with the community through the channels of the industry. The tourism industry of each city and county quickly jumped into action to help with relief efforts, and then focused on marketing that Sevier County is still a pre- miere tourism destination. The industry was resilient and passionate about not only rebuilding what was lost, but ensuring that the doors were opened quickly to keep welcoming tourists. J

Welcome, New TnHTA Members

Welcome, New Members (Since 6/1/17)

Associates Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson

Lodging 21C Museum Hotel Nashville Bluewater Resort Courtyard by Marriott – Murfreesboro Fairfield Inn & Suites – Gatlinburg South Fairfield Inn & Suites – Johnson City Hampton Inn Historic Nature Trail Hilton Garden Inn – Pigeon Forge Homewood Suites Hotel – Downtown Nashville Residence Inn by Marriott – Knoxville Cedar Bluff The Hayes Street Hotel The Historic Gatlinburg Inn TownePlace Suites – Cookeville

Maury County Investments Rocky Top Sports World Soar Adventure Tower Stages West Stax Museum of American Soul Music Visit Goodlettsville Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Preferred Vendors 3to99 – Because People Matter BancCard of America, Inc. BioPet Laboratories Care Here!

Carman/Girard & Associates, Inc. Compass Apps Gilbert Signs/Clearview Contracting

Group Tour Media Holmes Hospitality Services HotelSigns.com HRBUniversal LLC Internet Marketing Expert Group – IMEG McKeeman Communications Media One North America Nashville Machine Company PTV Group, Inc. RootsRated Media ScentAir Shaw Hospitality Group SSP America Inc. TSC Associates UIS (Unemployment Insurance Services) Universal Linen

Restaurants Blue Slip Winery & The Pelican Bistro BLVD Nashville BOX – Bongo & Bakery Bricks Café Capitol Grille Carolina Ale House Deacon’s New South Fifty-First Kitchen and Bar Fin & Pearl Green Hills Grille Hopsmith Tavern Nashville Kay Bob’s Grill & Ale Martin’s Bar-B-Q Joint – Downtown Martin’s Bar-B-Q Joint – Nolensville Merridee’s Breadbasket Old School Bar & Grill Swett’s The Old School Farm to Table The Southern

Tourism City of Columbia Country Tonite Theatre Fontanel Attractions Knoxville Food Tours Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association • 13

TnHTA and Industry 2018 Calendar of Events

Index of Advertisers

Anderson Benson Insurance............... 13 www.AndersonBenson.com

Billboard Connection........................... 9 www.BestNashvilleBillboards.com

TnHTA Events Asterisked*

January 15*

TnHTA Board of Directors Executive Committee Retreat Sewanee, TN

January 16* Gullett, Sanford, Robinson & Martin, PLLC................... 9 www.gsrm.com

Kooky Canuck...................................... 5 www.kookycanuck.com

M. Gibson Hotel Group.............. Inside Back Cover www.mgibsonhotels.com

Nolan’s Audio Visual, Inc...................... 9 www.nolansav.com

Sysco, LLC............................ Back Cover www.sysco.com

The Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Notes, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publi- cation. Copyright ©2017 by the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. Notes is published quarterly.

Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. Third- class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the editor for contribution information. Advertising: For advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

14 Tennessee Notes Volume 3, Issue 3 •

•

TnHTPAC Event Chattanooga, TN

January 16–17* TnHTA Board of Directors Meeting Chattanooga, TN

January 27–30

March 27–30

AAHOA Annual Convention & Trade Show National Harbor, MD

April 18–21

National Tour Association Contact Charleston, SC

April 23–25

Southeast Tourism Society Connections Myrtle Beach, SC

American Bus Association Convention Charlotte, NC

May 1*

February 7–8*

May 1–2*

February 16–18

May 6–12

February 27*

May 19–22

TnHTA CVB/ DMO Blizzard Clarksville, TN

Heartland Travel Showcase Buffalo, NY

Women in TN Hospitality & Tourism Reception Nashville, TN

February 27*

TnHTPAC Event Nashville, TN TnHTA Board of Directors Meeting Nashville, TN National Travel & Tourism Week Nationwide National Restaurant Association Show Chicago, IL

June 24–29

Day on the Hill Reception Nashville, TN

Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College Dahlonega, GA

February 28*

June 26–28

TnHTA Day on the Hill Nashville, TN

March 9–10*

Travel & Tourism Research Association Conference Miami, FL

August 27*

TnHTPAC Event Memphis, TN

August 27–28* TnHTA Board of Directors Meeting Memphis, TN

September 12–13 AHLA Legislative Action Summit Washington, DC

September 19* TnHTPAC Golf Tournament Kingsport, TN

September 19* Women in TN Hospitality & Tourism Reception Kingsport, TN

September 19–21*

Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism Kingsport, TN

September 20* TnHTA Stars of the Industry Reception & Gala Kingsport, TN

October 22–24

TN/AL/MS Rural Tourism Conference Gadsden, AL

November 4–8 National Tour Association Travel Exchange Milwaukee, WI

7th Annual TnHTEF Tennessee ProStart Invitational Spring Hill, TN

July 10–13

Destinations International Convention Anaheim, CA

November 13*

March 18–21

July 11*

November 13-14*

August 11–14

November 13-16

Travel South Showcase Biloxi, MS

March 21–22

U.S. Travel Destination Capitol Hill Washington, DC

TnHTA Law Symposium Nashville, TN ESTO Phoenix, AZ

TnHTPAC Event Knoxville, TN

TnHTA Board of Directors Meeting Knoxville, TN

IAAPA Attractions Expo Orlando, FL