FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Thursday, August 24, 2023 

DOWNLOADABLE IMAGES: Chattanooga Tourism Summit 2023  

  • Barry White, Chief Executive Officer, Chattanooga Tourism Co. 

  • 2023 Chattanooga Tourism Summit Keynote Speaker, Paul Ouimet  

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Aug. 22, 2023) – The evolving future of tourism will be a central focus at the 2023 Chattanooga Tourism Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 11 am-2 pm at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Our keynote speaker, Paul Ouimet, Partner and President of MMGY NextFactor and Managing Director of DestinationNext, will share his insights on global trends and what they mean for Chattanooga’s local travel industry.  

According to the latest data, Hamilton County hosts more than 15 million visitors each year who spend $1.5 billion in our community. On an average day, that’s 43,000 visitors spending $4.1 million; 15,000 of those visitors stay the night in our hotels. Visitor spending includes local sales taxes which saves each Hamilton County household $828 on their property tax bill each year.  

The Summit includes comments from Chief Executive Officer Barry White; keynote by Paul Ouimet; exhibitor showcase; music by Million Dolla Man; and post-summit professional development sessions. 

All Summit attendees are encouraged to participate in one of the FREE professional development breakout sessions. Sessions are a complimentary add-on for all Summit registrants. 

2023 Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 

Staying Relevant in a Digital World  

Presented by Miles Partnership 
Reaching the right audience through the correct channels is crucial in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape. In this interactive session, the Miles Partnership team will share the latest industry trends and insight on who is consuming content today. Participants will learn actionable ideas for implementing simple changes to their marketing and easy ways to utilize the latest technologies to maximize their online exposure to create a better visitor experience.  

Chattanooga Convention Center Futures Study 

Presented by Conventions, Sports, & Leisure International  
Commissioned by the Chattanooga Tourism Co., Conventions, Sports & Leisure International (CSL) conducted a comprehensive futures study of the Chattanooga Convention Center. The study examined the Convention Center's development, sustainability, governance, and future opportunities to align with the dynamic needs of event attendees while generating the greatest social and economic returns for our community. CSL's presentation will reveal the findings from the study, touching on a wide array of aspects from operations to attendee satisfaction, insights into industry trends, strategic recommendations, and a Q&A session for further discussion.   

2023 CHATTANOOGA TOURISM SUMMIT SCHEDULE: 

  • 11 AM Exhibitor Showcase and Musical Entertainment 
  • 12 PM Luncheon & Main Program 
  • 1:15-2 PM Concurrent Post-Summit Sessions 

Thank you to our 2023 Chattanooga Tourism Summit Partners:  

  • HOST PARTNER: Chattanooga Convention Center  

  • TOURISM CHAMPION PARTNER: First Horizon Bank, Miles Partnership, Vision Hospitality  

  • SCENIC CITY PARTNERS: Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, DeFoor Hospitality Group 

  • TOURISM PARTNERS: Chattanooga Zoo, Creative Discovery Museum, The Edwin Hotel, Embassy Suites by Hilton/Hamilton Place, Hunter Museum of American Art, International Towing and Recovery Museum, INC., LBA Hospitality, Lodge Cast Iron, The Read House Hotel, Riverside Bed and Breakfast, Ruby Falls, See Rock City Inc., Tennessee Aquarium, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Tivoli Theatre Foundation 

  • MEDIA PARTNERS: Brewer Media Group, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Reagan Outdoor Advertising 

  • EXHIBITORS: Chattanooga Times Free Press, Kals International, LLC, Reagan Outdoor Advertising, Vision Hospitality Group 

Tickets are on sale now! Tourism Summit registration is required to attend the event and professional development sessions. Visit the Chattanooga Tourism Summit site for more information and to purchase tickets.  


Purchase Chattanooga Tourism Summit Tickets Now 


About the Chattanooga Tourism Co.  

The Chattanooga Tourism Co. is the official destination marketing organization for Hamilton County, dedicated to sustainably increasing visitation and connecting guests with authentic Chattanooga experiences. The organization aims to strengthen the local economy and enrich the community by establishing Chattanooga as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, sporting events, and leisure travel. Annually, Hamilton County welcomes over 15-million visitors who contribute $70 million in local taxes, saving each resident household $1,205 in taxes and supporting more than 30,000 jobs. VisitChattanooga.com

  

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Hannah Hammon  
Public Relations Manager  
Cell: 256-996-5788  
hannah@chattanoogatourism.com