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Program Schedule
Unless noted otherwise, all events will be held at
The Memphis Cook Convention Center.
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| Pre and Post Conference Fun! |
Plan to come early or stay after the conference to enjoy more of Memphis!
Many of Memphis' outstanding attractions will be graciously offering complimentary admission to Governor's Conference on Tourism attendees before and after the conference, and the Memphis Marriott Downtown will be offering the special Governor's Conference rate from Monday night, October 3 -- Friday night, October 7.
Click here for more information on participating Memphis area attractions.
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9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Exhibitor Move-In
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Regional Directors Meeting
11:30 AM - 5:00 PM Conference Registration Open
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Tourism Marketing Super Seminar
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Tourism Marketing Super Seminar:
Experiences - From Concept to Competitive Advantage
Joe Veneto
Opportunities Unlimited
Quincy, MA
Visitors select destinations and travel products, but what they really want are experiences!
Whether you are a DMO, CVB, hotel, attraction, cultural organization or operator, your key to success is the "experience" you provide. Today's consumers are healthier, wealthier and more discerning. In this Super Seminar, you will uncover leverage points to enhance your products and services as well as understand the psychographics and motivation of today's travelers.
Models of successful product experiences and brainstorming exercises will demonstrate new possibilities. You will leave the Super Seminar with actionable ideas in hand to create competitive advantage with your experiences!
Click here for biographical information on Joe Vento.
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4:00 PM - 4:30 PM First Time Attendees Reception
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM Opening Night Event
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Conference attendees will travel by motorcoach to their first stop, a welcome reception with complimentary drinks and snacks at the world-famous Memphis Zoo. Located on 76 acres in Overton Park in Midtown Memphis, the Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 different species. Ranked as "#1 Zoo in the U.S." in 2008 by TripAdvisor.com, the Zoo's animal inhabitants reside in three zones with 19 exhibits, such as Teton Trek, Northwest Passage and China, home to Giant Panda's Ya Ya and Le Le.
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| Following the opening reception at the Zoo, attendees will travel to The Stax Museum of American Soul Music for dinner, music, and tours of the museum. The legacy of Stax Records spans more than half a century and is critical in American music history as it's one of the most popular soul music record labels of all time - second only to Motown in sales and influence. In 15 years, Stax placed more than 167 hit songs in the Top 100 on the pop charts, and a staggering 243 hits in the Top 100 R&B charts and launched the careers of such legendary artists as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, Rufus & Carla Thomas, Booker T, & the MGs, and numerous others.
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Sponsored By
The Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Memphis Zoo, and the STAX Museum of American Soul Music.
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7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Registration Open
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| 7:45 AM -- 8:45 AM
Welcome to Memphis Opening Breakfast
With Special Entertainment!
Sponsored by
The Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau
and
Graceland, Home of Elvis Presley
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| Keynote Address
8:45 AM -- 9:45 AM
Destinations: Taking Care of Business
Michael D. Gehrisch
President & CEO
Destination Marketing Association International
Click here for biographical information on Michael Gehrisch..
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10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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An important part of the annual conference: The Tennessee Tourism Expo tradeshow, where attendees have the opportunity to meet personally with providers of services to the Tennessee travel industry.
Click here for a current list of Exhibitors.
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Silent Auction Open
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Educational Seminars Click here for seminar descriptions
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| Luncheon Keynote
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Marketing Big City Destinations
and Wide Open Spaces
Diane Shober
Director, Wyoming Office of Tourism
Board Member, The Corporation for Travel Promotion
Click here for biographical information on Diane Shober.
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1:15 PM - 2:30 PM Educational Seminars Click here for seminar descriptions
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM Break with Exhibitors
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM Industry Segment Open Forums
4:15 PM - 5:30 PM Reception in Tourism EXPO Tradeshow
5:00 PM Silent Auction Closes
6:00 PM - 9:30 PM Memphis Dine-Around and Downtown Block Party
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Memphis Dine-Around and Block Party!
The restaurants, shops, and galleries of Main Street are rolling out the red carpet just for our Governor’s Conference attendees!
Delegates will enjoy a complimentary trolley ride from the Marriott and to the Peabody Place stop. After enjoying dinner at one of the restaurants in the area, you are invited to enjoy a complimentary beverage while touring the fabulous Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. The museum offers a comprehensive Memphis music experience from the rural field hollers and sharecroppers of the 1930s, through the explosion of Sun, Stax and Hi Records and Memphis’ musical heyday in the 70s, to its global musical influence.
And to wrap up your evening, enjoy great music and dancing at a fabulous Block Party featuring the Andy Childs Band performing on stage in the FedEx Forum Plaza. After the fun, you can use your trolley pass to travel back to the hotel.
It’s a great night you won’t want to miss!
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7:30 AM - 1:00 PM Registration Open
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| Breakfast Keynote
7:30 AM -- 8:45 AM
Presenation on the Governor's
Statewide Committee on Tourism
Colin Reed
Chairman and CEO
Gaylord Entertainment
Click here for biographical information on Colin Reed.
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The Tennessee Travel Industry Breakfast and the State of the Industry Presentation
sponsored by Southern Living.
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8:45 AM - 9:45 AM Break for Hotel Checkout
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9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
State of the Industry Address
Department of Tourist Development Presentation
Commissioner Susan Whitaker
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Click here for biographical information on Commissioner Whitaker.
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Govenor's Luncheon
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Address To The Tourism Industry
The Hon. Bill Haslam
Governor of Tennessee
Click here for biographical information on Governor Haslam.
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12:30 PM Conference Adjourns
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Click here to register for the 2011 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
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