second round of town hall forums

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the University of Tennessee and Middle Tennessee State University will host the second round of Town Hall Forums, Feb. 25 – 27, 2008, in preparation for the first Great Smoky Mountains Sustainable Tourism Summit scheduled for April 28 – 29, 2008 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

The five forums, a follow-up to the gateway community meetings held in November 2007, will update community leaders on the progress of The Summit, including the featured speakers and a preview of the planned agenda.  

Sustainable Tourism is defined as sustaining the environment, culture and heritage, as well as the economic growth of a region, through tourism.

Primary stakeholders in the region would benefit from these meetings, including tourism and business leaders, Chambers and Convention and Visitors Bureaus, hoteliers, restaurant owners, tourism attractions, developers, state and local elected officials, as well as any tourism partner or individuals interested in green and sustainable tourism practices. Attendees to the previous forums are strongly encouraged to participate and to recommend the event to colleagues and business associates.

Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker, Dr. Van West, director of MTSU’s Center for Historic Preservation and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, as well as Beth Phillips, economic development specialist for the Institute for Public Service at the

University of Tennessee, will be provide The Summit updates and listen for input from the community participants.  

Town Hall Forums on Sustainable Tourism – Round Two Schedule:

Feb. 25 Gateway Community: Pigeon Forge & Sevierville 10 a.m. – 12 p.m Meeting Location: The Inn at Christmas Place, 119 Christmas Tree Lane, Pigeon Forge. Feb. 25 Gateway Community: Cosby & Newport

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meeting Location: Whisperwood Farms, 166 Middle Creek Road, Cosby.

Feb. 26 Gateway Community: Gatlinburg 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Meeting Location: W.L. Mills Conference Center 234 Historic Nature Trail Gatlinburg.

Feb. 26 Gateway Community: Knoxville & Alcoa 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meeting Location: University of Tennessee  UT Conference Center Knoxville.

Please contact Patricia Gray at 615.741.9004 or Patricia.Gray@state.tn.us if you plan to attend the Town Hall Forums.  To register for the The Summit go to www.tnvacation.com/sustainable. For more information, contact Lee Curtis at 615.741.9045 or Lee.Curtis@state.tn.us, or Patricia Gray.