Chattanooga Tourism Co.

📢 Calling all Chattanooga area residents 📢 What matters most to you in tourism? Share your thoughts on the impact of tourism by taking the Resident Sentiment Survey: https://lnkd.in/dv2PfG7K #meetchatt

I had the pleasure of visiting Chattanooga this week for the Tennessee Hospitality Roadshow alongside Chelsa Lourie with TNHTA and Barry White with Chattanooga Tourism Co. We were joined by UTC’s Dean in College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, Valerie Rutledge, as the event brought together students, educators, and tourism professionals to highlight the outstanding hospitality programs at UTC and the value that those skills and connections have on strengthening Tennessee’s growing tourism workforce. The day was filled with meaningful conversations, including discussions centered around building stronger pipelines of talent and fostering collaboration between the tourism industry and higher education institutions. The energy and enthusiasm in the room were a testament to how collaboration continues to drive our state’s success. While in Chattanooga, I also had the privilege of addressing the Hamilton County Commission. We discussed how tourism continues to fuel Chattanooga’s remarkable growth by driving jobs, supporting local businesses, and strengthening the local economy. With the power of the strong partnerships we’ve built together, Chattanooga is a shining example of the positive impact of tourism across our state. I am grateful to Chattanooga Tourism Co., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and all of our partners who are working together to keep Tennessee’s tourism industry thriving. Together, we continue to shine a bright light on our unique culture and warm hospitality statewide.

Chattanooga Tourism Co. welcomed the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association (TNHTA) and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) to the Scenic City! The Tennessee Hospitality Roadshow was hosted at The Wolford Room at McKenzie Arena, bringing together students, educators, and leaders in the tourism and hospitality industry across the city and state. The event highlighted the hospitality programs at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Chattanooga State Community College, while fostering key partnerships to support and grow Tennessee’s tourism and hospitality workforce. Highlights included: • Engaging roundtable discussions with students, faculty & industry professionals • Remarks from Commissioner Mark Ezell & Workforce Leaders • Valuable networking opportunities • A complimentary lunch for all attendees Thank you to everyone who joined us in shaping the future of tourism and hospitality in Tennessee!    

#Hiring #TourismJobs We’re excited to announce that we’re hiring for two key roles that are essential in shaping the messaging that will drive our brand forward. The Public Relations Manager will be instrumental in crafting our leisure and group visitor narrative through building strong travel media and influencer relationships. You can learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eVZzrYEs The Communications Manager will elevate our relationships locally, ensuring our organizational communications reflect our core values, vision, and commitment to our local community's social and economic prosperity. Learn more about this opportunity and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e5mbaGQW Both roles are vital in promoting Chattanooga as a vibrant destination and community. If you’re passionate about storytelling and strategic communication, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us in shaping the future of the Chattanooga Tourism Co.

HAMILTON COUNTY LEADS STATE IN TOURISM & HOTEL ROOM SALES GROWTH This morning, our CEO Barry White presented the Chattanooga Tourism Co. Annual Report to the Hamilton County Commission, highlighting tourism’s powerful impact on our local economy. — Hamilton County led Tennessee in hotel room sales, with a 0.9% year-over-year increase, outpacing both state and national trends. — 450 new hotel rooms are set to open in 2025 — Tourism supports more than 30,000 local jobs and generates $70 million in local tax revenue, saving each Hamilton County household $1,205 annually. — In 2024, 253 events were hosted, attracting 299,000 attendees and generating $183.9 million in economic impact. — Chattanooga’s digital reach continues to grow, with 9.1 million website visits in 2024, a 12% increase over the previous year. “Every dollar spent by a visitor in Hamilton County is a dollar directly invested in our local economy,” said Barry White. "From national sporting events to major conventions, from thriving local businesses to record-breaking digital engagement—tourism continues to drive Chattanooga’s success." Read the full report below. https://lnkd.in/edVcNpVi

Exciting Opportunity for Our Partners! Spring Break is traditionally one of our best seasons for visitation. The 2025 Spring Break Co-Op Program from Chattanooga Tourism Co is a great way to reach potential visitors. This is your chance to double your marketing impact—we're matching every dollar you invest up to $10K! Our co-op program offers a range of social and digital campaign packages designed to reach the right audiences in our key drive markets. Whether you're looking to boost brand exposure or drive visitor engagement, we've got tailored options to help you achieve your goals. Ready to make your marketing dollars go further? Reach out to Sean Phipps, Marketing Director at Sean@chattanoogatourism.com for more details. Let's make 2025 a record-breaking year together!

Today our Chattanooga Tourism Co. team and Chelsa Lourie from Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association had the opportunity to speak Travel and Tourism to Dr. Ryan Zwart, PhD class from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga at Finley Stadium’s Ultra Club! What an Honor. Thank you Brian Wright, MBA, CVP for your amazing facility and team. Special Thanks to Professor Ryan. Barry White, CDME, IOM Brant Donlon, STS David Blair Sean M. Phipps Allison Wolfe #chattanoogatourismco #donnaellemedia #visitchatt #chattanoogatourism

If you’ve ever experienced the magic of a show at the Tivoli Theatre, you know it’s more than just a venue—it’s a cornerstone of Chattanooga’s cultural heartbeat. Today, we were proud to join the "wall-breaking ceremony," marking the beginning of the Tivoli’s restoration and the creation of the new Tivoli Performing Arts Center. This $73M investment isn’t just about restoring a building—it’s about preserving our history, creating new opportunities, and inspiring visitors and locals alike. When this project is complete, you’ll see: ✅ More Visitors. More Impact. The Tivoli will attract audiences who fill hotel rooms, dine at local restaurants, and support businesses across our community. ✅ A Cultural Hub for Generations to experience live performances, connect with the arts, and celebrate creativity right here in Chattanooga. You can already feel the momentum building. Projects like this show the true impact of tourism, community collaboration, and vision. Construction for the Tivoli Theatre and Performing Arts Center will begin in January 2025, with a reopening scheduled for the summer of 2026. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ejXMi9xd

What have we done? Welcome back, Charlie...

Thank You for a Successful 2024 Chattanooga Tourism Summit! "It Starts With a Visit" As we reflect on this year's Chattanooga Tourism Summit, we are overwhelmed with gratitude towards each and every one of the industry professionals who joined us. Your enthusiasm and commitment to enhancing our tourism landscape make us incredibly proud to be your stewards. Special thanks to our keynote panelists, Laura L. from Miles Partnership, Zeek Coleman from Tourism Economics, and John David, STS , whose insights into the dynamic role of tourism in shaping our community were invaluable. Chattanooga Tourism Company CEO Barry White said it: "Let's invite the world to Chattanooga!" And is there a better possible emcee than our own Donna Elle Harrison? We think not! A special thanks to presenters April Cameron, Emily Mack and Darik Dawes. Finally, thanks to everybody on the Chattanooga Tourism Co. staff, LEO Events, Helm Projects and Chattanooga Convention Center who made this event happen. And to our sponsors: EPB, First Horizon Bank, Miles Partnership, Vision Hospitality Group, Inc., Chattanooga Airport, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc., LEO Events, Truist, Chattanooga Convention Center and Chattanooga Times Free Press Stay tuned for more updates and professional development opportunities. Here’s to continuing to grow together and making Chattanooga a top destination for visitors worldwide! Photos by Dan Henry