SCTTA.org

02/08/2025

Each month, our team sends out an itinerary for the upcoming DMO check-in. So far, these meetings have largely followed a checklist format, running through agenda items and marking them off. While this has been effective, I want to see these meetings evolve into deeper, more fundamental discussions about the key topics that impact tourism in your area.

Instead of relying on follow-up emails and back-and-forth messaging, we want to have real-time conversations during our visits. By providing itineraries in advance, we’re encouraging you to review them, prepare for the discussion, and bring any relevant information to the table. In turn, we will ensure that we clearly communicate expectations and program details when we send out the agenda.

After taking a few days off to recover from gallbladder surgery, I’m excited to be back in action—and more than ready to start eating again!

02/07/2025

We couldn’t have asked for better weather to get out and explore the region this week! (except maybe a little less rain)

We kicked things off earlier in the week with a stroll around Winchester’s downtown square, checking out all the unique shops and grabbing a delicious lunch at Filo’s Tavern (highly recommend). Over in Pulaski, we got a sneak peek at some exciting things that Light Hill Meats has in store this year—big things coming!

One of the coolest stops this week was The Bridges in Wayne County—it’s hard to put into words just how stunning this place is. With its rare double-span natural bridges, it’s a hidden gem that feels like something out of a postcard.

We ended our day yesterday on a high note at the Perry County Chamber Community Excellence Awards Ceremony, celebrating the amazing people who make this region so special.

02/06/2025

Help Wanted!

The Chamber is looking for a Director's Assistant!

Click the link below to view the job description.

If you would like to be considered, please submit a resume with salary expectations to:

Marcia Alexander
[email protected]

Job Description:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGbiHCpvg8/-h5Z2d-W98mB3fmOC5JMbQ/view?utlId=hdeac6fe917

02/05/2025

🚀 Bell Buckle: A Small Town with BIG Tourism Wins! 🏡✨

What’s the secret behind Bell Buckle, TN’s success? It wasn’t luck—it was strategy! And one of the easiest ways any town can boost tourism is simple: Partner Up with a Neighbor! 🤝

🔹 Know the businesses around you
🔹 Recommend them to visitors
🔹 Encourage one more stop, one more purchase, or one more night

Every extra dollar spent helps the entire community thrive! 💰💡 Whether you own a boutique, a coffee shop, or a B&B, working together means winning together. Just ask Bell Buckle!

Tag your favorite local business and start building partnerships today! ⬇️

Many of you may already be doing this in some way, but if you haven’t, now is the time. Find a neighboring business and form a partnership.

02/03/2025

01/31/2025

Huge congrats to our amazing partners in Tullahoma—Clayton’s Shoes and Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.—for hitting 100 years in business! 🎉💯🥃 Here’s to a century of excellence and many more to come!

01/31/2025

This is amazing news for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. We look forward to working with Motlow State, and continuing our work with Columbia State, UT Southern, and MTSU to develop the industry across it’s pillars.

Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Motlow State will begin offering classes for the new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Hospitality

01/29/2025

"My wife sent me a sweet text earlier, she said:

"If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you."

I replied "I'm on the toilet... please advise""

- Lane Curlee

01/28/2025

They say every week starts best at a Distillery. Right, they say that, right? Thanks for Charity Toombs with the Tennessee Whiskey Trail for joining us in Lawrence County and for Gobbler Springs Distillery, and Ryan Egly for hosting us.

01/23/2025

We’re excited to welcome our new intern, Erika, who has joined us in the new year!

She is finishing up her studies at Columbia State (graduating this May! 🎓), and we’re happy to have her on board until then.

Internships like this are such a valuable part of preparing students for real-world success, and we’re proud to play a small role in Erika’s journey. A big thanks to Columbia State for supporting opportunities like these!

01/22/2025

"The cave you fear holds the treasure you seek!"

What an incredible kick off for our 2025 Influencer & Ambassador program 🥳

We want to express our profound gratitude to Jeff, Joe, and the entire wonderful team at The Caverns for helping us to organize and host such a fantastic first call for our new class of ambassadors and influencers. The experience was truly like no other- from our delicious lunch of Mountain Goat Market sandwiches inside Big Mouth Cave, to learning about the many fun shows planned for this concert season, to the tours we took through the stunning Big Room Cave.

Gathering together with our community is one of the best parts of this industry, and this day was full of just that! If you haven't visited The Caverns yet for a show or a cave tour... consider this your sign ⛺️

01/22/2025

📢 Tourism = Real Money 💵

Across South Central Tennessee, we’re seeing incredible investments in lodging—new hotels, short-term rental clusters, and developments like Whiskey Creek in Lynchburg. 🏨✨

In the tourism game, the overnight stay is everything. Transforming a day-tripper into an overnight visitor is pure magic for the tax base, local businesses, and the tourism offices working hard to spotlight these destinations.

We all love seeing our towns featured in Southern Living, MSN.com, Garden & Gun, and more. But behind those glossy articles is real strategy, effort, and dedication.

With record-breaking lodging investments pouring in, now’s the time to ensure those new lodging tax dollars are reinvested in the product, the people, and the industry fueling Tennessee’s growth. Let’s keep the momentum going!

LOCAL NEWS | After nearly four years of stalls and hoop-jumping, Oakstone Land & Capital is ready to begin sitework at their Whiskey Creek tiny home community.

01/15/2025

🥪"My wife wanted me to take her to one of those places where they cook in front of you, so I took her to Subway. That's where the fight started." - Lane Curlee

01/11/2025

Happy Birthday Dominic Gialdini! Dominic continues to play a key role in our organization and region as a consultant and we wish him a happy birthday, even all the way out there in California! 🎉🎂

01/06/2025

"When on a zoom call, make sure you put your wine in a coffee cup and blow on the wine occasionally. Fellow zoom attendees will assume it's coffee." - Lane Curlee

01/02/2025

🏆 We’re thrilled to open nominations for the 2024 Experience Awards, celebrating excellence in the tourism and hospitality industry across the South-Central Tennessee region. Here, you can nominate standout businesses, attractions, venues, events, staff members, and leadership across a variety of categories.

The Experience Awards shine a spotlight on those who go above and beyond to make our region unforgettable.

Submit your nominations today: https://www.sctta.org/awards

Best Experiences:
🎟️ Best Attraction/Destination Experience
🥧 Best Dining Experience
🏨 Best Lodging Experience
🛍️ Best Shopping Experience

Leadership Awards:
📍 DMO of the Year
👩‍💼 Leader of the Year
🌟 Rising Star Award
🧜‍♀️ Attraction/Destination Staff of the Year
👩‍🍳 Dining Staff of the Year
🏨 Lodging Staff of the Year
🛍️ Shopping Staff of the Year

Venue Awards:
🏟️ Speciality Venue of the Year
🪕 Music Venue of the Year
🎭 Theatre/Play House of the Year

Event Awards:
🕺 Community Event of the Year
🎵 Music Event of the Year
🎻 Songwriters Event of the Year
🎭 Performance Arts Event of the Year

Foodie Awards:
🐖 Best BBQ
🍔 Best Burger
🍽️ Best Catfish
☕ Best Coffee
🍺 Best Beer
🥃 Best Whiskey
🍷 Best Wine

Let’s honor the best of the best—nominate today!

Welcome to the 2024 Experience Awards Nomination Page! We’re thrilled to open nominations for the 2024 Experience Awards, celebrating excellence in the tourism and hospitality industry across the South-Central Tennessee region. Here, you can nominate standout businesses, attractions, venues, event...