Events
ThinkTennessee 2025 Policy Forum
“Driving Tennessee’s Prosperity”
When: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Where: Music City Center, Nashville, TN
This first-of-its-kind policy forum will bring together leaders, experts, and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue around some of the most pressing issues facing Tennesseans today: housing, transportation, childcare, and workforce development.
To tackle these pressing policy issues, our sessions throughout the day will feature panelists and speakers from across Tennessee, from city mayors and regional leaders to issue-area experts and policymakers.
We can’t wait to host these valuable discussions and begin the hard work of moving Tennessee forward.
Register now, and stay tuned for more details!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? View our sponsorship packages and then contact us for more information.
Agenda
8:00-8:30 AM: Networking & Breakfast
8:30-9:00 AM: Welcome Speaker
9:00-10:15 AM: What’s Next for Tennessee’s Economy – Panel of business leaders explore what’s on the horizon for the state’s economy
10:15-10:30 AM: Break
10:30 AM-12:00 PM: Morning Panels (Housing & Childcare)
12:00-1:15 PM: Lunch Session – Regional leaders explore how our state’s regions are thriving
1:15-2:45 PM: Afternoon Panels (Transportation & Workforce Development)
2:45-3:00 PM: Break
3:00-4:00 PM: Closing Session – Making Politics Work for Tennesseans: Bipartisan leaders explore how we can be builders together
(speaker details coming soon)
Travel & Logistics
We have arranged room blocks at the following hotels (both within close walking distance of Music City Center) for the night of Monday, September 29. Please use the links below to make your reservation.
Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown
118 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
To reserve your room at the Cambria for the night of Monday, September 29, please use our Cambria room block link.
AC Hotel Nashville Downtown
410 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203
To reserve your room at the AC Hotel for the night of Monday, September 29, please use our AC Hotel room block link.
Host Committee
Nicole Austin, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
Hal Cato, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Dhathri Chunduru, Tennessee Housing Development Agency
Stephanie Coleman, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid, Leadership Tennessee
Greg Dotson, PE, Gresham Smith
Kevin DuBose, Housing & Neighborhood Development, City of Knoxville
Tammi Ford, Blount Partnership
Maeghan Jones, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Matt Largen, Williamson, Inc.
Dr. Bill (William) Lyons, UT Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs
Dr. Kimberly McCorkle, East Tennessee State University
Anna McQuiston, MidSouth Development District
Mayor Paul Montgomery, City of Kingsport
Ashley Northington, RW Jones Agency; Moving Forward of Middle Tennessee
Dr. Carol Rothstein, Jackson State Community College
Dr. Mina Sartipi, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Lesley Scearce, United Way of Greater Chattanooga
Gary Shorb, Urban Child Institute
