ThinkTennessee Policy Forum 2026
A Shared Vision for Tennessee's Future
When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT
Where: Music City Center (Davidson Ballroom), 201 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203
ThinkTennessee's statewide 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: workforce development, transportation, energy, and housing.
Following last year’s sold-out inaugural event, we’re bringing together state and local elected officials, policy experts, and business and nonprofit partners for another day of meaningful conversation on the issues shaping Tennessee’s future. This year’s theme, A Shared Vision for Tennessee’s Future, will foster productive dialogue across perspectives – focused on collaboration and practical solutions.
The event schedule can be found below - stay tuned for speaker and panel details coming soon!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact us at info@thinktn.org for more information.
AGENDA
8:00-8:30 AM: Networking & Breakfast
8:30-9:00 AM: Welcome - A Tennessee Economic Update
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- Dr. Marianne Wanamaker, Dean, UT Baker School for Public Policy & Public Affairs
9:00-10:15 AM: Morning Session - Same Problems, Different Zip Codes: How Tennessee Counties are Navigating Growth, Workforce, and Infrastructure
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- Mayor Wes Golden, Montgomery County
- Mayor Andy Marshall, Williamson County
- Mayor AJ Massey, Montgomery County
- Mayor Patty Woodby, Carter County
- Moderator: Karl Dean, former mayor, Metro Nashville-Davidson County
10:15-10:30 AM: Break
10:30 AM-12:00 PM: Morning Breakout Sessions
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- Workforce Development: Funding the Pipeline from Child Care to Career
- Krissy DeAlejandro, tnAchieves
- Dr. Steven Gentile, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
- Dr. Candice McQueen, Lipscomb University
- Senator Bill Powers, TN State Senate (District 22)
- Moderator: Dr. Carol Rothstein, Jackson State Community College
- Workforce Development: Funding the Pipeline from Child Care to Career
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- Transportation Funding: Tennessee at a Crossroads
- Preston Elliott, Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Planning, TN Dept. of Transportation (TDOT)
- Donna England, President and CEO, Tennessee Trucking Association
- Rep. David Hawk, TN House of Representatives (District 5)
- Dr. Mina Sartipi, Interim Vice Chancellor for Research, UT Chattanooga
- Moderator: Anna McQuiston, Executive Director, MidSouth Development District
- Transportation Funding: Tennessee at a Crossroads
12:00-1:15 PM: Lunch Session - America at 250: Tennessee's Role in Our Nation's Civic Story
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- Ashley Howell, Tennessee State Museum
- Elaine Weiss, author of The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote
- Dr. Russell Wigginton, National Civil Rights Museum
- Moderator: Dr. Paul Stumb, Cumberland University
1:15-2:45 PM: Afternoon Breakout Sessions
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- Meeting the Housing Need: Tennessee’s Toolkit for Today and Tomorrow
- Ben Bentley, Knoxville's Community Development Corporation
- Jennifer Horne, Urban Campus & Core
- Dwayne Spencer, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
- Representative Ryan Williams, TN House of Representatives (District 42)
- Moderator: Adriane Harris, HarCo Coaching & Consulting
- Meeting the Housing Need: Tennessee’s Toolkit for Today and Tomorrow
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- Powering Growth: Energy Demand and Affordability
- Evann Freeman, EPB
- Brad Gibson, Middle Tennessee Electric
- Madison Haynes, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
- Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States Power
- Moderator: Matt Kisber, Silicon Ranch
- Powering Growth: Energy Demand and Affordability
2:45-3:00 PM: Break
3:00-4:00 PM: Closing Session - Finding Common Ground: A Bipartisan Conversation
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- Former Congressman Jim Cooper
- Former Congressman Zach Wamp
- Moderator: Erin Hafkenschiel, ThinkTennessee
TICKETS
Super Early Bird (Nonprofit/Government): $165 — May 6 to May 31, 2026
Super Early Bird (General Admission): $190 — May 6 to May 31, 2026Early Bird (Nonprofit/Government): $175 — June 1 to August 12, 2026
Early Bird (General Admission): $225 — June 1 to August 12, 2026
Standard (Nonprofit/Government): $190 — August 13 to September 8, 2026
Standard (General Admission): $250 — August 13 to September 8, 2026
TRAVEL & LOGISTICS
If you need a place to stay the night before our event, you may reserve within our room blocks at either of the two hotels below for the night of Tuesday, September 8. Please book by August 18.
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Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown >>> Room block closed. |
AC Hotel Nashville Downtown >>> Room block closed. |
HOST COMMITTEE
Dr. Murat Arik, Associate Professor, Middle Tennessee State University
Jared Barnett, President & CEO Slingshot Memphis
Josh Brown, President & CEO, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Dr. Tara Bryan, Associate Professor, Baker School of Public Policy & Public Affairs, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Cristina Cáceres, President & CEO, Centro Hispano de East Tennessee
Lauren Cino, President & CEO, United Way of West Tennessee
Dr. Bryan Coker, President, Maryville College
Mayor Greg Cox, City of Johnson City
Evann Freeman, VP Government & Community Relations, EPB
Mayor Wes Golden, Montgomery County
Tanisha Hall, Founding Principal & CEO, Fairpointe Planning
Michael Harris, Founder & Managing Principal, Harris Beaumont Group
Dr. Clarice Phelps, Nuclear Engineer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Dr. Keri Randolph, President, Benwood Foundation
Lottie Ryans, Director of Workforce & Literacy Initiatives, First Tennessee Development District
Kyle Spurgeon, President & CEO, Greater Jackson Chamber
Zach Stephens, President & CEO, Livingston-Overton County Chamber of Commerce
Aron Thompson, VP Housing & Economic Development, Urban League of Middle Tennessee
Latrivia Welch, Government & Community Relations Manager, Tennessee Valley Authority
Tickets
Due to a change in combos, the count of the following tickets have been decreased:
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The "nonprofit/government" tickets are meant for employees of government, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions only. We will verify that you have used a .gov, .org, or .edu email address to purchase this discounted ticket.
Contact Form
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Event Location
Music City Center
201 Rep. John Lewis Way S
Nashville, TN 37203 US
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