For the third consecutive year, students from the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management (RHTM) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, traveled to the Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism, known as GovCon, where they connected with industry leaders, explored career paths, and watched two of the department’s closest partners take home statewide honors.
Organized annually by the Tennessee Hospitality Association in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, GovCon brings together industry professionals, government representatives, and tourism stakeholders for educational sessions, networking, a trade show, and the signature Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner. This year’s conference, held in Gatlinburg, set an attendance record with 685 people from across the state.
The program opened with a keynote from Matt Graifer, “Chief Potassium Enthusiast” of the Savannah Bananas, whose unconventional approach to fan engagement offered attendees a fresh perspective on hospitality branding. The conference also featured remarks from former Gov. Bill Haslam and Gov. Bill Lee, along with breakout sessions on industry trends.
RHTM sponsored the session, “Building a Hospitality Brand from the Inside Out: Purpose, Culture, and Scalable Growth,” presented by Melissa Blettner and Micah Spicer of Ancient Lore Village, a Boyd Hollow Resorts destination. For RHTM Department Head Junehee Kwon, the session reinforced lessons students are already learning in the classroom.
“This session strongly resonated with what we teach in our hospitality and tourism classes,” Kwon said. “We cannot overemphasize the importance of building an organization with a healthy culture. Their presentation was a great reminder that, especially in the fast-paced and demanding hospitality and tourism industry, we must continue to prioritize people and cultivate workplaces where employees can thrive.”
Statewide Recognition
RHTM’s ties to the evening’s top Stars of the Industry awardees ran deep.
- Christopher Kelley, Hospitality and Tourism Management Program Coordinator, received the Industry Educator of the Year award for his leadership and impact on student success and workforce development.
- Jill Thompson, a longtime RHTM advisory board member and executive director of the Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association, was named Tourism Professional of the Year.
- Shailesh Patel of The 9 Group, a valued RHTM industry partner, was honored as Hotelier of the Year.
“These recognitions reflect the strength of our connections across Tennessee’s hospitality and tourism community,” Kwon said, “and our department’s commitment to educational excellence, workforce development, and meaningful industry partnerships.”
Student Experience
Eight RHTM students attended this year’s conference, giving them the chance to learn from statewide leaders, explore career pathways, and build professional networks well before graduation. Two of them, Skylar Taylor and Jenna Moses, were selected as official Governor’s Conference Ambassadors, representing UT Knoxville alongside students from hospitality programs across the state.
Student Kylie Nayakwadi was also recognized during the conference as a recipient of the Gibson Hospitality Ventures Scholarship through the Tennessee Hospitality Association, a nod to her growing professional engagement in the industry.
For RHTM students, GovCon is a proving ground for the connections and confidence they will carry into their careers.
To learn more about UT Knoxville’s Hospitality and Tourism Management major, or to support future student experiences such as GovCon through the Student Enrichment Fundraiser, contact HTM Program Coordinator Christopher Kelley at [email protected].
