Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association - GKHA

04/28/2026

The STARS will shine on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at the Greater Knoxville STARS OF THE INDUSTRY PAULY AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIP LUNCH.

Come join us as we celebrate the BRIGHTEST STARS in the hospitality/tourism industry. Heard the stories of their commitment and passion for the industry.

Guest Speaker: Kai-Sean Lee, Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee Hospitality Tourism Management Program

Guest Presentor: Cory Dickson, CEO/Founder, Dickson Media Events

PAULY Awards and Hospitality Education Scholarship Presentations

03/30/2026

Knox County Mayor & Knox County Sheriff candidates forum this evening, March 30th at Embassy Suites Knoxville West, 6-8 p.m. presented by Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association.

All candidates have confirmed their attendance.

Mayor Candidates:
Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor
Betsy Henderson
Larsen Jay
Beau Hawk for Knox County Mayor

Sheriff Candidates:
David Amburn for Knox County Sheriff
Mike Davis for Sheriff
Elect Brent Gibson
Jimmy "J.J." Jones for Knox County Sheriff

Come meet the individuals who are running to be Knox County's next Mayor and Sheriff.

Open to the public.

03/27/2026

Who will be the next Knox County Mayor and Knox County Sheriff?

All candidates have confirmed their participation.

We invite you to attend the Candidates Forum, Monday, March 30, 2026, 6-8pm at Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville West

Meet & Greet - 6:00 pm
Forum - 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Moderator: Cory Dickson, Dickson Media & Events

Mayor Candidates:
Larsen Jay
Betsy Henderson
Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor
Beau Hawk for Knox County Mayor

Sheriff Candidates:
David Amburn for Knox County Sheriff
Mike Davis for Sheriff
Elect Brent Gibson
Jimmy "J.J." Jones for Knox County Sheriff

AV provided by: AVP - Audio Visual Professionals

03/12/2026

Register today and join us! You are the beautiful face of the industry. Our legislators need to see you!

03/04/2026

🎤 Speaker submissions are OPEN for !

Have experience to share? A perspective that can spark conversation? Or an idea for a panel on today’s most important issues?

Join us in Gatlinburg, September 16–18, and share your expertise with peers from across the industry.

👉 Submit your session idea online today - https://form.jotform.com/250576360941055
📅 Selected speakers will be notified by the end of May.

02/19/2026

We spent the morning in a Hospitality focused workshop with Paul Boyles, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Preston Sharpston, SPHR, and Marcedes Long Schindler. The takeaways - Did you know there are so many changes in interview tactics, recruiting team members and the marketing landscape? If you’re not familiar, you’re behind.

We highly recommend our hospitality friends to bring you into 2026!

Thanks to sponsors Ecolab Knoxville, Jake Himmelspach and Hilton Garden Inn/Papermill-Bearden.

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