ABOUT | SCTTA

About SCTTA

The South Central Tennessee Tourism Association (SCTTA) is a state-recognized, non-profit regional tourism organization dedicated to elevating the South Central Tennessee region through strategic promotion, community development, and tourism-driven economic growth. As one of nine official regional partners of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, we work closely with state leadership, the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association, local DMOs, municipal governments, community organizations, attractions, and tourism-focused businesses to strengthen the regional visitor economy.

What We Do — The Simple Version

We promote the South Central Tennessee region to travelers while helping communities, governments, and businesses become tourism-ready and thrive from the opportunities created by visitors.

What We Actually Do — The Extended Version

Tourism is complex, and our work is multifaceted. SCTTA supports, promotes, and develops tourism across 13 counties, 37 cities, and hundreds of rural communities throughout Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, and Wayne counties. Our job is to maximize the economic impact of visitation, attract new and diverse audiences, and contribute to sustainable community development across the region.

In 2024, SCTTA was awarded the prestigious Purple Iris Award as Tennessee’s Destination Marketing Organization of the Year, recognizing our innovative regional strategies and the impact of our Tourism-Ready initiatives. Click on each sector below to learn more about our partnerships, our partners, and how to get involved.

How We Work With Our Partners

With Business Partners

We provide:

Networking, benefits, and regional marketing programs
Public relations support and media opportunities
SEO amplification through partner pages
Co-op marketing investments
Industry education and research

With Local DMOs

We offer:

Strategic consultation
Tourism-ready assessments
Agency-level marketing and creative services
Regional campaigns and co-op programs
Tools to grow visitation and improve community readiness
Grant application writing and administration

With Local Governments

We support local leaders through:

Community readiness programming
Policy guidance and development
Strategic planning
Research and data reporting
Consultation on tourism infrastructure and investment
Grant application writing and administration

How We Promote the Region

Our promotional work happens through a strategic blend of digital marketing, content creation, brand management, media outreach, and partnership development. At the center of these efforts is our flagship brand:

Experience Tennessee: Our Forward-Facing Regional Brand

SCTTA operates and manages Experience Tennessee, the primary way visitors discover, explore, and fall in love with our region.

Digital Platforms

We operate a robust online ecosystem through ExperienceTN.com and seven major social media and content platforms:

Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Linktree
Reddit
(and supporting platforms as needed)

Seasonal Travel Guides

Every year, the SCTTA team produces two major publications:

Spring/Summer Travel Guide
Fall/Winter Travel Guide

These guides highlight attractions, events, food, culture, and travel inspiration throughout the region.

Written Content & Field Notes Newsletter

We research, write, and publish blogs, features, and articles across our platforms, and produce Field Notes, a monthly newsletter delivered to more than 25,000 subscribers, offering fresh travel ideas, regional updates, and seasonal highlights.

Experience Tennessee Brochure Program

We maintain one of the most comprehensive brochure systems in Tennessee, featuring:

20+ brochures and guides
A virtual brochure rack for digital browsing
Physical brochures distributed throughout the region
Experience Pages—curated digital landing pages showcasing businesses within specific sectors (outdoors, food, family fun, shopping, etc.)

This hybrid system ensures visitors can engage with our content however they prefer—digitally, in print, or through themed collections.

Influencer Network & the Hey Y’all Team

Through the Experience Tennessee brand, we also collaborate directly with a growing network of influencers and content creators.

Our signature duo, Dan and Mary Peery, better known as the “Hey Y’all” Team, travels the region uncovering hidden gems, spotlighting local stories, and capturing the authentic charm that defines South Central Tennessee.

Managing and Supporting Sub-Regional Brands

Beyond Experience Tennessee, SCTTA manages and collaborates with several important sub-regional heritage and tourism brands:

Nashville’s Big Back Yard

SCTTA manages:

Content development
Social media
Story and feature curation

This brand highlights the creative migration into small-town Tennessee. New residents include:

Digital entrepreneurs from Los Angeles
Touring musicians relocating from Nashville
Small business dreamers from Indy
Families from Chicago
Traders from Boston
Remote workers returning to the land

We capture and share these stories to promote the region’s authentic lifestyle, affordability, culture, and outdoor experiences.

Tennessee’s Amish Country (Ethridge, TN)

In partnership with Visit Lawrenceburg, we developed a comprehensive visitor map and content system for the South’s Largest Amish Settlement, home to roughly 2,200 Swartzentruber Amish residents.

Our work highlights:

Guided wagon tours
Amish museums
Home-based Amish shops offering produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts
Authentic furniture stores and general goods
The Plowboy Produce Auction, held three times a week during the growing season
Local stories, heritage, culture, and scenic drives

This program helps visitors navigate Ethridge while respecting and appreciating the Amish community’s traditions and values.

Tennessee Whiskey Country

As part of an exclusive partnership with the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and the Tennessee Distillers Guild, SCTTA manages the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead & Welcome Center in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

About the Trailhead

Located within the historic Jack Daniel Distillery campus, the 120-year-old Welcome Center hosts over 300,000 visitors a year. It serves as:

A starting point for the Tennessee Whiskey Trail
A regional visitor center
A resource for itinerary planning
A cultural and historical gateway
A retail space for Tennessee Whiskey Trail merchandise

Our role is to maximize the visitor experience and ensure that each traveler’s journey enhances Lynchburg, the region, and the broader Tennessee Whiskey Country brand.