JOIN SCTTA IN WHATEVER WAY WORKS FOR YOU!
Association Memberships - FREE
Connect your business to South Central Tennessee’s tourism community through a free membership with the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association (SCTTA).
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Designed for shopping, dining, lodging, and attraction businesses across our 13-county region, this foundational membership helps you stay informed, build industry relationships, and learn more about SCTTA’s work to support local businesses and grow tourism.
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Membership benefits include:
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Annual SCTTA door cling: Display your connection to the regional tourism community. Door clings are mailed each July.
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Monthly Tourism Ready newsletter: Receive industry updates, educational resources, and news about SCTTA programs and opportunities.
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Upgraded listing on ExperienceTN.com: Showcase your business with a hero image, page title, and descriptive paragraph.
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Annual travel guide listing: Be included in the Experience Tennessee Travel Guide.
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Co-op advertising opportunities: Access the Experience Tennessee co-op advertising program and exclusive discounted marketing rates.
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Networking and events: Receive invitations to tourism socials and networking events where you can connect with regional tourism leaders, attractions, and fellow businesses.
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Membership is free. We want businesses to experience the value SCTTA brings to the small business community, local governments, and destination marketing organizations. For businesses interested in deeper engagement and additional support, we also offer paid Tourism Ready Partnerships.
Industry Partnership - $299 Annually
Your business is part of what makes South Central Tennessee worth visiting. An SCTTA Industry Partnership connects you with the marketing tools, industry relationships, and promotional opportunities that help travelers discover your business and experience more of our region.
Designed for lodging, food and drink, shopping, attractions, events, and venues, our paid Fundamental Industry Partnership builds on free association membership with expanded visibility and support tailored to your sector.
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Partners gain access to foundational marketing resources and opportunities to participate in SCTTA’s media outreach, storytelling, influencer programs, and itinerary development. Together, we help visitors find more reasons to explore, shop, dine, and stay longer.
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Benefits for All Industry Partners
Enhanced business page on ExperienceTN.com featuring:
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Hero image, business logo, and description
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Website and social media links
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Photo gallery with up to six images
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Business hours
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Relevant menu and review links
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Optional domain package
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Marketing, media, and industry connections:
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Listing card on TNVacation.com
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Enhanced listing on the TRVA Geotourism platform by National Geographic
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Featured Place designation on ExperienceTN.com
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Community recommendation listing in the annual Experience Tennessee Travel Guide
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Monthly opportunities to submit blog content for ExperienceTN.com
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Access to influencer and ambassador visits, including Experience Tennessee ambassadors Hey Y’all
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Increased visibility through social media content and curated itineraries
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Discounted advertising rates and co-op marketing opportunities
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Invitations to quarterly partner networking events
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Experience Tennessee VBR poster and door cling installed at your business
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Lodging
Help travelers discover your property and connect directly with your booking platform.
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Enhanced placement in the Places to Stay section of ExperienceTN.com
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Direct link to your preferred booking platform
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Inclusion in the Experience Tennessee Lodging Guide
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Hosted influencer and ambassador opportunities: provide one room night in exchange for inclusion in one social media Reel, coordinated in advance
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Food & Drink
For restaurants, bars, cafés, breweries, distilleries, and tasting rooms, this partnership connects your business with travelers seeking local flavors and memorable experiences.
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Direct link to your menu platform on ExperienceTN.com
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Inclusion in the Experience Tennessee Flavors Guide
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Hosted influencer and ambassador opportunities: provide a meal for two in exchange for inclusion in one Reel shared through Experience Tennessee and participating influencer social channels, coordinated in advance
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Shopping & Retail
For local shops, boutiques, antique stores, makers, and distinctive retail destinations, this partnership helps turn browsing travelers into visiting customers.
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Inclusion in the Antiques and Southern Boutiques Guide
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Shopping-focused storytelling and itinerary opportunities
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Influencer and ambassador visits coordinated around your store, products, and visitor experience
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Attractions, Events & Venues
Connect your experience with travelers looking for things to see, do, and enjoy across South Central Tennessee.
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Inclusion in the corresponding Experience Tennessee specialty guides
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Targeted marketing opportunities and media pitching preference
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Programming inclusion and itinerary development tailored to your experience
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Ticket, tour, or experience giveaway opportunities
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Inclusion in the Sounds Like Summer or Fall into Tennessee campaign, based on seasonal relevance​
Marketing Partnerships—Starting at $1499
Put your business in front of travelers through an SCTTA Sector Marketing Partnership—a coordinated package of print advertising, digital storytelling, influencer content, and ongoing tourism strategy support.
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Designed for lodging, food and drink, shopping, attractions, and events, these partnerships connect your business with Experience Tennessee’s audiences while tailoring promotional opportunities to your sector. Each partnership combines year-round marketing exposure with direct support from the SCTTA tourism team. (Packages are eligible for barter agreements to create more flexible terms for partners)
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Flexible payment options include partial barter. Eligible accommodations, products, services, and experiences may offset a portion of your partnership through an agreed-upon barter arrangement.
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Partnership Pricing
Choose your partnership based on your print advertising size. Each option includes the shared benefits below and the benefits for your sector.
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Quarter Page-$1,499
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Half Page—$1,999
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Full Page—$3,499
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Benefits for All Sector Marketing Partners
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Print advertising: An advertisement in both the Experience Tennessee Travel Guide and the After Jack Traveler’s Guide.
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Printed guides: Receive 25 Experience Tennessee Travel Guides per print cycle to share with guests and customers.
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Influencer content: An annual influencer visit and collaborative post shared through Experience Tennessee’s social channels.
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Original feature article: An annual article written by an assigned journalist, published on ExperienceTN.com, and featured in the Field Notes newsletter, reaching more than 25,000 subscribers.
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Annual business strategy session: Meet with SCTTA’s executive, operations, media, and marketing leadership to discuss your goals and identify opportunities.
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Ongoing team support: Three additional visits throughout the year from an SCTTA team member.
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Lodging
Connect your property with travelers and give guests more reasons to explore the region.
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Premium listing in the Places to Stay section of ExperienceTN.com
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Experience Tennessee refrigerator magnets for up to 50 rooms
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Five Experience Tennessee Virtual Brochure posters
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Lodging barter program: Offset up to 50% of your annual partnership with approved room nights, credited at $150 per night
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Food & Drink
Bring your restaurant, café, bar, brewery, distillery, or tasting room into the visitor’s travel plans.
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Tabletop virtual brochure displays with scannable access to regional visitor information
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Opportunities to arrange partial barter through approved dining, beverage, or hosted experiences
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Shopping & Retail
Introduce travelers to the shops, boutiques, antique stores, and makers that give our communities their character.
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Tabletop virtual brochure displays with scannable access to regional visitor information
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Opportunities to arrange partial barter through approved products, services, or shopping experiences
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Attractions & Events
Build awareness, support ticket sales, and help visitors plan a trip around your experience.
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Special Field Notes newsletter campaigns, including ticket promotions and itineraries built around specific events
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Guaranteed inclusion in applicable seasonal campaigns, including Sounds Like Summer and Fall into Tennessee
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Access to approved paid collaborative advertising campaigns using the Experience Tennessee audience; advertising spend is funded separately by the partner
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Opportunities to arrange partial barter through approved tickets, tours, admissions, or hosted experiences
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Build a Partnership Around Your Business
Choose the advertising size that fits your goals, then work with SCTTA to coordinate your sector benefits and any barter contribution. Barter availability, value, and fulfillment details are agreed upon in advance.
Why Become an Association Partner?
Becoming a partner of the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association (SCTTA) means aligning your business with one of Tennessee’s most impactful and fast-growing industries—tourism. Through the award-winning Experience Tennessee brand, Nashville's Big Back Yard, and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, SCTTA works to amplify the region’s story, attract visitors, and create meaningful opportunities for the businesses that serve them.
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Partnership goes far beyond visibility. SCTTA connects businesses to a powerful regional network of tourism professionals, strategic partners, media outlets, and destination initiatives designed to strengthen both individual businesses and the region as a whole. Our work is driven by visitor insights, travel trends, and statewide collaboration—helping partners reach audiences far beyond local traffic and position themselves for long-term growth.
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While the results are often seen in increased awareness, visitation, and engagement, much of the work that makes this possible happens every day behind the scenes. Below is a closer look at how SCTTA actively supports partners through ongoing marketing, media, and tourism development efforts.
Strategic Support & Annual Touchpoints
Each year, every partner is invited to a business strategy check-in with our team. This one-on-one conversation reviews SCTTA’s current strategy, partnership opportunities, and ways your business can better leverage regional tourism efforts.
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Annually, partners also receive:
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Virtual Brochure Rack poster installation at your business
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Updated partner listing on ExperienceTN.com
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Inclusion and updates on the Tennessee River Valley Geotourism page
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On-site visit from our Visitor Experience Team
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Always-On Marketing & Media Advocacy
Your business is represented year-round through SCTTA’s ongoing marketing and PR efforts, including:
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Inclusion in monthly media pitches prepared for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD), with partner preference for pitches relevant to your business
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Active pitching to regional, state, and national outlets, including Tennessee Crossroads, Nashville and Huntsville TV, Southern Living, National Geographic, Tennessee Magazine, Food & Travel, top podcasts, and radio programs
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Programming Built Around Partners​
SCTTA continuously develops destination programming that strengthens the region and creates new storytelling opportunities. Signature initiatives like Tennessee’s Amish Country, Tennessee Whiskey Country, and Cork to Fork are built with our partners first—ensuring participation, visibility, and shared success.
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Media & FAM Tours That Put You Front and Center​
Each year, SCTTA produces multiple media and familiarization (FAM) tours, both independently and with partners such as TDTD, Nashville’s Big Back Yard, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, and others. Itineraries are intentionally designed to showcase SCTTA partners, giving your business direct access to influential media and content creators.
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Education, Connection & Recognition​
Additional partner support includes:
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Quarterly networking events to build regional connections
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Quarterly Tourism Ready programs to keep partners informed on industry trends, tools, and opportunities
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The annual Experience Tennessee Regional Awards, celebrating excellence across the region
Organziational Partnerships - $500
Your organization plays an important role in shaping your community’s visitor experience. An SCTTA organizational partnership connects that work with the marketing platforms, industry relationships, and tourism expertise of Experience Tennessee.
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Designed for Chambers of Commerce, Main Street programs, nonprofits, arts centers, and other organizations without official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) status, this partnership brings your organization into our regional tourism network with collaboration and support similar to what we provide our DMO partners.
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Partnership Opportunities
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Collaborative marketing: Work with SCTTA to showcase your community, programs, events, and visitor experiences through ExperienceTN.com and Experience Tennessee’s social channels.
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Regional tourism participation: Take part in regional conversations, collaborative initiatives, and promotional opportunities that connect your work with the broader visitor economy.
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DMO relationship support: Build connections with local destination marketing organizations to align efforts, coordinate promotion, and identify shared opportunities.
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Industry guidance: Access insight and practical support for tourism planning, visitor engagement, marketing, and community development.
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Policy consulting: Receive guidance on tourism-related policies and local initiatives, drawing on the same expertise SCTTA provides its DMO partners.
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Regional coordination: Work through SCTTA’s Regional Marketing Organization (RMO) role to identify opportunities and maximize the benefits available to your organization.
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A Regional Partner for Your Local Work
Organizational Partnership does not establish official DMO status or automatically qualify an organization for Tennessee’s state DMO benefits. It provides a direct connection to SCTTA’s regional resources and a collaborative path to strengthen your community’s tourism efforts.
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Whether you are promoting a downtown district, growing an arts program, supporting local businesses, or organizing community events, we can work together to reach visitors and increase the impact of your work.