SCTTA Industry Newsletter - March

From the Desk of Amanda McGowan

February kept us moving. We spent some time at Blizzard in Franklin connecting with DMOs and partners from across the region. We also officially kicked off our first Tourism Ready Marketing Program in Natchez Valley, and that has been one of the highlights of the month for me. We’re already connecting with small business owners we hadn’t worked with before, thanks to a strong partnership with the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. When businesses begin to see how tourism ties directly into their economy, you can immediately feel the momentum building.

As we move into this month, much of our focus will shift to creative work in the office. We’re deep into design mode as we finalize updates to the Travel Guide and the After Jack Traveler’s Guide, with some important production milestones right around the corner. You’ll also see a reminder in this newsletter about the regional Music Census Survey. It’s an important initiative that could shape how music supports tourism and economic growth across our region, so I encourage you to take a few minutes to participate if you haven’t already.

Behind the scenes, we’re making steady progress on a few exciting projects and getting prepared for a strong spring season. With warmer weather moving in, we're ready to trade in desk time for time out in the region!

- Amanda McGowan

Director of Operations

Virtual Tourism Ready Workshop

Join us for a 30-minute Virtual Tourism-Ready Workshop this Thursday at 10:00am, where we’ll walk through the full Experience Tennessee 2026 Guide Program. We’ll cover updates to the Travel Guide, introduce new pillar and local guides, review our distribution strategy, align on virtual brochure rack placement, and share details on our new native advertising approach.

If you want to understand how these tools work together to maximize your visibility in 2026, this workshop is for you. Click below to add the Google Calendar meeting to your schedule and join us.

Music Industry Census

The Tennessee Entertainment Commission has partnered with Sound Diplomacy to do 3 regional music studies. The goal of the studies is to learn more about a region's music ecosystem and help guide the cities and communities in that region to use music to drive the economy and bolster tourism.

Take the survey (approx. 10 min) by scanning the QR code or clicking below to enter a drawing to win either a day in the birthplace of Tennessee Whiskey or  free canoe rentals for two from Canoe the Caney.

Tourism Tips

Capture the Curious

In rural communities, not every visitor planned to stop at your business intentionally. Most of the time they're driving a scenic route, on their way to another destination, or simply taking the long way home. That means your biggest opportunity may not be the person searching for you online, but the one who spots you from the road.

If someone has three seconds to decide whether to pull in, what do they see? Is it clear what you offer? Does your storefont spark curiosity? A simple, well-placed sign like "Homemade Pie Today," "Cold Drinks & Clean Restrooms," or "Handmade Gifts Inside" can make the difference between someone driving past and someone hitting the breaks. 

Think beyond just having your business name on the building. Highlight what makes you worth the stop. If you sell something unique, say it. If you're known for something specific, promote it. Rural tourism often thrives on spontaneity. 

When you design your exterior with the "accidental tourist" in mind, you're not just waiting for visitors to find you. You're inviting them in. 

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