This year, Tennessee Sampler is set in a Chicago suburb, convenient to AAA offices and key tour operators. Held at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center, the event kicks off with a sales/public relations seminar on selling the great state of Tennessee, followed by a get-acquainted reception for partners. After that, Tuesday and Wednesday are filled with sales and PR calls and the final tradeshow/reception event is Thursday night (see schedule for details).
Don't miss this exciting team effort with CVBs, regional tourism associations, hotels and attractions from across the state!
About Tennessee Sampler
Tennessee Sampler is an event coordinated by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and first started in 1986. The event started as a sales mission targeted to AAA and tour operators in a key feeder city, ending with a trade show/evening reception that provided booth opportunities for partners and features Tennessee music entertainment.
The annual event ended in 1999 due to budget cuts. After hearing several request from partners to bring back this successful event, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development - along with a great committee of partners — brought back the Tennessee Sampler in 2007 and hosted it in Tampa, Florida. It was extremely successful, with approximately 300 sales calls made by multiple teams of 3-4 people, visiting AAA and tour operator offices throughout Florida. New to the event, a PR mission also occurred, with Geiger & Associates leading the effort, and partners were able to meet with more than 30 travel journalists in the Tampa area. In fact, a few journalists signed up for travel writer trips to Tennessee, simply based on meeting us during Tennessee Sampler. The evening event featured country music star Jamie O'Neal, 45 partner booths, and approximately 200 in attendance.
On top of a very productive week, partners probably most appreciated the camaraderie that was formed with fellow Tennessee tourism partners that they did not know before Tennessee Sampler. For specific examples, see the testimonials to the right.
Registration Form
2008 Sampler Schedule
Tennessee Sampler Sponsorship Opportunities
Reserve a room at the Westin - Lombard
Testimonials
"I have had numerous people — AAA employees and members alike — tell me what a wonderful time they had at the March 28th Tennessee Sampler event. I have to whole-heartedly agree with them. On behalf of AAA Auto Club South, thank you for bringing the Sampler to Tampa and sharing with us all the amazing things Tennessee has to offer… I've heard nothing but "WOW'S" from everyone who attended."
—Ronna Clark
AAA Director, Branch Communications
"Thank you for starting my morning out on such an upbeat and interesting note. Thank you for the basket of goodies and y'all stopping by personally."
—Brenda J. Griffin
Duggar Travel Agency
"Tennessee Sampler is a sales blitz, personal sales calls and an upscale client event all in a few days. It allowed Tennessee to have maximum impact with a minimum investment from each partner. It is also an awesome way to network and cross-promote your business with other partners in the state."
—Wayne A. Chandler, CTP
Senior Sales Manager, Gaylord Attraction Sales
"WOW —what an event!! I can tell you from a small community like Johnson City in Northeast Tennessee, the Tennessee Sampler was well worth our investment of time and money. We were so pleased with our results and have already received two letters from the offices I visited."
—Brenda Whitson
Executive Director, Johnson City Convention and Visitors Bureau
"This was a great event which was very well organized by the state and partners - A must for attractions and destinations that want to get their product out there. This was also a great networking opportunity, which has built new relationships with the other partners that participated."
—Helen Nelson
Corporate Sales Manager Holiday Inn Select Downtown, Memphis
"The return of Tennessee Sampler was a definite success! It was a wonderful opportunity for partners throughout the state to join forces and cover a large area in just a few days. We presented a united front that is great for the entire state! The Tampa area definitely was reminded that the stage is set for everyone in Tennessee! Can't wait for Sampler '08!"
—Shirley Davis Conner
Sales Manager,Elvis Presley Enterprise, Inc.
Jamie O'Neal & 2007 Tennessee Sampler Committee