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Gatlinburg Hospitality & Tourism Association

Downtown Gatlinburg

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

GHTA Member Luncheons Schedule

Gatlinburg Hospitality & Tourism Association luncheons are generally held the third Wednesday of each month. Registration begins at 11:30am, lunch is served at 11:45am, and guest speaker presents at 12:00pm. The cost for members is $25 per person + Eventbrite fees through Eventbrite and $30 per person at the door. The cost for non members is $30 per person + Eventbrite fees through Eventbrite and $35 per person at the door. Please RSVP and pay through the GHTA Eventbrite page.
The following schedule is subject to change.

 

 

Breakfast Meeting - Gatlinburg Convention Center

Wednesday, July 15, 2026
8:30AM - 10:00AM

Van Makres Executive Director, SafeSpace

Van has served as the Executive Director of SafeSpace since 2003. She is a native of Knoxville and a graduate of Carson Newman University. Currently, she serves on the Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council and on Substance Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence for the Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and formerly served two terms on their Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of the Haslam College of Business Consortium of Social Enterprise Effectiveness. Van is also a certified "Building Strong Brains Tennessee" ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) trainer, a certified Domestic Violence Trainer for Salon Professionals and for Law Enforcement officers.

Make sure you attend to hear how SafeSpace has addressed and helped victims who have fallen to domestic violence!

ROOM LOCATION: Event will be in the Ogle Room and Terrace which is located on the second floor and overlooks the Parkway. If entering from the Parkway, just go one floor up and you will be at the Ogle Room. If entering from Airport Road, upon entering stay on the current floor and walk towards the Parkway to the very end of the building.

Monthly Meeting - Ober Mountain

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
8:30AM - 10:00AM

Seth Houser, "The 25th Hour"

Monthly Luncheon - Rocky Top Sports World

Wednesday, November 18, 2026
11:30 AM - 1:00PM

Alicia Price, Girl Scouts Council
It's more than cookies - how the Partner Patch Program positively impacts business in East Tennessee.

Monthly Luncheon - Embassy Suites Gatlinburg

Wednesday, December 16, 2026
11:30 AM - 1:00PM

Paul Boyles, "The 5 A's to an Incredible Career in Hospitality"

Monthly Luncheon - TBA

Wednesday, January 20, 2027
11:30 AM - 1:00PM

TBA

Monthly Luncheon - TBA

Wednesday, February 17, 2027
11:30 AM - 1:00PM

TBA

Monthly Luncheon - TBA

Wednesday, March 17, 2027
11:30 AM - 1:00PM

TBA

Monthly Luncheon - TBA

Wednesday, April 21, 2027
11:30 AM - 1:00PM

TBA

Monthly Luncheon - TBA

Wednesday, May 19, 2027
11:30 AM - 1:00PM

TBA

 

Special Events

The Gatlinburg Hospitality & Tourism Association hosts/co-hosts/assists with a number of exciting events every year to raise money for the organization which is put to use in a variety of ways to benefit its members. Stay tuned for this years events.

 

 

Stars of the Industry

Country Tonite Theatre
Thursday, August 20, 2026
2:00PM

Stars of the Industry, held by the Sevier County Hospitality & Tourism Alliance, comprising the Gatlinburg Hospitality & Tourism Association, Pigeon Forge Hospitality & Tourism Association, Sevierville Hospitality Association, and Smoky Mountain Vacation Lodging Association, is a highly anticipated award ceremony. Recognizing the excellence of Sevier County's hospitality sector, this event serves as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of individuals and establishments that have elevated the region's tourism industry.

Governors Conference

No Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
September 16-18

Governor's Conference on Hospitality & Tourism