TN Marketing & Attraction Course

The TN Marketing & Attraction Course is a one-and-a-half-day, hands-on course that covers the basics of developing and implementing a high-impact marketing and attraction plan. While this course emphasizes business attraction, new business development, existing business and community development are included as a part of a comprehensive approach.

Course participants learn how to craft their community's message by reviewing online marketing fundamentals, GIS technologies, website design and current trends in site selection. Participants also will explore prospect management and various mediums of communication, including how to best utilize social media and online technologies as an economic development marketing tool. Case studies and sample plans will highlight the do's and don'ts of economic development marketing and attraction.

This course is one of a series provided by UT Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) designed to share best practices and trends with Tennessee’s economic development practitioners, private industry leaders, community leaders and elected officials.​

Date and Location:

Coming in 2025!

Course Agenda:

2023 Course Agenda

Course Fee:

Registration $445 | Early Registration $395 (By: TBA)

The registration fee covers course materials, instruction, selected meals and refreshment breaks. It does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited to 35 participants and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Please remit payment for the course no later than 10-days prior to the course start date.  If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the waitlist.

Course Times:

Onsite check-in: 9:30 AM
Day 1: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM 
Day 2: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Meals provided: Day 1 - Lunch; Day 2 - Breakfast

Registration:

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact Carol Jones at 615-253-6371 or Carol.Jones@tennessee.edu. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email. 

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit.  Cancellations made less than 7 days will be eligible for credit only for a future course.  

Hotel Accommodations:

Link coming soon!

This link and rate code is only available for class attendees. If this link and special rate is used by someone outside of the class, the reservation will be cancelled and a fee will be applied to the credit card used to book the reservation. 

Scholarships:

A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships cover $295 of the $395 early registration fee, and do not include hotel, travel or meals. Scholarship recipients will be required to pay $100 of the tuition cost, which will not be refundable should the participant withdraw from the course. Applications must be received by: (TBA) to be considered.

If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not received, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.

Applications for scholarships can be downloaded here Scholarship Application.

Dress Code:

The attire for the course is business casual.

Other TCED Economic Development Courses:

Instructor:

Sharon Younger Photo

Sharon Younger is President and founder of Younger Associates, LLC, an economic research and strategic planning firm that provides services to businesses, economic development organizations and transportation agencies. 

Dr. Younger has twenty-five years of experience in her field and is a frequent speaker at national conferences for professional organizations. She is an instructor for the Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma, Auburn University, University of Tennessee and CETYS University in Mexico.

Before founding Younger Associates, Dr. Younger was an associate professor of market research and advertising at Union University where she launched and became director of the university’s Center for Business and Economic Services. Prior to her work at Union University, Dr. Younger worked in market research for the Allied-Signal Corporation.

Recognized nationally as a leading researcher in the field of demographic and labor market analysis, Dr. Younger and her firm have successfully completed regional and statewide labor market analyses for clients in twenty-three states.

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