"Yes, And..." Summer Forum

This summer, Thrive's "Yes, And..." Forum comes to South Pittsburg, Tennessee, a community that balances economic vitality with culture, character, and landscapes that make a place worth calling home.

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Nestled along the Tennessee River in Marion County, South Pittsburg is home to Lodge Cast Iron and a community that has been active in resilience planning, creative placemaking, and building a recreation economy rooted in a deep sense of place. It puts "Yes, And..." in practice — and we're bringing the region there to see it firsthand.

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Thrive's "Yes, And..." Forums convene leaders across the tri-state to shape competing priorities into shared possibilities — because real progress doesn't choose sides, it connects them.

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Registration & Media Notice:

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Space Is Limited. Register Early. Our Spring Forum sold out, and space for this summer gathering is even more limited. If you want to be in the room, don't wait. Register today to secure your spot. Note: Registration for this event is non-refundable.

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Media Notice:  By registering, attendees consent to on-site photography and videography that may be used for promotional and educational purposes.

Agenda

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Tour: Inside the Lodge Cast Iron Foundry

Get an inside look at one of the region's active manufacturing facilities. This guided foundry tour offers business and civic leaders a ground-level view of the processes and workforce driving industrial production in the tri-state, and a firsthand appreciation for the infrastructure that keeps our regional economy moving.

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Tour: The Lodge Museum of Cast Iron

Step into the story of American cooking. Tour the Museum of Cast Iron, which traces the history of cast iron cookware: how it's made, what it means to food culture, and why it endures as a symbol of authentic cooking. With interactive opportunities throughout, this hands-on experience connects the legacy of regional manufacturing to the kitchens and communities it has shaped for generations.

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[Panel Discussion] 
River, Road, Rail, & Runway. Connecting Transportation Modes in the Tri-State

Freight is an essential part of daily life and the region's economy. How it moves matters. Trucks carry the majority of goods across our region largely by default, causing congestion which adds pressure to local roads, increases costs for area industries, and travel times for residents. Communities across the region already has access to alternatives such as rail corridors, barge routes, and air freight, that could move goods more efficiently and reduce environmental impact.

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This panel discussion explores what it would take in infrastructure, policy, and investment to build a smarter, more connected transportation network across the tri-state.

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[Panel Discussion]

Spotlight on South Pittsburg: Community, Place, and a Resilient Future

Built and natural community spaces are vital civic infrastructure that anchor neighborhoods and downtowns, attract investment, support public health, and define the character of the communities we call home.

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This panel explores how leaders in the rural community of South Pittsburg, TN are transforming shared spaces into lasting community assets. Speakers will share practical approaches to outdoor infrastructure and community-centered development that local leaders across the tri-state can champion in their own communities.

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Featuring: South Pittsburg Arts & Revitalization Quest (SPARQ), The Open Space Institute, and the Tennessee RiverLine.

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Sponsors

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Become a Sponsor

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Thrive's events bring together the people that shape the future of the tri-state, greater Chattanooga region. Event sponsorships connect your brand to high-impact convenings throughout the year. Click here to learn more and sponsor this event.

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