"Yes, And..." Summer Forum: A Community in Action

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]
Moving Smart: Connecting Transportation Modes in the Tri-State

Freight is an essential part of daily life and the region's economy, and how it moves matters. Most freight in our region moves by truck, not because the alternatives don't exist, but because they've never been easy to access. The resulting congestion adds pressure to local roads, increases costs for area industries, and longer travel times for residents.

Meanwhile, rail corridors, river barge routes, and air freight connections already run through the tri-state region, waiting to be put to better use. This panel brings together four operators who move real freight across those modes every day for an honest conversation about what it would actually take to shift the region's freight network toward smarter, more connected choices. It's a conversation about infrastructure, economics, and regional will, and why it matters to everyone in the room.

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Featuring: 

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David Anderson, Colonial Chemical
Nick Barnett, Blue Ridge Logistics
Lance Joyner, Guntersville Marine
Moderated by: Jake Battles, MaDex Associates

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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: 

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Joel Houser, Open Space Institute
Lizzy Gardner, Tennessee RiverLine
Bridgett Massengill, Thrive Regional Partnership
Kim Parks, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Moderated by: Walker Henley, South Pittsburg Area Revitalization Quest (SPARQ)

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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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