Launch of Tennessee Tourism Investment Project

Executive Director Ryan French, South Central Tennessee Tourism Association, has announced the launch of the Tennessee Tourism Investment Project, a 501(c)(3) organization established to expand SCTTA’s philanthropic capabilities. Tourism professional Dominic Gialdini will serve as executive director of the non-profit.

The mission of The Tennessee Tourism Investment Project is to secure funding, develop sustainable tourism projects and implement programs that enhance tourism throughout the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association’s realm of influence.

“This is a great day for tourism in Tennessee, the 2nd largest industry in the state,” French said. “This initiative gives business leaders and entrepreneurs a solid path to help fund great projects in the region so we can continue to build sustainable tourism for future generations.”

Tennessee Tourism Investment Project is designed to create educational, professional, and transformational tourism opportunities that contribute to a culture of tourism entrepreneurship in south central Tennessee. It is a mechanism to fundraise for meaningful, positive interventions that advance ongoing programs, create innovative initiatives that strengthen the tourism workforce and contribute to asset development in the fields of art, outdoor recreation and heritage tourism.

As a 501(c)(3) Tennessee Tourism Investment Project relies on the financial support of sponsors whose values align with the mission to enhance tourism and create opportunity in and around the south central Tennessee region. The program’s four cornerstones include: education, job creation and workforce development, grant support, and transformational projects/asset development. In addition to the project fund, the Endowment Fund, an extension of the program, is structured to provide long-term funding for ongoing activities.

“Having an educational and professional background in sustainable tourism development, I am acutely aware of opportunities and setbacks to navigate when it comes to creating new initiatives to bolster our efforts,” Gialdini said. “I’ve had the pleasure of developing relationships with tourism professionals throughout south central Tennessee and am confident we will be able to work collaboratively to enhance the region at large. We are excited for the launch of Tennessee Tourism Investment Project and look forward to partnering with our colleagues on this endeavor.”