On November 14, 2024, the former congressman is expected to discuss the power of regional alignment in sparking opportunities in local communities.

Chattanooga, Tennessee: Thrive Regional Partnership (Thrive) is pleased to announce that Zach Wamp, former United States congressman from East Tennessee, will deliver the keynote address at the Tri-State Summit on November 13-14, 2024 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The Tri-State Summit is Thrive’s flagship conference designed for elected and community leaders in northeast Alabama, northwest Georgia, and southeast Tennessee.

Over the course of two days, the Summit provides attendees with immersive learning and networking opportunities centered around topics such as local economy, transportation, environmental stewardship, as well as arts and culture.

Among his notable achievements in Congress between 1995 and 2011, Wamp helped establish The Tennessee Valley Technology Corridor, The Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force and the United States Department of Homeland Security following the events of September 11, 2001. He wrote and passed legislation to establish the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District as a part of the National Park System and led the replacement of the Chickamauga Lock on the Tennessee River.

Wamp was a founding member of the National Council on Election Integrity which he co-chairs today. He is also Co-Chair of the Reformer’s Caucus of Issue One- a coalition of over 200 former Members of Congress, Governors and Cabinet Secretaries united to restore confidence in our federal government.

Congressman Wamp will be featured in dialogue with Connie Vaughan, government relations manager for McKee Foods and chair of Thrive Regional Partnership.

In addition to Congressman Wamp’s keynote conversation, Thrive’s Tri-State Summit features a full day of thought-provoking panel discussions, such as:

• Resilience in Action: Implementation and impacts of locally led natural hazard strategies

• Connected Communities Lightning Round: Showcasing the transformational power of digital equity

• Bringing Broadband Home: Local communities prepare for internet funding

• When it’s gone, it’s gone: The High Stakes of Disappearing Farmland

• All Aboard! Looking Ahead to Passenger Rail in the Tri-State

• The Power of Place Branding. How uncovering the story of a place drives community growth

• Innovations in Transportation: Applying new technologies in the tri-state

• Cultivating Biodiversity in Civic Life

This year, Thrive’s Tri-State Summit will take place November 13-14 at the Chattanoogan hotel in scenic downtown Chattanooga.