PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee—(Aug. 12, 2026)—Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s Assistant Commissioner, Marketing, Debra Smith was the featured speaker at Tuesday’s (Aug. 11) Tourism Talks at the LeConte Events Center. Approximately 40 Pigeon Forge business representatives were on hand to learn more about ongoing state and local efforts to bring domestic and international visitors to Tennessee.
Hosted by the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism and Interim Executive Director Amy Warner, Tourism Talks is a quarterly gathering for Pigeon Forge business owners to learn more about the PFDOT’s plans to grow visitation in the gateway city and support tourism, Pigeon Forge’s only industry.
Smith’s presentation highlighted several successful campaigns, including Bill Dance Signature Lakes, Bike Tennessee, and the music- and food-focused Sound Bites, that promote the Volunteer State and East Tennessee. Smith’s Pigeon Forge visit comes a week after Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee recognized the state’s tourism industry’s record $32.5 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025.
Tennessee welcomed 150 million visits in 2025. Pigeon Forge hosts more than eight million visitors annually.
Pigeon Forge business owners can visit MyPigeonForge.com/partner to learn more about the city’s various marketing and promotional efforts and ways to become more involved. All registered Pigeon Forge business owners are invited and encouraged to attend Tourism Talks.
—MyPigeonForge2026—
Media contact:
Trish McGee [email protected]
615-327-1189