When

Friday, November 16, 2018 at 3:00 PM CST
-to-
Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 12:00 PM CST
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Where

Montgomery Bell State Park
1020 Jackson Hill Road
Burns, TN 37029

 
Driving Directions 

Friends Display Contest 

We want to know what you've been up to since the last conference! Show us with a spectacular table display representing your Friends group.

Table displays can include, but are not limited to: projects completed, events held (co-sponsored or independent events), grants awarded, creative ways to build membership, marketing materials (brochures, rack cards, flyers, posters), things you sell, volunteer hours logged, newsletters written, scrapbooks and photos.....really anything that shows how you are strengthening your organization and supporting your favorite park.

The focus is this past year, but feel free to share earlier successes.  Displays should not expand beyond one table.

A small panel of State and TDEC employees will be judging your displays to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Group Intros on Friday Night

Friends groups will be introduced by our Emcee, Laura Franklin on Friday, November 16th.  We will ask your organization to answer one question ahead of time to help keep things succinct and informative. Please fill out this questionarie so we can include you in the introductions.

Silent Auction

Help raise funds for the Mini Grant Program and support the Friends of Tennessee State Parks by bringing at least two (2) items to the Silent Auction at the 15th Annual Friends Conference.  Suggestions for items would be a basket of Friends and park merchandise, items from vendors you use, specialty goods from your area, crafted items, etc.  Have an estimated value in mind so that bidding can start at the appropriate level.

Field Trips

Saturday, November 17th in the afternoon.  You will have your choice of four trips.

  • Ore Pit Loop Trail Hike with Ranger Dunn
  • Tour of the NEW State Musuem in Nashville 
  • Pioneer Era Games & Crafts with Ranger Paschall

Optional Hike on Sunday, November 18th

  • Montgomery Bell Trail Hike with Randy Hedgepath @ 12:30pm 

Learn more about the field trips here.

Jr. Ranger Activities

Saturday, November 17th starting at 7:45am.  Let us know if you are interested in having your child participate via the registration form. Official sign up will be at the conference registration tables.

Dress is Casual

Show your group or park pride by wearing Friends' or park apparel. 
Don't forget to take a lot of pictures throughout the weekend for your group's social media site. Use the hashtag #TNFriendsConference. 

Friends group members, park personnel that work with Friends, and those starting a Friends group or interested in starting a Friends group are invited to Montgomery Bell State Park for the 15th Annual Friends Conference.  Come and learn from educational sessions, share information about best practices, challenges and successes, exchange program and project ideas and celebrate all the wonderful achievements of the Tennessee State Parks Friends Groups.
#TNFriendsConference

 

Conference Fees

You can pay by credit card, PayPal or check.  Please send or make payment prior to the conference weekend.  We will still accept payments at the door, but the cost will increase to $50 per Friends Member if you have not registered online.

Price PER Friends Member
$35 Early Bird registration fee until October 19, 2018
$45 registration fee from October 20 until registration closes November 15, 2018 
$50 registration fee for onsite registration

Checks should be sent and payable to:

Friends of Tennessee State Parks 
 P.O. Box 149
Ooltewah, TN 37363

With your check, include the name of your group and the names of the individuals the check will be covering.

 

Secure Your Room 

Inn rooms are at a special rate of $64.95 per night plus taxes. To reserve, please call 1-800-250-8613 or book online here. Be sure to mention or include our conference group code 8972.  Rooms for the conference can only be held until November 1, 2018.  The $64.95 rate will still be honored after this date for rooms that are available.

Villas are available at the rate of $346.50 plus taxes for a two night stay, which is required.  The villas sleep a total of eight (8).  To check availability and reserve, please call the toll free number for the Inn. There are five (5) villas reserved for our conference under the group code.

If you need special room arrangements, please contact the Inn at
1-800-250-8613.

TDEC & State Park staff: please provide your speed chart number when you reserve a room.

 

Hosted By: 

                              

Questions or Concerns about the Conference?  Please contact:

Nancy Schelin | Tennessee State Parks | 615-532-5249 | nancy.schelin@tn.gov