Tennessee Business Forum Launches
Organization to bring statewide business leaders together in Washington, D.C. for networking and policy updates
December 2, 2021 — Nashville, TN — The Tennessee Business Forum, which will launch in January 2022 to provide a diverse group of statewide business, educational and institutional leaders the opportunity to network in the nation’s capital with national policy makers, was announced today.
The Forum’s original 14 “Founding Partners” represent businesses and institutions from across the state, including Ballad Health, Eastman Chemical Company, Pinnacle Financial Partners, TruGreen, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The Forum now is accepting general members as well.
With a diverse set of members and backgrounds, the Forum aims to provide a platform for increased momentum for shared goals. During a time in which connectivity has been challenging, and in which businesses are forever changed by the pandemic, the Forum will provide an opportunity for much-needed networking and collaboration.
The Forum was created and will be facilitated by The Ingram Group, a premier Nashville-Washington strategic consulting firm.
“We’ve created the Forum in response to requests from businesses, large and small, to have a more casual, candid opportunity to engage with other businesses and policy makers in Washington,” said Tom Ingram, founder of The Ingram Group. “We’re honored to facilitate the Forum, which will be driven of, by and for its members.”
Bess McWherter, who brings experience working for Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate in Washington, will be the Forum’s executive director.
“The Forum is fashioned after similar organizations in other states,” said McWherter. “The Forum’s mission is simple – to connect corporate leaders across the state with each other and with policy makers and opinion leaders in the nation’s capital for collaboration and robust dialogue around shared concerns related to legislative and regulatory issues that impact the business, education and non-profit sectors.”
“Tennessee’s business community has been hit hard over the last year and a half,” Pinnacle Financial Partners’ Executive Vice President, Bryan Bean, said. “Having the opportunity to come together in Washington to discuss economic opportunities, health care, taxes, infrastructure, pandemic-related issues and various other topics from a Tennessee perspective will be extremely valuable.”
The Forum will host meetings throughout the year between Tennessee stakeholders and policymakers. Through candid, off-the-record dialogue, members will be able to identify organizations facing similar opportunities and challenges. The events also will provide opportunities to explore solutions and form collaborative partnerships. The Forum is not expected to be an advocacy organization or to take collective positions on policy or political issues.
McWherter joined The Ingram Group in June 2021, after serving more than three years as a legislative advisor to U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper. She also previously worked for PepsiCo and served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The Forum is open to all Tennessee businesses and institutions with membership based on number of employees on an annual basis. Discounts are provided for non-profit institutions.
Further information is available at www.tennesseebusinessforum.com.