KKB’s 7th Annual Summit:
Rooted in Place

january 30, 2026
EAST TENNESSEE HISTORY CENTER

The 7th Annual KKB Summit will be on January 30, 2026 at the East Tennessee History Center.

Stay tuned for more information, such as registration and speakers!

We can’t wait for you to join us for another inspiring and empowering day of learning!

Check out our 6th Annual Summit Speaker Recap Videos & Blog here

Thank you to our sponsors

A Brief Overview of KKB’s Previous Summits

In 1982, the Greater Knoxville Beautification Board (as KKB was known then) hosted Knoxville 2000: A Vision of the Future. This symposium allowed Knoxvillians to imagine what their city might be like in 20 years. In 2019, in honor of KKB’s 40th anniversary, the Summit was born as a reimagined Knoxville 2000. With the KKB Summit, we hope to inspire Knox County residents to also dream about the future while drawing on inspiration from other cities. Check out previous years’ topics below!

2025

Theme: How To Build A Heat Resilient City

Speakers: Kendon Jung (City of Tempe's Sustainability and Resilience Commission), Drew Ramsey (GAF Materials), Susy Torriente (Jacobs)

2023

Theme: Reimagining the Asphalt Jungle

Speakers: Jack Cebe (Stitch Development Director), Kate Cavazza (Associate Urban Designer and Planner at the City of Charlotte Urban Design Center), Eric Hoke (Design Director at Civic Design Center), Caleb Racicot (Senior Principal at TSW Design)

2022

Theme: Urban Reconnection to Nature

Speakers: Mayor Knox White (Mayor of Greenville, SC), Cathy Sloss Jones (Chair of Urban Land Institute, Alabama Chapter), Ryan Alson (Communications and Outreach Manager, Baltimore Tree Trust)

2021

Theme: Cleaner, Greener, Connected

Speakers: Ellen Zavisca (Principal Planner, Knoxville Regional Transportation Organization), Drew Frye (Senior Power Utilization Engineer, Tennessee Valley Authority), Chasity Hobby (Environmental Stewardship Lead, Knoxville Utility Board), Si McMurray (Director of Procurement and Project Manger, Knoxville Area Transit)

2020

Theme: Environmental Stewardship

Speakers: Melissa Hinten (UTK’s Office of Sustainability), Harley Bryant (KUB), Ashlee Mays (UTK)

 2019

Theme: Shaping a Resilient Knoxville

Speakers: Pete Crowley (Discovery, Inc.), Melissa Eads (Kroger), Brad Collett (TN River Line)