Kim Mitchell
Director of Tourism, Blount Partnership
Maryville, Tenn.
Describe your job.
I am honored to bring visitors to the most beautiful place in the world, be it leisure, business, or convention travel. Blount County is the type of place that makes my job seem easy. The area is a hidden gem that combines natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality. It’s nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, with the stunning landscapes of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, rich Appalachian heritage, and Southern comfort cuisine. As you can tell, I love where I am and what I do.
What made you choose the meetings and events industry?
The industry chose me, and for that, I am so thankful. I have always loved working in hospitality and events. This position allowed me to do both.
How did you get started, and what got you from there to today?
I graduated from the University of Tennessee in the hospitality program. I worked for many years in the hotel industry. Once I had children, I stayed home with them. But after nine years, the time came to return to the workforce. My first venture out was working with a local nonprofit, where I worked raising money for their foundation and coordinating events. This experience brought me in touch with many folks, and when the Blount Partnership job opened, I interviewed, and they hired me. It is my dream job, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I was so humbled to take on this position that I love and treasure daily.
How do you keep up with industry trends, changes, and cutting-edge developments?
Keeping up is a struggle, especially regarding social media and those trends. Thank goodness for great continuing education opportunities in our industry to keep us up on trends and changes. The changes and influence brought on by social media in our industry amaze me. When I started, we only had Facebook, which I handled myself. I had no social media background, so you can imagine how that was. Now, you look at all our platforms and digital marketing, and it amazes me how far it has all come in such a short time.
What essential skills should every industry professional possess?
Industry professionals should be organized and able to adjust to different situations. They also should be able to deal with all types of personalities.
What is the philosophy or approach to work that gets you through stressful times?
I am a strong proponent of mindfulness and deep breathing. It makes all the difference in the world regarding how you approach a situation.
What is the best professional advice you ever received, and what advice do you have for others in the industry?
One of the best things I’ve ever learned is listen to listen, not to respond. That is hard for me, but I have learned to listen and not speak when frustrated over the years. Take time to absorb all points of view before responding.
Describe your biggest professional success.
My biggest professional success has been watching our partners and community become even more successful due to increased tourism. Our job is to support our community, and when you see their success, you find great joy. Each year, we see a steady visitor increase of 10 to 15 percent. I believe it is due to our destination and to people looking for a more adventurous and active vacation and meeting destination. The ability to see stars and listen to a river and not be overrun by traffic and commercialized areas is what most are looking for in our day of constant connectivity and stress.
Share an anecdote about a meeting or event that did not go as planned (something funny or odd) and how you handled it.
Events do not go as planned for most event planners, but you make quick decisions and move on, and hopefully, no one on the outside would know. I do, however, have event nightmares. They usually start about two weeks prior, and I wake up in a cold sweat because I didn’t order signs, T-shirts, or tents. I wake up and think, ‘It was just a dream.’
What is the best part of your job?
My co-workers. We are a family, and everyone pitches in and helps. The second-best part of my job is that I get to promote and share such a beautiful area with visitors.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I spend time with my family. It is a cliché, but time goes by so fast. My kids are 21 and 16, so they have a full schedule, and my time with them is precious.
