TVA event geared toward attracting business to Fannin/Polk

  • TVA Media Day participants had the option to choose whitewater rafting for their daily activity. Each participant had the opportunity to raft the upper and middle sections of the Ocoee River. Shown, from left, front row, are Tennessee Wesleyan University Representative Paul Willson, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Representative Chris Gilligan and Ocoee River Guide at Ocoee Water Sports Alex Storgion, back row, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Representatives Bridgett Hornsby and Bernardo Martinez.
    TVA Media Day participants had the option to choose whitewater rafting for their daily activity. Each participant had the opportunity to raft the upper and middle sections of the Ocoee River. Shown, from left, front row, are Tennessee Wesleyan University Representative Paul Willson, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Representative Chris Gilligan and Ocoee River Guide at Ocoee Water Sports Alex Storgion, back row, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Representatives Bridgett Hornsby and Bernardo Martinez.
  • TVA Media Day participants had the option to choose fly fishing as their activity of the day. Shown, from left, are Clint Jones, Owner of Toccoa River Outfitters & Fly Shop Andrew Bruce and TVA Representative Bob Dalrymple.
    TVA Media Day participants had the option to choose fly fishing as their activity of the day. Shown, from left, are Clint Jones, Owner of Toccoa River Outfitters & Fly Shop Andrew Bruce and TVA Representative Bob Dalrymple.
  • Fly fishing participants were given all the fishing equipment they would need for a successful adventure into the Toccoa River. All participants were given fishing instructions to be best prepared for the activity.
    Fly fishing participants were given all the fishing equipment they would need for a successful adventure into the Toccoa River. All participants were given fishing instructions to be best prepared for the activity.
  • Polk and Fannin County Chambers of Commerce made an appearance at the fly fishing event to show community support. Shown, from left, are Fannin County Recreation and Chamber representative Brandon Holloway, Director of Tourism Services and Development Jode Mull, Recreation Director Eddie O’Neal, Director of Polk County Chamber of Commerce Lynne McClary and President of Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Christie Gribble.
    Polk and Fannin County Chambers of Commerce made an appearance at the fly fishing event to show community support. Shown, from left, are Fannin County Recreation and Chamber representative Brandon Holloway, Director of Tourism Services and Development Jode Mull, Recreation Director Eddie O’Neal, Director of Polk County Chamber of Commerce Lynne McClary and President of Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Christie Gribble.
  • In between the upper and middle sections of the Ocoee River, TVA hosted a lunch hour where all participants could gather together to socialize and take a break from the strenuous activity. TVA representatives shown are, from left, Natural Resources Specialist Beth Cooke, Natural Resources Senior Program Manager Suzanne Fisher, Field Marketing and Communications Specialist Kelley Murray, TVA Media and Relations Specialist Scott Fielder, Communications Partner Pam Anderson and Social Media Coordinator Andrew
    In between the upper and middle sections of the Ocoee River, TVA hosted a lunch hour where all participants could gather together to socialize and take a break from the strenuous activity. TVA representatives shown are, from left, Natural Resources Specialist Beth Cooke, Natural Resources Senior Program Manager Suzanne Fisher, Field Marketing and Communications Specialist Kelley Murray, TVA Media and Relations Specialist Scott Fielder, Communications Partner Pam Anderson and Social Media Coordinator Andrew
  • Shown is Ocoee River guide at Cascade Outdoors Joe Norwood as he steers a group of TVA Media Day participants to the middle Ocoee put-in.
    Shown is Ocoee River guide at Cascade Outdoors Joe Norwood as he steers a group of TVA Media Day participants to the middle Ocoee put-in.
  • Shown, from left, speaking at the TVA Media Reception held at Tooney’s Music Venue in McCaysville, are TVA Media Relations Representative Scott Fielder, Toccoa River Outfitters & Fly Shop Owner Andrew Bruce, Director of Polk County Chamber of Commerce Lynne McClary, President of Ocoee Whitewater Outfitters Association Ryan Cooke, President of Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Christie Gribble, TVA Representative Bob Dalrymple and Tennessee State Parks Manager Angelo Giansante.
    Shown, from left, speaking at the TVA Media Reception held at Tooney’s Music Venue in McCaysville, are TVA Media Relations Representative Scott Fielder, Toccoa River Outfitters & Fly Shop Owner Andrew Bruce, Director of Polk County Chamber of Commerce Lynne McClary, President of Ocoee Whitewater Outfitters Association Ryan Cooke, President of Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Christie Gribble, TVA Representative Bob Dalrymple and Tennessee State Parks Manager Angelo Giansante.

    The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) hosted a networking reception Thursday, May 19, with the idea of attracting business to the Fannin and Polk County communities.

    The event was the kickoff for the annual TVA Media Day and was followed up Friday with whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River and fly fishing on the Toccoa River at Ron Henry Horesehoe Bend Park.

    The networking reception was held at Tooneys Music Venue in McCaysville with many different business booths available for guests to learn from.

    Throughout the variety of booths set up, event goers were able to learn about electric vehicles, energy efficiency ideas, renewable energy ideas, all things state parks and recreation, fly fishing, whitewater rafting and much more.

    CEO of ServeStar Aaron Miller, was the keynote speaker for the event and discussed why his company chose to relocate to Polk County, and he expressed ideas on how local businesses and companies can bring more opportunities to both Fannin and Polk communities.

    Many community representatives were also present at the event to share ideas and get the networking event kicked off. Amongst those speakers were Toccoa River Outfitters & Fly Shop Owner Andrew Bruce, Director of Polk County Chamber of Commerce Lynne McClary, Bob Dalrymple with the TVA, and State Park Manager Angelo Giansante.

    Among the officials who came out for the event were Copperhill Mayor Kathy Stewart, McCaysville Mayor Thomas Seabolt, representatives of Senator Bill Hagerty and Tennessee Representative Clark Boyd

    Dalrymple stated, “the reality is, when you look around this room, you see the movers and shakers that make things happen here in this area and around the communities.”