Tennessee Child Care
Solutions Summit
Tennessee’s premier gathering of business leaders, policymakers, innovators, and advocates exploring proven strategies, new incentives, and smart investments that make child care work for employers and families
Early Bird tickets on sale for $199 through June 15. Standard price $225.
» Register NowWhat You’ll Walk Away With
Business Leaders on the Front Lines of Policy
Firsthand insights from Tennessee business executives who successfully advocated for smart state investments in child care this legislative session
Proven Strategies and a Support Network
Real examples of how Tennessee employers are investing in child care, from flexible scheduling to onsite care, plus connection to experts for help building your solution
New Incentives and How to Use Them
A clear understanding of the expanded federal 45F tax credit, Smart Steps, and CareShareTN, with expert guidance on accessing them for your business
Host Committee
Josh Brown
President & CEO, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Miles Burdine
President & CEO, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
Bob Cantler
President & CEO, The Johnson City Chamber
Stephanie Coleman
President & CEO, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Bryan Daniels
President & CEO, Blount Partnership
Ryan Egly
President & CEO, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
Matt Largen
President & CEO, Williamson, Inc.
Rick Meredith
President, Anderson County Chamber of Commerce
Amy New
President & CEO, Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce
Mike Odum
President & CEO, Knoxville Chamber
Beth Rhinehart
President & CEO, Bristol Chamber of Commerce
Pat Sheehy
President, Tennessee Business Roundtable
Kyle Spurgeon
President & CEO, Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce
Lindsay Theobold
CEO, Obion County Chamber of Commerce
Duncan Williams
Chairman & CEO, Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce
Charles Wood
President & CEO, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
Agenda
Coffee and Networking
Opening Remarks: Workforce of Today & Tomorrow - The Business Case for Quality Child Care
The Child Care Advantage
Hear from Tennessee business leaders featured in The Child Care Advantage, a landmark report showcasing employers across the state who are supporting employees’ child care needs and seeing returns in recruitment, retention and productivity.
- TBA
Better Together: Intergenerational Shared-Site Care
Discover how co-locating child care within elder care communities improves outcomes for children and older adults alike—and creates a compelling value proposition for facilities, families, and the workforce.
- Lavonda Cantrell, Director of Marketing and Special Projects, Hillcrest Healthcare and VP, Hillcrest Healthcare Foundation
- Lori Humphries, Vice President of Child Care Services for the YMCA of East Tennessee
- TBA
Lunch and Networking
Public-Private Partnerships Growing Child Care Supply
Hear how innovative affordable housing developers, industrial development boards, and school districts have paired public and private sector resources to creatively expand child care access for employees and families across Tennessee.
- TBA
Senator Marsha Blackburn Fireside Chat on Child Care
Senator Marsha Blackburn joins TQEE CEO Blair Taylor for a discussion on child care, including the newly expanded federal “45F” child care tax credit for employers investing in child care.
- The Honorable Marsha Blackburn, United States Senate
- Blair Taylor, President & CEO, TQEE
Business Leaders on the Front Lines of Advocacy
Hear from Tennessee business leaders who successfully advocated for smart state investments in child care in the 2026 legislative session. Learn what was accomplished and what it means for Tennessee’s business community and child care.
- Alan Levine, Chairman & CEO, Ballad Health
- Dave Miller, CEO, Apex Bank
- Scott Niswonger, Founder, Chairman, CEO & President, Niswonger Foundation | TN Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
- Josh Brown, President & CEO, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- TBA
Incentives & Tools for Business Investment in Employee Child Care
Explore the 45F tax credit, Smart Steps, CareShareTN, and other resources available to businesses supporting employee child care — plus expert guidance on accessing them.
- Jim Meade, CEO and Managing Shareholder of LBMC, PC
- TBA
State Policymaker Recognition
We’ll recognize state policymakers elevating quality, affordable child care as smart economic policy.
Concluding Remarks and Call to Action
Adjourn
Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
