Planner registration is free for the first 30 days.

After that, it is $125.

Spouse registration is $115

In order to qualify for the Hosted Planner program, you must have an event that utilizes at least 50 hotel rooms on peak night of your event, be the primary decision maker for your organization and have an event that meets in multiple locations. As a hosted planner, you'll receive reimbursement for your hotel room (up to 4 nights single rate at host hotel), airfare (based on the reimbursement schedule) or mileage up to $150 and your conference registration fee.

In exchange for your reimbursement, you'll be expected to
a)  Engage in conversation with at least 10 exhibitors during each expo time (Wednesday and Thursday) for a total of 20 exhibitors.  You are required to remain on the tradeshow floor for the duration of all expo hours. 
b) Upload an RFP to the networking site.  You may upload the document during registration or at a later time.  Deadline to upload RFP is 12/31/22.
c) Attend the Tuesday afternoon Member Orientation.

Just because you don't qualify or choose not to participate in the program, doesn't mean you aren't welcome to attend. There are numerous benefits to attending the Emerge Conference that are well worth your time and investment.

Your opportunity to participate in the 2023 Emerge conference and tradeshow is dependent upon our faithful sponsors and suppliers and their willingness to help underwrite a portion of your cost to attend. Good stewardship requires your support and gratitude to them. Please show your support by participating in the tradeshow by visiting with as many suppliers as possible.

You are certainly welcome to attend the conference and participate in all aspects of the conference and tradeshow.  You are welcome to simply roam the exhibit floor and interact with suppliers at your leisure.

Emerge 2023 will include two open tradeshow times called the Exchange.  The Exchange is scheduled for Wednesday morning from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM and Thursday afternoon, 2:30 - 4:45 PM

Both days will see planners visiting suppliers in their booths.  Planners will interact with suppliers at their own pace.  Hosted Planners are asked to visit with a minium of 10 exhibitors each day.

For further networking opportunities, log into the Attendee Service Center after registering and access the "Networking" link.  This link gives you the opportunity to research all booths and booth staff ahead of the event.  Although there are no formal appointments this year, you can reach out through the software and set an informal time to meet.

Planner Hotel Rooms
Chattanooga Marriott/Downtown - $129/nt
The Chattanoogan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton - $119/nt
The Read House Historic Inn and Suites - $98/nt
The Westin Chattanoogan - $119/nt
+17.25% tax

The link to make hotel reservations is ONLY found in your registration confirmation email.

Hotel cutoff is January 9, 2023

ATTENTION:  HOUSING SCAM ALERT
Once you are registered for Emerge 2023, you will receive a confirmation email with the link to make hotel reservations in our block. Should an outside organization contact you to assist with this process, please do not book any hotel rooms with them.  RCMA has not contracted with any outside group to assist in this process.  The "Convention Housing Authority/Expo Services" is a well-know scam and has had many complaints filed against them.  They have attempted to poach the room block for which RCMA has contracted in the past.
 

The Chattanooga Tourism Co. will provide complimentary Airport Shuttle service for everyone attending Emerge on the following days and times:

Hotel transportation for Arrivals
Monday, January 23, 2023: 10:00 am – 12:30 am
Tuesday, January 24, 2023: 10:00 am – 12:30 am

The complimentary Airport Shuttle service will pick up once per hour, at the top of the hour on Monday, January 23^rd and Tuesday, January 24^th from 10:00am until 12:30am. Any flights arriving near 12:00am, the last shuttle will depart at 12:30am.

Board the Airport Shuttle buses as you exit the Airport heading to Ground Transportation, through the Baggage Claim area

All designated airport shuttles for Emerge will provide complimentary transportation to each Emerge hotel: Chattanooga Marriott, The Read House Hotel, The Westin Chattanooga and the Chattanoogan Hotel

You will see a Chattanooga Ambassador and welcome station at the bottom of the escalator, before heading to Baggage Claim. Stop by to chat and ask questions, if needed.

Return Airport Transportation for Departures
Friday, January 27, 2023: 4:00 am – 2:00 pm

The complimentary Airport Shuttle service will pick-up at each of the participating Emerge hotels for departure flights, on Friday, January 27^th beginning at 4:00am. At this start time, transportation will be stationed outside of each hotel at the designated pick-up area:

Bus 1: Chattanooga Marriott (11^th Street entrance)

Bus 2: Chattanoogan Hotel (Broad Street entrance)

Bus 3: Read House Hotel (M L King Blvd. entrance) + Westin Chattanooga (Pine Street)

Shuttle Buses will continue Airport Shuttle services every hour, with the last departure pick-up at 2:00 pm

This is an opportunity for you to network with suppliers and planners in an informal dinner setting on Wednesday evening beginning at 5:00 PM. 

You may receive multiple invitations for your time on Wednesday.....be selective and choose those that you have a genuine interest in considering.

If you opt to go out on your own, Chattanooga offers lots of premium restaurants within walking distance of the hotels. 

Planner Overview:  This high-energy session will provide an overview of Emerge 2023 as well as a Q&A session. Make plans to join all planners on Tuesday from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Who knows? You could win a valuable prize! 

If you have opted to be a Hosted Planner, this session is required.

You should come prepared with 3 items:

1) Business Cards

2) Event Spec Sheet - you won't want to give an RFP to every single supplier you meet, but they would be eager and interested to know the details of your event. Prepare a one-sheet description of your event details to share.

3) RFP - a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) should be distributed sparingly for those venues and designations that you have a genuine interest in considering for a future event.  (Click here for a sample RFP.)

Temperatures in Chattanooga in January range in lows at night around 33 and 50 during the day.

For our daily sessions, business casual attire is appropriate.

Yes, there is a mobile app. You'll receive a a notice with instructions for downloading and utilizing its features closer to the event.

All Emerge conference activities and trade shows are restricted to those persons over the age of 18.