Tennessee Municipal League Annual Conference 2026
Visit Kingsport welcomes you to the 86th Annual Tennessee Municipal League Annual Conference, July 9-12, 2026. We’re thrilled to welcome municipal leaders from across the state to experience our vibrant city—where southern hospitality meets natural beauty. From scenic mountain views and thriving local businesses to inspiring sessions and unforgettable events, we can’t wait to showcase all that Kingsport has to offer.
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Off-Site Experiences
On Friday, July 10, enjoy off-site opportunities across Kingsport, Bristol, Jonesborough and Johnson City. From local flavor to regional culture, these curated experiences highlight the best of our region. Space is limited and registration is required, so be sure to sign up early and make the most of your time in Northeast Tennessee!
Guided Hike at Bays Mountain
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Bays Mountain as you stroll around our historic Reservoir. A park ranger will share stories about the reservoir and the park. Along the way you’ll learn about the wildlife that make Bays Mountain their home.
Overall hike is 2.5 miles round trip along moderate trails. The trail surface is hard pack dirt, with some roots and rocks, and several moderate inclines.
Click here for more information and to reserve your spot!
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium Habitat Tour
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium, nestled in scenic Kingsport, Tennessee, is a 3,788 acre nature preserve and the largest city owned park in the state. The park features a picturesque 44 acre lake, a Nature Center with a state-of-the-art Planetarium Theater and immersive native animal habitats.
On this tour, you’ll have the chance to spend time with a park ranger touring the state’s largest animal habitats. Listen to stories about the park’s bobcats, wolves, red foxes, and reptiles.
Click here for more information and to reserve your spot!
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Step into history at this 24,000-square-foot Smithsonian Institution affiliate, which celebrates the legacy of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions. This self-guided or introductory-guided experience explores how these historic recordings shaped the foundations of modern country and American music. Attendees will enjoy interactive, state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits, historic artifacts, multiple theater experiences, and a rotating special exhibit gallery. Register here to reserve your spot for a guided tour.
Guided Tour of Historic Jonesborough
History abounds in Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town, and one of the best ways to experience its charm and heritage is through a guided walking tour of historic downtown. Led by one of the Heritage Alliance’s knowledgeable, costumed tour guides, this approximately one-hour tour shares little-known facts, fascinating stories, and the rich history of Jonesborough from past to present.
Guests will stroll through downtown while learning about the town’s preserved architecture, historic landmarks, and the people and events that helped shape Tennessee history.
After the tour, guests are encouraged to enjoy lunch, browse downtown shops, or visit Tennessee Hills Distillery for tours and tastings. Guests may also register for the afternoon Storytelling Live concert for a full day of experiencing Jonesborough’s unique heritage and culture. Click here for more information and to register for the Jonesborough Walking Tour.
Downtown Kingsport Walking Tour
Discover the story of Downtown Kingsport through a guided walking tour that blends redevelopment, revitalization, history, public art.
Participants will explore the district’s evolving landscape, with highlights including Centennial Park, a variety of public and private redevelopment projects shaping Downtown Kingsport’s future, the Downtown Mural Trail, and learn about our vibrant retail and food/beverage business growth.
The tour will also feature the Downtown Kingsport Association’s DIG projects funded through TNECD, showcasing investments that have enhanced downtown vibrancy, preservation, and economic growth. Along the way, guests will learn about Kingsport’s rich history as a planned city designed by renowned planner John Nolen, while uncovering the stories, architecture, and cultural assets that continue to define the “Model City” today.
Register here to reserve your spot on the Downtown Kingsport Walking Tour. 
Canvas of the City Downtown Walking Tour of Johnson City
Join us for a tour of the vibrant art and murals in Downtown. We’ll start at the immersive Johnson City Visitor Center and then explore a park that has been transformed from a flood-prone area into a beautiful green space showcasing art and stunning plants. Following the trail, we’ll head down to King Commons to see the iconic historic Johnson City sign and more art installations before heading back towards Main St where you will be free to explore the many downtown shops and restaurants at the close of the tour.
Click here for more information and to reserve your spot for the tour!
Storytelling Concert featuring Adam Booth
Now in its 23rd season, the International Storytelling Center’s renowned Storytelling Live performance series features nationally known storytellers in live concerts throughout the year. This special performance will feature storyteller Adam Booth, the 2022 West Virginia Folk Artist of the Year.
Adam Booth blends traditional mountain folklore, music, and contemporary Appalachian perspectives to create original and forward-thinking story artistry. His work has been featured at venues and events across the country, including the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada, and arts events in more than 30 states. Adam currently serves as the inaugural Storyteller-In-Residence at Shepherd University.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy lunch, browse downtown shops, or visit Tennessee Hills Distillery for tours and tastings.
Guests may also register for the morning guided historic walking tour to enjoy a full day exploring Tennessee’s oldest town, including its shops, restaurants, and local attractions between events. Click here for more information and to register for the Storytelling Live Performance Concert.
Main Street, Jonesborough TN – Photography by Whitney S Williams
KINGSPORT AXMEN HOME GAME
Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m.
Kingsport Axmen vs. Greeneville Flyboys
Ballad Health Field at Hunter Wright Stadium
TML CONFERENCE ATTENDEE DISCOUNT TICKETS: $8.76
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
