AGENDA
Opening NightWe’re kicking 2026 off by celebrating all things Volunteer State! Share your Tennessee connection to enter our Opening Night VIP celebration & sample some of the state's finest whiskey.
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5:00 PM
Named your first born after Dolly Parton? Have a full-color tattoo of the Memphis Pyramid on your chest? Self-painted See Rock City on your house’s roof? Astonish your doctor when you actually bleed Tennessee orange? Here’s your chance to brag!
Join us for a VIP party to officially open the Tennessee House for 2026 and kick off the weekend, and raise a glass with some of the Volunteer State’s most passionate fans and residents.
Plus: grab your fellow alum and show your Tennessee school spirit: UT orange, Vanderbilt black and gold, Tennessee Tech purple, Lipscomb purple, Rhodes red, and all that blue—Belmont, Fisk, Tennessee State, the University of Memphis, UT Chattanooga, and beyond.
Advanced registration is required – with your unique Tennessee connection boast.
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7:00 PM
Tennessee has been a leader in distilling spirits for decades, with an exceptional pride in craftsmanship. Now, hit the trail and sample top whiskeys from across the state, all from the comfort of the Tennessee House at SXSW, featuring leading liquors from Knoxville to Memphis, Chattanooga to Nashville, and see why the state is known for making some of the world’s finest whiskeys.
Nooga in the morning, Nash at night. Chatt & chill with game-changing startups in quantum and mobility – then add a dash of hot chicken heat as we dive into the sweet spot where innovation meets creativity… Plus, make this a SXSW Saturday night to never forget with Hip Hop Karaoke and a late-night line dancing party for Dolly Parton's 80th birthday.
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10:30 AM
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly takes the stage to host a showcase of exciting and groundbreaking startups from the Chattanooga region. Hear from the founders, get to know their technology, and discover why the Scenic City has been such a valuable and impactful place to build and grow a company.
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11:15 AM
Chattanooga’s deep-rooted spirit of innovation is especially visible in the region’s commitment to sustainable mobility. Join us for an exploration of intelligent traffic solutions with leadership from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga, entrepreneur center The Company Lab, and more.
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12:00 PM
Step into the quantum fast lane with a look at the state-of-the-art supercomputing hub emerging in Chattanooga—and the next-generation breakthroughs set to redefine tomorrow’s reality. Featuring leadership from EPB, IonQ, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Vanderbilt University, this session explores how quantum science is rapidly driving innovation and real-world impact.
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1:00 PM
At the crossroads of Freight Alley, stretching from Alabama to the Carolinas, Chattanooga has long driven distribution and logistics across the Southeast and beyond. In this special chat, the CEO of FreightWaves joins leaders from high-growth logistics companies including Highway, Repowr, and Reliance Partners to explore how the city is building on that legacy—emerging as a bold, modern hub for next-gen innovation in the global supply chain.
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2:00 PM
Celebrate the 65th anniversary of Collegedale, TN’s McKee Foods’ ever-popular snack cakes and face off in a few spirited rounds of Chatta-trivia for a chance to win sweet swag and special prizes.
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3:00 PM
Tennessee House will close at 3:00 for a brief break to allow our squad of well-trained raccoons to reset for the evening’s programming. Doors will reopen at 5:00.
ChattaNooga Nashville-
5:30 PM
Nashville made national headlines with the announcement of a bold new Nissan Stadium—set to open in 2027 as home of the Tennessee Titans and a next-gen venue for sports, entertainment, and more. Now, join Titans leadership for an inside look at the innovation driving and shaping this landmark project, from a circular, high-tech translucent roof to sustainability-first materials and frictionless walk-out concession technology. Get a preview of how Music City’s newest – and largest – venue and discover what’s next.
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6:00 PM
In recent years, Nashville has seen a robust portfolio of startups rise and scale with exciting momentum and undeniable buzz. We’ve gathered founders from some of the most promising companies, including Potluck, Rebel Audio, Spikey, and Whisper Aero, to showcase their work and offer an up-close look at the future, middle Tennessee-style.
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7:00 PM
Nashville’s Vanderbilt University is turning cutting-edge research into real-world impact. In this panel, hear how ideas born in the lab are being translated into technologies, startups, and solutions that are shaping industries and improving lives. Panelists will share lessons from the journey from discovery to deployment—and what it takes to move innovation out of the lab and into action. Topics include leveraging AI in the drug discovery pipeline, the HeroWear exosuit, and surgical robotics innovations.
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8:00 PM
Hip Hop Karaoke has been a Nashville smash since 2019—and an immediate crowd favorite at Tennessee House. Now, the team behind the knockout hit returns for The Three-Peat, bringing more jams, fresh beats, and a high-energy, hands-on party. Grab the mic, pick your track, and get ready for an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss.
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10:00 PM
Shine up your boots and hit the dance floor as we celebrate Tennessee icon Dolly Parton’s recent milestone 80th birthday with a late-night line dancing party. Guided by expert instructors, learn some new steps to a soundtrack of Dolly’s biggest hits and adored fan favorites. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just here for the sparkle and fringe, come ready to stomp, spin, and celebrate one of Tennessee’s most beloved superstars.
Start your morning out East with a dynamic look at what’s new in nuclear, and meet some of Knoxville's next-gen companies. Then, grab your blue suede shoes, head west to the Digital Delta and meet Memphis to uncover why Bluff City is drawing game-changing data centers and innovative startups.
Knoxville + Oak Ridge-
11:00 AM
Nuclear energy is playing a growing role in shaping East Tennessee’s economic and technological future. In this panel, experts from mission-driven companies, including Type One Energy and TVA, will explore the latest advances in nuclear technologies, how they’re transforming the state today, and what’s coming next. Join the conversation on innovation, impact, and the power driving what’s ahead.
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12:00 pM
Knoxville has long been an exceptional hub of innovation, fueled by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the work of its Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development. Be there as founders from some of the region’s most promising startups, including Aquafer Technologies, Orion Therapeutics, and TreisD, take the stage to showcase their companies, introduce their technologies, and offer an inside look at what’s coming next from East Tennessee.
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1:00 PM
This spring marks the launch of TNIX, a new digital platform designed to power collaboration across Tennessee’s innovation economy. Born from a partnership between Launch Tennessee, the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC), and global network Halo, TNIX connects universities, researchers, and industry partners in one dynamic statewide hub.
Join us at our R&D Mixer to celebrate the debut of a platform designed to move bold ideas from lab to market — faster. Meet the collaborators, spark new partnerships, and plug into the future of innovation in Tennessee.
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1:30 PM
SXSW, it’s time to crank up that Neyland Stadium energy! Join us for a full-throttle pep rally celebrating the unstoppable spirit of the University of Tennessee — where bright research, bold ideas, and even bigger game days collide.
Deck yourself out with airbrush tattoos, UT-orange nail polish, and rally-ready pom poms — then warm up those vocal cords for a rowdy singalong to “Rocky Top.” Alumni, superfans, and orange-curious newcomers alike: this is your moment to cheer loud, stand proud, and make Austin glow Big Orange.
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3:00 PM
Tennessee House will close at 3:00 for a brief break to allow our squad of well-trained raccoons to reset for the evening’s programming. Doors will reopen at 5:00 for Memphian fun!
Memphis-
5:30 PM
Memphis has always moved the world — now it’s powering what’s next. Step into the Digital Delta with Ted Townsend, President & CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber, and hear from local leaders how the region is transforming into powerhouse in the data-driven economy. From a groundbreaking urban-rural innovation district to explosive growth in AI, advanced manufacturing, agri-tech, supply-chain innovation, and sustainable technology, explore how the city is engineering its next chapter with a bold focus on innovation, a global magnet for data centers, and a new wave of next-gen industry.
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7:00 PM
Think you’re top of the Pyramid when it comes to Memphis history? Here’s your chance to prove it and test your knowledge of the King, Bluff City lore, and the songs, stories, and swagger that put Memphis on the global stage.
Bring your best Suspicious Minds — and your fastest buzzers — because winners will score must-have prizing straight from Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises. From iconic memorabilia to can’t-miss collectibles, it’s a little less conversation, a little more competition.
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7:30 PM
In recent years, Memphis has built serious momentum as a launchpad for high-growth startups across logistics, healthcare, agtech, and beyond. From supply chain innovation to medtech and mobility, a new generation of founders is scaling bold ideas in the heart of the Digital Delta. Meet the entrepreneurs behind some of Memphis’ most exciting companies, including AnyCreek, Backbone Technologies, and Sound Credit, and get an up-close look into the future.
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8:30 PM
Twenty years ago, Hustle & Flow put Memphis hip hop on the global stage — and made Oscar history.
Join multimedia journalist, DJ, and on-air personality Jared "Jay B." Boyd and Memphis music artists and songwriters, including Al Kapone, Frayser Boy, and Scott Bomar, for an unforgettable anniversary celebration of the 2005 Academy Award–winning film that remains a cultural touchstone two decades later. From its personal origins to its unforgettable rap anthems, Hustle & Flow captured the raw ambition and unmistakable sound of a burgeoning Southern rap movement — and introduced it to the world.
In this special conversation, revisit the making of the film, its global impact on Memphis’ hip hop scene, and the legacy it continues to shape two decades later.
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9:00 PM
Global ambassador of the Memphis Sound, DJ Bizzle Bluebland takes over the decks for a high-voltage finale, spinning a genre-bending set of Memphis soul, hip hop, R&B, and straight-up party anthems. This isn’t just a DJ set — it’s a full-on Bluff City party.
Close out the Tennessee House weekend with a dance floor drenched in Southern soul and pulsing with the timeless groove of Stax Records. Come ready to move, sweat, and send SXSW off Memphis-style — bold, brassy, and unforgettable
