KKB’s 6th Annual Summit:
How To Build A Heat Resilient City

We are excited to announce KKB’s 6th Annual Summit

Is it hot in here or is it just the infrastructure?? How we develop a city can either keep it cool or create intense heat pockets. Join us as we learn from experts about the necessity of building a heat resilient city where we can continue to live, work, and play. We hope to see you for a day of learning! 

The Summit will be held on February 7th, 2025 at the East Tennessee History Center

Sign Up Here: https://www.keepknoxvillebeautiful.org/upcoming-events/kkb-summit-2025


A Brief Overview of KKB’s Previous Summits

In 1982, the Greater Knoxville Beautification Board (as KKB was known then) hosted Knoxville 2000: A Vision of the Future. This symposium allowed Knoxvillians to imagine what their city might be like in 20 years. In 2019, in honor of KKB’s 40th anniversary, the Sustainability Summit was born as a reimagined Knoxville 2000. With the KKB Sustainability Summit, we hope to inspire Knox County residents to also dream about the future while drawing on inspiration from other cities. Check out previous years’ topics below!

2023

Theme: Reimagining the Asphalt Jungle

Speakers: Jack Cebe (Stitch Development Director), Kate Cavazza (Associate Urban Designer and Planner at the City of Charlotte Urban Design Center), Eric Hoke (Design Director at Civic Design Center), Caleb Racicot (Senior Principal at TSW Design)

2022

Theme: Urban Reconnection to Nature

Speakers: Mayor Knox White (Mayor of Greenville, SC), Cathy Sloss Jones (Chair of Urban Land Institute, Alabama Chapter), Ryan Alson (Communications and Outreach Manager, Baltimore Tree Trust)

2021

Theme: Cleaner, Greener, Connected

Speakers: Ellen Zavisca (Principal Planner, Knoxville Regional Transportation Organization), Drew Frye (Senior Power Utilization Engineer, Tennessee Valley Authority), Chasity Hobby (Environmental Stewardship Lead, Knoxville Utility Board), Si McMurray (Director of Procurement and Project Manger, Knoxville Area Transit)

2020

Theme: Environmental Stewardship

Speakers: Melissa Hinten (UTK’s Office of Sustainability), Harley Bryant (KUB), Ashlee Mays (UTK)

 2019

Theme: Shaping a Resilient Knoxville

Speakers: Pete Crowley (Discovery, Inc.), Melissa Eads (Kroger), Brad Collett (TN River Line)