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Southern Travelers Explore Conference

Southern Travelers Explore Conference (#STE), created by mom-daughter duo Melody Pittman and Taylor Hardy, brings together bloggers, influencers, and travel brands for a weekend of learning, networking, and collaboration.

With sessions, small group chats, and a Sunday marketplace, #STE fosters an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone in the travel space can grow and connect.

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Join us and be a part of our #STE Family!

Save the date for our next stop on Feb 26th — March 1, 2026. Keep an eye out for on our Facebook page (#STE FB page) to stay up to date. Blogger/content creator tickets sold out in a record five hours for the 2025 #STSEOconeeCoSC conference.

CVBS, DMOS, and brands should email us for tickets and/or sponsorship inquiries.

Southern Travelers Explore Conference has been held in Thomasville, Georgia (#STEThomasville 2020), Tupelo, Mississippi (#STETupelo 2021), Huntsville, Alabama (#STEHuntsville 2022), Irving, Texas (#STEIrving 2023), Gulf Shores, Alabama (#STEAlabamaBeaches 2024), and Oconee County, South Carolina (#STEOconeeCoSC 2025). We have also hosted small retreats, such as in Johnson City, Tennessee (#STEJohnsonCity 2021).

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#STEOconeeCoSC Recap

Visit Oconee County, in South Caroina’s Upcountry, truly rolled out the welcome mat for our 6th annual Southern Travelers Explore conference and gave our attendees the perfect mix of adventure, charm, and southern hospitality. With a third of our guests attending for the first time—and only three having visited the area before—it was a thrill to introduce this fresh destination to so many.

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Highlights

  • Dance Classes & Carriage Rides: We learned new moves, met adorable miniature farm animals, and took horse-drawn carriage rides under the stars.
  • Unique Meeting Venues: From productive sessions at a most scenic winery (Chattooga Belle Farm) to networking inside an actual water tank building (yes, really!), our meetings were anything but ordinary.
  • Outdoor Adventures: With stunning waterfalls and peaceful natural surroundings, attendees found plenty of time to explore the great outdoors.
  • Welcome Reception at Off the Alley at Nimmons Hall: A warm kickoff with food, fellowship, and that signature Upcountry charm.

Visit Oconee went above and beyond to show us the heart of their community, and our attendees left with full hearts and lasting memories. From first-timers to returning friends, everyone walked away with a new appreciation for this off-the-beaten-path treasure.

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Posts from #STEOconeeCoSC

#STEAlabamaBeaches Recap

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach rolled out the red carpet for our attendees with beachside lodging, conference space, and unforgettable activities. It was our biggest conference yet, but it still felt intimate and family-like.

Highlights

  • Seafood Boil on the Gulf Coast: Fresh, delicious, and perfectly beachy.
  • Sandcastle Building: Thanks to Sandcastle University, we crafted custom sand creations.
  • Live Music and Excellent Dine-Around Options.
  • Fun Evening at Flora-Bama: A world-famous drinking and live music spot that never disappoints.

Alabama Beaches, a long-time Southern Travelers Explore partner, welcomed us with open arms. We loved introducing some newbies to this gem, and they fell in love instantly. One attendee even said it was one of the best days of her life—that says it all.

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Posts from #STEAlabamaBeaches

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#STEIrving Recap

The entire city of Irving and its officials welcomed #STE with open arms for the most incredible weekend. The adorable Texican Court was the perfect setting as we discussed adding YouTube to our portfolios, TikTok and Reels, repurposing content, cashing in beyond writing, and affiliate marketing.

Highlights

  • Customizing our very own Stetson hats
  • Adding personalized locks to Irving’s Love Lock Bridge
  • Surprise gondola cruises on Lake Carolyn (all of which were gifts from Visit Irving!)
  • Our first unofficial Bonus afternoon educational sessions
  • Professional headshots by Veronicajune Photography (a gift from Melody & Taylor)

Visit Irving is a longtime tourism board friend and has attended and sponsored two previous #STE Conferences. We were thrilled for the opportunity to showcase their spectacular city and work with a team that has supported our #STE endeavor since the start.

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Posts From #STEIrving

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#STEHuntsville Recap

The 3rd #STE Conference brought together attendees from 21 different states to the heart of “The Rocket City,” Huntsville, Alabama. The brand-new 106 Jefferson Hotel served as our host hotel and meeting venue, and the staff went above and beyond to impress our guests, even delivering specially crafted food and beverage presentations to their rooms each evening.

Over the weekend, we dove into topics like CVB/blogger relations, how CVBs vet writers, and collaborating with brands. It was a weekend filled with learning, networking, and exploration.

Highlights

  • Opening Event at U.S. Space & Rocket Center: Tours led by Emeritus Docents under the iconic Saturn V rocket.
  • Brunch at 106 Jefferson’s Baker & Able Rooftop Bar: A bountiful brunch with stunning city views.
  • Dine-Around Event: An evening at Huntsville’s trendy Campus 805 and Stovehouse venues.

Huntsville is another long time tourism board friend and previous Southern Travelers Explore Conference attendee. As a CVB that really “gets” tourism, Huntsville was a fantastic partner and really helped take our conference to the next level.

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Posts From #STEHuntsville

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#STEJohnsonCity Recap

The first Southern Travelers Explore Retreat was a joyful weekend brimming with creativity and camaraderie. Hosted at the charming AAA Four Diamond Carnegie Hotel & Spa in Johnson City, Tennessee, it was a celebration of one-skill set programming with a focus on photography.

Attendees immersed themselves in eight engaging photography sessions, capturing the essence of beautiful destinations through their lenses.

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Highlights

  • Opening Event: We kicked off with a blast at the brand new Tennessee Hills Brewstillery. The atmosphere was electric!
  • Local Tour: A delightful visit to Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town, took us back in time with its rich history, quaint charm, and a memorable guided tour.
  • Windsor Speakeasy: The retreat wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the popular Windsor Speakeasy, where the ambiance transported us to another era

Posts From #STEJohnsonCity

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#STETupelo Recap

The 2nd Southern Travelers Explore Conference rolled into Tupelo, Mississippi, just after the 2021 winter storm that brought the entire state to a standstill. Despite the icy challenges and closed businesses, our resilient attendees made the most of it.

We dived into engaging discussions on video creation, Pinterest strategies, SEO optimization, and tax preparation for bloggers. The hybrid setup allowed us to connect in-person and over Zoom, making the experience accessible and enriching for everyone.

Highlights

  • Meaningful Discussions about video creation, Pinterest strategies, SEO optimization, and tax preparation.
  • Hybrid Experience with sessions both in-person and over Zoom.
  • Building Connections that turned our group into a #STE Family.
  • Resilience & Adaptability shown by our attendees despite the adverse conditions.

The biggest takeaway from #STETupelo? We’re in this business for you, our community. We became an extended family that year, and were thrilled to see most of our attendees return for the next year’s conference. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And that’s exactly what we did!

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Posts From #STETupelo

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#STEThomasville Recap

Our inaugural Southern Travelers Explore conference in Thomasville, Georgia, was an absolute dream! Just two weeks before the world shut down, 25 of us gathered in what Melody calls the “quintessential Southern town,” thanks to Bonnie from the Thomasville Visitors Center for making it happen.

South Eden Plantation was our charming base, where we dove into insightful sessions on podcasting, monetizing blogs, email marketing, and standing out in the digital crowd. A special highlight was hearing from Patricia Schultz, the captivating author behind the #1 New York Times bestseller, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die—Melody’s travel inspiration!

Highlights

  • Dining in Showboat Theater: Enjoyed meals in the historic venue where Gone with the Wind had its first viewing.
  • Taste of Thomasville Food Tour: Savored local flavors on an unforgettable culinary adventure.
  • The Big Oak: Captured memories under one of the largest Southern Live Oak trees east of the Mississippi.

Thanks to everyone who made our first conference so special. Here’s to many more adventures together!

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Posts From #STEThomasville

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