Build It and They Will Come! - Prophetic Words on the TMEPA Training Room
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When the TMEPA Board of Directors decided to sell the 229 Ward Circle property in Brentwood and purchase a new space to house TMEPA, much discussion was centered on how much space was needed. We had been at our previous location for over 30 years, and looking to the future we expected the new location to accommodate the needs of the Association for the next 30 years. The idea of building a training room was a vision shared by many but not all, simply because we didn’t know if and how it would utilized. Who was going to come? What kinds of training would we offer? Would this be used by our members and our associates? These were just some of the many questions, but there were no real answers since we were treading on new ground. This year we are proud to say that our friends at TVPPA have kept us busy almost every month of the year as the most frequent user of our facilities, and they have booked many dates through 2016. TVPPA offers a wide variety of trainings at facilities across the Valley, and they are unanimous in their praise of TMEPA’s facilities. Here are some of their comments as TVPPA enters into its second year of regularly using our facilities:
"Having a training facility central to our member LPCs is very important to TVPPA. The training room was thought out very well and provides everything we need for a class of anywhere from 10 to 30 participants. Everything needed is readily at hand and the TMEPA staff have proven to be a valuable partner in our educational process. I would recommend using this facility to anyone." - John Cooke, TVPPA Director of Education & Training.
"The TMEPA meeting rooms are extremely nice and well-suited for the meetings I need to conduct. Susan and the staff make using the rooms very easy and go out of their way to make the experience professional and pleasant. I highly recommend their use." - Doug Peters TVPPA Director for Technical Services.
"I can’t say enough about the TMEPA staff and how they have been so willing to accommodate our TVPPA Technical training needs. The facilities are state-of-the-art and the layout of both the training room and boardroom tend to make the experience both educational and enjoyable!" - Kim Culpepper, TVPPA Technical Education Manager.
"The TMEPA meeting rooms are top-notch for the delivery of our various training classes throughout the year. With a pleasant and professional staff, our members continue to request this location." - Caleb Hall, TVPPA Education & Training Coordinator.
Our good friends at TVA have also made use of our training room, also to glowing reviews.
"Having the TMEPA training room and boardroom available for TVA / TVPPA / local power company meetings is invaluable and a significant cost saver for all of us. The TMEPA team makes it easy for us to schedule and set up the room, and Susan Sherrill is an incredible host who caters to our every need! Whether it is training, committee meetings or strategic planning sessions, the TMEPA meeting space is versatile, convenient and well-equipped to meet our needs. TMEPA did a great job of designing the space to meet the needs of its members and business partners, and we greatly appreciate the forethought and planning, the attention to customer service, the low-cost meeting space availability and overall generosity of TMEPA." - Teresa Ashworth, TVA External Relations.
TMEPA members and their staff are always welcome to use the training room, the boardroom, and the guest office space for meetings or simply if they need a quiet spot to get some work done as they’re traveling through the area. Debbie Sain, Manager Communications and Marketing at McMinnville Electric System, is also a big fan of TMEPA facilities: "I have been more than pleased with the training/meeting facilities TMEPA offers its members. Having committee members in several different locations, the TMEPA facility works so well for us. We are able to offer convenience to those who drive in to the Nashville area and for those unable to get away from the office through the technology offered by way of a conference call."We are also proud to have hosted a Board Retreat
for one of our systems, which allowed them to get away for a couple of days for planning, preparation and fellowship with few distractions that could be present at a board meeting at home.
"Tullahoma Utilities Board used the TMEPA Board Room for a recent overnight Board Retreat. The room and location worked out great, with our group staying at the Hilton nearby. The facilities, AV equipment and general room comfort allowed for a great time of planning between management and our Board. I highly recommend using the TMEPA facilities if you ever have a similar need." - Brian Skelton, General Manager, Tullahoma Utilities Board.
Our audio/visual system is modern and easy to use. We have virtually unlimited guest Wi-Fi internet access allowing for up to 99 connections at one time. We endeavor to be gracious hosts, and our usage fees are nominal compared to costs at hotels and other meeting facilities. Of course, members of TMEPA don’t pay a facilities charge to use the training room or boardroom as all facilities are here for their benefit. Come on over and check us out. We think you will be impressed enough to add us to your short list of potential future meeting sites.
