Unleashing Potential: The International Coaching Federation Conference at the Community Foundation of Tennessee

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) recently hosted a two-day conference at the Community Foundation of Tennessee, bringing together coaching professionals from all walks of life. This event was an invaluable opportunity for coaches to not only refine their skills but also to strengthen their networks and deepen their impact in the lives of their clients.

As the official photographer for the event, I captured the energy, enthusiasm, and dedication that filled the space. Each moment—whether a focused conversation, an insightful workshop, or a quiet moment of reflection—was a testament to the dedication and commitment of the coaching community.

The ICF conference offered an array of workshops designed to provide coaches with tangible tools and strategies that they could implement in their practices immediately. One of the highlights of the conference was the focus on behavior change. Coaches explored new techniques for better understanding and supporting their clients through transformative shifts in behavior.

Another standout theme of the conference was the power of community. Several workshops were dedicated to helping coaches create stronger, more supportive environments for their clients. Building community is an essential aspect of coaching, especially as clients strive to cultivate positive relationships and foster meaningful connections in their lives. The collective energy in the room was palpable, and capturing these moments on camera gave me a deeper appreciation for the strength of the coaching community.

Anthology Conference at Opryland

I photographed a 4-day conference hosted by Anthology, an EdTech company dedicated to helping educators incorporate technology into classrooms and campuses. Nestled within the expansive Opryland Resort, the conference was a nexus of innovation and collaboration and was a whirlwind of workshops, networking opportunities, and entertainment—all centered around the future of education.

Throughout the event, workshops covered a wide range of topics—from classroom technology tools to adaptive learning strategies, and attendees learned practical solutions for incorporating these technologies into their own teaching. As a photographer, it was exciting to capture these moments of engagement—whether it was an attendee taking notes during a hands-on workshop or a group of educators brainstorming the next big idea in education technology.

One of the most striking aspects of the conference was the networking opportunities available. During breaks and happy hours, I saw teachers and administrators from all over the world exchanging ideas, building collaborations, and finding inspiration in each others’ work. It was obvious that the informal yet vibrant conversations at these events were just as impactful as the formal sessions.

As the conference was not just about learning but also about creating memorable experiences, attendees were entertained by circus performers and impersonators of Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. It was a great way to experience Nashville!

As a photographer, capturing the full spectrum of such a dynamic event was an exciting challenge. From the bright, lighting of the workshops to the moody ambiance of evening entertainment, every moment required a different approach. But these challenges only made the process more rewarding. I was able to capture the genuine interactions and the candid, memorable moments that made the conference so special and show them in unique shots that each tell a story about the event.

Propelled Brands Franchise Empowerment Conference

The Propelled Brands conference took place at the iconic JW Marriott in downtown Nashville, bringing together franchise owners from all corners of the globe. This Conference was designed to empower franchise owners by offering workshops focused on key areas of business development. Industry experts led sessions on using social media effectively, sharing strategies to bolster a brand’s presence and engagement. These workshops provided actionable takeaways that attendees could immediately apply to their franchises, making it a must-attend event for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in their industry.

In addition to workshops, the conference offered a rich environment for networking. Franchise owners had the opportunity to meet like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and forge new partnerships for more success in their businesses.

While the primary goal of the event was to provide education and networking opportunities, the conference organizers made sure there was plenty of room for fun. One of the most memorable moments was the mock game show, inspired by the popular "Price is Right." It was a chance for attendees to unwind, enjoy some friendly competition, and laugh together.

The fun continued with a night out on the town at the legendary Category 10, where guests had the chance to immerse themselves in Nashville's famous nightlife. Attendees tried their hand at square dancing, enjoyed the city's vibrant energy, and connected with others in a more relaxed and informal setting.

As the photographer for the event, I had the privilege of capturing the energy and excitement of this conference. From the focused moments in the workshops to the lively social scenes, it was rewarding to document the way attendees not only interacted with one another, but also how they learned new skills while having fun along the way.

Whether it was a candid shot of a speaker delivering a powerful presentation or a moment of laughter during the game show, my goal was to preserve the essence of the event for both the franchise owners and Propelled Brands as a whole.

Allyson and Derek's Birthday Boat Cruise

Allyson and Derek celebrated their 60th birthdays by gathering their closest friends on a boat and sailing off into the sunset on Old Hickory Lake. It was such an amazing party to photograph!

International Carbon Summit

The International Carbon Summit had their annual meeting at The Sheraton in downtown Nashville and afterparty at the Skye Lounge which towers above the city with spectacular views.

Horizons After Party

After a long and grueling day in high-tech workshops, the conference attendees were treated to a fabulous after party at the iconic Woolworth Theater in downtown Nashville. Professional dancers taught the crowd some line-dancing moves, and the aerial performers added a palpable excitement to the event. Perhaps the excitement was really nervousness-at least mine- of them spinning above the heads of the audience with no safety net below, but they knew what they doing and didn’t slip up once. In addition to the performance, there was delicious food, live country music, and a southern belle with a champagne skirt!

Builders Mutual Event at Yee Haw Brewery

Builders Mutual had the closing party of their yearly conference at Yee Haw Brewing Company in Nashville. A band played, people danced, and there was even a Dolly impersonator which was definitely a highlight of the evening!

Rainmaker

Model N/Rainmaker had their annual conference in Nashville. This conference caters to executives in high-tech and pharmaceutical fields with presentations by thought leaders in the industry as well as strategizing sessions for streamlining and scaling operations.

Alcon

Alcon had their yearly sales meeting at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville. People from all over Europe and Canada met up, many for the first time in person, to discuss the previous year’s progress and to strategize for the months ahead. It wasn’t all work, however, as the attendees definitely found time to let off some steam with line-dancing lessons and opportunites to get their Nashville on by picking out boots and hats to take home!

Redfin Feature

The coolest thing happened, I was featured in a Redfin article about 15 fun things to do in Nashville!

You can check it out here.

Tennessee Medical Association

The Tennessee Medical Association spent an afternoon at the Tennessee State Capitol for their annual event “Doctors’ Day on the Hill.” This is their annual policy briefing and lobby day in Nashville where physicians from all over the state connect directly with lawmakers so they can advocate for their patients and discuss major issues affecting the medical profession in Tennessee.

Bank of America Conference

Merrill, the wealth management division of Bank of America, had their annual conference at the Renaissance Nashville. Team members from around the country met together and discussed business strategies for the upcoming year. They had a chance to unwind and have fun seeing local music at Brooklyn Bowl, and had a great team-building exercise putting together care packages for Nashville’s needy.

Laravel Tech Conference

Laravel, a tech company, put on their first conference for programmers that use their product. It was held at the iconic Marathon Music Works. I’ve gone there tons of times for concerts, but never for a corporate event. I was pleased to see that it’s a great place for an event! The building has tons of history and character. I loved shooting there!

Fiber Conference

The Fiber Broadband Association had their conference at the lovely Gaylord Palms in Orlando. Communications experts, politicians, and lobbyists gathered together for 3 days to discuss the future of telecommunications and how to bring the internet to disadvantaged communities in order to promote economic opportunity.

Family Portrait Session at Shelby Park

I do love doing family portraits and Shelby Park is such an awesome place to do it!

Volunteer State Bank Appreciation Day at a Nashville Sounds Game

Volunteer State Bank had their Employee Appreciation Day at a Nashville Sounds game and it was a big hit! Gotta love a boss who will take you out to a ball game.

American Banker Conference

American Banker held a conference targeting the Small Biz industry at the JW Marriott in Downtown Nashville. With keynotes, panels, and other informative presentations, attendees were able to brush up on their financial knowledge with how it pertains to the small business sector.

UPS Healthcare Forum

UPS Healthcare had their Annual Forum at the beautiful JW Marriott. The forum’s world-class speakers, such as Robin Roberts and General Gustave Perna, combined with panels and presentations identified and analyzed powerful trends in the future of healthcare.

Dynasty Financial Planners Investor Forum

Dynasty Financial Planners Investor Forum was an exclusive, invite-only conference featuring three days of purposeful programming focused on trending investment topics & strategy, best practices, entrepreneurial growth and global perspectives. It took place at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville. Financial experts from all over the world gathered and discussed topics of the field. Celebrities Cathy Wood, Jeb Bush, and Daymond John spoke and shared their knowledge.

Emids Conference

Emids, a tech company that offers technological solutions for the medical industry, had their conference at the beautiful One Hotel in downtown Nashville. One Hotel is one of the newer hotels in the Nashville market and it was a gorgeous space to have this event. Miranda Lambert closed the event by putting on a stellar performance at the Country Music Hall of Fame!