Chamber Earns Global Recognition for Memphis Music Heritage Promotion
MEMPHIS, TN – September 10, 2025 – The Greater Memphis Chamber has been nominated for the prestigious “Best Music Tourism Initiative” at the 2025 Music Cities Awards, recognizing the Chamber’s innovative work in leveraging Memphis’ rich musical heritage to drive economic development and tourism.
The nomination places Memphis among global leaders using music to transform cities, with the Chamber competing alongside “KOLFEST” Public Fund (Kyrgyzstan) and Queensland Music Festival (Australia) in its category.
This recognition follows the Chamber’s strategic partnership with Sound Diplomacy, the City of Memphis, and ARTSmemphis in 2023 to develop a comprehensive Memphis Music Strategy. The ten-month initiative engaged nearly 700 stakeholders through roundtables, surveys, and one-on-one interviews, resulting in an extensive analysis of Memphis’ music ecosystem. The strategy positioned Memphis alongside other forward-thinking cities, such as San Francisco, Indianapolis, and New Orleans, in developing a formal music strategy to leverage its musical legacy.
“This nomination validates our strategic focus on Memphis’ unparalleled musical legacy as both a cultural treasure and an economic driver,” said Ted Townsend, President & CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber. “The Memphis music ecosystem contributes over $720 million to our local economy. Our music tourism initiatives showcase not just our past contributions but our ongoing innovation in the music industry, creating jobs and economic opportunities throughout our community.”
“This nomination reflects the strength of Memphis’ music ecosystem and the commitment of our community to building pathways for artists and industry professionals” said Tecora Murray, Executive Director of the Greater Memphis Economic Research Group. “By grounding our Music Strategy in data and collaboration, we’re ensuring that Memphis’ musical heritage continues to drive economic opportunity and inspire innovation worldwide.”
The 2025 Music Cities Awards received a record 365 applications across 11 categories, representing 51 countries from 6 continents. Winners will be announced on September 16 during the Awards Ceremony at Music Cities Convention 2025 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The Chamber’s nomination highlights Memphis’ strategic position in the global music economy. This recognition comes as Memphis continues to experience high growth in creative sectors, further cementing its reputation as a cultural and economic powerhouse.
The Music Cities Awards, now in its fifth year, celebrates organizations, public bodies, cultural leaders, and artists who are redefining how music can drive social, economic, and cultural impact worldwide.
To see the full list of nominated projects and more information about the Music Cities Awards, visit: www.musiccitiesevents.com/awards
About The Greater Memphis Chamber
One of Memphis’ oldest institutions, dating back to 1838, the Greater Memphis Chamber is a privately funded nonprofit that serves as the region’s lead economic development organization and the “Voice of Memphis Business” on local, state, and national issues. The Chamber’s mission is to drive the Memphis business agenda for Greater Memphis. We do this by relentlessly pursuing prosperity for all — through economic and workforce development, pro-growth advocacy, and by providing support and resources to its investors, which include many of the region’s largest employers.