We’re here to help. Need accommodations for the Nissan tour or elsewhere during the conference? Email us right away so we can plan accordingly.
Don't forget to check out the attire and packing tips here.

Monday, November 3, 2025
4:00 PM
Hotel Check In
 
 
 
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Registration Desk Open
 
 
 
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Welcome Reception at W Hotel
The Living Room at W Nashville

​​Welcome Reception at The Living Room Terrace (near the lobby)

  • Welcome from Kerri Mead Bell, president of Anchor Disposal and 2025 NWRA Women’s Council president
  • Special guest Lori Locust, defensive assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans, will also welcome us to Nashville and talk about her rise to being the first female position coach in the NFL and third female full-time assistant coach in NFL history
  • Heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served
  • Suggested attire is business casual
Lori Locust Kerri Mead-Bell
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Networking Reception
PROOF Rooftop Bar at W Nashville

​​​Join the group after dinner at PROOF, the rooftop restaurant and bar at W Nashville, for some networking, and lots of laughs! The indoor/outdoor space features 270-degree views of downtown Nashville, personalized photobooth, plus local beers, and a bespoke menu of craft cocktails.

 
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Registration Desk Open
 
 
 
7:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Breakfast & Morning Workshop
The Great Room at W Nashville

Start your day off right with a delicious breakfast and a fun morning activity! Be sure to head down by 7:45 a.m. so you don’t miss out.

 
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Transportation to Nissan Stadium
 

Meet at the front of the hotel for transportation to Nissan Stadium

 
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Sustainability & Innovation Tours at Nissan Stadium
Nissan Stadium

Get ready for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Nissan Stadium!

Join us for a special tour of Nissan Stadium, where we will learn all about the exciting plans for the new stadium, including their impressive sustainability efforts. The team will walk us through how they are repurposing and reusing many of the materials from the current stadium as part of their commitment to reducing waste and preserving resources.

Bonus: Keep your eyes peeled — we will have a surprise guest joining us for some fun photo ops you will not want to miss!

 
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Game-Changing Green Practices: The Future of Sustainable Venues
Nissan Stadium

James Arel, who oversees Stadium Operations & Sustainability for the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, will join us and share insights into how large-scale entertainment venues are leading the way in waste diversion, repurposing materials, and integrating green practices into everyday operations. James also plays a critical role in the development of the new Nissan Stadium—a cutting-edge, sustainability-driven venue set for LEED certification—where he emphasizes energy efficiencies, water conservation, and a bold zero-waste vision for game days and events

James Arel
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch and Networking at Nissan Stadium
Nissan Stadium

Lunch at Nissan Stadium - A menu of game day favorites!

 
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Fireside Chat with Brendon Pantano, CEO of Coastal Waste & Recycling
Nissan Stadium

A fireside chat with Brendon Pantano, CEO of Coastal Waste & Recycling
Do not miss this special conversation with Brendon Pantano, whose leadership journey is nothing short of inspiring. From the early days of Coastal Waste & Recycling — when the company was just an ambitious vision — to its remarkable growth into one of the fastest-growing waste and recycling firms in the country, Brendan has been at the helm every step of the way.

In this fireside chat, we will dive into how Coastal Waste & Recycling went from startup to industry leader, the lessons Brendon has learned along the way, and his vision for the future of sustainable waste management. It is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from a founder who has built a company rooted in purpose, people, and performance.

Brendon Pantano
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Transportation Back to the Hotel
 
 
 
2:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Teambuilding Challenge
The Great Room at W Nashville

Our next session explores the transformative practice of Mandala art—a creative and reflective tool that fosters leadership development, strengthens team dynamics, enhances mindfulness, and supports intentional goal setting.

 
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Afternoon Wrap Up
The Great Room at W Nashville

Women’s Council President Kerri Mead-Bell anchors the day with closing reflections and a look ahead at what’s next for the conference.

Kerri Mead-Bell
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
"What Lifts You" Photos
 

Join Liz, our on-site photographer, across the street at the “What Lifts You’ mural (i.e., the lace angel wings) for a photo opportunity in front
of this iconic Nashville spot! Please note that as this is public and popular there may be a wait. After your photo, feel free to explore! 

 
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Afternoon Break: Recharge & Explore
 

Take a moment to recharge — catch up on emails, relax at the hotel, or grab a few new friends and explore Nashville’s hidden gems before the evening festivities begin.

 
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Southern Buffet & Line Dancing at Luke Comb's Category 10
Luke Combs' Category 10

Put on your cowboy boots and MEET us at Luke Combs’ Category 10 for a Southern buffet and line dancing lessons!

  • Dancing optional—feel free to watch and enjoy the fun!

Please note: transportation will not be provided. Attendees are responsible for getting to and from the venue.

 
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Close Out the Night!
 

Continue on at local establishments on Broadway or go back to the hotel and get your beauty sleep😊

 
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Buffet Breakfast and Morning Activity
The Great Room at W Nashville

Buffet breakfast in the Great Room.

 
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Professional Development and Leadership Workshop
The Great Room at W Nashville

Meet us in the ballroom for a surprise, fun-filled team-building experience!

In this interactive session, participants will strengthen their collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills as they work together to build a cohesive and functional machine. It is a hands-on activity that sparks creativity and teamwork—with a purpose. This session also includes a meaningful food donation to The Nashville Food Project!

 
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch and 2025 Board Highlights
The Great Room at W Nashville

Join us in The Great Room for lunch as the Board shares 2025 Highlights—a look back at this past year’s accomplishments, featuring updates from each committee and the measurable ROI of our collective efforts.

 
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Executive Fireside Chat with Michael E. Hoffman, NWRA President & CEO
The Great Room at W Nashville

Join Michael E. Hoffman, President and CEO of the National Waste & Recycling Association for a fireside chat with Devina Rankin, CFO of WM.

Devina A. Rankin Michael Hoffman
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Panel Discussion: Nashville’s Champions of Recycling and Sustainability
The Great Room at W Nashville

Get inspired by some of Nashville’s leading voices in sustainability as they share their unique journeys, challenges, and successes in advancing recycling and environmental responsibility in their industries and communities. This thoughtful and forward-looking panel will highlight the innovative solutions and collaborations happening right here in Music City — from stadium-scale sustainability efforts to grassroots recycling programs.

This panel is not just about environmental goals — it is about the people behind the progress and how they’re reshaping our city’s future.

  • Dr. Katy Baugus, Executive Director of Justice Industries and Just Glass, will talk about her organization’s mission to create meaningful employment opportunities through recycling and how her team is transforming lives while reducing glass waste across Nashville.
  • Tiffany Wilmot, President of Wilmot Inc., has spent over two decades designing and building sustainable environments. She will discuss the intersection of architecture, environmental responsibility, and community engagement.
  • Stephanie Roach, Urban Green, Assistant Director of Special Initiatives at Urban Green Lab. She coordinates partnerships, programming, and research for the Nashville Food Waste Initiative and the Nashville Environmental Justice Initiative.
  • Tera Ashley, Director of Food Access at The Nashville Food Project and Board Member at Tennessee Women in Green, has conducted extensive research on food access in low-income neighborhoods of Nashville, particularly on mobility and accessibility challenges. Her expertise and leadership guide NFC toward a stronger, more inclusive vision of local food access.
Dr. Katy Baugus Tiffany Wilmot Stephanie Roach Tera Ashley Didi Diaz
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Wrap Up
 
 
Kerri Mead-Bell
4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Recharge & Refresh
 

Take a moment to relax, catch up on emails, or freshen up before the evening festivities begin.

 
5:15 PM
Transportation to Musicians Hall
 

Meet in front of the hotel to board the buses for our closing dinner

 
5:25 PM - 9:00 PM
Closing Dinner at The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
 

Join us for a tour and our closing dinner at the Musicians Hall of Fame and home of the GRAMMY Museum Gallery! The Musicians Hall of Fame is a premiere Nashville attraction and the “one and only” museum in the world that honors the talented musicians who actually played on the greatest recordings of all time.

 
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Tour
 

Before dinner, tour the Musicians Hall of Fame and spend some time exploring the home of the interactive and fun GRAMMY Museum Gallery where you will discover the stories behind session musicians, engineers, and producers and even have a chance to try out some of the instruments! Check out:

  • The American Sound Studio, where Elvis Presley recorded some of his biggest records such as “Suspicious Minds,” “In the Ghetto,” and more.
  • Guitars played on Glen Campbell’s nationally broadcast TV show and as a session musician in the early 1960s.
  • One of Jimi Hendrix’s Stratocaster guitars and the stage he performed on in Nashville at The Jolly Roger.
  • Steve Lukather’s original Les Paul guitar given to him by his father.
  • Instruments used by Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Elton John, and so many more.
 
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Closing Dinner
 

Join us for an unforgettable evening in the front space of the Musicians Hall of Fame—where history, culture, and music come together. This unique venue offers more than just a meal; it is an experience. We will dine surrounded by legendary instruments, memorabilia, and exhibits that celebrate the artists who shaped the soundtrack of our lives!

 
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Departures