2025 Woman of Influence: Shirley Davis Conner, CTIS, CSTP, TMP, CHME

Shirley Davis Conner, CTIS, CSTP, TMP, CHME, Principal, Conner Hospitality Consulting and Executive Director, Metro Memphis Attractions Association, is a 2025 Woman of Influence, an initiative by Groups Today that celebrates the dynamic women shaping the group travel industry. Whether they're mentors, visionaries or brilliant leaders, their contributions deserve to be honored.

Shirley Davis Conner got her start in hospitality as a hotel front desk clerk during college. Later, when working in both operations and sales at hotels and attractions, she was tasked with learning about the group travel industry and has never looked back!

A native Memphian, Davis Conner quickly learned to share her love of the area by building interesting itineraries so motorcoach groups would visit not only Graceland, but also many of the other great attractions throughout the Mid-South. Her career now includes working with clients to promote group travel throughout the Deep South, as well as Upstate New York.

Groups Today: What does it mean to you to be a woman leader in the group travel industry?

Shirley Davis Conner: The group travel industry is so fun and rewarding that I can't imagine working in any other industry. It's an honor to be named a woman leader in the industry that I love.

GT: How would you describe your approach to leadership?

SDC: I strive to lead by example. I don't ask anyone to do something that I'm not willing to do myself. I believe in helping others grow by sharing my experiences and then giving them the freedom to try things for themselves.

GT: How do you use your influence to better the group travel industry?

SDC: An early boss taught me the value of being involved, so I volunteer at conferences, I join associations, and I network with others every chance I get. I believe in staying involved and staying current and I encourage others to do this as well. The more we can learn from each other, the stronger our industry will be.

GT: What are some of your favorite accomplishments so far?

SDC: Two projects I worked on when I was with Graceland were my favorites:

1. I helped to start the annual Scouts Rock at Graceland event which introduced Boy and Girl Scouts (and their families) to Elvis and promoted visitation to our partner attractions in the Memphis area.

2. I was able to start Graceland Excursions—day tours that took visitors outside of Memphis, into the Mississippi Delta and to Tupelo. We wanted everyone to experience Graceland and Memphis, but we also wanted them to learn more about the region. There's so much to see! Both projects were all about partnering with others to create more opportunities for visitors to the region. A rising tide lifts all boats!

GT: What impact do you hope your work will continue to have on clients and peers?

SDC: My goal is to be a connector. I want to encourage others to network and have the conversations that will help them figure out how they can work together to bring business to each other's bottom line.

GT: What's your personal mantra—or travel philosophy—that guides your work?

SDC: My parents were my biggest influence. "Keep your chin up," were the words of wisdom I learned from my dad, so I try to find something positive in all situations.

"Tough times never last but tough people do," was a saying I heard from my mom growing up. That taught me that no matter what the situation is, I can keep going because I'm going to learn from whatever is going on around me and come out stronger because of it.

Life is a journey so get out and explore! This one helps me to remember not to remain stagnant and to reach beyond my comfort zone because there is always something new to learn.

GT: Where does your passion for Memphis come from?

SDC: I was born and raised in Memphis and took my first solo trip on a Greyhound bus when I was in high school. I clearly remember traveling back across the bridge over the Mississippi River and seeing the Memphis skyline after being gone for two weeks. It was such a beautiful sight that I though then, and I still do now, THIS IS MY HOME! I now live in a suburb outside of Memphis that just happens to be in the beautiful state of Mississippi. No matter where I travel in the world, I'm always thrilled to get back home to Memphis and the Mid-South region.

GT: What are your goals for the future?

SDC: I want to continue to explore the U.S. and beyond, connecting with my travel friends and family I've made through the years of being in the industry, and I want to introduce my grandchildren to my love of learning through travel.

The 2025 Trailblazers of Group Travel: Women of Influence Special Report originally appeared in the Sept/Oct '25 issue of Groups Today.

Edited by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.