Meet Our People: Welcome To Memphis Board of Directors - Shirley Davis Conner

Shirley Davis Conner

Shirley Davis Conner entered the hospitality industry on behalf of a friend. Her friend’s husband was looking to hire front desk clerks at the Hyatt Regency, and her friend pushed Shirley to take the job. “I did and was hooked!” she said. She attended meetings for the Metro Memphis Attractions Association (MMAA) for nearly 30 years before serving on the Board of Directors and eventually becoming Executive Director. Now, she says, “I can’t imagine being in any other industry.”

Please meet Shirley Davis Conner, one of the shining members of the WTM Board of Directors!

How did your career path lead you to where you are today? 

I started as a hotel front desk clerk, then moved up to Assistant Front Desk Manager. After that, I was Reservations Manager and then Sales Manager. All of this was at the same hotel, even though it changed from Hyatt Regency to Omni Hotel to Adam's Mark Hotel. Then I saw an ad in the paper for the Assistant Sales Manager at Graceland. I applied and ended up working there almost 28 years, and I moved up to Director of Sales along the way.  My job was eliminated during COVID, and I was left wondering what to do next. The Executive Director job at MMAA opened up and I was lucky enough to get it!

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

Working with so many of my great hospitality colleagues in the Mid-South!

What do you find most rewarding about being a leader in the Memphis hospitality industry? 

I have the opportunity to help connect hospitality colleagues and businesses. I enjoy helping them find creative ways to work together to increase business all around. 

Why does the Welcome to Memphis mission resonate with you? 

It's so important to introduce the hospitality industry to future generations. The industry has such wide-ranging opportunities that most people don't even think about. These opportunities can lead to a lifetime of advancement throughout one's career.

What do you think the future holds for Welcome to Memphis? 

I think Marcus and Jillian are doing a great job by getting the word out about WTM. More and more people are using WTM as a resource for training and finding jobs. It is truly becoming the go-to place to send new employees to learn about the importance of the hospitality industry, and I see that growing in the future. 

When you have visitors to Memphis, what are three places you always take them?  Memphis Rock 'n Soul, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Sun Studio, and Graceland. Yes, I know that's four places, but those are the big four that tell the Memphis music story!

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the hospitality industry?  

Network, network, network! Get out and introduce yourself to people even if you're not comfortable doing it. If you are well-connected, you'll be the first person your clients and colleagues will think of when there comes a time to fill a need. Even if you're not able to help with a particular situation, you may be able to refer them to someone who can help, and this will bring them back to YOU to help in the future.

Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Shirley!