Celebratory Scenes from the 2014 TSG Editor Conference

Last week, more than 50 TSG editors from all over the country gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia—home to TSG Headquarters—for our first ever editor’s conference. Over the course of three days, we shared our ideas and experiences in scouting the best of local. With so many talented, passionate people in attendance, the discussion sessions were fascinating and fruitful, and when the event wrapped up on Thursday afternoon we left feeling energized as well as incredibly grateful to the local entrepreneurs, artists, and artisans who have given us the opportunity to come together to help tell their stories. Fittingly, during the conference we also celebrated the launch of TSG: Charlottesville, Vol. 6. Toasting the latest edition of the Guide that started it all with TSG editors from coast to coast and the people behind the places that we’re honored to feature in the book was a truly amazing experience.

The editor’s conference kicked off with a dinner at Old Metropolitan Hall, a historic event space on the downtown mall, on Tuesday evening. Despite the rain, almost everyone made it into town, and the weather didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Editors checked into the new Oakhurst Inn, where among other goodies they found local treats like heirloom seed packets from The Shop at Monticello waiting for them, and enjoyed an Oakhurst-hosted happy hour before gathering at “Old Met” for drinks and dinner. (When they returned, they found caramels made by Oakhurst Chef Jeannette Peabody on their pillows!)

Passersby were treated to beautiful posters featuring the many ways they can connect with TSG in the windows of Old Metropolitan Hall.
Flag banners made out of Scout Guide covers also created festive and cheerful window displays.
TSG co-founder Christy Ford created the flower arrangements, which complemented TSG notepads adorned with lavender ribbons, sweet pea blossoms, and wax seals that served as place cards.

After months of prep and anticipation, members of the team at TSG HQ, including (from left) business development director Karen, design director Erika, and TSG: Charlottesville editor Heather Sieg, were so excited to chat with the visiting editors.
Left: a closeup of Christy Ford’s handiwork. Right: editor of the forthcoming TSG: Jackson Hole Meagan Murtaugh and production manager/all-around TSG MVP Mairi getting to know each other.

For TSG: Virginia Beach and Norfolk editor Anne Hazard, the timing of the editor’s conference worked out very well—on Thursday, she was able to drop by the office and see the TSG design team putting the finishing touches on her upcoming volume 2 in person. Before that, however, she caught up with designers Abby and Jake over cocktails.
We love our editors! Left: The dynamic duo behind TSG: Nashville, Meg Turner and Megan Atria. Right: brand new editors Jodi and Thea from Williamsburg, Virginia, get to know the endlessly inspiring Rodney Simmons of TSG: Chattanooga.
Before dinner, TSG co-founders Christy Ford and Susie Matheson welcomed everyone. They’d predicted that if they ever gathered all the editors in one place everyone would get along famously, and they were right!

The menu, expertly executed by Hotcakes catering, was excellent. Beef medallions, salmon with herbs, roasted vegetables, tabbouleh salad, and seasonal greens were so fresh and absolutely delicious.
From left: Jessica Leavitt, editor of the forthcoming TSG: Savannah, Brittany Gaskill of TSG: Dallas, and Emily from TSG HQ’s editorial team pose before focusing their attention on their plates.

Color coordinated in coral: Muffy Turley, editor of the soon-to-come TSG: Memphis, and Mairi.
Left: Ellen Warner of the forthcoming TSG: Louisville; Katie Newton, editor of TSG: Atlanta (the latest volume of which was recently released!); and Billy Woodall, co-editor of TSG: Chattanooga. Right: TSG: Tampa Bay editor Tracie Browning and TSG: Denver editor Cat Tatman share a laugh. 
TSG web director Amanda and Shirley White, editor of the forthcoming TSG: Cleveland, were chic seatmates.
The evening was absolutely lovely, and the food, flowers, and event space provided the perfect setting for all the editors and staff from TSG HQ to meet, mix, and mingle before getting down to business.

SCOUT IS OUT | TSG: CHARLOTTESVILLE, Vol. 6

After a full day of panels and presentations, everyone was ready for a party on Wednesday evening, and the Scout Is Out celebration for TSG: Charlottesville, Vol. 6 kicked off just in time. In addition to being a fabulous fête, this special evening perfectly punctuated a day of discussion about how and why we do what we do: highlight the very best of local. Among the sweet touches at the event, which was held on the patio between Eloise and Public on West Main Street: custom lavender iced cupcakes by PEARL’S BAKE SHOPPE.

No one even noticed the rain—we were all too busy taking in the gorgeous tent and lighting by SKYLINE TENT COMPANY.

Guests savored the luscious cakes from The One Cake Company. The staff at TSG HQ is still sad there were no leftovers. (Luckily, caramels from La Vache Microcreamery made up for the lack of cake at the office the next day!)

Left: Cat Tatman, editor of TSG: Denver and Hopie Avery, editor of TSG: Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill, raise a glass to TSG’s newest Guide. Right: Roderick Coles, owner of The Curious Orange Store, and Rodney Simmons, editor of TSG: Chattanooga, enjoying the festivities.

Left: TSG co-founders Christy Ford and Susie Matheson surround TSG: Charlottesville editor Heather Sieg in a celebratory snapshot. Right: refreshing rosé from JW Sieg Wines was the ideal pairing for a spring soiree.

From left to right: Allison Pezzuti, editor of TSG: Naples, and Lisa Owens, Cindy Owens, and Rachel Davies, co-editors of the upcoming TSG: Hilton Head, Beaufort & Bluffton, help light up the rainy evening with their sunny smiles.
Kate Huey, editor of the forthcoming TSG: Fort Worth, Anne Hazard, editor of TSG: Virgina Beach & Norfolk, Brittany Gaskill and Martha Griffin, editors of TSG: Dallas, and Brooke Casillas, editor of TSG: Aspen, gathered for a group shot.
Beautiful farmhouse tables by Beehive Events held delicious cheese and fruit platters and other delectable bites from Dinner at Home.

The day after the party, editors and staff gathered for more discussions, and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye. To all who attended, thank you for sharing your insights and expertise! And to all the fabulous vendors who helped make the conference a big success, we are so grateful for your talent and hard work.

{Scout Is Out images from Zach Robbins (top to bottom, left to right): 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 14th, 16th. See more photos from the TSG Charlottesville, Vol. 6 launch party on the TSG Charlottesville blog!}