Activities in Town
Doors open at 6 PM
Show begins 7 PM
Q/A with expert panel following movie
“Welcome to Knoxville’s Gem of the South” – The Historic Bijou Theatre
Steeped in over two centuries of rich history, the Bijou Theatre stands as one of Knoxville’s oldest and most treasured landmarks. Originally known as The Lamar House, this iconic site has hosted a range of events, from grand 1800s galas to vaudeville shows, classic films, and unforgettable live performances. Today, beautifully restored, the Bijou is celebrated for its world-class acoustics and rich cultural legacy, welcoming artists and audiences from around the globe. From Dolly Parton to Dizzy Gillespie, legends have graced this stage—and tonight, the tradition continues.
We are proud to share this historic space with you for the screening of Last Chance to Save a Life, the powerful new documentary from Australian filmmaker Emma Watts. This moving film follows the real-time, high-stakes journey of three patients facing life-threatening superbug infections, where experimental phage therapy — injecting trillions of viruses to fight resistant bacteria — offers their last hope.
Filmed in Melbourne, ‘Last Chance to Save a Life ‘ explores the promise, challenges, and life-saving potential of this century-old yet still underrecognized treatment. With gripping human stories and stunning science, this film shines a vital spotlight on one of the world’s greatest health threats—and one of its most hopeful solutions.
We’re honored to have you with us this evening to experience both the history of Knoxville and a story that could help shape the future of medicine.”
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Join us in Knoxville’s old city at the Press Room for a southern-inspired dinner with a special tribute to Dr. Betty Kutter for her contributions to phage research and the global phage community. The venue is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) from the hotels. Transportation for those with mobility issues will be available on request.
Keeping with the tradition of going up to the mountains on the last day of the conference, we invite all who are interested to venture with us into the Great Smoky Mountains. Attendees who choose this add-on will receive bus transportation to and from Gatlinburg, as well as admission to the Anakeesta mountaintop adventure park.
Gatlinburg
The gateway to the Smokies, Gatlinburg offers a wide variety of entertainment and dining options, as well as access to some short trails outside of Anakeesta
Anakeesta
A mountaintop adventure park, Anakeesta is located on the top of a foothill 600 feet above Gatlinburg and offers a range of attractions including the gondola or chairlift ride to the park, a treetop skywalk, the vista gardens arboretum, several dining options, and other paid add-on experiences such as ziplines and mountain coasters.
Hiking in the Smokies
For attendees with interest in a more strenuous mountain experience, a smaller group will be departing from Knoxville on Friday to go directly into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and spend the day hiking before returning. The hike will be the Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, an 11 mile (17.7 km) out-and-back trail with 3,077 feet (938 meter) elevation gain and limited or no access to facilities or cellular connectivity. Please contact us if you are interested in joining this hiking group instead of going to Gatlinburg.
Downtown Knoxville and the nearby old city offer a wide range of drinking and dining options, check back here soon for some recommendations from locals and for unconferencing opportunities throughout the week.
