What We Do

At its core, the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence is an economic development organization. Our mission is to lead businesses and other organizations in the pursuit of performance excellence, improving results and contributing to the economic vitality of the region.

Using the framework of an awards program, TNCPE fulfills its mission by providing in-depth, low-cost assessments of regional organizations using the Criteria for Performance Excellence. Through a methodology based on the Baldrige National Quality Program, organizations receive detailed feedback that they use to improve their processes and results. As organizations grow and improve, their communities benefit from increased revenue and job opportunities, as well as better education, government and health care services.

Since its inception in 1993, TNCPE has provided over 1000 organizations from myriad sectors – health care, service, education, manufacturing, government and nonprofit – assessments and feedback. TNCPE trains regional professionals to provide these assessments as TNCPE examiners. Most examiners participate in at least three intensive days of training, provided free by TNCPE. Examiners take the skills developed during training and the assessment process back to their own jobs, benefiting and improving their own organizations in the process.

TNCPE also furthers its mission through the annual Excellence in Tennessee Conference. This event assembles local and national experts and leaders from world-class organizations who offer training on best practices and organizational improvement tools. During the conference, TNCPE hosts the Excellence in Tennessee Awards Banquet, providing recognition to the organizations that have participated in the program. The conference and banquet are open to the public.

Why We Do It

The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence believes education, recognition of significant achievement and the sharing of winning strategies will help Tennessee corporations and organizations become more competitive on a national and international level.

Strong Tennessee businesses, in turn, bring jobs and resources to the state, supporting the people who call Tennessee home.