The Greater Memphis Chamber will be taking on a larger role in next year’s Memphis in May International Festival.

On Friday, the Chamber announced it will lead all international, economic development and diplomatic activities for the Memphis in May International Festival. Last week, the Memphis in May board of directors voted in favor of partnering with the Memphis Chamber, according to a news release.

“The Chamber has a legacy of building international relationships and attracting foreign direct investment. It’s what we do. It’s in our DNA,” Memphis Chamber President and CEO Ted Townsend said in a statement. “I believe we will create an economic development opportunity for Memphis and the countries we honor that is truly unique to our region.”

The Chamber plans to announce next year’s honored country next week. The festival has been honoring a host country since 1977. In 2022, the festival generated an economic impact worth $72.9 million, according to the news release.

“Fostering economic growth is part of our core mission, and we’re intensely proud of the international relationships we’ve built and the countries we’ve honored over the past 46 years," Memphis in May International Festival President and CEO James Holt said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the Chamber to carry this legacy into the future and make an even greater economic impact on our region."

Doug Browne, president of Peabody Hotels & Resorts and chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber’s board of directors, said there is a "massive upside to giving Memphis more international exposure."

"Adding the Chamber to the mix will help us spur our economy by bringing in more tourism, more foreign direct investment, and more opportunity for all of Memphis," said Browne, who is also a past chair and current board officer for Memphis in May.

WCBCC 2024: Memphis in May looks to move barbecue contest out of Tom Lee Park. Here's what we know.

The announcement follows the news that Memphis in May is looking for a new home for the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

In a letter sent to barbecue teams on Aug. 8, Holt stated, "Considering the final park design, and the extraordinary, punitive restoration fee, Memphis in May is exploring venue options other than Tom Lee Park for the future."

On Aug. 2, Memphis in May received an invoice from the Memphis River Parks Partnership for $1,425,366.00 to restore the recently renovated Tom Lee Park following its 2023 events, including the barbecue contest and Beale Street Music Festival.

Memphis in May officials have not commented on the future of the barbecue contest or music festival.

Commercial Appeal reporters Jennifer Chandler and Bob Mehr contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis in May, Greater Memphis Chamber to partner in 2024