Eastern Tennessee
VisitKnoxville.com; @VisitKnoxville
Knoxville consistently surprises meeting planners with a “Wow, I had no idea!” experience, says Pearl Dorsey, director of sales for Visit Knoxville. “Here, they find an unexpectedly sophisticated mix of culture, adventure, and cuisine rooted in history and genuine Southern hospitality. Planners love the walkability of downtown that allows their attendees to enjoy every aspect of their event, from the general session to the great outdoors.”
Located downtown and adjacent to the University of Tennessee campus, the LEED Silver-certified Knoxville Convention Center features 119,922 square feet of exhibit hall space, a 27,000-square-foot grand ballroom, 20 meeting rooms, a 460-seat lecture hall, and additional indoor and outdoor spaces. “This makes it easy to incorporate all of Knoxville in plans for meetings and events,” Dorsey says, noting three hotels are connected to the center via a covered pedestrian bridge. The 320-room Hilton Knoxville has 13,814 square feet of event space to seat 700 theater style; 302-room Marriott Knoxville Downtown has 17,746 square feet of function space with a reception capacity of 2,050 people; and The Tennessean, an 82-room boutique hotel, can accommodate 250 meeting guests.
There are more than 1,800 guest rooms within a mile of the convention center, including the 197-room Crowne Plaza Knoxville, with more than 15,000 square feet of event space; 178-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown, with 4,588 square feet of function space; 165-room Hyatt Place Knoxville/Downtown, with 3,848 square feet of function space and a 120-seat rooftop venue; and 130-room Cumberland House Knoxville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, with 3,471 square feet of event space.
The Sunsphere Welcome Center at World’s Fair Park opened in November 2024, providing new visitor experiences. Covenant Health Park, a multi-use 6,355-seat stadium for baseball and soccer, with indoor and outdoor event spaces, opened in April 2025 in Knoxville’s Old City.
Event attendees bringing family along will enjoy attractions for all ages, including Maple Hall, a downtown bowling alley with a full-service bar, live music, and a private two-lane VIP room; Onsight Rock Gym, with 12,000 square feet of climbing surfaces; the 1,000-acre Ijams Nature Center, just across the river from downtown; Knoxville Adventure Collection or River Sports Outfitters, each providing stand-up paddleboard, kayak, and canoe rentals; and K1 Speed, an indoor go-kart facility.
