Western Tennessee
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“We’re primarily known as the home of the blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll, but this is our year of arts culture, and we have many new additions,” says Malvin Gipson, chief sales officer of convention sales, sports, and services for Memphis Tourism. “The Memphis Art Museum opens a new riverfront home with 23 galleries, a studio, and rooftop sculpture garden; the Metal Museum relocates to Overton Park; and our RiverArts Fest celebrates a 20-year anniversary.”
Memphis is home to world-famous Beale Street, Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Sun Studio, more than 185 local bars and restaurants with authentic live music, and more than 100 barbecue restaurants. “We have a diverse culinary story and award-winning chefs, and in 2025, five of our restaurants were recognized by MICHELIN,” Gipson adds.
Renasant Convention Center features a 118,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall with views of the Mississippi River, a new exterior concourse, 46 breakout rooms, a flex space that can convert to a 67,500-square-foot ballroom, and a smaller ballroom. The convention center connects to the 600-room Memphis Riverline Hotel (formerly the Sheraton), which is undergoing a $250 million renovation, expected to be completed in 2029, after being acquired by the City of Memphis.
The National Civil Rights Museum unveiled a new Legacy Experience this year, marking the museum’s 35th anniversary. It offers lobby, classroom, and theater event space. The historic AAA Four Diamond Peabody Memphis has completed a $19 million makeover of its 464 guest rooms, according to Memphis Travel. The hotel has 80,000 square feet of event space. The first phase of Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time (BVO), an immersive adventure experience on Mud Island, is now open with explorable environments, interactive storytelling, and art. The attraction is designed to evolve and grow with the community.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland has more than 100,000 total square feet of event space. The 20,000-square-foot Graceland Soundstage can seat 1,700 banquet guests, the Graceland Exhibition Center has two 10,000-square-foot bays, and the 450-room Guest House at Graceland includes a 464-seat theater and 17,000 square feet of function space. An event at the Graceland Entertainment Complex allows attendees to explore connecting entertainment and museum venues.
Inside the iconic Memphis Pyramid, the 103-room Big Cypress Lodge overlooks Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid and offers indoor event rooms for 150 guests. When combined with the outdoor Mississippi Terrace, the space can accommodate receptions for up to 570 guests.
Additional convention hotels include The AAA Four Diamond Westin Memphis Beale Street, with 18,119 square feet of event space; Central Station Memphis, Curio Collection by Hilton, with space to accommodate 500 reception guests; and Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis, with 9,000 square feet of indoor space and additional outdoor spaces. There are 4,218 guest rooms in downtown Memphis.
