September 3, 2026
Eastern TennesseeOnce the capital of the short-lived, independent State of Franklin, today Greeneville is the “heart of northeast Tennessee,” according to DiscoverGreenevilleTN.com. Frontier legend and politician David Crockett and President Andrew Johnson once had homes there. Today, visitors can walk in …
September 3, 2026
Eastern Tennessee Gatlinburg.com; @TravelGburgAt the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is a quaint town with everything a planner needs for a successful event, according to Dave Esslinger, vice president of sales and marketing for Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “We …
September 3, 2026
Eastern TennesseeVisitChattanooga.com; @VisitChatt
Chattanooga’s designation as North America’s first “National Park City” reflects how the city functions day to day, according to Sean Phipps, marketing director for Chattanooga Tourism Co. “Green space, river access, and mountain trails are woven into our fabric of life,” Phipps says. “Planners return here …
September 3, 2026
Eastern TennesseeDiscoverBristol.org; @DiscoverBristol
Bristol offers planners unique options in a twin city that straddles the Tennessee/Virginia state line. According to ExploreBristol.org, visitors can learn about outdoor adventures, racing, and live music at the recently opened Explore Bristol Visitor Center.
Bristol Motor Speedway, a major stop on …
September 3, 2026
Eastern TennesseeSmokyMountains.org; @PeacefulSmokies
On the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” the Blount County towns of Maryville, Alcoa, and Townsend offer direct access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than busier tourism hubs, says Kim Mitchell, …
July 14, 2026
The LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge has begun a two-year, $31.4 million expansion that will add 58,000 square feet to the city-owned convention center, including 33,000 square feet of new exhibit space.
June 5, 2026
As one of Georgia’s largest destinations, Columbus offers the scale, accessibility, and infrastructure to host events of all sizes, with more than 4,800 hotel rooms and hundreds of venues to choose from. Attendees can explore a thriving culinary scene featuring more than 500 restaurants, from Southern classics to chef-driven dining that has earned national attention.
June 5, 2026
The ConventionSouth team got an inside look at Southall Farm & Inn's multifaceted approach to hospitality and how it's meeting the growing demand for wellness-driven, food-focused attendee experiences.
November 6, 2025
The South’s rich musical history continues to influence many aspects of contemporary entertainment and business. Planners can bring a fun musical vibe to meetings and events in Southern destinations with storied music connections and heritages. Combining music and meetings brings an exciting energy to all types of events and allows attendees to discover artists and explore music venues and museums beyond their own musical interests and familiar haunts. Tune in to these music-rich destinations and add them to your meetings and events “playlist.”
November 5, 2025
The Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort has been named “New Hotel of the Year” by Hilton’s Embassy Suites brand, marking a standout achievement during what the company calls its busiest year of global expansion in more than a century.
