Tennessee

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Tennessee’s offerings are vast. Its incredible mixture of diversions ranges from historical, cultural and musical attractions to outdoor activities, all of which give groups a chance to soak up some of the most unique experiences in the country.

In fact, some say the Volunteer State represents everything great about America. While its musical heritage may come to mind first with Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and even Bristol plating up knee-slappin’ venues, the state’s history is also an important ingredient of its cultural makeup. Planners looking for a taste of the past can host events in a number of historic homes and museums, and even visit famous Civil War sights.

But beyond its culture, history and music, perhaps one of the state’s most awe-inspiring traits is its breathtaking scenery. Home to Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as rivers, streams and flatlands, Tennessee offers a wide array of outdoor adventure options as well.

“When you travel across the state, it is amazing how it changes,” says Sharon Sutton, director of sales for the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism. “Most of the eastern part is very mountainous. As you move into the middle of the state, you begin to see a lot of stone. And farther west, it becomes more flat. No matter where you go, you are going to say, ‘Wow that is cool.’ It is a very unique destination.”

Pump Up the Volume

Music is as much a part of everyday life as eating or sleeping in Tennessee, a fact prominently displayed in Nashville.

“We are considered “Music City,” but we don’t just have country,” says Kay Witt, senior vice president of sales for the Nashville CVB. “We have all different genres, from jazz and blues to rock, country and gospel. We have over 100 live music venues.”

Because of its sheer number of venues, the Nashville CVB has placed signs shaped like guitar picks on the front of each venue that offers live music at least four nights a week, alerting traveling groups to the fun inside.

Broadway, Nashville’s main drag, offers up a healthy dose of live music and is home to several honky-tonks (casual bars with live music).

One popular way groups can enjoy Nashville’s music scene is by sectioning off the alley behind many of the honky-tonks on Broadway and holding a block party where attendees can travel safely from venue to venue. The best part? Topping off the night with a concert at one of the state’s most renowned musical venues.

“You can go from honky-tonk to honky-tonk and end up with a private concert at the Ryman [Auditorium],” Witt says. “We block off the entire alleyway and can do it for up to 2,000 people.”

Attendees can also head over to the Country Music Hall of Fame, showcasing memorabilia and also offering group fun in its Studio B—where Elvis himself recorded.

“Groups can go into Studio B, record a song and get their own record,” Witt says. “Groups love that. It is very authentic and they get to experience history.”

Rhonda Marko, president and CEO of Destination Nashville, says she likes to take her convention clients to the Grand Ole Opry for a little musical fun. There, attendees can meet and mingle with songwriters, learn about what inspired them to write their tunes and hear them sing.

“We have about three or four songwriters come out,” she says. “They then tell groups about the song they wrote and that is very exciting.”

Down in the southwestern corner of the state, Memphis is another renowned music hot spot, known for its blues and rock ’n’ roll heritage as well as its fun nightlife.

Groups can celebrate the city’s musical culture with a simple walk down vibrant Beale Street, filled with live music venues as well as tasty restaurants.

Attendees can also peak into Elvis’ life with a visit to Graceland. The sprawling complex can accommodate groups in its variety of spaces, from the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum to Rockabilly’s Diner.

In downtown, the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, showcasing memorabilia ranging from Ike Turner’s piano and BB King’s guitar to the suit Elvis wore to the White House and one of Minnie Pearl’s dresses, is another fun place for groups to have a seated dinner or strolling reception.

While Nashville and Memphis may be household names, groups are also drawn to Bristol because of its history in the music industry.

The town of just over 24,000 residents is home to the Bristol sessions of 1927, where Jimmy Rodgers and the Carter family made their country music debut.

“Music that was done on those Bristol sessions had a large influence on country music and what it is today,” says Kimberly Leonard of the Bristol Tennessee/Virginia CVB.

Groups can enjoy live music performances and theater performances at The Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, and planners can host large events at the Viking Hall Civic Center.

A Look Back

History is also an integral part of Tennessee’s culture. There are hardly any country-shaping events that haven’t left a major mark on the Volunteer State, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement.

Pretty much every Tennessee city, large or small, has venues and landmarks dedicated to the history of the state.

Knoxville, boasting Native American, Revolutionary War and Civil War heritage, is one such destination.

“We have an abundance of historical attractions,” says Kim Paul, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation.

Groups can take a look into the past with a visit to venues such as the Armstrong Lockett House (circa 1834).

“It is a great venue for VIP receptions and has unique gardens on the Tennessee River,” Paul says, adding that women dressed in period clothing can be hired for a group event to recount the history of the house for guests.

The Blount Mansion is another popular group location for a dinner or reception. Built in 1792 and once home of William Blount, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, the house features Blount memorabilia.

Civil War history is vividly apparent with a visit to The Mabry-Hazen House. The structure, which housed the same family from 1865 to 1987, features original furniture and memorabilia, and groups can host meetings as well as dinners amid antique relics.

Moving from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, April 4, 1968, was one of the darkest days in American history when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at Memphis’ Lorraine Motel. Following his death, the property struggled until it was turned into the National Civil Rights Museum.

The museum now highlights events in the Civil Rights Movement as well as the life of King, and regularly welcomes groups for receptions and dinners.

Art and Culture

Beyond its historical attributes, Tennessee has a rich arts and culture scene that groups can readily experience.

Dinner theaters are all the rage in Pigeon Forge, and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, located right down the street from the famous Dollywood theme park, takes the cake.

Groups of up to 1,000 can get wild and crazy enjoying its dinner show, and the venue even has two meeting rooms that can accommodate large groups.

The Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show is another popular option for groups looking for some after-meeting entertainment, and the venue can even involve groups in the mystery show.

Groups of up to 1,200 can also enjoy a night at WonderWorks, home to the Hoot ’n’ Holler Dinner & Show, another great evening option in Pigeon Forge.

There are also plenty of theatrical performances in Knoxville, according to the CVB’s Paul.

“We have some very quaint theaters,” she says, highlighting the Tennessee Theatre and the Bijou Theatre, both available for group events.

About two hours south, Chattanooga offers visitors a variety of activities with an arts and cultural slant.

For starters, delegates can stroll through the Bluff View Art District. The neighborhood offers scenic views of the Tennessee River as well as restaurants, art galleries and shops.

The Hunter Museum of American Art also overlooks the Tennessee River. The venue showcases a variety of American art and often welcomes groups for private events.

Chattanooga’s Tivoli Theatre, home to the city’s symphony and opera, and Memorial Auditorium, which features stage productions and concerts, are two additional places groups can go after a long day in the conference room.

Breath of Fresh Air

Tennessee features a wealth of outdoor options, from adventurous white-water rafting and hiking to laid-back cruising on a steamboat.

Yet the state’s largest outdoor draw is the good ole Smokies.

“Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited park in the United States. It is a beautiful park and you don’t have to pay to visit. There are also venues in the park where groups can have cookouts,” says Gatlinburg’s Sutton, mentioning the pavilion at Twin Creeks as one such place.

Beyond the park, the city of Gatlinburg is an outdoor experience in itself, according to Sutton.

“Gatlinburg sits in the Smoky Mountains. The views here are just fabulous and you can just enjoy your surroundings and the peacefulness of nature,” she says, adding that the area is known for its black bears. “It is not unusual to see them crossing the street.”

Year-round, groups can enjoy the outdoors at the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park. The resort offers a scenic tram ride to the top of Mount Harrison no matter what the season. Skiing is available in the winter and hiking is popular in the summer, while private functions are welcome at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant, located atop the mountain.

In nearby Hartford, groups can get a true taste of the outdoors with a white-water rafting adventure on the Pigeon River with companies such as Big Creek Expeditions.

Located at the base of the Smokies in Sevierville, Five Oaks Riding Stables offers groups the opportunity to enjoy a horseback trail ride.

Less-adventurous activities are available in Knoxville, where groups can take a ride on one of the city’s riverboats.

For a laid-back afternoon or evening on the water, many groups enlist the help of Volunteer Princess Cruises, which offers high-end boats that glide along the Tennessee River. The company often entertains private groups for dinners, receptions and awards banquets.

The Star of Knoxville, an old fashioned, two-story paddle wheeler, is another alternative for group events on the Tennessee River.

Located in northeastern Tennessee, just a few miles from the Virginia and North Carolina borders, Kingsport offers an array of outdoor pursuits.

After a day of meetings at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, delegates can venture outside for a golf tournament at Cattails at MeadowView, an 18-hole course situated just steps away from the property.

Outdoor enthusiasts can also head over to Warriors’ Path State Park for some fresh air fun, including biking, hiking and horseback riding.

Good Sport

With NASCAR widely recognized as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, Tennessee is right in the center of the excitement with the Bristol Motor Speedway.

“It is the world’s fastest half-mile, and it’s one of NASCAR’s favorite tracks,” says Bristol’s Leonard. “They have a meeting area you can rent out and they have a large room that overlooks the speedway.”

Groups can also get in on some sports action at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, which offers venues ranging from a boardroom to a theater.

For More Info

Bristol Tennessee/Virginia CVB 423.989.4850 www.bristolchamber.org