"A lot of people, when they come to Memphis they want that unique Memphis experience, whether it’s an event at Graceland with that ‘wow’ or utilizing the music of Beale Street,” says Kevin Brewer, COO of the Destination King DMC.
“Beale Street is a wonderful venue—where music got its start in Memphis,” Brewer continues, adding that Destination King can arrange for groups to buy out a number of the clubs on the street to host private events, and can also provide VIP cards for complimentary entry to a variety of venues.
The company can also cater to special orders when it comes to entertainment.
“We get a lot of requests for Elvis and Johnny Cash tribute artists,” Brewer says. “We have a wide array of people we utilize for that.”
Venues the company uses also vary, though a favorite is the rooftop of The Peabody Memphis, which can host a variety of theme parties or masquerades.
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, since 1976 one of Memphis’ premier art museums, specializes in Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings and decorative arts, and opens its Winegardner Auditorium and Hughes Pavilion to groups. Also open to groups is the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, which spotlights Italian Renaissance and Baroque as well as British, French Impressionists and 20th century artists. Its Dunavant Rotunda can host large groups, while the Marble Gallery is suitable for more intimate gatherings.
“Our South Main Arts District in the southern part of the city is our art center, with art galleries featuring photo exhibits, painting and sculpture,” Brewer says.
Also located in the district is the Arcade, a former Elvis haunt that remains as one of the oldest coffee shops and one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in Memphis.
The Inn at Hunt Phelan is a five-acre historic estate where Gen. U.S. Grant stayed when he planned the Battle of Vicksburg during the Civil War. Its restaurant is open for events and parties for groups of 100 or less.
Other venues downtown include a wide array of restaurants and clubs, as well as old warehouses that can be turned into meeting or event space. Minglewood Hall is a new concert venue, located inside a recently renovated building in Midtown Memphis.
Destination King can also organize team-building programs, such as songwriting opportunities or recording at the renowned Sun Studios.
“Groups can take home a CD that they recorded in the same place Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded," Brewer says.
Another team-building option entails a simulation of the city's popular Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Delegates can make their own barbecue sauce and create a contest of their own.
“It’s become very popular in Memphis. We have teams that cook anything from ribs to pork shoulder to whole hog, whole pig,” Brewer says. “World champion chefs take the time to show people how they can do this at home—how to smoke the meat.”
