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59 B M & T ••• November/December 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com AREA GUIDES T E N N E S S E E TENNESSEE IS SO FULL OF HISTORY AND CULTURE, MEETING PLANNERS WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM BOOKING EVENTS WHILE PROVIDING A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FOR DELEGATES BY RUFUS MCKINNEY No matter what you like, you can find something to love in Tennessee. If you are planning your client's next big activity, the state is filled with unique destinations cre- ating the perfect backdrop for events ranging from large-scale conferences to intimate gatherings like weddings, reunions and company retreats. Visitors can connect with nature with a fishing trip, a day on the lake or leisure walk in a state park. They can take their own culinary tour of Tennessee's restau- rants that serve delicious dishes with a side of world-class hospitality. Travelers can enhance their summer with one of the music festivals or concerts happening across the state; then, dive deep into the state's rich music history. • • MEMPHIS • • If you've ever planned an event in Memphis, you might not recognize it the next time you see it. This river city is on the rise, with the fully transformed Renasant Convention Center, upgrades at Memphis International Airport and thousands of new hotel rooms (with more on the way). Plus, a transformative sports hub, Liberty Park, was being activated in the center of the city in December 2022 with the grand opening of the Memphis Sports & Events Center. All in the boutique, yet affordable, destination of Memphis, the legendary home of blues, soul and rock 'n' roll — and recently named to Conde Nast Traveler's 23 Best Places to Go in 2023. If you've never planned an event in Memphis, one thing is for sure: more than an event for your group, Memphis is an experience. With the recent $200M modernization of Memphis' Renasant Convention Center, planners and groups will discover a meeting and event facility as unique as the city that surrounds it: the legendary home of blues, soul and rock 'n' roll on America's mighty Mississippi River. The venue is equipped with 300,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting, exhibit and pre-function space, a 118,000 sq. ft. column-free exhibit hall (the largest in the nation), a 28,000 sq. ft. ballroom and 46 meeting rooms. As a meeting or event planner, your choice of venue matters more than ever to delegates, who value the meeting experi- ence. In Memphis, a number of meeting and event venues invite groups seeking that authentic, only-in-Memphis vibe. Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid is one of these unique venues to explore. The 32- story steel pyramid sits on the banks of the Mississippi River and offers an immer- sive retail experience - complete with 600,000 gallons of water features (and over 1,800 fish), a cypress swamp with 100-foot-tall trees and an interactive National Waterfowling Heritage Center. • • NASHVILLE • • When selecting a city to conduct any meeting or convention, which will provide a balance of environment, restaurants, attractions, and an overall great destina- tion, there is no better location than the city of Nashville. The authenticity and cre- ativity that sets this destination apart also makes a Music City meeting a one-of-a- kind event. With a work hard, play hard attitude, Nashville has perfected the art of mixing business with pleasure. The excite- ment that naturally surrounds a meeting here drives attendance – often to record- breaking heights. With two main convention centers offering a choice of an urban or resort set- ting, an outstanding array of hotels and additional meeting space, a multitude of unique venues and attractions for off-site functions, Nashville has what you want for your next event. As Music City, Nashville has naturally developed an excellent knack for listening. The city has heard loud and clear exactly what Meeting Planners want: a bigger stage for your larger meetings and con- ventions. The Music City Center is located in downtown Nashville on a 16-acre site adjacent to both the Bridgestone Arena • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Marriott Memphis East 232 The Peabody Memphis 400 Four Points by Sheraton Memphis East 123 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Renasant Convention Center Total Space 300,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 118,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 28,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 46 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Memphis Tourism - 888-633-9099 www.memphistravel.com Renasant Convention Center photo credit: Renasant CC