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and Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. The 2.1 million square foot venue is ready to host your next event with 350,000 sq. ft. exhibit space, a 57,500 sq. ft. ballroom, and 60 meeting rooms From the original hot chicken to sequined power suits, killer cocktails, and the perfect balance of history and hip, Music City is a funkadelic nexus with top- tier restaurants and innovative hotels, an idiosyncratic blend of Southern hospitali- ty and authenticity and surprises around every corner. Once meetings break out for the day travelers can explore Nashville's rich culture The National Mus- eum of African Ameri- can Music (NMAAM) is the only museum of its kind dedicated to pre- serving and celebrating the history of Black music in America. The museum's expertly-cur- ated collections share the story of the Amer- ican soundtrack by inte- grating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present. • • CHATTANOOGA • • A dynamic, walkable city nestled along the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is surrounded by the natural splendor of picturesque mountains and offers a variety of outdoor adventures. Chattanooga is one of the most revital- ized cities in the country with thriving arts, music, and dining scenes complemented by exceptional world-class attractions. The Scenic City offers all the amenities of a major metropolitan city in a comfortable, convenient, and beautiful location, includ- ing a free electric shuttle serving the downtown area and the fastest citywide internet speeds anywhere in the world. The city's event facilities are top-notch with room for 10 to 10,000 downtown or around town. The Chattanooga Area has 11,000 + hotel rooms and there are more than 2,500 rooms easily accessible to the Chattanooga Convention Center via the free downtown electric shuttle. The Chattanooga Convention Center has 185,000 square feet on one level. Known as the "Gig City" with the world's fastest internet speeds, the convention center boasts 25 gigabits per second and is the first in the world to offer such blaz- ing-fast internet speeds. Within a 3-hour drive of 10 million people and within a day's drive for half the nation's population, Chattanooga is easily accessible via 3 major interstates. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Chattanooga Tourism Co. – 800 322-3344 www.visitchattanooga.com • • KNOXVILLE • • For the meeting planner seeking a destination that will deliver "wow, I had no idea" experiences, Knoxville offers a surprisingly real, truly accessible and unexpectedly sophisticated mix of cul- ture, adventure and cuisine rooted in history and genuine Southern hospitali- ty. First time visitors are typically amazed by all Knoxville has to offer and meeting planners are consistently impressed with the city's ability to host conventions and events. This destination is conveniently locat- ed within a day's drive of half the conti- nental U.S. The city boasts over 120 daily flights from more than 30 nonstop desti- nations from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), 12 miles from downtown and offers nearly 9,600 guest rooms county- wide, including over 1,800 rooms down- town, within one square mile of the Knoxville Convention Center. The Knoxville Convention Center is the cornerstone of Knoxville's meeting facili- ties. This beautiful, 500,000-square-foot space is located just minutes from Market Square, the heart of Knoxville's vibrant and walkable downtown. This popular area is home to eclectic shopping, fine dining, outdoor concerts and more. A number of Knoxville's finest hotels are also within walking distance. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Knoxville – 800 727-8045 www.visitknoxville.com B M & T ••• November/December 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 60 • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Gaylord Opryland Resort 2,800 Doubletree by Hilton Nashville Downtown 343 Embassy Suites Nashville Downtown 506 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Gaylord Opryland® Resort & Convention Center Total Space 700,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 260,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 55,314 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 86 THE MUSIC CENTER Total Space 350,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 90,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 57,500 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 60 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Nashville CVC - 800-657-6910 www.visitmusiccity.com Gaylord Opryland Resort photo credit: Nashville CVC Chattanooga Convention Center photo credit: Chattanooga CC