Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/3108
Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Middle Tennessee , where rolling hills and the Cumberland River are geographic focal points, is home to the capital city of Nashville, as well as scenic sites like the Tennessee Walking Horse Trail. The area also is known for its spirits — that is, the kind being pro- duced at whiskey manufacturers like the Jack Daniel Distillery, the oldest registered distillery in America. East Tennessee includes Knoxville, Chattanooga and Gatlinburg — a favorite vacation destination and gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park, Chapel in the Glen, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Great Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Community are just a few of the attractions visitors to this area can explore. CHATTANOOGA Chattanooga's free zero-emission electric shuttle system and steps toward sustainability at the 185,000- sq. ft. Chattanooga Convention Center are helping this city become a greener meeting destination. The Chattanooga metro area has 9,000 guestrooms. The Bessie Smith Performance Hall at the Chattanooga African-American Museum has space for meetings, receptions and other events, and the muse- um's Vilma Fields Atrium can hold small gatherings. Be sure to make time on the itinerary for exploring some of the area's great sightseeing attractions, includ- ing Lookout Mountain, where you can ride the world's steepest passenger railway and view the 145-ft.-high Ruby Falls; and the Walnut Street Bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. Visitors can explore nature indoors at the Tennessee Aquarium, where the themed exhibits include Appalachian Cove; the Discover Hall Gallery, featur- ing displays related to the Ohio River; the Delta Country Gallery, highlighting the Mississippi River environment; and the Secret Reef exhibit on the Gulf of Mexico. The Hunter Museum of American Art, perched on a 90-ft. limestone bluff overlooking the Tennessee River and housing painting, sculpture, crafts, contemporary studio glass and other works, offers great views both inside and out. Two other notable attractions are the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts and the Creative Discovery Museum. KNOXVILLE For large meeting groups, the 500,000-sq. ft. Knoxville Convention Center offers 250,000 sq. ft. of flexible space, 120,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 471-seat lecture hall and a 27,000-sq. ft. ballroom. At the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, where admission is free, visitors can see exhibits highlighting the African-American heritage of East Tennessee. Another Black heritage attraction (and a can't-miss photo op) is the 13-ft. bronze statue of Alex Haley in Morningside Park. Volunteer Landing, on the banks of the Tennessee River, is a favorite hangout for shopping, dining and entertainment. Another riverfront attraction, the Ijams Nature Center, features a boardwalk and walking trails in woodland setting. Places to explore the area's past include the East Tennessee History Center; James White's Fort, the city's first pioneer structure; Blount Mansion, home to Tennessee Gov. William Blount, a signer of the U.S. Constitution; the Ramsey House Plantation; and the Frank H. McClung Museum, Smithsonian affiliate that houses archeological exhibits from the Tennessee Valley Region. Knoxville's Tennessee Theatre has a truly eclectic design, with Spanish Moorish -style architecture, Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers, Italian terrazzo floors, and Asian-inspired carpet and draperies. Two more notable cultural attractions are the Knoxville Museum of Art and the Emporium Center for Arts & Culture. MEMPHIS The 350,000-sq. ft. Memphis Cook Convention Center is the city's largest event venue, with, 190,000 97 Tennessee Aquarium Photo Credit: Chattanooga CVB Womens Basketball Hall of Fame Photo Credit: Knoxville CVB