Tennessee changed the world. It's a big statement, but think what life would be like if Elvis had never cut those first records in Memphis, if the footlights never went up at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, if Civil War and Native American history hadn't been preserved so well in Jackson and Hardin County. As the trend to find unique meeting destinations continues to rise, the cities in central and west Tennessee are quickly becoming hot sites for planners.
MemphisTune to any radio station in the country, and you'll hear the influence of Memphis. Pop, gospel, soul, blues, jazz, rock 'n' rollall roads lead to this vibrant, pulsing city. One advertisement decrees that every time a pop star shakes her hips, she owes Memphis a nickel. If that came to pass, the streets would be paved with gold. As it is, the city is covered in legends, from Elvis and his famed home, Graceland, to Sun Studios and its then stable of stars-to-be: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and so many more.
While the musical history of Memphis is staggering, today's scene will still knock your socks off. Beale Street, long considered the heart of the city, is filled with top nightspots and attractions, from B.B. King's Blues Club to the Hard Rock Cafe. Or groups can tour the rest of Memphis, taking a rock 'n' roll tour to hit the high notes of the city, stopping by Isaac Hayes' Memphis for some soul food, then exploring the Center for Southern Folklore to discover original music, books and works by local artists, as well as live music in the performance hall. Saturday night's sinners on Beale Street can get saved Sunday morning at Al Green's Full Gospel Tabernacle, and musicians can make their own pilgrimage to the Gibson guitar factory.
The heritage and local flavor of Memphis make it highly desirable as a meeting destination.
"We have a cool vibe," says John Oros, executive vice president of the Memphis CVB. "We're a city that tells a great story, and we make the sale because of our unique personality."
Memphis' success with meetings also stems from the efforts poured into its infrastructure. Nearly $2.5 billion has been invested in downtown, according to Oros, and while the city caters to every type of group, bioscience and health-related meetings are particularly strong markets. Plans are in motion for the Memphis Bioscience Research Park in conjunction with the University of Tennessee medical school, which will make the city a major player in bioscience research.
"We also host agri trade shows and religious conventions, and we have a dedicated person on staff that caters strictly to the booming sports market," Oros says.
Special year-long festivals are also in the spotlight. This year, the city is celebrating the 50th anniversary of rock 'n' roll, marking the day in 1956 when Elvis cut his first record. Special concerts and events are planned throughout the year and will culminate in the 30th anniversary of Elvis' passing next year. In 2007, Memphis will celebrate the 50th anniversary of soul music and Stax Records, the label that made Sam and Dave, Al Green and Isaac Hayes household names. The stars of soul are immortalized in the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, which offers live concerts and educational programs.
Meeting facilities in Memphis include the recently renovated Memphis Cook Convention Center, with nearly 200,000 square feet of event and meeting space; the new FedEx Forum, which can accommodate groups of from 20 people to 20,000 people; and the Mid-South Coliseum, with 63,000 square feet of event space.
The destination's expanding hotel lineup is also well equipped for meetings, with standout options such as the landmark Peabody Memphis, the Memphis Marriott Downtown and the Hilton Memphis.
NashvilleWith more than 80 record labels, 130 music publishers, 180 recording studios, and 120 live music clubs, Nashville simply is country music. Known as "Music City," Nashville has done more for the cowboy hat and guitar than any other city in the world.
Nearly everywhere you go in Nashville, from Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry, to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, the city is steeped in history. Groups shouldn't miss the Country Music Hall of Fame, where luminaries like Ralph Stanley come by for autograph sessions, or historic RCA Studio B, where Chet Atkins, Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, and Dolly Parton recorded songs. Attendees can also catch a live show at the Nashville Palace or Texas Troubadour Theater, or head to the Ryman and see the Opry in action.
Even though Nashville is proud of its country pedigree, there's more to this city than music. A testament to its variety is the Parthenon in Centennial Park, a full-scale reproduction of the original Greek Parthenon, complete with Athena Parthenos, the world's largest indoor sculpture, rising 42 feet. Other unique lures include the Hermitage, former home of President Andrew Jackson, and the Belmont Mansion and Belle Meade Plantation, both historic homes that were built in 1853 and survived the Civil War.
With so much to offer, it's no wonder that many meetings held in Nashville often break previous attendance records, a fact that doesn't surprise Anetha Grant, senior vice president of sales for the Nashville CVB, who says a large portion of the city's group business comes from associations and the corporate world.
"Many cities can offer a facility, but we offer a unique experience," Grant says. "No one can duplicate the Grand Ole Opry, the Hall of Fame, or just our incredible musical heritage. This is more than just a place to hold a meeting."
The future looks bright for Nashville as well, with plans in the discussion stage for a new convention center, while other major projects include the $120 million renovation of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which will open in September and have the capacity to host events when performances aren't being staged.
"Our community has pledged to do a better job of identifying our strengths, whether it's our musical heritage, or cultural and educational institutions," Grant says. "We'll never forget our country music, but people will look to us for new attractions in the years to come."
Gathering venues in Nashville include the Nashville Convention Center, with more than 160,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as numerous group-ready hotels, such as the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, located a short drive from downtown and boasting more than 600,000 square feet of meeting and event space; Union StationA Wyndham Historic Hotel, which is situated in a gracefully restored former railroad station in downtown Nashville; the Hilton Nashville Downtown; the Sheraton Music City; and Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville.
In Williamson County just outside Nashville, the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, which is connected to the Cool Springs Conference Center, is also a top meetings choice.
JacksonLocated between Memphis and Nashville on Interstate 40, Jackson and the surrounding area also claims deep musical roots with the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame, in addition to some of the area's most offbeat and interesting attractions.
Attendees can also check out a working freshwater pearl farm and learn about larger-than-life heroes at the Casey Jones Village and Sheriff Buford Pusser Home and Museum. Civil War buffs will enjoy the Salem Cemetery Battlefield and Parker's Crossroads Battlefield, featuring the 52nd Tennessee (Confederate) Reenactment Regiment, complete with camp visits, meals and bushwhacking.
While the list of things to do is lengthy, the main attraction for meeting planners in Jackson is the inviting, down-home atmosphere, according to Abbie Gristy, director of the Jackson CVB.
"We have small-town hospitality with big-city amenities, and we're centrally located, so all the attractions in west Tennessee are an easy drive," Gristy says. "We're perfect for small meetings, reunions or corporate retreats, and our revitalized downtown offers great restaurants, shops and art galleries. In fact, many of our meeting guests bring their families and stay a few extra days, just to relax and see it all."
Meeting facilities in the area include the Carl Perkins Civic Center, with 22,000 square feet of event space; Doubletree Hotel Jackson; Holiday Inn Jackson; and the Old English Inn Hotel and Convention Center.
Hardin CountySummer is the prime season for Hardin County, located along the southern edge of Tennessee. Outdoor sports are a huge draw for this area, from the quiet ambience and splendor of the county's four premier golf courses to the roar of the annual Pickwick Challenge powerboat race and festival. In the county seat of Savannah, the NAIA national football championship game is held annually in Jim Carroll Stadium, and anglers are drawn to nearby Pickwick Lake for a multitude of fishing tournaments.
"This is beautiful country," says Jerry D. Hunt, CEO of Team Hardin County, the umbrella organization for the Hardin County CVB. "We get a lot of corporate meetings here, because of our relaxed atmosphere. It's the perfect getaway for business and pleasure."
While Hardin County is a sports lover's dream, other attractions are tailor-made for history fans, like the Savannah Historic District and Walking Trail, which features seventeen Civil War-era homes; the Shiloh Indian Mounds national landmark; and the Shiloh National Military Park.
Area meeting facilities include Pickwick Landing State Resort Park and Conference Center, featuring a golf course, a 500-seat conference center and a 7,500-square-foot convention center. The Hampton Inn Pickwick Dam offers meeting rooms for small functions.
For More Info
Hardin County CVB 731.925.8181
www.tourhardincounty.org
Jackson CVB 731.425.8333
www.jacksontncvb.com
Memphis CVB 901.543.5300
www.memphistravel.com
Nashville CVB 615.259.4730
www.musiccityusa.com