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Free wireless internet now offered at Knoxville Convention Center events

September 13, 2016

The Knoxville Convention Center will now have free wireless internet for future events. Visit Knoxville will implement this service via an agreement with ShowNets. For over 17 years, ShowNets has become the recognized expert in designing, deploying and supporting state-of-the-art Internet solutions for events, trade shows and facilities.

“We are excited to provide this opportunity as we continue to expand on our partnership with the Convention Center,” states Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpas. “This is a game-changing tool for our Visit Knoxville/KCC sales team as well as the Sports Commission to utilize as we sell Knoxville for years to come. This service will set us apart from the other destinations that we compete with for all types of business.”

“The ability to offer free WiFi not only will improve guest experience, but also is yet another attractive benefit for event and meeting planners seeking to book our facility,” said Mary Bogert, general manager of the Knoxville Convention Center. “Knoxville has become a go-to destination for meetings, conventions and conferences. We are experiencing one of our busiest years to date with no sign of slowing down. These technology upgrades increase our marketability in the industry and will draw even more people to experience our Southern hospitality.”

“I’m excited to learn more about this outstanding new Wi-Fi initiative from the Visit Knoxville CVB at the Knoxville Convention Center,” said Stephen P. Burke, CMP, regional vice president at HelmsBriscoe, the highest volume purchaser in the meetings and event industry. “Our clients often encounter the ‘pain point’ of paying extra fees for Wi-Fi, and this timely and welcome announcement regarding the complimentary Wi-Fi throughout all the convention center meeting space will assist in our clients saving money on their bottom line.”

The economic impact for events booked for the convention center during this past fiscal year totals more than $56.5 million. This represents groups within the association, sports, religious and educational market segments, among others.

The installation is under way and will be ready in October 2016.

About the Knoxville Convention Center

The Knoxville Convention Center, managed by SMG, is located in downtown Knoxville adjacent to the Sunsphere. It boasts a 120,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 30,000-square-foot divisible ballroom and 18 meeting rooms. For more information, visit http://www.knoxvilleconventioncenter.com.

About SMG

Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 230 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers, and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 15 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s NRG Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions, catering and special events division, SAVOR, currently servicing 130 accounts worldwide. For more information visit www.smgworld.com

About Visit Knoxville

Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings and travel destination.

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