May 6, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2014
For additional information,
Contact: Amanda Shell Jennings
Moxley Carmichael
(865) 255-0661
Since it first opened its doors in 2002, the Knoxville Convention Center has hosted more than 2,800 events and has reached a significant milestone of more than 3 million attendees.
Along with those statistics, a recent review of data compiled from 2002 through 2014 revealed the following facts:
- The Convention Center averages 240 events and 300,000 attendees per year.
- Since 2002, the Convention Center has hosted 958 regional events, 572 national events and 28 international events. This totals to more than $32 million in direct revenue to the center from outside events.
- Regional, national and international events that bring tourism to Knoxville make up 55 percent of all events at the Convention Center and provide 65 percent of its revenue. Local events comprise the remaining 45 percent and bridge the gap in the Convention Center’s operating budget.
- The Convention Center has hosted events with representation from more than 80 countries.
“We are very proud to reach the milestone of 3 million attendees,” said Knoxville Convention Center General Manager Mary Bogert. “Our mission at the Convention Center is to provide the best experience to the visitors to our facility that provide economic impact to our local economy.
“From the Destination Imagination event that draws talented students from across the globe to the Professional Outdoor Media Association event, the Convention Center is always ready to roll out the welcome mat, and this new data shows we are accomplishing this goal.”
The Knoxville Convention Center brings in thousands of visitors for regional, national and international events, which provides significant economic impact to the local economy through hotels, restaurants, retail stores and other local businesses.
“The Convention Center is Knoxville’s premier venue for conventions, conferences and meetings,” said Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpas. “Knoxville’s top-of-the-line facilities allow us to compete on a national level for convention business. The Convention Center has brought in thousands of out-of-town visitors over the years and that has produced over $720 million in economic impact to local businesses.”
In addition to being one of the best performing convention centers in the Southeast, the facility is the first convention center in Tennessee to achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its green initiatives. LEED certification is the highest standard of green building and is part of the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC), which seeks to provide people “better, brighter, healthier spaces to live, work and play.”
The Knoxville Convention Center has been recognized as a “prime site” by Facilities & Destinations magazine for eight consecutive years, a designation voted on by national meeting planners. The facility was also recently honored by the Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association as the 2014 Service/Supplier of the Year.
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 27,000-square-foot divisible ballroom and up to 25 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 14.4 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 and Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s Reliant Park, and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
About SAVOR
SAVOR is the food and beverage division of SMG, the global leader in public facilities and special event venue management. Since its inception in 1983, SAVOR has specialized in creating menus that showcase local cuisine expertly prepared and presented to ensure a seamless dining and entertainment experience. SAVOR currently provides catering, concessions and special event services, to more than 130 facilities worldwide. The company is also industry leader in introducing green standards and programs to public facilities. SAVOR’s commitment to farm-to-table freshness and food quality features locally grown products for their venue clients whenever possible. SAVOR staff prides themselves on being on the cutting edge of the latest food and beverage trends in addition to searching out the most innovative food technologies available on the market.
