Knoxville leaders introduce World’s Fair Exhibition Hall

City of Knoxville, SMG Knoxville and Visit Knoxville on April 12 hosted a ribbon-cutting to introduce Knoxville’s newest event venue: World’s Fair Exhibition Hall.

Formerly known as the Knoxville Convention and Exhibition Center (KCEC), the City of Knoxville-owned venue has been renovated and renamed. Facing the World’s Fair Park Festival Lawn and adjacent to the Holiday Inn, the facility originally was built for the 1982 World’s Fair, where it housed the Technology and Lifestyle Center.

The venue is undergoing $2.1 million in updates, approved by Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and City Council for this year’s budget, including a new HVAC unit, roof and remodeled bathrooms.

“Knoxville’s national reputation as a destination city is growing, and bookings are at an all-time high at the Convention Center,” Mayor Madeline Rogero said. “The rebranded World’s Fair Exhibition Hall provides great new space and will position Knoxville to grow the number and quality of conventions, trade shows and youth sports events that we host.

“It’s an added bonus that the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall will feature colors and images that pay homage to the 1982 World’s Fair, because the venue was originally built for the Fair.”

The World’s Fair Exhibition Hall, which boasts a total of 66,396 square feet, will provide overflow and additional event space to supplement the nearby Knoxville Convention Center.

The venue will be managed by SMG Knoxville, which also manages three other city-owned facilities: Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum and Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center. The launch of the newly branded World’s Fair Exhibition Hall also has been supported by Visit Knoxville, whose marketing team created the logo and design elements used throughout the venue.

“World’s Fair Exhibition Hall strengthens Knoxville’s ability and opportunities to host events, entertainment, conferences, trade shows and more for both local organizations and out-of-town groups that help drive economic impact for the city,” SMG Knoxville General Manager Mary Bogert said. “Launching this venue is a joint effort and a success for our organization, the City of Knoxville and Visit Knoxville.”

World’s Fair Exhibition Hall officially will open April 21-23 for the 10th Annual Spring Fling basketball tournament organized by the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission.

For more information, visit www.worldsfairexhibitionhall.com.

About SMG

Celebrating its 40th anniversary and founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 230 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, amphitheaters, 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 in New Orleans. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering companies, currently serving more than 140 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.