Memphis Meeting Planner Guide

MEMPHIS MEETING PLANNER GUIDE

COVER PHOTO CREDITS: CREATION STUDIOS, CRAIG THOMPSON, PHILLIP VAN ZANDT

MEMPHIS IS EASY TO GET TO (AND AROUND)

Memphis' central location means we’re a short flight, drive or train ride from almost anywhere in the U.S. Once your delegates are here, they'll enjoy our compact, walkable downtown, plus fun and varied transportation options — all at reasonable prices.

MEMPHIS IS A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR PLANNERS

The Memphis Tourism team works with planners every step of the way, from advocating for your vision to connecting you with local resources, whether you need logistics assistance or a local speaker in your vertical. Should you consider hosting your event at the Renasant Convention Center, it's managed by Memphis Tourism, making your job even easier.

MEMPHIS IS A MUSIC CITY LIKE NO OTHER

In the Home of Blues, Soul and Rock 'n' Roll, live music rocks seven nights a week from America's most iconic street (Beale), and legendary music attractions — from The Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame and Sun Studio to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Elvis Presley's Graceland — welcome all. Even better, Memphis' musical landmarks and attractions double as meeting, event and breakout venues.

MEMPHIS IS A VALUE FOR GROUPS

Memphis offers a relatively low cost-per-attendee, with reasonable airport transfers, average daily rate and food & beverage costs. Just ask Lonely Planet: The travel site recently raved about Memphis’ affordability.

JUSTIN FOX BURKS

PUP AND ROO

JUSTIN FOX BURKS

"Hosting an event at the Renasant Convention Center was an outstanding experience. The staff worked tirelessly and were very attentive to my client's needs."

– Warren D. Isenhour, President, Isenhour International

"Memphis proved to be a great host for our conference. The city has all the great attributes of a large metropolitan community but with the added bonus of a small-town feel. My attendees appreciated the opportunity to visit a city that is filled with culture, history and live music at a great price!"

WHAT’S NEW?

If you've ever planned an event in Memphis, you might not recognize it the next time you see it. This river city is on the rise thanks to a $20-billion-dollar wave of development, including:

MORE HOTEL INVENTORY THAN EVER

2,000 new hotel rooms opened in Memphis between 2020 and 2022, and more than 5,000 additional rooms are in various stages of development.

AIRPORT UPGRADES

HAVE YOU HEARD THE BUZZ?

Renasant Convention Center & Memphis Tourism have been recognized with several recent accolades:

Smart Stars Winner: Best Convention Center

Smart Meetings Magazine 2022

Metamorphosis Award: Whole Building – Retrofit Magazine 2022

Centers of Excellence – Exhibitor Magazine 2022 & 2023

Readers Choice Award (Renasant Convention Center & Memphis Tourism) – Convention South 2022

Best Customer Service & On-Site Support

Exhibitor Magazine 2022

Memphis International Airport (MEM) debuted a $245-million-dollar upgrade of its own in 2022 (a major upgrade to Concourse B) and has begun planning a terminal modernization, including expansions of ticketing and baggage areas.

THE GRAND OPENING OF LIBERTY PARK Liberty Park, a $200-million-dollar sports and events hub in the heart of the city, is progressing, beginning with the grand opening of the Memphis Sports & Events Center in late 2022. Learn more on page 11.

ALEX SHANSKY

– Lauren Dollerschell, Senior Meeting Planner, American Land Title Association

THE MEMPHIS EXPERIENCE

Memphis is more than a destination — it's an experience, with live music day and night, one-of-a-kind attractions (including those legendary music sites you've heard of) and vibrant neighborhoods brimming with these amenities and more. That's just the type of experience your delegates are looking for.

60-PLUS ATTRACTIONS

FOODIE FAVORITES

Maybe it's our Southern hospitality, but Memphis has a reputation for feeding visitors well. Whether it's our worldfamous barbecue, soul food or casual and fine-dining favorites, your delegates will remember the food as an endearing part of their Memphis experience.

Cruise the Mississippi River in a riverboat, then experience the powerful stories told at the National Civil Rights Museum. Visit award-winning Memphis Zoo. Feel the rhythm of the river when you stroll Big River Crossing or relax on a deck at Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid — a prime spot to view Mighty Lights, a nightly light show over the Mississippi River.

ALEX SHANSKY

MARISSA STRANG

CRAIG THOMPSON

DEFY CONVENTION

With the recent $200-million-dollar modernization of Memphis' Renasant Convention Center, planners and groups will discover a meeting and event facility as unique as the city that surrounds it: the legendary home of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll on America’s mighty Mississippi River.

DESIGNED WITH PLANNERS IN MIND

The Renasant Convention Center builds flexibility into every element. Lobbies (such as the one shown above) can double as registration and breakout space, while the main exhibit hall (left) and ballroom can be configured in several unique combinations.

CREATION STUDIOS

CREATION STUDIOS

ROCKIN' VIEWS

Bringing Memphis’ unique sense of place into the Renasant Convention Center was a major driver in the modernization, from the Main Street Lobby that connects the center to Memphis' walkable downtown to floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in natural light and river views.

BY THE NUMBERS

300,000 SF of flexible meeting, exhibit & pre-function space

118,000 SF column-free Exhibit Hall (the largest in the region)

28,000 SF Ballroom

2,100 Seats at the adjoining Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

46 Flexible meeting rooms, totaling over 90,000 SF

600 Hotel Rooms at the connected Sheraton Memphis Downtown

ROCKIN' VENUES

Inside the Renasant Convention Center, choose from a variety of spaces, from the 2,100-seat Cannon Center for the Performing Arts (above) to the Memphis Board Room, a three-sided glass space that cantilevers over Main Street for prime downtown views (right).

ALEX SHANSKY

CREATION STUDIOS

CREATION STUDIOS

CALL

901-543-5366

While a convention center can anchor your event, delegates are excited by moments that connect them to the surrounding city and its unique character. Lucky for you, many Memphis landmarks and attractions double as meeting, event and breakout spaces.

PRESLEY'S GRACELAND

BIG CYPRESS LODGE

ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES,

Stage an iconic event or meeting at the home of The King of Rock 'n' Roll. Serve cocktails in Elvis’ car museum, offer delegates an after-hours tour of Graceland Mansion or treat them to a concert at Graceland Soundstage. You can even meet and stay on-site at The Guest House at Graceland, a AAA Four-Diamond hotel.

CHECK IN, HANG OUT

Downtown Memphis hotels pack everything under one roof.

The world's 10th largest pyramid, Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid (left), welcomes team-building at an underwaterthemed bowling alley, reception potential on a glass observation deck overlooking the Mississippi River and, at the on-site Big Cypress Lodge, hotel rooms and meeting space. And that's just one example. Ask us which downtown hotels, including several new properties from Hilton and Hyatt, could be just right for your group.

DOWNTOWN FUNK

Less than one mile from Renasant Convention Center in downtown Memphis, you'll discover off-site venue options with an unmistakable sense of place, from open-air parties surrounded by the neon lights of Beale Street (left) to the rooftop of the historic Peabody Hotel (bottom left). Other downtown Memphis venues include indoor/outdoor social spots like Old Dominick Distillery and Wiseacre Brewing Co., FedExForum (home of the NBA Memphis Grizzlies) and the National Civil Rights Museum.

CITYWIDE HITS

No matter where you want to be in Memphis, you'll find authentic off-site venues. Midtown Memphis is home to award-winning Memphis Zoo (right), perfect for private events — and close to walkable districts packed with locally owned restaurants, live music venues and nightlife. In east Memphis, consider venues such as Shelby Farms Park. As one of the largest urban parks in the country, it's prime for teambuilding with activities like zip lining, and features the new FedEx Event Center.

MORE OFF-SITE VENUES YOU'LL LOVE

"Our entire event planning experience with Memphis was so positive! We were struck by the strong sense of pride in this city. Memphis is a unique and walkable location for events. Our attendees enjoyed the array of restaurants, activities and history."

– Tracey Edwards, CEO, National Exchange Club

ALEX SHANSKY

ALEX SHANSKY

ALEX SHANSKY

WHERE CHAMPIONS PLAY

With NBA, USL, AAA, the FedExCup Playoffs and Ironman action, plus a wave of new youth and collegiate sports venues, Memphis is where champions of all ages and levels play. While our newly transformed Renasant Convention Center can accommodate 20 volleyball courts or 10 basketball courts, sports facilities across Memphis are ready for the action your team brings.

GAMEDAY BASEBALL 10 PRO-QUALITY FIELDS UP TO 200 SEATS PER FIELD

MIKE ROSE SOCCER COMPLEX 16 FIFA-DIMENSION FIELDS

2,500 SEAT STADIUM

PHILLIP VAN ZANDT

FEDEXFORUM

Home of NBA Memphis Grizzlies Basketball & University of Memphis Tigers Men's Basketball

FACILITY AREA: 805,850 SF

MAXIMUM SEATS: 18,500

AUTOZONE PARK

Home of AAA Memphis Redbirds Baseball & USL 901FC Soccer

FACILITY AREA: 11 ACRES

MAXIMUM SEATS : 10,000

FEDEXFORUM (ABOVE); AUTOZONE PARK (OPPOSITE PAGE, MIDDLE)

JULIAN HARPER

CALL US 901-543-5366

MEMPHIS SPORTS & EVENTS CENTER @ LIBERTY PARK

227,000 SF

16 BASKETBALL COURTS OR

32 VOLLEYBALL COURTS UNDER 1 ROOF

4 VIP SUITES

3,500 SPECTATOR SEATS

2 MULTIPURPOSE ROOMS

SIMMONS BANK LIBERTY STADIUM @ LIBERTY PARK

FACILITY AREA: 17 ACRES

MAXIMUM SEATS: 57,053

LIBERTY PARK (OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP); MEMPHIS SPORTS & EVENTS CENTER (BELOW)

DCA

P7 SPORTS ACADEMY

55,000 Square Feet

5 BASKETBALL COURTS OR 8 VOLLEYBALL COURTS

USA BASEBALL STADIUM COMPLEX

7 BASEBALL FIELDS

5,000 SEAT STADIUM

2 NEW FIELDS IN DEVELOPMENT

COMING SOON Leftwich Tennis Center, the region's largest indoor/outdoor tennis facility

MEMPHIS HOTELS

Selecting the right hotel can help you create that unforgettable event experience for your group. Memphis makes it easy.

26K+

HOTEL ROOMS CITYWIDE

NAMES

YOU KNOW & LOVE

Expect authentic event or hang-out spaces and chic accommodations at a variety of new properties from your favorite hotel brands: Marriott’s Moxy, Canopy by Hilton, Caption by Hyatt and Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis (all located downtown), along with Marriott's The Memphian in midtown and the renovated Hilton Memphis in east Memphis.

CHRISTOPHER VILLANO

4K+ HOTEL ROOMS DOWNTOWN

STAY CONNECTED

Memphis' Renasant Convention Center is connected to the 600-room Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel. The property has announced plans to add a new tower with 300 rooms, a $226-million-dollar enhancement.

FIND THE HOTEL THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOUR GROUP

ANDREA ZUCKER

ARIEL COBBERT

GETTING HERE & GETTING AROUND

Memphis is centrally located, making it an easy flight, drive or train ride from almost anywhere in the U.S.

LOCALFAVORITE WAYS TO MOVE RIDESHARE

Including Uber & Lyft

EXPLORE BIKE SHARE

On-demand rental kiosks across the city

ELECTRIC SCOOTERS

Available downtown and in other entertainment districts you’ll want to explore

VINTAGE TROLLEYS

Offering $1 rides on dynamic routes downtown

STEVE AUSTELL

JAMES

NONSTOP DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS AT MEM

ATLANTA, GA ( ATL )

AUSTIN, TX ( AUS )

BALTIMORE, MD ( BWI )

BOSTON, MA ( BOS )

CHARLOTTE, NC ( CLT )

CHICAGO, IL ( MDW, ORD )

DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX ( DAL, DFW )

DENVER, CO ( DEN )

DESTIN/FORT WALTON

BEACH, FL ( VPS )

DETROIT, MI ( DTW )

EL DORADO, AR ( ELD )

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL ( FLL )

HARRISON, AR ( HRO )

HOT SPRINGS, AR ( HOT )

HOUSTON, TX ( HOU , IAH )

LAS VEGAS, NV ( LAS )

LOS ANGELES, CA ( LAX )

MIAMI, FL ( MIA )

MINNEAPOLIS, MN ( MSP)

NEW YORK CITY ( LGA )

NEWARK, NJ ( EWR )

ORLANDO/SANFORD, FL ( MCO, SFB )

PHILADELPHIA, PA ( PHL )

PHOENIX, AZ ( AZA, PHX )

SALT LAKE CITY, UT ( SLC) ST. PETERSBURG/ CLEARWATER, FL ( PIE )

WASHINGTON, DC ( DCA )

ICONIC CITY TOURS

From riverboats to bus tours led by local musicians to caravans that transport you to storied sites, Memphis promises an array of group tour options that will have your delegates relaxing (and maybe even singing along!) to the Memphis beat.

YOUR GUIDE TO GROUP TRANSPORT IN MEMPHIS

SEAN FISHER

PHILLIP VAN ZANDT

g E-5 Memphis Botanic Garden j E-5 Memphis Escape Rooms – East

l C-4 Memphis Zoo

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

z C-7 American Contract Bridge League Museum

x D-4 T Clifton Art

c D-5 Art Museum of the University of Memphis

m A-6 C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa

. G-3 Davies Manor Plantation

/ D-5 Dixon Gallery & Gardens

# C-4 Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

$ D-5 Memphis Museum of Science & History (MoSH)

& H-7 Morton Museum of Collierville History

SPORTS & RECREATION

W F-4 Go Ape USA

BREWERIES & DISTILLERIES

H

Made Brewing

: D-4 WISEACRE Brewing Broad Ave.

REGIONAL ATTRACTIONS

" D-1 Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Center

Z H-2 Casey Jones Village

X H-7 Collierville Depot Visitors Center

C A-7 Delta Blues Museum

V A-1 Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home

B A-1 Southern Tenant Farmers Museum

N A-2 Sultana Disaster Museum

M H-2 West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center

¡ D-1 Discovery Park of America

GAMING &

CASINOS

< A-7 Hollywood Casino

> A-4 Southland Casino Racing

? A-7 Gold Strike Casino Resort

¢ A-7 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica

Memphis/Shelby County Visitor Center East/Shelby County, Arlington Trail at 1-40, exit 25

Memphis Visitor Center

Near Graceland and the airport, 3205 Elvis Presley Blvd.

Tennessee State Welcome Center Downtown, 119 N. Riverside Dr.

Renasant Convention Center Downtown, 255 N. Main St.