As we enter the middle portion of the third quarter, we are happy to report that Gatlinburg continues to be “the go to” destination for conventions, meetings, groups and events. This has been a real testament to all the safety and sanization protocols the Gatlinburg Convention Center has had in place this year. This year is shaping up to be one of the most successful years for Gatlinburg for tourism as well as group and meeting attendance numbers.
We are also happy to report all the new groups and conventions that have taken place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center this year. The Gatlinburg Convention Center will host 25 new events that will take place in Gatlinburg for the first time in 2021.
In this issue we spotlight the extensive renovations the Gatlinburg convention center is currently undergoing, Gatlinburg Convention Center employee Lenora Mobley, some newly opened attractions in Gatlinburg, and Ober Gatlinburg offering guided hiking tours.
To set up your personal tour with one of our experienced sales team members, please contact me at Dave@gatlinburg.com. After seeing all the activities and options, you’ll see why Gatlinburg was named the number 1 destination in the U.S. by TripAdvisor for 2021. |
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Convention Center: (148,000 square feet of total space)
Sleeping Rooms (4,000+ surrounding convention center including full and limited service hotels, condominiums, chalets and cabins)
Dining Options: (100+ restaurants, from casual to elegant gourmet establishments with the majority within walking distance to hotels and convention center)
Shopping: (500+ shops with 5 malls plus largest Arts & Crafts Community in the U.S.)
Attractions: (40+ along with many other entertainment options with the majority within walking distance to hotels and convention center)
Rocky Top Sports Complex: (Named top Multi-Use Sports Facility by SportsEvents Magazine) and (Favorite Indoor Venue by Sports Destination Management Magazine)
Gatlinburg Golf Course: (Named Best Municipal Golf Course in Tennessee by Golf Digest Magazine)
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Tripadvisor named Gatlinburg as the #𝟏 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 in the U.S. and #5 in the World. Thank you all for making Gatlinburg such a great place to visit!
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Hike the Trails at Ober
Starting this summer, Ober is now offering Hiking at Ober Gatlinburg! Ober's goal is to provide an introduction to hiking, full of adventure and learning for the whole family.
The Trails at Ober offer guests a 1.5 mile guided hike through the woods that surround Ober's 60 year old ski slopes which border the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Ober's experienced guides will go over some history of the area and will identify the many seasonal wildflowers that line the trail. The hike ranges from easy, rolling hills to short bursts of moderate, uphill climbs. You will also encounter many interesting features along your journey, including scenic photo ops, ponds, steps, and a bridge…even a wishing well! There will also be several opportunities to rest and hydrate.
Get up close and personal with wildlife and seasonal wildflowers all over the mountain.
Come experience the beautiful views from Mount Harrison, on foot, at Ober Gatlinburg!
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Gatlinburg Axe House
Gatlinburg Axe House takes pride in offering a fun and unique experience to visitors interested in axe throwing. Located in the heart of Gatlinburg, just above the Chocolate Monkey. The Gatlinburg Axe House offers easy access to those that want to stop by and see what axe throwing is all about! Offering a fun, family-friendly, alcohol-free venue to try your hand at axe throwing in a safe, controlled environment.
The Gatlinburg Axe House proudly offers Military Discounts to current and prior members of the Armed Services. They are also a great option for Company Team Building events, Company Parties, and group activities while in Gatlinburg. They have 7+ lanes to accommodate events. Their friendly staff are always excited to share their knowledge and passion for this awesome sport with you!
Axe Throwing has soared in popularity recently as a fun, challenging sport that makes for great fun amongst co-workers, friends, and family. Gatlinburg Axe House is doing their part to be great ambassadors to the sport of axe throwing and great hosts to the visitors of their venue. Stop by the Gatlinburg Axe House and get in on the fun of axe throwing!
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Work together in a 60-minute race against the clock to escape! Solve puzzles, conquer challenges, while experiencing adrenaline-pumping surprises around every corner of all FOUR of our epic adventures.
Most don’t escape!
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*The Legend of Atlantis - An epic, story-driven journey that puts you in an Indiana Jones adventure, full of Hollywood-quality set pieces with special effects.
*Moonshine Hill Hootenanny - Small Paw Sampson ain’t havin’ no part of Big Maw Bertha’s hootenanny tonight for her secret ‘shine recipe, so you’ll hafta be crafty to break into Maw’s shack and blow her ‘shine still to smithereens!
*The Haunting of Hyde House - Abandoned by your tour guide, you’ll become trapped in Hyde House and discover you are not alone. Little Isabella haunts the mansion, playing games and leaving puzzles to lead you to her most cherished friend, her doll Emma. With your help, she may have hope at last!
*Masters of Magic - Enter into the Realm of Illusions, a mystic venue known as the “other side of magic,” where truly powerful magic takes place. Only those possessing magical abilities are selected to partake in a special magician’s challenge. Those that succeed will become part of a select group — the Masters of Magic.
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The Gatlinburg Convention Center is the first in the region to achieve the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities. Under the guidance of GBAC, a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, the Gatlinburg Convention Center has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention in its facility.
As the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR™ helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training, and assesses a facility’s readiness for biorisk situations. The program verifies that the Gatlinburg Convention Center implements best practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.
“GBAC STAR™ accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers and key stakeholders that they have proven systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “By taking this important step to pursue GBAC STAR™, the Gatlinburg Convention Center has received third-party validation that it follows strict protocols for biorisk situations, thereby demonstrating its preparedness and commitment to operating safely.”
To achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation, Gatlinburg Convention Center was required to demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures.
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CONVENTION CENTER UPDATES |
The Gatlinburg Convention Center is in the final stages of completing an 8-million-dollar renovation and expansion. The expansion will add six meeting rooms and public area reception space located near Mills Auditorium. Renovations include replacement of all building carpeting, escalators, HVAC, roofing and remodel of public restrooms.
*Future photo's will be posted as renovations continue.
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Things to do in Gatlinburg! |
Watch our video on things to do in Gatlinburg! |
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Gatlinburg Convention Center |
Check out this video on The Gatlinburg Convention Center. |
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We would love the chance to “update” you on all the new and exciting developments that Gatlinburg has going to ensure that when it comes to your future conventions, meetings and events, Gatlinburg has your event covered!
If you would like to be on the distribution list and receive future Gatlinburg Update Quarterly e-newsletters, please email sales@gatlinburg.com and request to be added. Please feel free to forward The Gatlinburg Update to anyone you feel will find it informative.
This edition of the Gatlinburg Update Quarterly Newsletter is our 16th. If you are interested in viewing earlier editions, please click GCVB Sales Quarterly Newsletter.
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Gatlinburg CVB
Website: www.Gatlinburg.com/info
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