Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau |
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As we near the end of the year and come upon the holiday season, the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau Sales Department would like to thank all the conventions, groups, and events that took place in Gatlinburg this past year. Also, with the 15-million-dollar renovation the convention center has been undertaking this year, we want to thank all of our customers for their patience during this much-needed renovation. Even though the renovation is coming to a completion, there will be exciting additions and enhancements throughout 2023.
We are proud to announce that the Gatlinburg Convention Center had 24 events that took place for the first time in 2022. But we are still so ever grateful for the numerous events that continue to come back to Gatlinburg year after year. We have spotlighted those events in this issue.
Also spotlighting in this issue The Gillette, attractions Anakeesta and Ober Mountain and the popularity of Motorcoach Tour groups in Gatlinburg.
Once again, thank you for selecting Gatlinburg as your destination for conventions, groups, meetings, and events!
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Convention Center: 160,000+ square feet of total space
Sleeping Rooms: 4,000+ Surround the 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 of hotels and the convention center.
Shopping: 500+ shops with the largest arts and crafts community in the U.S.
Attractions: 40+ along with many other entertainment options with the majority within walking distance to hotels and the convention center.
Rocky Top Sports World: 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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Gatlinburg Lodging Spotlight |
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The Gillette is well known for its friendly service, impeccably clean and comfortable guest rooms, and terrific location from the Parkway and across the street from the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Every room has recently or will be completely renovated and offers free Wi-Fi, a mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, outdoor seating, and more. Some guest rooms offer balconies. An outdoor heated swimming pool is open seasonally and all rooms are non-smoking.
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Anakeesta is a unique, authentic outdoor experience immersing guests of all ages in the beauty and adventure of the great outdoors. Located in the heart of Gatlinburg, the mountaintop outdoor theme park is a wonderful experience for attendees of all ages. With elements of adventure and relaxation, Anakeesta offers a memorable experience in the Smoky Mountains!
Along with the 14-bridge Treetop Skywalks and AnaVista Tower, the highest point in Gatlinburg, and thrill seeker options like Dueling Zipline Adventure and Rail Runner Mountain Coaster, attendees can add to the adventure by experiencing Astra Lumina, the 15th Lumina Enchanted Walk in the world and first in the United States.
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Ober Mountain
Viewfinders for the Colorblind
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There are 12+ Million people who come to visit the Smoky Mountains every year. Many visitors come to see the leaves change in the fall. The vivid green, yellow, orange, and red leaves bring visitors from all over the world to witness the change. Of those 12+ million people who visit the Smokies, about 8.5% of them have some form of color blindness. They would usually never be able to experience the beautiful colors of Fall.
Ober Mountain boasts one of three Color Blindless Viewers in Tennessee that let people with color blindness experience all the colors in the Smoky Mountains. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development installed one of these viewers at Ober last year so that guests with color blindness can take part in the beautiful fall change. The Viewer at the top of the Scenic Chairlift gives visitors an emotional experience. Those with Protanopia, Protanomaly, or any red-green color blindness disability can look at all the glorious colors that we take for granted.
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Watch the tear-jerking reactions of some of our earliest visitors. |
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Gatlinburg Motorcoach Tour Groups |
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Gatlinburg Motorcoach Tour Groups |
Gatlinburg continues to be a premier destination for motorcoach groups. Year 2022 has been a great rebound year for tour groups and Gatlinburg continues to welcome these visitors throughout the year.
With tour destinations like Ole Smoky Distillery, Anakeesta, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ober Mountain, SkyBridge, Ole Red, Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, along with various hotels and restaurants, it is no wonder why Gatlinburg continues to have repeat motorcoach tours and continues to add new tour groups throughout the year.
Gatlinburg is happy to announce the following motorcoach tour statistics for 2022:
700+ tour groups with approximately 21,000 people
To learn more and receive additional information for your future motorcoach tour groups, please contact Dian Stanfill with the CVB Sales Department at
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Gatlinburg Convention Center |
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The Gatlinburg Convention Center is in the final stages of a 15-million-dollar renovation. New meeting space has been added along with the renovation of the existing space and all public areas (carpet, wood flooring, exterior decorations, digital signage, etc.).
The newly added indoor/outdoor venue space at the Gatlinburg Convention Center will allow groups to have events and meetings in an outdoor setting overlooking the Gatlinburg Parkway. This 5,000 total square foot space with fire pits located on the patio will be a venue every event at the Gatlinburg Convention Center will want to utilize!
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Gatlinburg Convention Center
Street Name Change
Beginning January 1, 2023, the Gatlinburg Convention Center Street name will change from Historic Nature Trail to a “new” name. But the name is really not new but returning to the original name. The new street address will be:
Gatlinburg Convention Center
234 Airport Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
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Thank You For Your Business
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As proud as we are of the numerous new events that has taken place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center this year, we would be remiss by not thanking the many events that continue to hold their event in Gatlinburg year after year. We truly appreciate that you have entrusted the Gatlinburg CVB and Convention Center with handling your event.
Listed are events that have been coming for at least five years.
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30+ Years
Family Fest in the Smokies
Gatlinburg Apparel and Jewelry Market
Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair
Smoky Mountain Gift Show
25+ Years
Church of Christ Winterfest
Jubilee Fall Event
Smoky Mountain Music Festival
Tennessee Christian Teen
Xtreme Winter Conference
20+ Years
Encore DCS Regional Competition
Future Farmers of America
Gatlinburg Regional Bridge Tournament
Great Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Community
Isshin Ryu Hall of Fame
Smoky Mountain Encore
Smoky Mountain Gathering
Stage One TN National Finals
Tennessee Law Institute
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15+ Years
Accelerant Fire Conference
Crossroads Ministries
East Tennessee Federal Programs
Faith for the Family
Missions Get-Together
Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistant
Winter Renewal
10+ Years
Church of God – Kid Fest
Nail Tech Event of the Smokies
Tennessee Association of Utility Districts
Tennessee Square and Round Dance
Timothy Barnabus North American Mission Board
5+ Years
Beyond the Stars
Fever Productions
National BETA Student Leadership Summit
NexStar National Talent Competition
Public Agency Training
Smoky Mountain Bigfoot
Tennessee Credit Union League
Tennessee Municipal League
Tennessee School Nutrition
Western Kentucky University TTAS
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Gatlinburg Convention Center Events |
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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.
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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Check out our video on things to do in Gatlinburg! |
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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 23rd. If you are interested in viewing earlier editions, please click GCVB Sales Quarterly Newsletter.
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Gatlinburg CVB | Sales Department | 865-436-2392
sales@gatlinburg.com | www.gatlinburg.com/info
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