GATLINBURG CVB
Meeting Safely and Successfully
As we enter springtime in Gatlinburg, and what a great time to be and have your event in Gatlinburg, we at the Gatlinburg CVB Sales Department would like to once again thank the events that have moved forward in these very strange times. I am happy to report that since July 1, 2020, the Gatlinburg Convention Center has had 60 events with 200,000+ attendees. These events have varied from group meetings and conferences to craft fairs, religious conferences, and two different programs spanning the entire facility. The hard work that the convention center staff has done to ensure that sanization and safety protocols were in place for each event has been tremendous. In other news, the state of Tennessee has lifted all executive order restrictions as of April 27, 2021.

We are also happy to report that in 2021, the Gatlinburg Convention Center will have 25 new events that have never taken place in Gatlinburg. It just goes to show that the word is out. Gatlinburg is the place to have your next convention, group or event. Which begs the question, if you have not brought your group to Gatlinburg yet, what are you waiting for?

To set up your personal tour with one of our experienced sales team members, please contact me at Dave@gatlinburg.com. There is nothing like seeing our beautiful city firsthand and seeing all the activities and options Gatlinburg has to offer to ensure that your event is unique and successful.

Dave Esslinger – Director of Sales and Marketing
Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
GATLINBURG AT A GLANCE
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) 
GATLINBURG IS TRENDING!
EXCITING NEWS
Tripadvisor just announced that Gatlinburg is 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!


DELAUDERS
For all the barbecue enthusiasts out there who relish good pulled pork more than anything else, Delauder’s BBQ off Glades Road in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is well worth seeking out. Delauder’s "Holy Bologna" signature sandwich, a masterpiece furnished with fried bologna, pulled pork and nacho cheese, is the stuff of Yelp and Travel + Leisure acclaim. It’s the perfect place to grab a causal - but unforgettable – lunch while in town from this family-owned and operated BBQ hotspot.

A SUCCESS STORY
Jill Wright, Owner and Founder of Nail Tech Event of the Smokies, began her event producing journey over 13 years ago. With the assistance of the Gatlinburg CVB Sales Department, Jill’s first event took place in a Gatlinburg hotel offering small meeting space with approximately 50 attendees. Within two years, and with Jill’s dedication and marketing savvy, Nail Tech Event of the Smokies had outgrown the current space and moved to the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
 
Coming up on its 14th year, Jill Wright has created the premier Nail Tech Event in the country welcoming over 525 attendees, 35+ exhibitors and 15+ classroom workshops. With hard work and dedication, and having the event in Gatlinburg doesn’t hurt either, Jill has proven that anything is possible when an event, city, venue, and a CVB work together. 
 
We at the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau congratulate Jill and the Nail Tech Event of the Smokies for such an impressive growth and run.

THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING! 
TIME TO BOOK YOUR NEXT GROUP TOUR
Due to renewed confidence in traveling and the current uncertainty around international travel, the Group Travel industry will focus heavily on domestic travel this year and possibly into 2022.

“Closer-to-home” destinations have a stronger appeal than ever which has resulted in a huge boost in interest in US locations, specifically National Parks and destinations known for hometown hospitality. Established as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and with the reputation as a safe and friendly destination, Gatlinburg has become a prime choice for motorcoach and group tours. Offering multiple options for attractions, lodging and dining, Gatlinburg will continue to grow in popularity with Group Leaders and Tour Planners. Gatlinburg offers fun activities and unique experiences for all group types. For more information or itinerary planning assistance, please contact Dian Stanfill, Tour & Travel Sales Manager at dian@gatlinburg.com
 
We look forward to seeing you in Gatlinburg!
GBAC STAR ACCREDITATION
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. 
GATLINBURG VIDEOS
Things to do in Gatlinburg!
Watch our video on things to do in Gatlinburg!
Gatlinburg Convention Center
Check out this video on The Gatlinburg Convention Center.
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
It was an incredible experience working with your team. I think we are a “difficult group” with so many moving parts. We work had to make the Interchurch Holiness Convention the best possible for our people, and so we are always calling and asking and begging for one more favor. You all went above and beyond the call of duty.

On the very first night, we knew our people had voted with their enthusiastic attendance of 3,500+, they wanted to move from Dayton to Gatlinburg. We hope that we will be a blessing to you all as we look forward to returning to Gatlinburg for the next four years. I am grateful for all you did personally working with our team. On behalf of all of the IHC Family, thank you.

James Plank | General Secretary |
INTERCHURCH HOLINESS CONVENTION
(3,500+ attendees)

It was such a pleasure to be there with you all in Gatlinburg for our North American Mission Board Timothy Barnabas Retreat. The entire Gatlinburg team (CVB, Convention Center, F&B Caterer) was so wonderful to work with, we could not have asked for a better event. Many couples have expressed their gratitude for such a wonderful experience. 
 
Jonathan Catanzaro, Evangelism & Leadership |
Timothy+Barnabas | North American Mission Board
(300 attendees)
CONVENTION CENTER LIST OF EVENTS
GATLINBURG ACCOLADES
GATLINBURG CVB
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 17th. If you are interested in viewing earlier editions, please click GCVB Sales Quarterly Newsletter.
Gatlinburg CVB
Website: www.Gatlinburg.com/info
Phone: 865-436-2392 | Email Address: sales@gatlinburg.com