Memphis — home of the blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll — has long been legendary among leisure travelers. But the $200M modernization of the city’s Renasant Convention Center creates a state-of-the-art facility in a boutique, affordable destination. Meeting and event planners, take note:
FLEXIBLE, ONLY-IN-MEMPHIS DESIGN
The modernization of Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center was designed to create flexible meeting space and embrace the outdoors, with glass and open-air spaces showcasing natural light and Mississippi River views. Features:
- 300,000 SF including a 118,000-SF, column-free exhibit hall (the region’s largest); 28,000-SF ballroom; 18,000-SF secondary hall/ballroom; 2,100-seat theater and 46 breakout rooms – all with flexible configuration options
- Expanded pre-function space leading to a new public concourse on Main Street, offering direct access to Memphis’ vintage trolley line and easy entrée into the walkable downtown
- Outdoor terraces overlooking the Mississippi River, providing space for breaks and receptions
RESPONSIVE TO COVID-19
When the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with the final phase of Renasant Convention Center’s modernization, the team built safety protocols into the construction process. It started with creating an internal safety committee to oversee and monitor protocols and review new systems and products. Today, Renasant Convention Center is GBAC STARTM accredited through the Global BioRisk Advisory Council. Sanitizing stations, thermal imaging, fogging machines and other critical safety equipment are in use on-site. And, the facility team is actively meeting with planners to customize responsible meeting plans.
RIVER CITY ON THE RISE
The Renasant Convention Center isn’t all that’s new in Memphis. A $17B wave of investment is currently transforming this legendary city into a destination for the future:
- With 2,000 hotel rooms in development in the downtown core alone, Memphis will soon offer more hotel inventory than ever. 600 rooms are already directly connected to the Renasant Convention Center via Sheraton Memphis Downtown; an additional 500 rooms are planned for a second convention center hotel in partnership with Loews Hotels.
- Phased openings for Liberty Park, a $200M sports and events center that expands public space around Memphis’ Liberty Bowl Stadium, are set to begin in 2022. When complete, more than 227,000 SF of indoor and outdoor space will accommodate sporting events.
- Memphis International Airport (MEM) is nearing completing on a $245M upgrade. Wider corridors, larger boarding and lounge areas, and additional moving walkways will streamline the traveler experience.
THE MEMPHIS EXPERIENCE
While a convention center can anchor your event, delegates are excited by moments that connect them to the surrounding city. Here, groups soak in Memphis’ legendary and live music, from the bars of world-famous Beale Street to attractions such as Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Sun Studio and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. They enjoy 60-plus attractions, including riverboat tours, award-winning Memphis Zoo and the National Civil Rights Museum. They savor more than 100 barbecue restaurants and other local favorites serving fine dining to soul food. What’s more, many Memphis landmarks and attractions double as unique offsite venues for memorable, only-in-Memphis meetings and events.
