8 Great Reasons to Meet in Memphis

Ask meeting and event planners why they choose Memphis and these are the answers you'll hear most frequently.

1. 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.

2. MEMPHIS' FULLY TRANSFORMED RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER IS ALREADY AWARD-WINNING.

Since Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center debuted its $200M modernization in 2021, the venue has been awarded 9 times for outstanding service and design, all while hosting groups from futsal teams to the FBI. What can your group expect to discover onsite? A 118,000-SF, column-free exhibit hall—the largest in the region—with flexible space, natural light and mighty Mississippi River views. A 28,000-SF ballroom, an 18,000-SF secondary hall/ballroom, a 2,100-seat theater and 46 breakout rooms round out the 300,000-SF facility. (You can check out those accolades here).

Defy Convention in Memphis

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In Memphis, it's more than a meeting or event — it's an experience. Imagine the sounds and sights of the river city in this video, featuring the new Memphis Sports & Events Center, the fully transformed Renasant Convention Center and other only-in-Memphis venues.

3. THAT'S NOT ALL THAT'S NEW IN MEMPHIS...

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 through 2026. Memphis International Airport (MEM) debuted a $245M upgrade of its own in February 2022 (a major upgrade to Concourse B), and Liberty Park, a $200M sports and events hub in the heart of the city, is progressing. In fact, the Memphis Sports & Events Center just opened in December 2022 as part of Liberty Park's activation. The projects are part of a $20B wave of investment currently transforming Memphis. Learn more here.

4. STILL, MEMPHIS IS A VALUE FOR GROUPS.

Despite its development, Memphis offers groups a lower cost-per-attendee than other cities on the rise, thanks in part to reasonable airport transfers, average daily rate and food & beverage costs. In fact, Lonely Planet and USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice recently raved about Memphis' affordability: The latter ranked the city No. 1 for Best U.S. Destination on a Budget in May 2023. 2023 research also shows that nightly hotel rates are 28% lower in Memphis when compared to the national average.

An image of the passenger seating area under a flowing piece of public art at the new Concourse B inside Memphis International Airport | Steve Austell

MEM Upgrades Just Landed

Memphis International Airport (MEM) just completed a $245M upgrade of Concourse B to transform your passenger experience with enhanced seating, local food and beverage choices, art installations from area creatives and natural light. MEM has also been busy adding several new carriers and direct flights, including Austin, Las Vegas, Nashville and New Orleans.

5. 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. Traditional airlines as well as value carriers service 100 flights daily between Memphis International Airport (MEM) and 30 nonstop destinations, and Amtrak provides nonstop service to Memphis from Chicago and New Orleans. Once your delegates are here, they'll enjoy our compact, walkable downtown, plus fun and varied transportation options–all at reasonable prices.

Reviews from the show floor

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WHAT PLANNERS ARE SAYING

"We look for a location with restaurants in every price point, within close proximity for walkers. We are extremely pleased with Memphis in this regard. Every meal we had in Memphis was fantastic; we loved the food scene and the availability to get out and do some things. It's a great destination!"
– Tracey Edwards, CEO, National Exchange Club

6. MEMPHIS IS A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR PLANNERS.

Considering your budget isn't the only way that Memphis adds value 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. Together, Memphis Tourism and Renasant Convention Center have received ConventionSouth Media Group's Readers' Choice Award for six years running.

Until you visit Memphis' Renasant Convention Center in person, tour our photo gallery and take a 360-degree tour.

The modernization showcases the Renasant Convention Center's setting along Memphis' iconic riverfront, evident in spaces like the venue's West Terrace, shown here.

Bringing Memphis’ unique sense of place into the Renasant Convention Center was a major driver in the modernization. Outdoor spaces such as the Riverview Terrace, shown here, invite relaxing breaks and elegant receptions backdropped by the Memphis skyline.

Groups can take advantage of a new open-air concourse connecting the Renasant Convention Center to Main Street, with easy entrée to Memphis' walkable downtown. This concourse, and the venue's glassed-in lobby that overlooks it, can double as registration and breakout space.

The Memphis Board Room, a three-sided glass space inside the Renasant Convention Center, cantilevers over the city's Main Street for downtown views.

The interiors of Memphis' Renasant Convention Center have been fully reimagined to feature hotel-quality finishes, as seen in this rendering of the venue's West Pre-Function Space.

Designed with meeting planner feedback in mind, the Renasant Convention Center builds flexibility into every element. Lobbies can double as registration and breakout space, while the main exhibit hall and ballroom can be configured in several unique combinations.

Glass is a key design element of the Renasant Convention Center. This photo of the venue's concourse shows how floor-to-ceiling windows energize the space with natural light and one-of-a-kind views.

Interior and exterior spaces invite delegates to gather organically or recharge on their own, including the airy West Lobby. In public areas such as this one, Memphis' Renasant Convention Center offers free WiFi.

Even from the exterior, the spirit of the venue is clear: connecting the Renasant Convention Center to the Memphis cityscape via glass and natural light.

Protected from the elements and brightly illuminated, the Front Street streetscape of Memphis' Renasant Convention Center flows between the main convention venue and five riverfront meeting rooms.

Take a 360-degree tour of Memphis' Renasant Convention Center and Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

Take The Tour

Renasant Convention Center Mississippi River Terrace

Renasant Convention Center River View Terrace

Renasant Convention Center West Prefunction Space

Screenshot of Renasant Convention Center's 360-degree tours

7. OF COURSE, MEMPHIS HAS MANY UNIQUE VENUES.

While everyone's talking about the new Renasant Convention Center, planners and delegates have been dazzled by the city's unique collection of meeting spaces and event venues for years – spaces from Elvis Presley's Graceland to one of the world's largest pyramids to Memphis Zoo. More on that here.

Memphis' Off-Site Venues Will Wow You

The Lookout at Bass Pro Shops is one of several unique off-site venues for meetings and events in Memphis.

8. MEMPHIS IS ALSO KNOWN FOR DELICIOUS FOOD.

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

The cover and a peek inside the pages of the Memphis Meeting Planner Guide

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Learn why planners choose Memphis, the boutique meetings capital of the Southeast. Our free Meeting Planner Guide Includes images and details on Memphis meeting spaces, updates on new group hotel inventory, ideas for unique off-site venues and more.