Conference and band marching on Beale Street

MEET IN MEMPHIS

Welcome to the boutique meetings capital of the Southeast! Planners choose Memphis for its central location, affordability and customer service, among other amenities:

If you've ever planned an event in Memphis, Tennessee, you might not recognize it the next time you see it. This river city is on the rise, with the fully transformed Renasant Convention Center, upgrades at Memphis International Airport and thousands of new hotel rooms (with more on the way). Plus, a transformative sports hub, Liberty Park, is being activated in the center of the city, starting with the December 2022 grand opening of the Memphis Sports & Events Center. All in the boutique, yet affordable, destination of Memphis, the legendary home of blues, soul and rock 'n' roll — and recently named to Conde Nast Traveler's 23 Best Places to Go in 2023. If you've never planned an event in Memphis, one thing is for sure:

More than an event for your group, Memphis is an experience. From our riverfront convention center to unique off-site venues and an array of new sports facilities, Memphis meeting spaces are authentic and customizable. Our team offers a variety of complimentary services, connecting you with vendors, event promotion services, group hotel and transportation options, and more. Memphis Tourism has earned ConventionSouth Media Group's Readers' Choice Award six years in a row for our service, but that's just one of many reasons Memphis is popular for meetings and events. So whether it's a convention, sporting event or even a family reunion, contact us.
 

Defy Convention in Memphis

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

Tour Renasant Convention Center

Discover the $200M transformation of Downtown Memphis' Renasant Convention Center, featuring 300,000 total square feet, the region's largest ballroom and Mississippi River views. 

Up Next:

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. 

Renasant Convention Center Mississippi River Terrace
Renasant Convention Center River View Terrace
RCC East Exterior Night
RCC Memphis Board Room
Renasant Convention Center West Prefunction Space
RCC River facing exterior
Renasant Convention Center West Prefunction Space
RCC West Lobby
RCC West Exterior Night.
RCC Front Exterior
Screenshot of Renasant Convention Center's 360-degree tours
Mighty Lights memphis
Inspiration for your next meeting or event

With a new convention center, sports facility, hotels and attractions – plus the legendary spots you know and love (many of which double as off-site meeting venues!), there's never been a better time to plan your meeting in Memphis. 

REVIEWS FROM PLANNERS & ATTENDEES

Walkable to restaurants and nightlife, constantly incorporating new hotels in their portfolio . . . great value and great incentives for hosting meetings in Memphis!

Loretta Champion Johnson, CMP, Senior Director, Global Accounts, HelmsBriscoe

Our entire event planning experience with Memphis has been so positive! The Memphis Tourism staff, LEO Events and The Peabody have all been fantastic, so helpful and great ambassadors for the city. We have been struck by the strong sense of pride in this city, and it shows. Memphis is a unique and walkable location for events. Our attendees enjoyed the array of restaurants, activities and history.

Tracey Edwards, CEO, National Exchange Club

Memphis Tourism offered amazing service that really catered to the specific needs of our group. Our attendees thought there was so much to see in Memphis! Nicer hotels [as well].

LaToya Williams, Manager, Global Accounts, HelmsBriscoe

Planning a conference for close to 1,000 people with over 45 sessions, a tradeshow and several events takes a team of professionals and that is exactly what you will get when working with Memphis Tourism. The sales staff takes a very personal approach and worked with us every step of the way, not just at contract signing. Our conference manager was innovative, kept every promise and was always there.

Jan Aument, ​National Oral Health Conference Event Professional

I jumped at the chance to visit Memphis as part of a new event we were planning. Memphis didn’t let me down. Its friendliness, compactness and visitor offerings make it a perfect place to explore. The music heritage is so deep, you could lose yourself for a week learning more about the city’s role in music history, and its tours, attractions and nightlife are captivating.

Steven Small, Brand Director, Routes & ASM

For our medical group, Memphis was a perfect choice because of its historical relevance for African Americans and the ability to visit great places relevant to that history, as well as to partner with suppliers that genuinely cared about our conference attendees having a rewarding experience. Really loved the experience and looking forward to going back again with other groups and conferences to this warm and authentic city!

Dr. Pat Newton, President, Newton-Thoth, Inc. International Meeting Planners

The selection of Memphis for our 2018 conference was one of the best decisions. Great pre-conference assistance from Memphis Tourism. Our location right off Beale Street was great; food, music, attractions were all terrific. There is one thing that surpassed all: the graciousness of the people of Memphis. I have been in all 50 states and over 70 countries.  I can name few places where I felt a more genuine welcome and warmth. This is a hidden gem of a conference location.

Tim Moravec, Chair, 2018 Marketing Conference, Incentive Manufacturers & Representatives Alliance

Memphis proved to be a great host for our conference of 350 attendees. Downtown offered us a wide variety of restaurants and bars all within walking distance of The Peabody hotel. The city has all the great attributes of a large metropolitan community but with the added bonus of a small-town feel. My attendees appreciated the opportunity to visit a city that is filled with culture, history and live music at a great price!

Lauren Dollerschell, Senior Meeting Planner, American Land Title Association

Memphis was an absolutely FABULOUS city for a conference! So fabulous in fact that this was our largest meeting ever. The proximity of the airport to downtown Memphis and the ability to visit Graceland as an extra activity was a huge plus. Our experience in Memphis was a win and I can see our meeting returning in the future.

Brandi Gerew, CAE, CMP, Senior Association Manager, Capitol Hill Management Services, Inc.
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CONTACT THE MEMPHIS TOURISM TEAM
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Have you heard the buzz?

Memphis' Renasant Convention Center was again named Best Convention Center by Smart Meetings' Smart Stars 2023. 

Smart Meetings, June 2023

Renasant Convention Center and its managing partner, Memphis Tourism, have been honored with a Readers’ Choice Award by ConventionSouth Magazine. This is the sixth consecutive year Memphis Tourism has earned the distinction.

ConventionSouth, October 2022

For the third year in a row, the Renasant Convention Center is named to EXHIBITOR Magazine's Annual Centers of Excellence list, honoring North America's best convention centers for trade shows and corporate events.

EXHIBITOR Magazine, October 2022

Memphis' Renasant Convention Center was named Best Convention Center by Smart Meetings' Smart Stars 2022, a planner’s choice award based on the actual experiences of Smart Meetings magazine readers at venues and destinations around the world. Learn more.

Smart Meetings' Smart Stars, July 2022

In addition to being named among EXHIBITOR Magazine's Centers of Excellence, Memphis' Renasant Convention Center was one of seven facilities recognized by EXHIBITOR with a special award: Best Customer Service & On-Site Support.

EXHIBITOR Magazine, December 2021

Citing the power of Memphis' South Main Arts District to "[stitch] the past and the present together to create a neighborhood with its finger firmly on the pulse," Fodor's named Memphis to its 2022 GO LIST.

Fodor's, November 2021

Memphis is named to TIME's annual list of the World’s Greatest Places, ranking among destinations in France, South Africa and Costa Rica. 

TIME, July 2021

Memphis Tourism, the official destination marketing organization for Memphis and Shelby County and the managing partner of Renasant Convention Center, is named a Top Destination by Facilities & Destinations readers.

Facilities & Destinations, June 2021

MPI's Rich Luna covered the Nov. 17 ceremonial lighting of Memphis' Renasant Convention Center. Read the full article, "Expanded Renasant Convention Center Lights up Memphis," here.

MPI, November 2020

The Renasant Convention Center earns GBAC STARTM-Accreditation, the only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities.

Global BioRisk Advisory Council, August 2020