The Knoxville Convention Center is a modern exhibition and meeting venue in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Set beside World’s Fair Park and the landmark Sunsphere, it hosts conventions, trade shows, sporting competitions, graduations, corporate meetings, banquets and public events. Its central location places attendees within walking distance of hotels, restaurants, Market Square and the University of Tennessee campus.
Built in 2002, the center covers approximately 500,000 square feet and offers about 250,000 square feet of flexible event space. Its main facilities include two connected exhibit halls, a ballroom, a lecture hall, breakout rooms and outdoor terraces. Visitors should check their assigned room and entrance before travelling.
Knoxville Convention Center Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
| Official name | Knoxville Convention Center |
| Address | 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 |
| Manager | Legends Global |
| Total facility area | Approximately 500,000 square feet |
| Flexible event space | Approximately 250,000 square feet |
| Main exhibit space | About 120,000 square feet |
| Main exhibit halls | Exhibit Hall A and Exhibit Hall B |
| Grand Ballroom | 27,300 square feet |
| Lecture Hall | 460 fixed seats plus 10 ADA spaces |
| Breakout meeting rooms | 14, plus board and conference rooms |
| Primary nearby parking | Locust Street Parking Garage |
| Standard weekday garage rate | $1 per hour, up to $7 per day; special-event rates may apply |
| Nearest airport | McGhee Tyson Airport, about 12 miles from downtown |
| Nearby landmark | World’s Fair Park and the Sunsphere |
Address and Location
The official address is 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. The building stands at the corner of Henley Street and Clinch Avenue, between the downtown business district and the University of Tennessee. World’s Fair Park surrounds the western side of the property, while the Sunsphere rises immediately beside it.
Entrances are available from Clinch Avenue, Cumberland Avenue and World’s Fair Park. Large shows may use separate doors for registration, spectators and exhibitors.
Market Square, Gay Street, the Tennessee Theatre and several downtown hotels are within walking distance. The compact setting allows many convention visitors to move between their hotel, meeting sessions and restaurants without using a car.
Facilities at the Convention Center
The Knoxville Convention Center provides three floors of exhibit, ballroom, meeting and concourse space. The exhibit level has nearly 120,000 square feet of contiguous and divisible floor area. Utility ports positioned across the halls support electricity, drainage, data and telephone connections, while selected columns provide compressed air and water.
The underground loading area has nine truck bays, including seven with dock levellers. Both exhibit halls have drive-on access for approved vehicles, displays and production equipment.
Services include internet, audiovisual production, catering, exhibitor decorating, utilities and digital signage. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in ballrooms, meeting rooms and upper concourses.
Hall Capacity and Layout
Exhibit Halls A and B
Exhibit Halls A and B combine to create approximately 120,000 square feet. Together, they can hold about 10,115 theatre-style attendees, 5,050 banquet guests or 620 standard booths. The floor can also support ten basketball courts or 20 volleyball courts.
Hall A covers 70,626 square feet and holds about 6,285 theatre-style attendees, 3,050 banquet guests or 386 standard booths. Hall B covers 49,296 square feet and holds about 3,996 theatre-style attendees, 2,020 banquet guests or 249 booths.
The halls can operate separately or as one continuous floor. Final attendance depends on staging, booths, equipment and safety aisles.
Grand Ballroom
The Grand Ballroom covers 27,300 square feet and has a ceiling height of approximately 28 feet 6 inches. It can accommodate around 2,640 theatre-style attendees, 1,860 classroom seats, 1,650 banquet guests or 145 standard booths.
The ballroom divides into six sections. The adjoining concourses support registration, refreshments and tabletop exhibits, while a 4,250-square-foot terrace accompanies selected sections.
Lecture Hall and Meeting Rooms
The fixed-seat Lecture Hall provides 460 cushioned theatre-style seats with flip-top writing desks, plus ten additional ADA spaces. Its built-in stage, projection screen and three green rooms make it useful for presentations, training programmes, lectures and screenings.
Second-floor rooms 200 A-E divide for workshops or combine for larger sessions. The 200 ABC setup holds about 400 theatre-style attendees, while 200 DE holds about 260.
Third-floor rooms include groups 300 A-D and 301 A-E. The 301 ABC combination holds around 460 theatre-style attendees. Smaller options include the Rotunda, Henley Meeting Room, boardroom and conference room.
Concourses and Outdoor Areas
Park, Cumberland, Henley and Clinch concourses support registration, sponsor displays, coffee breaks and small exhibits. Large windows overlook World’s Fair Park and the Sunsphere.
The 19,080-square-foot Plaza Terrace and smaller Ballroom Terrace support approved outdoor receptions and breaks.
Parking at Knoxville Convention Center
The main nearby option is Locust Street Parking Garage at 540 Locust Street. A skybridge and covered route lead toward the convention center.
The standard city rate is $1 per hour, with a weekday maximum of $7. Parking is free when entering after 6 p.m. on weeknights and free on weekends, although special-event rates may apply.
Other downtown garages, lots and metered spaces are available. Accessible parking and drop-off are on the Cumberland Avenue side near the Ballroom Drop-Off.
Reaching the Convention Center
The venue is close to Interstate 40 and Interstate 275. Eastbound I-40 traffic can use Exit 388 toward Henley Street, while westbound traffic commonly uses Exit 387.
McGhee Tyson Airport is about 12 miles from downtown. Taxis, rideshares and rental cars provide the usual connection, while local buses serve central Knoxville.
Popular Hotels Near Knoxville Convention Center
Several downtown hotels are within a short walk of the center:
- Marriott Knoxville Downtown: Approximately 0.1 mile away, beside World’s Fair Park and connected to the convention area by a covered pathway.
- Hilton Knoxville: About 0.2 mile away, with full-service facilities and easy access to downtown restaurants.
- Cumberland House Knoxville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton: Around 0.2 mile away and overlooking World’s Fair Park.
- Hyatt Place Knoxville Downtown: About 0.2 mile away on South Gay Street, close to theatres, dining and Market Square.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville-Downtown: Roughly 0.2 mile from the convention center and useful for guests who prefer complimentary breakfast.
Rates often rise during university weekends and major conventions, so compare walking distance, parking and breakfast before booking.
Dining at and Near the Convention Center
Legends Global is the exclusive food and beverage provider. The cashless venue offers catering and concessions and accepts major cards and mobile payments. Outside food and drinks are generally prohibited.
Market Square and Gay Street offer cafés, Southern cooking, barbecue and restaurants suitable for business meals. Nearby hotels provide additional choices.
Accessibility
The center provides accessible entrances, elevators, restrooms, routes and parking. Accessible parking is on the Cumberland Avenue side, and the Lecture Hall includes ten ADA spaces.
Only trained service animals are permitted. Guests needing another accommodation should contact the organiser in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is the Knoxville Convention Center connected to a hotel?
The center is not part of a hotel, but Marriott Knoxville Downtown is beside World’s Fair Park and has a covered pedestrian connection to the convention area. Several other downtown hotels are within a short walk.
Q2. Does the convention center have its own parking garage?
The primary public option is the nearby Locust Street Parking Garage rather than an attached convention-center garage. A skybridge and covered route connect the garage area with the venue.
Q3. Can exhibitors drive vehicles into the exhibit halls?
Yes, when approved in advance. Both halls have drive-on access, and the underground loading area supports scheduled move-in and move-out operations. Fuel, floor-protection and fire-safety rules may apply.
Q4. Is luggage storage available?
The convention center is not a general luggage-storage facility. Travellers should ask their hotel or event organiser whether supervised bag holding has been arranged.
Q5. Can attendees bring outside food or drinks?
Outside food and beverages are generally not allowed because catering and concessions are provided exclusively by the venue. Medical or dietary needs should be discussed with the organiser before arrival.
Q6. Is the Sunsphere close to the convention center?
Yes. The Sunsphere stands immediately beside the center in World’s Fair Park and is visible from several concourses and outdoor areas.
Q7. Are pets allowed inside?
Ordinary pets and emotional-support animals are not permitted. Properly trained service animals are allowed under the venue’s accessibility policy.