Memphis
Grooving To A Steady Beat Of Progress
Known as the "Home of the Blues" and the "Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll," Memphis, Tenn., is a city that stays true to its roots, never forgetting what made it a memorable city in the first place. Destination officials say by holding true to its heritage, Memphis offers attendees an "authentic" experience, yet the city continues to move toward new developments and offerings for groups. Memphis "offers you an authentic and vibrant destination, headlined by music and full of one-and-only, nowhere-else experiences," said Kevin Kane, president/CEO for the Memphis Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB). Elvis Presley's Graceland, Beale Street, the Mississippi River, mouth-watering barbecue and Southern soul food, mixed with a heaping helping of Jazz and blues, only scratch the surface of what Memphis has to offer convention-goers, Kane explained.
"Most planners recognize Memphis is a cool city with a great vibe, but most tell us they didn't realize we had so much to offer," explained Memphis CVB Communications Manager Jackie Reed. "We have more than 50 attractions that are unique to Memphis, plus a sizzling nightlife featuring live blues music that can be heard in most every bar and club throughout the city."
Once a meeting planner decides on Memphis as a meetings destination, the city's friendly reputation becomes apparent, according to Kane. "If you are a meeting planner, you have immediate access to our sales team that is ready to assist you in bringing your meeting or group to Memphis. They'll show you why 'America's Friendliest City' has received so many awards," he said.
While Memphis hosts everything from large consumer shows and association business to smaller non-profit local events, Reed stressed the importance they give to every group. "We've hosted groups ranging in size from 50 to 50,000 people. We've dedicated a full-time sales person to servicing the small meetings and groups that can fit into one hotel. Those groups, which are typically booked short term, play an important role in filling 'valley periods' for a number of our hotels," she said.
As the city continues to update and expand existing hotels and attractions, new ones crop up, adding to the landscape, such as the 28-room River Inn of Harbor Town, which opened its doors in October 2007 and offers a boutique, "New Orleans- styled" lodging experience close to the Mississippi River in downtown's Harbor Town neighborhood.
Located just behind Beale Street, The Westin Memphis Beale Street will celebrate its first anniversary in May. The 203-room hotel offers nine meeting rooms totaling 6,768 square feet of space. Hotel amenities include a full-service business center, pre-function space, and audio/visual equipment and technicians, hotel officials said.
According to Memphis CVB officials, the former Wyndham Garden Hotel has been converted to the Crowne Plaza Memphis. Located near the Memphis Cook Convention Center, one block from the trolley line, the 230-room hotel features five meeting rooms and 4,800 square feet of meeting space. Guest room amenities include complimentary wired high-speed Internet access and Crowne Plaza's Sleep Advantage Bedding.
The Peabody Memphis is one of only two Four-Star hotels in Tennessee, and this year, the hotel's famous Marching Ducks are celebrating their 75th anniversary. The ducks march through the Grand Lobby twice daily, creating Memphis' third most popular attraction, behind Graceland and Beale Street. Over the past three years, the hotel has been undergoing a $40 million renovation that extends throughout the property, according to Senior Associate Director of Sales Sheryl Baker. "We handle a lot of corporate and association meetings at the hotel, and many of the groups we see comment on our ambiance, personal attention and service. Also, groups that use 300 rooms or more like the fact that they are the big fish in the pond. They don't get swallowed up like they might at a larger property," Baker said, adding that property offers 80,000 square feet of meeting space and 36 rooms.
The 600-room Memphis Marriott Downtown completed a $5 million guest room update late last year that encompassed all 400 rooms in the King Tower, formerly known as the South Tower, along with the Concierge Lounge and Executive Suites. All rooms received new carpeting, lighting, desk chairs, sofas and wall treatments, said Director of Sales and Marketing Tiffanie Mobley. In addition, guest baths were fitted with granite tile countertops that are complemented by contemporary lighting. Along with an indoor connection to the 300,000-square-foot Memphis Cook Convention Center, the property features approximately 12,000 square feet of its own meeting space. "We can commit 550 of our guest rooms to one large group," Mobley said. "This is a definite plus for those groups, because they get to stay under one roof." Meeting guests also appreciate the three dining options available at the hotel and its access to the interstate and the city's trolley line, she said.
The Memphis Cook Convention Center can welcome groups of up to about 10,000 people, theater style, and 7,140, banquet style. The center also features 31 meeting rooms. Mobley works with the Memphis CVBs sales team to bring groups into the city and to generate short term opportunities for the city that utilizes the convention center space through Marriott's national sales offices. Mobley explained that the center "could always use more space, but we are very competitive with similar-sized cities within a four-hour radius and what they offer. Although the city hosts groups as large as 40,000, for a group of about 2,000 or smaller, the center works really well because it's easy to navigate. The center hosts numerous local, non-profit events and association business as well as consumer shows." According to the CVB's Reed, the center recently welcomed 17,000 delegates for the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show and 25,000 for the Church of God in Christ convention.
Four years ago, the convention center completed a $92 million renovation and expansion, and since then there has been talk of expanding again. But at this point nothing is definitive, Mobley said.
Nearby, the Holiday Inn Select Downtown is beginning phase two of a long-termed renovation project, according to Director of Sales Cindy Gregory Addison, CHSP. In March 2007, the hotel completed phase one, which included the creation of Russwood Park Sports Bar and Grill that features flat-screen TVs and live entertainment on weekends. Phase two includes a complete renovation of the hotel lobby, corridors and all guest rooms. Currently, the hotel offers 6,880 square feet of meeting space and five meeting rooms. Addison said the hotel features complimentary Internet access in the guest rooms and meeting spaces and is a prime downtown location. "However, what our meeting planners and meeting guests love the most," she said, "is the longevity of our staff."
Key Info · Sales Tax: 9.25 percent
· Hotel Tax: 5 percent
· Transportation: Taxi service between Memphis International Airport and downtown Memphis is $25 for a one-way fare, while shuttle service is $25 roundtrip. |
Nearby, the Embassy Suites Memphis just completed a $3.5 million renovation of its guest rooms. "The renovation included everything from new case goods, art work and lighting to TVs," said Director of Sales Jennifer Chase. Last year, the hotel renovated its public spaces, and next year the six meeting rooms are slated for refurbishment. The hotel caters to smaller meetings with around 20 to 25 attendees, according to Chase.
Located in the upscale east Memphis business district, the Doubletree Hotel - Memphis offers meeting guests nine meeting rooms and approximately 5,600 square feet of meeting space, 266 guest rooms and complimentary airport shuttle service. Hosting mainly local and regional corporate groups, the hotel prides itself on providing personal service. "We are not so large that our meeting guests get lost in our hotel. We have a lot of repeat business, and we attribute it to our personal service," said Director of Sales Carol Thomas.
The 110-room, Four-Diamond Madison Hotel "combines the intimate services of a bed and breakfast with all the artistic style and beauty you expect from a first-class boutique hotel," said Director of Sales Donna Neel Pope. Meeting space to accommodate 120 people is available as well as a rooftop garden with views of the Mississippi River and downtown Memphis. Less than a block from the trolley line, the hotel is convenient for meeting guests wanting easy access to downtown attractions. Other amenities include a mezzanine library, high-speed Internet access, a business center and high tea service. The hotel is currently transitioning its TVs to flat-screen models, according to Pope. All soft goods were renovated in 2007.
The 133-room Holiday Inn - University of Memphis offers 18 meeting rooms and more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space. Partnered with the nearby Fogelman Executive Conference Center, the hotel features audio/visual equipment and technicians, a conference services staff and all-inclusive meeting packages. The Fogelman Center features three amphitheaters, permanent-walled meeting rooms and ergonomic chairs. According to Marketing Director Lorna Brown-Ray, meeting guests average 25 to 35 for training sessions and around 200 for conferences. "One of our best assets is our atrium. When groups break in our multi-leveled atrium area, they are in a large, open space rather than a square. It provides a new feeling from the classroom," Brown-Ray said.
The 319-room Memphis Marriott East hosts a variety of groups of up to 600 guests. "Most of our groups average about 150-200 people," explained Executive Meetings Manager Erica Fleming. The hotel, situated 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from downtown, features 14,000 square feet of meeting space and 14 meeting rooms. Meeting guests enjoy the hotel's convenience, but Fleming stressed it's the friendly staff that attendees talk about most.
DeSoto County, Miss.
South of the Memphis city limits is DeSoto County, Miss. The area offers easy access to Memphis and its airport, while maintaining its own quiet, small-town identity, said DeSoto County Tourism Director Kim Terrell. "We have a great location, with close proximity to not only Memphis but also to Tunica and Oxford as well. Also, our taxes are lower in Mississippi," Terrell added.
The DeSoto Civic Center can accommodate groups of up to 10,000 and features a convention center, theater, and sports and entertainment arena. Its flexible space works well for trade shows and large gatherings. "The center is always busy with a diverse array of meetings throughout the year," Terrell said. "We are bursting at the seams." Several new hotels are coming on line to help alleviate the problem of hotel space in the county.
According to Terrell, the new 121-room, full-service Holiday Inn Memphis - Southaven, featuring an exclusive VIP level, opened in April. The 109-room Fairfield Inn and Suites Olive Branch will open in July, while the Comfort Inn and Suites Olive Branch is scheduled to open soon as well.
The county's current accommodations include the Whispering Woods Hotel and Conference Center, with its 40,000 square feet of meeting space and 181 newly renovated guest rooms; a 15-room classic country inn, Bonne Terre, provides another alternative for meetings with its quiet ambiance.
