New in town: Covenant Health Stadium is home of the Knoxville Smokies and the One Knox Soccer Club. Photo Credit: Dustin Hilbelink Footage, courtesy of Visit Knoxville
As Northstar's events continue to cross the country, we've been showcasing some cities that might not have been on your list yet — think Burlington, Vt.; Omaha, Neb.; and Toledo, Ohio. In October, our next Small & Boutique Meetings event will head to Knoxville, Tenn., for hosted-buyer appointments, two education sessions, and local experiences that will showcase the Southern destination.
Gathering here
Just opened in April is Covenant Health Park, home of the Minor League Knoxville Smokies, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The stadium — which also hosts matches for the One Knox Soccer Club and One Knox Women — seats 7,000 for a game and holds 10,000 for events. Pedestrian paths and streetscape improvements around the facility have linked it to the rest of downtown.
The city's large event space, the 500,000-square-foot Knoxville Convention Center, is LEED Silver certified. The facility features 250,000 square feet of flexible space, including 120,000 square feet of exhibit space, 14 breakout rooms, a state-of-the-art catering kitchen and a 27,000-square-foot ballroom.
For smaller events, the Maker Exchange has a host of spaces ranging from the 10,007-square-foot Assembly room and the 3,229-square foot gallery to the 2,038-square-foot outdoor patio. The venue — which also features a simple, delectable menu at the Tavern — is filled with works by Knoxville artists.
Grabbing a bite
The dining scene in Knoxville is spicing up.
Just having passed its first-year anniversary in May, the Kennedy serves an eclectic mix of casual dishes and upscale fare. Classic wings are offered alongside truffle fries and Devils on Horseback (bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese and pumpkin-seed pesto with Calabrian chili-tomato sauce and a balsamic reduction) on the appetizers list. For entrées, Wagyu beef burgers and a chicken parm sandwich are on offer, as well as Faroe Island salmon and a crispy half chicken with sweet-heat Brussels sprouts.
Craft cocktails, a raw bar and a made-from-scratch menu have turned Stir into a favorite in the Old City neighborhood. The restaurant purchases sustainable seafood whenever possible, and just reading the entrée list makes you hungry: Lobster and Shrimp White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, Filet and House Goat Cheese Ravioli, Vegan Poke Bowl, and Shrimp and Grits are just a small representation of the delights in store.
Getting outside
Winding through and around the city are a number of greenways, parks and preserves perfect for getting some walking in. For instance, the James White Greenway along the shores of the Tennessee River is accessible from Convenant Health Park. And the 3-mile Neyland Greenway runs along the river directly behind the Marriott Knoxville Downtown, which is hosting Northstar's Small & Boutique Meetings event.