Downtown Chattanooga · Tennessee · Visitor Guide
Plan Your Chattanooga Convention Center Visit Before You Arrive
Find your event, calculate the garage charge, identify your exhibit hall, compare walkable hotels and understand the free downtown shuttle. This guide covers the decisions that matter most before attending a conference, trade show or exhibition.
Current event information
Chattanooga Convention Center Events & Tickets
The center hosts professional conventions, consumer exhibitions, vehicle shows, sporting competitions, educational meetings and private events. Admission costs and event schedules are set by individual organizers, rather than by one universal convention-center ticket price.
October 2026 Event Examples
| Dates | Event | What to check before attending |
|---|---|---|
| October 15–17, 2026 | Tennessee Tow Show | Registration, show hours, exhibitor access and vehicle parking instructions. |
| October 29, 2026 | SouthPaw Promotions | Exact event format, entry time and ticket availability. |
These entries appear on the venue’s October 2026 calendar. The calendar can retain duplicate or past listings, so confirm specific organizer instructions and any schedule changes before traveling.
Find Your Actual Event
- Open the official event calendar.
- Find your event by name and date.
- Check the hall, meeting room and registration time.
- Follow the event organizer’s admission or registration instructions.
- Save your confirmation and check event-day parking.
Ticket and Badge Checklist
- Public ticket versus professional registration.
- Exact start and doors-open times.
- Required identification or membership.
- Cancellation and refund rules.
- Event-specific safety and bag rules.
- Parking pass or separate garage payment.
Arrival costs
Chattanooga Convention Center Parking Garage & Current Rates
The Convention Center provides an on-site parking garage and identifies approximately 3,500 parking spaces in the surrounding area. The garage has two access points:
Carter Street Entrance
One of the two official vehicle entrances to the Convention Center garage. Useful when approaching the venue from Carter Street.
Chestnut Street Entrance
The other official garage entrance, separate from the Chestnut Street loading-dock instructions for event freight.
Official Garage Parking Prices
| Parking duration | Published price |
|---|---|
| 0–1 hour | $4 |
| 1–3 hours | $8 |
| 3–5 hours | $10 |
| 5–8 hours | $15 |
| Over 8 hours or overnight | $25 |
How to Park Without Getting Delayed
Save One Carter Plaza and any parking instructions sent by the event organizer.
Use the public parking garage entrance, not the gated freight loading area.
The garage clearance is 7 feet 3 inches. Do not enter with trailers or a vehicle that exceeds the limit.
The venue directs guests to follow the parking kiosk instructions upon arrival. Retain any ticket or payment confirmation required to exit.
Parking does not guarantee immediate entry to a trade show; queues and badge collection can add extra time.
Current official garage rate and parking instructions →
Other Downtown Parking Options
CARTA operates additional downtown garages and surface parking. These can be useful when the Convention Center garage is full, although some are much farther away.
| Parking facility | Address | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| CARTA Shuttle Park South | 1362 Market Street | Near Chattanooga Choo Choo; consider downtown shuttle connections. |
| CARTA Shuttle Park North | 215 Broad Street | Near Tennessee Aquarium; not an adjacent convention garage. |
| Downtown street meters | Various downtown streets | Payment via meters or ParkMobile; time limits and enforcement vary. |
CARTA introduced one hour of free parking at its North and South garages in December 2024. This is a separate policy from the Convention Center’s on-site garage and should not be confused with free Convention Center parking.
Navigation
Chattanooga Convention Center Address & Map
Official Visitor Address
Chattanooga Convention Center
One Carter Plaza
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
United States
Phone: (423) 756-0001
Toll-free: (800) 962-5213
Getting around Chattanooga
Free Downtown Electric Shuttle, Buses & Airport Travel
Downtown Chattanooga is relatively compact, and the Convention Center promotes the city’s free electric shuttle as a practical alternative to driving between nearby downtown destinations.
Free Electric Shuttle
The downtown electric shuttle connects the Chattanooga Choo Choo area with the Tennessee Aquarium, stopping along the route. The Convention Center describes frequent service, approximately every 15 minutes under its published guidance.
Check the current route, actual stops and last departure before your journey.
Current CARTA route schedules →CARTA Buses
CARTA also operates city bus service. Your best route depends on your hotel, departure location, travel time and any event-specific street closures.
Use the current CARTA trip planner rather than relying on fixed arrival times in an article.
Chattanooga Airport (CHA) to the Convention Center
| Travel method | Good for | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi or rideshare | Direct arrival with bags | Airport pickup zone, live fare, event traffic. |
| Rental car | Trips outside downtown | Convention or hotel parking costs. |
| Public transit connections | Travelers with flexible schedules | Available service, transfers, luggage and last departure. |
| Hotel transportation | Visitors with a confirmed shuttle benefit | Do not assume the hotel provides an airport shuttle. |
Overnight convention visits
Best Hotels Near Chattanooga Convention Center
Hotel location matters most when an event starts early, runs for several days or involves frequent trips back to your room. The three options below are grounded in official hotel listings.
Chattanooga Marriott Downtown
Two Carter Plaza, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Connected directly to the Convention Center and the simplest hotel option for minimizing walking between meetings.
Published parking: $25 daily self-parking or $30 daily valet. Confirm hotel parking separately from the Convention Center garage.
Hotel phone: (423) 756-0002
Marriott rooms and policies →Staybridge Suites Downtown–Convention Center
1300 Carter Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
A practical alternative for families, groups and longer stays. The hotel advertises suite-style rooms with kitchens.
Check-in: 3 PM
Check-out: Noon
Hotel phone: (423) 267-0900
Staybridge rooms and policies →The Chattanoogan Hotel
1201 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
A downtown option with restaurant, fitness and meeting facilities.
Published parking: $17 self-parking per day or $25 valet.
Check-in: 4 PM
Check-out: 11 AM
Hotel Decision: Which One Fits Your Trip?
Hotel nightly prices, parking and inclusions can change. Check taxes, breakfast, parking, cancellation terms and accessibility requirements before paying.
Venue floor plans
Chattanooga Convention Center Exhibit Halls & Capacities
The center offers four major exhibit halls—A, B, C and D—which may be combined. The published total for the ABCD configuration is 100,800 square feet. The broader convention facility also includes 21 meeting rooms and divisible ballroom/banquet areas.
| Exhibit hall | Area | Theater | Banquet | Exhibit booths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 36,000 sq ft | 3,000 | 2,248 | 180 |
| B | 28,800 sq ft | 2,394 | 1,800 | 145 |
| C | 18,000 sq ft | 1,800 | 1,120 | 90 |
| D | 18,000 sq ft | 1,800 | 1,120 | 90 |
| A+B | 64,800 sq ft | 5,394 | 4,048 | 320 |
| C+D | 36,000 sq ft | 3,000 | 2,248 | 180 |
| A+B+C+D | 100,800 sq ft | 8,000 | 6,288 | 500 |
Published layout figures from Visit Chattanooga’s official meeting-space specifications. These are configuration capacities, not guaranteed admission limits for every event. Actual capacity depends on staging, aisles, booths and the approved floor plan.
Ballrooms and Meeting Rooms
Ballrooms E–J
Six divisible ballroom sections provide flexible function space.
Each individual ballroom: Approximately 2,911 sq ft.
All E–J combined: 18,360 sq ft, with published capacities of 2,304 theater-style or 1,400 banquet-style guests.
Meeting Rooms 1–21
Smaller breakout rooms support conferences, seminars and training sessions.
Official room sizes range from around 812 sq ft to 1,800 sq ft for individual rooms, with some larger combined configurations.
How to Read the Official Floor Plan
Find the assigned hall, ballroom or meeting-room number on your registration details.
Check the North and South entry points on the floor plan.
The organizer may place check-in in a pre-function area rather than inside the actual event hall.
The loading-dock area is for approved freight operations, not general public access.
Accessible travel
Wheelchair Access, Elevators & Accessibility
The Convention Center describes its building as accessible, with ramps, elevators, wide doorways and accessible restrooms.
Accessible Entrances
The building includes accessible routes for visitors with mobility needs. Check your event’s designated entry and available parking before arriving.
Elevators and Restrooms
Elevators and accessible restrooms are part of the permanent facility features. Staff can direct you toward the appropriate route to your assigned meeting space.
Event-Specific Services
Ask the organizer about temporary seating arrangements, communication accommodations, accessible stages and reserved positions.
Contact for Assistance
For essential accommodations or questions about your route, call the Convention Center at (423) 756-0001 before attending.
Guest security
Chattanooga Convention Center Bag Policy & Prohibited Items
| Visitor question | What you should know |
|---|---|
| Is a clear bag mandatory? | No general clear-bag requirement is currently listed by the venue. Individual events may add specific restrictions. |
| Can bags be searched? | Yes. The venue states that personal belongings are subject to search. |
| Are backpacks allowed? | Check event-specific rules for size and permitted items before relying on general venue guidance. |
| Can I take a camera? | Photography and recording restrictions depend on event and organizer rules. |
| Can I bring outside food? | Confirm the organizer’s event policy and any necessary dietary or medical accommodation. |
| Can I leave and return? | Re-entry is controlled by individual event tickets and security arrangements. |
Inside the venue
Wi-Fi, Catering, Exhibitor Services & Freight Access
Internet & Connectivity
Visit Chattanooga describes complimentary Wi-Fi at the Convention Center and the venue promotes high-speed internet services.
For payment terminals, live demos or streaming, exhibitors should confirm a suitable contracted service rather than assuming shared Wi-Fi will meet business needs.
Event Catering
The venue advertises in-house catering services, including locally sourced food initiatives. Public concessions and catering depend on the organizer and event configuration.
Loading Dock
The venue lists an eight-bay loading facility and drive-up ramps within a gated loading zone.
Active loading and unloading is permitted, but vehicles must be removed afterward.
Safety & First Aid
The Convention Center publishes safety and first-aid information. Ask event security or on-site staff for immediate assistance and follow the organizer’s safety instructions.
Exhibitor Shipping and Setup Checklist
- Confirm the exact event name, hall and booth number.
- Get the organizer’s exhibitor service manual.
- Verify whether materials must go to an advance warehouse.
- Use the approved Chestnut Street Loading Dock instructions when directed.
- Book utilities, internet and audiovisual services as required.
- Do not leave vehicles in the freight loading area after unloading.
- Plan dismantling and outbound freight before the event closes.
Official Shipping Address Reference
Chattanooga Convention Center
One Carter Plaza
Chestnut Street Loading Dock
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Use this only when approved by the event’s freight provider or venue staff. The shipping address is not proof that unscheduled deliveries will be accepted.
Meetings and conferences
How to Book Chattanooga Convention Center for an Event
The Convention Center accommodates trade exhibitions, meetings, conferences and banquet functions. Rental prices, dates and service requirements are provided through the venue’s event planning and proposal process.
Prepare preferred dates, alternative dates, attendance estimates and event type.
Compare Halls A–D, divisible ballrooms and meeting rooms using the official capacity charts.
Factor in freight delivery, booth construction, rehearsal and move-out.
List catering, AV, internet, stage setup, accessibility, security, parking and hotel-room blocks.
Contact the venue or use Visit Chattanooga’s meeting-planning proposal process.
Confirm rental prices, service charges, deposits, insurance, cancellation and final payment conditions before committing.
Make the most of downtown
Things to Do Near Chattanooga Convention Center
The Convention Center sits in downtown Chattanooga, where short trips and the free electric shuttle can help conference guests see more of the city.
Tennessee Aquarium
A popular downtown riverfront attraction. Use the electric shuttle or compare your preferred walking route and attraction ticket times.
Chattanooga Choo Choo District
Useful for Southside restaurants, heritage buildings and downtown exploration. The free electric shuttle route connects this area with the Aquarium district.
Chattanooga Riverfront
Consider a riverfront walk or downtown activity if your convention ends early. Check the weather and return transportation.
Downtown Restaurants
For a short lunch break, choose food close to your event rather than traveling far across downtown. Confirm the event’s re-entry policy before leaving the venue.
Before leaving home
Your Chattanooga Convention Day Checklist
- Verify your event, date and opening time.
- Save your hall, ballroom or meeting-room number.
- Bring your ticket, conference badge or registration confirmation.
- Confirm garage access from Carter or Chestnut Street.
- Budget for the published garage duration rate.
- Check the 7 ft 3 in clearance for taller vehicles.
- Review bag inspections and event-specific prohibited items.
- Verify downtown shuttle hours if using it for your return trip.
- Confirm hotel parking separately from convention parking.
- Ask in advance about accessibility or dietary arrangements.
Answers for visitors
Chattanooga Convention Center FAQs
1. What is the Chattanooga Convention Center address?
The official address is One Carter Plaza, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402, in downtown Chattanooga. The main venue phone number is (423) 756-0001.
2. How much is Chattanooga Convention Center parking?
The current published garage rates are $4 for 0–1 hour, $8 for 1–3 hours, $10 for 3–5 hours, $15 for 5–8 hours, and $25 for over eight hours or overnight. Check event-specific arrangements before parking.
3. Where is the Chattanooga Convention Center parking garage entrance?
The on-site garage can be accessed from Carter Street or Chestnut Street. It has a clearance of 7 feet 3 inches, and trailers are not permitted.
4. Is parking free at Chattanooga Convention Center?
Not generally. The Convention Center currently publishes paid garage rates beginning at $4. Organizer-paid arrangements may differ. The free first hour at certain CARTA garages is a separate downtown parking program.
5. Where can I find upcoming Chattanooga Convention Center events?
The official website publishes a Chattanooga events calendar. October 2026 listings include the Tennessee Tow Show on October 15–17 and SouthPaw Promotions on October 29. Confirm individual organizer schedules and ticket arrangements.
6. Which hotel is connected to Chattanooga Convention Center?
Chattanooga Marriott Downtown, located at Two Carter Plaza, connects directly to the Convention Center. Staybridge Suites at 1300 Carter Street is another nearby option.
7. Is there a free shuttle near Chattanooga Convention Center?
Yes. Chattanooga’s free downtown electric shuttle connects the Chattanooga Choo Choo district with the Tennessee Aquarium area. Check current CARTA stops and schedules for your trip.
8. How large is Chattanooga Convention Center?
The four main exhibit halls together provide 100,800 square feet of exhibit space. The facility also has 21 meeting rooms and divisible ballroom facilities. Its full exhibit hall has a published theater layout capacity of 8,000.
9. Does Chattanooga Convention Center require clear bags?
No general clear-bag policy is currently in effect according to the venue. However, all bags, purses and personal items may be searched, and individual events can impose additional restrictions.
10. How do I book Chattanooga Convention Center for an event?
Prepare your preferred dates, attendance estimates, required exhibit or meeting space and service needs. Contact the venue at (423) 756-0001 or submit a meeting proposal through its official planning resources.
Primary sources
Chattanooga Convention Center Official Links & Documents
The links below are the final action points for checking current event details, parking rules, floor-plan documents and event-booking requirements.
Venue: Chattanooga Convention Center
Address: One Carter Plaza, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: (423) 756-0001
Toll-free: (800) 962-5213
Information reviewed October 15, 2026. Independent visitor guide, not the official convention center website. Rates, events, temporary access restrictions and venue services can change; verify final booking and event details with the responsible operator.