Plan Your Knoxville Convention Center Visit
The Knoxville Convention Center is a major downtown event venue at 701 Henley Street, beside World’s Fair Park and close to the University of Tennessee. Whether you are attending an expo, competition, conference or trade show, use this guide for event dates, public parking, nearby hotels, entrance information and visitor policies.
Quick Facts Before You Arrive
Knoxville, TN 37902
Divisible into exhibit halls A and B
$7 normal daily maximum; event rates may apply
McGhee Tyson Airport, south of downtown Knoxville
Knoxville Convention Center Events: 2026 Schedule
The venue hosts trade conventions, sporting competitions, graduation programs, business meetings, exhibitions and public shows. Admission and registration are controlled by the individual event, so there is no universal convention center entry ticket.
| Event | 2026 date | Visitor information |
|---|---|---|
| ETEBA Business Opportunities and Technical Conference | October 27–29 | Industry and professional conference; check event registration. |
| CBRNe Convergence 2026 | November 3–5 | Professional conference; registration requirements apply. |
| Administrative Professionals Summit | November 11–13 | Professional-development event. |
| TSSAA Cheerleading & Dance State Competition | November 12–13 | State competition; verify spectator admission rules. |
| One Piece Regional Championship Knoxville | November 13–14 | Trading card game regional championship. |
| Bartlett Tree Experts Sales and Business Meeting | December 2–3 | Business meeting; may not be publicly accessible. |
Dates reflect the venue’s published calendar reviewed October 15, 2026. Private events may not offer public admission. Times, entry procedures and event listings may change.
How to confirm your event and get tickets
Knoxville Convention Center Parking: Garages & Fees
Locust Street Parking Garage is the venue’s most directly recommended parking option. It has pedestrian skybridge access to the convention center and entrances from Locust Street and Walnut Street.
Locust Street Garage
540 Locust Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
Garage entry is available from Locust Street or Walnut Street.
$7 maximum per day
Usually free on weekends and free weekday evenings when entering after 6 PM, unless special-event pricing is posted.
Parking price comparison
| Option | Typical price or policy | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Locust Street Garage | $1/hour; $7 daily maximum | Recommended for skybridge access; event overrides possible. |
| State Street Garage | $1/hour; $7 daily maximum | Alternative public downtown parking; check walking distance. |
| Main Avenue Garage | $1/hour; $7 daily maximum | Alternative garage, subject to event restrictions. |
| Market Square Garage | $1/hour; $7 maximum; Saturday flat rate $3 | Farther from the venue; special-event pricing can apply. |
| On-street metered parking | Varies by posted zone | Time limits and enforcement apply. |
Free parking does not always mean free event parking
Knoxville’s city garages generally offer free weekday evenings after 6 PM and free weekend parking, with the Market Square Garage Saturday exception. However, the city explicitly warns that special-event charges can override these normal rules.
On University of Tennessee football game days, published city parking arrangements may charge significantly higher event rates. Check signs when you enter, not just the regular posted hourly rate.
How to park at Locust Street Garage
- Navigate to 540 Locust Street, Knoxville, TN.
- Enter using the Locust Street or Walnut Street entrance.
- Read current event-rate signs before committing to parking.
- Park legally and follow pedestrian skybridge signage.
- Continue into the convention center and locate the entrance assigned to your event.
Knoxville Convention Center Map & Directions
701 Henley Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. The venue is beside World’s Fair Park, close to the Sunsphere and a short distance from downtown hotels.
Map shows the venue location, not an individual exhibit hall entrance.
Open Turn-by-Turn DirectionsComing east on I-40
Take Exit 388 toward U.S. 441 South / Henley Street and continue toward downtown. The convention center is at Henley Street and Clinch Avenue.
Coming west on I-40
Use Exit 387 toward Western Avenue, then continue to Henley Street following signs to downtown and the convention center.
From I-275 southbound
Follow the I-275/I-40 interchange toward U.S. 441 South / Henley Street and continue into downtown Knoxville.
From McGhee Tyson Airport
Travel via U.S. 129 North toward Knoxville, then follow the appropriate connections toward I-40 East and Henley Street. Use live navigation for current road conditions.
Which convention center entrance should you use?
The building has entrance areas facing Clinch Avenue, Cumberland Avenue, Henley Street and World’s Fair Park. The correct door depends on your event and assigned hall.
Best practice: Check the event confirmation for your hall or registration location. The closest exterior entrance may not be the correct check-in point.
Hotels Near Knoxville Convention Center
For early meetings or multi-day shows, a downtown hotel can save driving and repeated parking trips. These three established options are close to the convention center.
Hilton Knoxville
501 West Church Avenue
A downtown full-service hotel with covered skybridge access to the convention center, on-site dining, an outdoor rooftop pool, meeting space and connecting-room options.
Published hotel parking: $37/day self-parking; $40 valet.
The Tennessean Hotel
531 Henley Street
Luxury boutique hotel directly across from the convention center, convenient for visitors looking for an upscale stay near World’s Fair Park.
Published valet: $25 daytime or $40 overnight.
Marriott Knoxville Downtown
525 Henley Street
Downtown hotel near World’s Fair Park with restaurant, event facilities, meeting areas and business-friendly accommodation.
Published valet: $40/day, with special-event rates possible.
How to choose your hotel
- Priority is covered event access: Consider Hilton Knoxville.
- Preference is an upscale boutique stay: Check The Tennessean.
- Need full-service business amenities: Compare Marriott Knoxville Downtown.
- Traveling with a car: Add hotel parking charges to the room rate before comparing.
- Attending a university event: Check game-day hotel demand and road restrictions.
Hotel rates and parking charges may change. Skybridge access can depend on building access and event operations.
Convention Center Floor Plans, Exhibit Halls & Capacity
The Knoxville Convention Center is a roughly 500,000-square-foot facility with about 120,000 square feet of divisible exhibit space, a major ballroom, lecture hall, multiple meeting rooms, foyers, terraces and service areas.
| Space | Size | Typical capacity or use |
|---|---|---|
| Exhibit Halls A + B | 120,000 sq ft | Up to 10,115 theater seats or approximately 620 standard 10×10 booths in a listed configuration. |
| Exhibit Hall A | 70,626 sq ft | Large exhibitions and sporting setups. |
| Exhibit Hall B | 49,296 sq ft | Trade shows, expos and sports events. |
| Grand Ballroom | 27,300 sq ft | Up to 2,640 theater or 1,650 banquet seats. |
| Lecture Hall | 5,700 sq ft | 460 fixed theater-style seats plus 10 ADA spaces. |
| Rotunda | 1,100 sq ft | Approximately 100 theater-style or 60 banquet guests. |
| 200 ABC meeting rooms | 4,136 sq ft combined | Up to 400 theater-style seats. |
| 301 ABC meeting rooms | 4,611 sq ft combined | Up to 460 theater-style seats. |
Room capacity depends on seating layout, stage size, exhibits, aisles and fire-safety requirements. The published figures are configuration capacities, not promises for every event setup.
Finding your hall or meeting room
- Read the room identifier on your ticket or meeting invitation.
- Check whether your program is in Exhibit Hall A/B, the Grand Ballroom, a numbered meeting room or the Lecture Hall.
- Locate your starting entrance and floor before event day.
- Allow extra time for elevators, escalators and registration lines.
- Follow event signage, especially if parts of the facility are closed to public access.
Practical notes for exhibitors
- The underground loading dock has nine truck bays, seven with dock levelers.
- Access to the loading dock is from Cumberland Avenue.
- Advance freight shipments generally require approval; the venue does not automatically accept deliveries before the official move-in period.
- Exhibitors need to follow insurance, electrical, fire marshal, food sampling and shipping requirements.
- Vendor food samples and sales may require forms and advance permission.
- Freight, display vehicles and booth arrangements need coordination with event management.
Bag Policy, Security, Food & Venue Rules
Security screening can include checks of bags, jackets or other belongings. Event-specific measures may be stricter than the general venue rules.
| Item or situation | Published venue policy |
|---|---|
| Backpacks, luggage, oversized bags | Bags should not exceed 16 × 16 × 8 inches under published venue rules. |
| Outside food and beverages | Generally prohibited; concession and catering services are controlled by the venue. |
| Coolers | Prohibited except for medical-use exceptions. |
| Weapons | Weapons, including licensed concealed firearms and pepper spray, are prohibited. |
| Pets | Not allowed except qualifying service animals. |
| Wheeled recreation equipment | Skateboards, roller skates, scooters and similar devices are generally prohibited except for accessibility-related use. |
| Drones | Require event-management approval. |
| Glitter, confetti and disruptive items | Generally prohibited under the venue’s security rules. |
Food, payments & complimentary Wi-Fi
Concessions: Select events have concession services. The venue is cashless and accepts major cards and supported mobile wallets.
Free internet: Complimentary Wi-Fi is offered in ballrooms, meeting rooms and second- and third-floor concourses.
- Open your device’s wireless settings.
- Connect to Convention Center Free Wifi.
- Open a browser to reach the captive portal.
- Accept the connection terms to gain access.
Technology support: 865-251-6017 or it.admin@knoxvenues.com.
Accessibility, Accessible Parking & Family Facilities
Accessible parking and drop-off access are located on the Cumberland Avenue side of the convention center near the Ballroom Drop-Off. An ADA sign marks the designated area.
Before an accessible visit
- Identify the room or event hall you need.
- Confirm the accessible entrance closest to the event registration area.
- Ask about elevator routes and mobility requirements.
- Contact event organizers about reserved seating or accommodations.
- Allow for additional travel time within the venue.
Family and venue facilities
- The venue includes a Nursing Mothers Room near the Lecture Hall Concourse.
- Family restroom access is described near the Lecture Hall.
- Elevators and escalators connect major concourses.
- For lost belongings, contact security at 865-251-6040.
Getting to Knoxville Convention Center Without a Car
From McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
The airport is south of downtown Knoxville. Taxi, rideshare or a prearranged transfer is usually the most straightforward option for visitors carrying luggage.
Travel time depends on traffic, route and road conditions. The airport-to-downtown journey is often around 20–30 minutes by car in ordinary conditions, but allow longer during traffic peaks.
Knoxville public transportation
Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) operates local bus services. Check the current route and stop locations when planning a connection between your hotel, downtown and the convention center.
Route patterns and departure times change, so use a current journey planner before travel.
Traveling during a University of Tennessee game?
Downtown streets, garages and event traffic can be substantially different during major football games or large city events. Do not rely on normal free-parking arrangements or usual driving times without checking that day’s notices.
What’s Nearby in Downtown Knoxville?
The Knoxville Convention Center is immediately beside World’s Fair Park and within reach of downtown restaurants, hotels and cultural attractions.
World’s Fair Park & Sunsphere
Adjacent public parkland with Knoxville’s famous Sunsphere, a landmark from the 1982 World’s Fair. Convenient for a short break between event sessions.
Market Square
Popular downtown area for cafes, restaurants, shops and local activity. A practical option when you have free time before or after an event.
University of Tennessee
The campus and nearby sports venues bring additional hotel and traffic demand to downtown Knoxville, especially during major games and graduation periods.
Downtown dining
Food options can be found in the Market Square, Gay Street and central downtown areas. Restaurant hours and walking routes should be checked for late-night events.
How to Book Knoxville Convention Center for an Event
Organizers planning a convention, trade show, sporting event or banquet should contact the venue’s event sales team rather than assuming that a room can be booked using a standard online ticket checkout.
Quick Checklist for Event Day
Before leaving home
- Confirm the correct event date and start time.
- Save tickets, registration email or QR code.
- Check garage rates and any special-event restrictions.
- Verify the required entrance and room.
- Check the bag and prohibited-item rules.
After arriving
- Follow parking and pedestrian signage.
- Leave enough time for screening and registration.
- Check event signs for room changes.
- Locate restrooms, elevators and exits.
- Save the security number in case of lost property.
Knoxville Convention Center: 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Knoxville Convention Center located?
The Knoxville Convention Center is located at 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902, beside World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville.
2. How much is parking at Knoxville Convention Center?
Locust Street Garage normally charges $1 per hour with a $7 daily maximum. Weekday evenings and weekends may be free, but special-event parking rates can override regular charges.
3. Is there free parking near Knoxville Convention Center?
City public garages generally offer free weekday evening and weekend parking, subject to exceptions such as Saturday pricing at Market Square Garage and posted special-event charges.
4. What is the best parking garage for Knoxville Convention Center?
Locust Street Parking Garage at 540 Locust Street is the venue’s recommended option, with a pedestrian skybridge connection and entrances from Locust Street and Walnut Street.
5. Where can I find the Knoxville Convention Center event schedule?
The official event calendar is available at knoxvilleconventioncenter.com/events. Individual event listings may provide registration and ticket instructions.
6. Which hotels are closest to Knoxville Convention Center?
Nearby options include Hilton Knoxville at 501 West Church Avenue, The Tennessean Hotel at 531 Henley Street, and Marriott Knoxville Downtown at 525 Henley Street.
7. Does Knoxville Convention Center allow outside food and drinks?
Outside food and beverages are generally prohibited. The venue has exclusive food and concession services, with limited exceptions and procedures for approved exhibitors.
8. What is the Knoxville Convention Center bag policy?
The venue states that backpacks, oversized bags, duffel bags and luggage should not be larger than 16 by 16 by 8 inches. Additional screening or event-specific rules may apply.
9. Is Knoxville Convention Center wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The venue provides accessible facilities, and accessible parking is designated near the Ballroom Drop-Off on the Cumberland Avenue side. Contact organizers for specific event accommodation requests.
10. How big is Knoxville Convention Center?
The facility has approximately 500,000 square feet overall, including 120,000 square feet of divisible exhibit hall space and a 27,300-square-foot Grand Ballroom.
Official Contact & Resources
Knoxville Convention Center
701 Henley Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
Main phone: 865-522-5669
Security / Lost & Found: 865-251-6040