Tennessee is right-to-work. Your own staff or an exhibitor-appointed contractor can install the booth; check the show's EAC deadline.
Exhibitor guide · Knoxville, TN · Updated
Knoxville Convention Center Exhibitor Guide
Knoxville put its convention center on the footprint of the 1982 World's Fair U.S. Pavilion, so your booth sits a lawn away from the Sunsphere. Trucks unload under cover in a nine-bay dock beneath Henley Street, Halls A and B share one 119,922 sq ft level, and Tennessee's right-to-work rules let your own crew do the build.
- 3,000+ exhibitors served
- 10,000+ booths built
- 2 days to a design brief
Photo: “Knoxville Convention Center, Henley Street, Knoxville, TN” by w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source
Quick answers
What exhibitors ask about the Knoxville Convention Center
No advance freight without the director's approval, and never C.O.D. Use the advance warehouse or ship direct on your target date.
Per meeting-planner listings; the center's own floor plan page does not state the hall ceiling. Confirm rigging points and hanging-sign limits with the center for your hall.
The Expo Center is a separate venue on Clinton Highway, and the World's Fair Exhibition Hall is across the park. Check your contract address.
Only at Knoxville Convention Center
Knoxville Convention Center on the 1982 World's Fair site
No other Tennessee hall stands on a World's Fair. The exhibit floor covers the footprint of the fair's U.S. Pavilion, the fair's own pedestrian bridge still carries people in from downtown, and the Sunsphere sits across the lawn. For exhibitors that means a park instead of a street on one side of the building, and a landmark to bring clients to after the floor closes.
- 1982More than 11 million visitors came to the fair on this former rail yard. The pavilion was imploded in 1991 and the center opened on its footprint in 2002, which is why a 500,000 sq ft building sits on the western edge of downtown.
- 266 ftThe Sunsphere's fourth-floor observation deck takes up to 40 people every 30 minutes on timed tickets bought online, and it closes for lunch from 1:30 to 2:30. Book a client visit before show week, not at the door.
- 19,080 sq ftThe outdoor terrace faces World's Fair Park, a ready-made spot for a reception or product activation, subject to weather and the fire marshal's rules.
- 2015The fair's Henley Street pedestrian bridge was rebuilt with a frosted glass roof as part of upgrades the city described as covered access from nearby hotels and parking garages to the center.
- 66,396 sq ftThe fair's old exhibition building, now the World's Fair Exhibition Hall, is on the far side of the park. It is a different venue, so match the address on your freight labels to your contract.
The building
From rail yard to World's Fair to convention center
The convention center sits on a fairground, and the fair sat on a rail yard. Most of what an exhibitor sees on the walk in is left over from 1982.
- 1854William G. Swan and Joseph A. Mabry donate the land for Market Square as a farmers' marketplace. It still hosts one.
- 1982The World's Fair runs May 1 to October 31 on a former L&N rail yard: 22 nations, more than 11 million visitors and the 266-ft Sunsphere.
- 1991The fair's U.S. Pavilion, later a soccer arena, is imploded.
- 2002The 500,000 sq ft Knoxville Convention Center opens on the pavilion's footprint, linked to downtown by the fair's Henley Street pedestrian bridge.
- 2013First convention center in Tennessee certified LEED Silver for Existing Buildings, announced by the city in June 2013. It also runs Knoxville's largest city-owned solar array, 450+ panels.
- 2015The Henley Street bridge is rebuilt with a frosted glass roof and Smoky Mountain-patterned panels.
- 2018The fair's old exhibition building is renamed the World's Fair Exhibition Hall after $2.1M in updates: three halls, 66,396 sq ft, across the park.
Photos: "Tinsel and Treasure 2014" by JLKnoxville, CC BY 2.0 Source · "Tinsel and Treasure 2014" by JLKnoxville, CC BY 2.0 Source · "20110930 68 Market Square, Knoxville, Tennessee" by davidwilson1949, CC BY 2.0 Source
Floor plan & exhibit halls
Knoxville Convention Center floor plan: Halls A and B
One contiguous exhibit level that splits in two, with a ballroom and meeting floors above. Tap a hall for its size and planning notes.
Schematic. Hall widths are proportional to floor area, not an architectural plan. Hall sizes come from published planner listings; confirm against the center's current floor plan on knoxvilleconventioncenter.com.
Exhibit Hall A
- 70,626 sq ft
- ~298 × 237 ft
- ~30 ft ceiling (listings)
The larger half, used for the boat show, the auto show and larger conventions. Islands and hanging signs fit under the ceiling; confirm rigging points with the center.
Exhibit Hall B
- 49,296 sq ft
- 119,922 sq ft combined with Hall A
Mid-size trade shows and association expos. Shows that split the floor share the dock, so ask which hall sits nearest the ramp.
27,300sq ft Grand Ballroom, 28 ft 6 in ceiling, divisible · carpeted, so tabletops and pop-ups rather than crated islands
20meeting rooms plus a 460-seat lecture hall · hand-carry only, free Wi-Fi in meeting rooms and concourses
19,080sq ft outdoor terrace facing World's Fair Park · weather-dependent, fire marshal rules apply
500,000sq ft building on the western edge of downtown, designed after a Tennessee barn
Loading dock & move-in
Knoxville Convention Center loading dock and freight
Get directions to Knoxville Convention Center →
- Underground dockMove-in runs through the covered dock under the building on Henley Street. A real advantage in rain.
- 9 truck baysSeven with levelers. Tractor-trailers up to 74 ft maneuver inside.
- Gate limits15.5 ft high and 37 ft 10 in wide, so check oversize loads before they roll.
- No advance freightNot without the director's approval, and never C.O.D. Use the advance warehouse or ship direct on target.
- Day −50Design approved. Order electrical, water and internet from the center.
- Day −30EAC form and certificate of insurance, with the subrogation clause, filed.
- Day −14Purple ships to Knoxville through our carrier network.
- Day −7Advance warehouse deadline. Nothing ships to the building itself.
- Day 0Move-in through the underground dock on Henley Street; install crews start.
- Show +1Move-out. Empties return, MHA turned in.
Labor & floor rules
Who can do what on the Knoxville Convention Center floor
Tennessee is a right-to-work state. What you still order from the center, and what needs paperwork (confirm the current exclusives list with the center):
✓Your team or your contractor
- Booth install and dismantle
- Exhibitor-appointed contractors, by the show's EAC deadline
- Small candies and mints, no approval needed
●Exclusive to the center
- Electrical, water, compressed air
- Phone and cable
- Wired and wireless internet
- Food and beverage (Legends Global)
!Paperwork first
- Other food sampling or sales: the center's forms plus an advance catering order
- Every contractor files a certificate of insurance with the correct subrogation clause before move-in
- Outdoor cooking and vehicle displays follow fire marshal rules in the venue's documents
Background photo: "Knox County Schools Career Fair" by oakridgelabnews, CC BY 2.0 Source
Free tool
Knoxville Convention Center drayage cost estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 at about $85 per hundredweight, a Southern regional rate. Your show kit carries the real tariff. See all venues on the drayage rates page.
Estimated drayage
$1,275
Cut this with a lighter booth
On the floor at Tinsel and Treasure
Photo: "Tinsel and Treasure 2014" by JLKnoxville, CC BY 2.0 Source
The calendar
Knoxville Convention Center trade shows 2026–2027
The Downtown Knoxville Boat Show has anchored the late-winter calendar (2027 dates not yet posted); the rest is association conventions with exhibit halls, fan and consumer expos and regional trade events. Attendance figures are Purple planning ranges; confirm each event with its organizer.
CBRNe Convergence
Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives defense · conference and exhibition · 2026
The Pink Bride Wedding and Women's Expo
Bridal and wedding vendors, consumer · one afternoon · 2027
Fanboy Expo
Pop culture convention with vendor and artist booths · consumer · 2027
CreepyCon
Halloween and horror convention with vendor booths · consumer · 2027
Be the Difference Conference & Expo
9-1-1 dispatchers and telecommunicators · Denise Amber Lee Foundation · vendor hall · 2027
Dates are from the center's event pages and the organizers (checked October 2026). Held here in 2026: the Downtown Knoxville Boat Show (February 26–March 1, with the World's Fair Exhibition Hall next door) and the Women in Tech Expo (September 18). The boat show and the Knoxville Auto Show, held here since 1988, had not posted 2027 dates when we checked. The Knoxville Home & Garden Show and the Cabin Fever car show are held at the Knoxville Expo Center on Clinton Highway, a different building; check the address on your contract.
Where to stay
Hotels near the Knoxville Convention Center
Downtown has more than 1,800 rooms within a mile of the center.
Covered sky bridge
Hilton Knoxville
320 rooms. The closest large hotel; walk to the hall under cover.
Short walk
Marriott Knoxville Downtown
302 rooms, a large block and its own function space for client events.
Short walk
The Tennessean
82 rooms. A boutique option for executives and client dinners.
Within a mile
Embassy Suites, Hyatt Place, Crowne Plaza
Overflow blocks for larger shows.
Short walk east
Market Square & the Old City
Restaurants, the farmers' market, and the bars and music venues around Jackson Avenue.
Insider tips
Knoxville Convention Center exhibitor tips: what experienced teams do
Measure against the 15.5-ft gate
The underground dock fits a 74-ft tractor-trailer, but the gate is 15.5 ft high and 37 ft 10 in wide. Tall vehicles, boats on trailers and stacked crates need checking before they leave the yard.
Never ship to 701 Henley Street early
The center will not take advance freight without the director's approval, or anything C.O.D. Send crates to the show contractor's advance warehouse, or truck them in on your target move-in time.
Park the team at Locust Street, not the work van
The Locust Street Garage has 649 spaces at $1 an hour with a $7 daily maximum, and it is free on weekends and after 6 pm on weeknights. Its 6 ft 11 in clearance rules out high-roof vans, so those go through the dock.
Check the UT football schedule
The University of Tennessee campus is just west of the center. On home-game Saturdays the Locust Street Garage charges a $30 event rate (credit card only) and the free Orange Line trolley does not run.
Get the subrogation clause right
Every contractor on your build files a certificate of insurance with the center's subrogation wording before move-in. A wrong certificate can keep a crew off the floor on day one.
Mints yes, sliders no
Small candies and mints need no approval. Any other sampling or food sales needs the center's forms and an advance order with Legends Global, the exclusive caterer.
FAQ
Knoxville Convention Center FAQ for exhibitors
How big is the Knoxville Convention Center?
The building is 500,000 square feet, with 119,922 square feet of exhibit hall on one level (Hall A at 70,626 and Hall B at 49,296, per the center's floor plan page), a 27,300 square foot Grand Ballroom with a 28 ft 6 in ceiling, 20 meeting rooms and a 460-seat lecture hall.
Is the Knoxville Convention Center union?
No. Tennessee is a right-to-work state, so your own staff or an exhibitor-appointed contractor can install the booth. Utilities, internet and catering are center exclusives.
Where is the Knoxville Convention Center loading dock?
Under the building, entered from Henley Street. It has nine truck bays, seven with levelers, and tractor-trailers up to 74 feet can maneuver inside. The gate is 15.5 feet high and 37 feet 10 inches wide.
Can I ship freight straight to the convention center?
No. The center does not accept advance freight without the director's approval and does not accept C.O.D. deliveries. Use the show contractor's advance warehouse or ship direct on your targeted move-in.
What is the ceiling height in the exhibit hall?
30 feet, per published specs. Confirm rigging points and hanging-sign limits with the center for your hall.
How much is drayage at the Knoxville Convention Center?
Plan about $85 per hundredweight. The show kit carries the actual rate.
Can I hand out food samples?
Small candies and mints are fine without approval. Any other food sampling or sales needs the center's forms and a catering order in advance.
Is this the same as the World's Fair Exhibition Hall or the Knoxville Expo Center?
No to both. The World's Fair Exhibition Hall is the 1982 fair building on the other side of World's Fair Park, renamed in 2018. The Knoxville Expo Center is a separate venue on Clinton Highway. Check the address on your exhibitor contract.
Which hotel connects to the Knoxville Convention Center?
The Hilton Knoxville (320 rooms) connects by a covered sky bridge. The Marriott Knoxville Downtown and The Tennessean are a short walk, and downtown has more than 1,800 rooms within a mile.
Which airport should I use?
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), about 12 miles south of downtown and roughly 20 minutes by car.
Exhibiting in Knoxville?
Tell us the show. We will fit the booth to the hall.
Tell us your hall and booth size and we will plan a booth that clears the 15.5-ft dock gate, fits the ceiling over your spot in Hall A or B, and ships to the advance warehouse on time. Within two business days you get a design brief, a drayage estimate at Knoxville's planning rate and a build timeline, for anything from a 10×10 rental to a custom island.
Background photo: "Knoxville Skyline at Night" by Fire At Will [Photography], CC BY-SA 2.0 Source
Compare venues
Knoxville Convention Center vs other Tennessee venues
How the Knoxville Convention Center stacks up against the other Tennessee halls we have guides for. Drayage figures are Purple planning rates, not published tariffs.
| Venue | Type | Largest space | Ceiling | Labor | Drayage (plan) | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville Convention CenterThis guide | Convention center | 70,626 sq ft Hall A (119,922 sq ft combined) | ~30 ft | Right-to-work | ≈ $85/cwt | TYS · 12 mi |
| Chattanooga Convention CenterChattanooga | Convention center | 36,000 sq ft Hall A (100,800 sq ft combined) | 30 ft | Right-to-work | ≈ $85/cwt | CHA · 10 mi |
| Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention CenterNashville | Resort convention center | 150,746 sq ft Ryman Exhibit Hall C | 16 ft (B) · ~19.5 ft (C) | Right-to-work | ≈ $100/cwt | BNA · under 10 mi |
| Music City CenterNashville | Convention center | 353,143 sq ft exhibit hall (Halls A–D) | 32 ft 6 in | Right-to-work | ≈ $100/cwt | BNA · 8 mi |
| Omni Nashville HotelNashville | Hotel ballrooms | 23,760 sq ft Broadway Ballroom | 24–29 ft | Right-to-work | ≈ $100/cwt | BNA · 15–20 min |
| Renasant Convention CenterMemphis | Convention center | 118,000 sq ft Exhibit Hall | — | Right-to-work | ≈ $95/cwt | MEM · 12 mi |
More Tennessee guides
Other Tennessee venues
Chattanooga Convention CenterChattanooga
Music City CenterNashville
Gaylord OprylandNashville
Omni Nashville HotelNashville
Renasant Convention CenterMemphis
Written by the Purple Exhibits team. Reviewed for the 2026–2027 season. Figures marked for confirmation are being checked with the venue. Sources: Knoxville Convention Center (about, exhibitor and LEED pages), Visit Knoxville via ConventionSouth, City of Knoxville, WATE, WVLT, WBIR, Wikipedia (Knoxville Convention Center, 1982 World's Fair, World's Fair Park, Sunsphere, Market Square, Old City), Flickr photographers credited above.