Convenience. Entertainment. Natural beauty. Excellent facilities.

Alcoa, Friendsville, Louisville, Maryville, Walland and Townsend, Tennessee, offer a unique combination that will make your get-together a special event.

When you arrive via McGhee Tyson Airport, located in Alcoa, TN, you can be at your hotel room within minutes. And once you settle in, you'll immediately be treated to our unique blend of southern charm and modern amenities.

After your meetings are complete, step outside, take a deep breath and enjoy the natural, peaceful side of the Great Smoky Mountains in Townsend, adjacent to Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Take in some of the events in our area: 2010 Events Calendar Or visit the museums and special attractions of downtown Knoxville.

With first-rate meeting facilities, and world-class attractions, you'll see how Blount County can turn any get-together into a pleasant getaway.

The Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau, 865-448-6134, offers a full range of meeting and planning services, including:

• Collection of meeting specifications
• Lead distribution
• Proposal collection
• Site visit coordination
• FAMS

For detailed maps, newspapers, and relocation packets, click here.
For an itinerary of four days of fun in four seasons, click here: Four Days of Fun

Restaurants

From fast to fancy, you'll find a wide variety of eating options around Blount County, including Townsend. For international flavors, there are authentic Mexican, Chinese and Italian establishments to choose from. Or, if you're more the steak-and-potatoes type, try one of the many excellent steak houses in our area.

For those who like more urban settings, there are several premiere restaurants in Knoxville, offering everything from eclectic Mexican to four-star cuisine.

Naturally, there are plenty of fast options for people who prefer to spend more time exploring than dining. But whatever your taste, you're sure to find what you're looking for, close-by and in your price range.

So come visit Blount County. And make sure to bring your appetite. Call for a listing of restaurants in Townsend:  865-448-6134, or in Maryville/Alcoa:  865-273-1201.

Entertainment

Situated perfectly between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and numerous cities in East Tennessee, Blount County offers numerous activities and attractions.

Obviously, the greatest attraction in the area is the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you simply want to admire a few breathtaking views at Cades Cove, or love the peace and serenity of hiking and camping in America's favorite national park, the Great Smoky Mountains has it all.  There are concerts and music festivals offered all year at several locations in Blount County, including Townsend Visitors Center, Wood N Strings Dulcimer Shop, GSM Heritage Center, and The Palace Theater. Click here for more details about activities in the Townsend area.

For shoppers, there are craft galleries and outdoor shops in Townsend, the unequalled Pigeon Forge outlets nearby, and one of the states largest malls in Knoxville. Golfers will find plenty of challenging courses to attempt. And for the horse enthusiasts, there are several farms to choose from, all with excellent excursions.

But perhaps the best part about all the activities available in our area, is that we're here to help you select and organize those that will be perfect for your group.