The Venue at Lenoir City is proud to be a gathering place for organizations making a difference in our community and in the surrounding areas. Whether it’s providing discounted rates for nonprofit fundraisers or arranging tables for a silent auction, staff adapts to the unique needs and resources of each group.

There are a wide variety of clients that make up our non-profit market, which comprises about one-third of our business annually. Most people think of only charities when they think of non-profits, but charitable events are just a fraction of our non-profit business. This market also includes not-for-profit hospitals, schools & educational institutions, governmental entities, associations, and locally, even TVA. 

So within this market, The Venue hosts fundraising events & galas, workshops and trainings, proms & dances, reunions, concerts, holiday celebrations, conferences, meetings, graduations, and more. A common characteristic of the non-profit event market is the need to balance tight budgets with the need to make a strong impact. For this reason, we do offer non-profit rates that are substantially discounted from our corporate and private rates. What we offer for these events...

Value Without Compromise
We offer non-profits the same upscale space and amenities as our corporate and private market clients, made more affordable due to non-profit rate discounts. But just because rates are discounted doesn’t mean that service is compromised. Our non-profit clients still benefit from quality, thorough service in a professional environment. 

The Venue also offers turn-key options, saving organizations and volunteers time and money. Volunteers, specifically, are often surprised and thrilled that our staff handles the physical set-up of the room (tables, chairs, linens, etc.). We can also handle add-ons such as table décor at a fraction of the price and time of outsourcing it. The same goes for refreshments, appetizers and even limited lunches. The Venue can handle these in-house, or help coordinate more extensive arrangements with our partner vendors.

Accessibility
The Venue is conveniently located near the intersection of I-40 and I-75, the most traveled highways in the region. It is also only one turn off Kingston Pike (State Highway 70), just 3 miles west of the Knox County/Farragut line. Staff routinely monitors online map programs (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, etc.) to ensure The Venue’s location and directions are up to date and accurate. Need advance load-in? Staff will always do their best to accommodate such requests.

Because the building is still fairly new, it was built to ADA compliance. The building itself is one-level, with ample handicapped parking (that can be expanded upon request). Pathways and curb cut-outs from the parking lot and automatic doors further enable ease of access.

Restrooms, water fountains, and signage are all accessible to guests using mobility aids. Venue staff can even work with clients to plan an area for quiet space to benefit those with special sensory issues and private, lockable space with power outlets for lactation needs.

Support of Missions 
Venue staff can work with non-profit event planners to best utilize the space to help tell their story and engage their audience. Whether that means hanging large, impactful photos of the clients a charity serves, or designing a stage and runway for a donated clothing vintage fashion show, the creative staff thinks outside the box to help make non-profit events unique and memorable and to forward their missions. 

Why Our Venue Works for All Markets
The reason we can serve the diverse clientele highlighted throughout this three-part blog series comes down to versatility and experience. Our flexible spaces, comprehensive amenities, and attentive staff allow us to shift seamlessly from an intimate celebration of life to a large-scale business conference or fundraising gala, all within 24 hours.

No matter who we’re serving, The Venue’s purpose is the same: To provide a welcoming, clean, functional, and beautiful space – coupled with service that exceeds expectations - where people can connect, celebrate, and achieve their event goals.

About one-third of The Venue’s business is comprised of professional (corporate or small business) events. From board meetings, planning retreats, annual meetings, and employee award celebrations, to trainings, expos & tradeshows, conferences & workshops, product launches, and even holiday parties, these events demand smooth logistics in a comfortable, well-equipped environment. Here is what we offer for these events...

Flexible Space Options:
Our ballroom breaks down into 3 rooms, perfect for keynote sessions, breakout spaces, meals, networking areas, etc.. The Venue also features our Fireside Concourse, a pre-function area idea for registration, vendor & sponsor booths, break time, after-business socials, and more. For the weather-friendly months of the year, our professional groups enjoy our covered patio, courtyard and garden areas during event down-time.

We maintain an impressive selection of a variety of table sizes and types (rounds, banquets, high-tops, classrooms, serpentines, etc.). Of course, we also offer linen and décor options as upgrades for a turn-key process.

Technology & Connectivity
Guests will find ample power sources throughout our ballroom, including both wall outlets and floor boxes (which are on individual circuits). Also located in the floor boxes is connection access to The Venue’s AV system and fiber-based Internet. Guests can access the Internet through 21 WiFi hotspots located throughout the building and grounds. All access to the Internet is complimentary. A special secure login is available for processing credit card transactions or for accessing other sensitive company information.

The Venue’s built-in AV system in the ballroom features recessed screens ranging in diagonal size from 109” to 164”. Our recessed laser projectors range in power from 7600 to 9000 lumens. Rounding out the system are Bose commercial speakers generously spread across the ceiling throughout the building. Access to 3, 65” commercial video displays is available in the Fireside Concourse area. 

Other available AV equipment includes wired, wireless-handheld and headset/body pack microphones; floor and table mic stands; podiums; flexible lighting (including an option for colored downlighting); a sound mixer board for more advanced AV needs; whiteboard easels with flipcharts & markers; power strips; and system connection cords & adapters. We also offer rental of our videoconferencing equipment to enable Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other similar virtual meetings. For more intensive AV needs, The Venue maintains partnerships with several production companies.

Professional Service
Though space, resource inventory, and technology are important for corporate and business events, perhaps the most important service The Venue offers is that of a professional event planning staff. Our event management team strategically works with clients from inquiry through event execution to ensure every planning box is checked and even the most minute detail is arranged. Our goal is to remove any worry or stress from the client’s shoulders to deliver a flawless experience for their guests. We frequently share that, “The beautiful facility earns us the business, while the five-star planning and service staff keep them coming back.”

Speaking of service staff, hundreds of reviews on a wide variety of social media platforms speak to the level of service our guests receive when they host an event at The Venue. Many corporate clients plan events all over the country and share that their experience at The Venue was unsurpassed. Our service staff is kind, hospitable and accommodating, as their goal is to make every guest leave happy and every client, satisfied.

But it’s not just our in-house staff that is critical to the success of a professional event, it’s also our reliable, knowledgeable, and highly-reputed 3rd party vendors. The Venue’s partner vendors have completed a thorough vetting process to ensure that when they work with a Venue client, they represent us – and themselves – well. We proudly share our vendor list with contact information on our website.

The staff of The Venue at Lenoir City understands that time is money. When working with corporate planners, our goal is to ensure that every detail - from registration tables to refreshment breaks - is handled efficiently and thoroughly. Our modern, comfortable spaces, tech-friendly facilities, and outstanding staff help ensure your attendees can stay focused and engaged.

We do it all at The Venue at Lenoir City...from elegant weddings and intimate anniversary parties, to high-powered business meetings, popular fundraising galas, thematic proms, and everything in between. One of the things we love most about our work is the variety of markets we serve. No two days are the same! Every event is unique and likewise, the needs, expectations, and goals can vary widely depending on the type of group hosting it.

This week’s article focuses on private and social events…the ones that “WOW” our followers on Facebook and TikTok. These events bring together people who want to mark life’s milestones and create ongoing memories.

Since we are a larger facility, we specialize in larger, complex events. For example, we host a variety of large, multi-day cultural weddings and other milestone celebrations. Of course, we also host birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, graduation parties, family reunions, baby & bridal showers, retirement celebrations, and more! As a service to every potential client who contacts us, we also maintain a referral list of other Lenoir City venues that might be a better fit for smaller events and budgets.

What we offer for these events:

• Both indoor & outdoor spaces
  • Our ballroom is warm and inviting. It can be broken down into 3 smaller rooms, but at its maximum, can accommodate up to 600 banquet guests (though 450-500 is more comfortable when a dance floor and/or stage is being used). Because of its neutral colors and materials, it is easily customizable and can be transformed with beautiful décor and flexible layouts to create the desired atmosphere. The soaring 18’- 20’ ceilings add to the grandeur and openness of the space.
  • A Fireside Concourse is surrounded by windows and features a unique double-sided fireplace that creates a cozy, welcoming tone for fall and winter events. This space is perfect for cocktail hours and smaller wedding ceremonies.
  • The outdoor space features a covered patio with a tall ceiling strung with stylish Edison lights that can seat up to 100 guests under cover. On a regular day, this space features patio furniture seating with fire pits, but can be set with any combination of tables & chairs as well. The patio is placed beside a semi-circular brick courtyard with sitting walls, well-maintained gardens, and beautiful grassy areas that can seat up to 300 guests for wedding ceremonies. There is an abundance of perfect photo areas located throughout the grounds.
  • Of course, we also offer a wedding suite with lighted make-up mirrors, a full-length triple mirror, and reinforced dress hooks to accommodate even the heaviest of dresses. A rear tower lobby serves as a secondary space for the wedding party to gather before the ceremony or reception.
• Professional touches – Our management team includes a Private Events Manager/Wedding Specialist who lives and breathes social events (and has quite the knack for decorating!). Clients have the option of selecting all-inclusive packages, which are turn-key in nature (and tend to alleviate a lot of client stress), or going with an a la carte structure, which offers more freedom to customize the event.
• Amenities galore – Ample parking, state-of-the-art technology, flexible lighting, a generous catering kitchen, setup and cleanup services, and a 5-star staff all add to a stress-free social event. We've even taken the legwork out of searching for your vendors, by establishing preferred partnerships with some of the area's best caterers, decorators, photographers, entertainers, and more, while still offering the flexibility of using your own.

We love helping clients bring their visions to life. Whether transforming our space into a romantic, candlelit wedding reception, or creating a fun, family-friendly space with yard games for a 50th birthday party, our dedicated team ensures your celebration feels personal, seamless, and memorable.

One of the most important yet often overlooked aspects in planning an event is making sure it is safe and secure. Guests take for granted the fact that safety and security has been factored into the event plan, so it is incumbent upon planners to ensure this is the case. Whether you are hosting a wedding, corporate gathering, fundraiser, or other event, prioritizing event safety helps protect guests, vendors, and the reputations of all involved. Here are some things to think about to help you keep your event safe and secure from start to finish.

Consider Hiring Professional Security
For large events, high-profile guests, or any gathering where alcohol is served, hiring uniformed, professional security is a smart move. In fact, our policy requires the presence of its security vendor at private events that serve alcohol. Trained personnel can manage parking & crowd control, assist with checking IDs at the bar, and quickly respond to medical emergencies and unwelcome disruptions. Its always wise to share with guests in advance that security will be present. It helps set proper expectations and shows you are invested in their safety.

Thoroughly Vet All Vendors
All The Venue’s official partner vendors go through thorough vetting as part of the application and onboarding processes. We collect and maintain their business licenses, certificates of insurance, references, health inspections (where relevant), etc. and update them annually. Since we do allow clients to utilize vendors outside our list, we highly recommend clients only work with licensed and insured vendors for catering, photography, entertainment, rentals, etc.. If a vendor does not want to share his business license or certificate of insurance, consider it a red flag and continue your vendor search.

Know Your Emergency Plan
You should be able to coordinate with your venue to create or tweak an emergency action plan. Find out your venue’s plans and procedures for medical emergencies, fires, evacuations, weather events, or other emergencies. Make sure staff and key vendors are familiar with the plan and know who your designated point of contact is in an emergency.

Hire Responsible, Permitted Bartenders
The Venue at Lenoir City requires either the use of its staff bartenders (for limited bars), or an approved partner caterer or bartending service (for full bars) to properly monitor and control alcohol consumption. Overconsumption not only presents a huge liability issue to you, the venue, and the vendors involved in the event, it can also lead to unsafe or untoward behavior and even accidents. Other rules, such as “no shots,” and “one drink per person per visit to the bar,” etc. also help limit liability exposure and the potential for something bad to happen.

Control Access to the Event
We highly recommend the use of guest lists, check-in or registration tables, wristbands, or even badges to keep uninvited guests out and to identify the people who are supposed to be there. Such systems also help track attendance and make your event feel more personalized. For private events, clearly communicate that only invited guests may attend.

Have Basic First Aid On-Site
The Venue maintains first aid kits in the office and kitchen. We also have a burn kit and Narcan available. For large-scale gatherings other events with potentially medically sensitive or more frequently compromised guests (elderly, children, etc.) consider having EMTs or a medical station on standby.

Point Out Signage
In a crowded or unfamiliar space, easily visible signage is key to helping people navigate quickly and safely. In welcome remarks, the speaker can share the location of the rest room and exits. Most venues will have exits and restricted areas clearly marked. Guests should always avoid restricted or “staff only” areas for liability reasons.

Communicate With Your Venue
Your venue is a key partner in keeping your event secure, but communication is key to making sure everyone is on the same page and expectations are set. Be sure to ask about:

• Surveillance cameras
• Security staff availability
• Digital security (especially when payment systems are being used)
• Entry/exit protocols
• Parking lot monitoring

The more your venue staff knows, the more they can support a smooth, secure event.

Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off, speak up! Event hosts have every right to protect their guests and the event’s atmosphere. Whether an unidentified person has made his or her way on-site, a guest is acting suspiciously, or a vendor is making you feel uncomfortable, it is important to nip the potential situation in the bud. Seek out venue management and/or security so as not to place yourself in a potentially dangerous situation.

While no one wants to imagine something going wrong on their big day or important occasion, being prepared is the best way to ensure everything goes right. Safety and security do not have to feel intrusive. If thoughtfully planned for in advance, they can be a seamless part of your event that gives everyone peace of mind. By taking a few extra precautions, you will create an event that is both memorable for guests and responsibly executed by you and your vendors.