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Destination TN Valley is a full-service destination and event management company serving Knoxville, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.
You Focus on Your Group,
We Focus on the Details.
FAQs
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What types of events do you plan?
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We specialize in in-person, professionally focused events for organizations and teams. Our experience includes company retreats, executive offsites, incentive and reward trips, conferences, association gatherings, networking events, award celebrations and gala-style dinners, trade shows, and themed events or experiences.
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Our work centers on creating well-executed, thoughtfully designed events that bring people together with purpose — whether that’s strategy, recognition, connection, or celebration. While many of our events fall within the corporate and association space, we’re intentionally flexible and often support custom programs that don’t fit neatly into a single category.
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Where do you plan events?
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We are based in East Tennessee and primarily plan events throughout the Tennessee Valley and Smoky Mountains region, including Knoxville, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and surrounding areas.
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That said, we also support destination events beyond the region. Whether your event is local to the Tennessee Valley or hosted elsewhere, our approach remains the same: thoughtful planning, strong vendor coordination, and seamless execution.​
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What services are included in your event planning packages?
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Our services are fully customizable based on your needs, goals, and internal bandwidth. We can support as little or as much of the planning process as you’d like — from managing a single specialty vendor or design element to providing full-service event planning and on-site execution.
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Services may include event strategy and concept development, budget creation and ongoing budget management, vendor sourcing and coordination, venue support, timeline and logistics planning, on-site management, and day-of execution. We also work closely with clients to consult on priorities, decision-making, and cost-effective solutions throughout the planning process.
Because every event is different, we build each scope intentionally rather than forcing clients into one-size-fits-all packages.
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How involved do I need to be in the planning process?
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Your level of involvement is entirely up to you, but most of our clients choose a collaborative, high-level approach. We love when clients come to us with a vision or goal and trust us to handle the details — it allows for a smoother process and a stronger end result.
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Our philosophy is simple: you focus on the people, we focus on the details. We’ll guide you through key decisions, provide recommendations, and handle the day-to-day coordination, logistics, and follow-through. For clients who prefer a more hands-off experience, we’re well-equipped to take the lead while keeping you informed at meaningful milestones.
If you enjoy being more involved, we’re happy to collaborate closely — but our process is designed to relieve stress, not add to it.​​
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How do you charge for your services, and what can I expect to pay?
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Our fees are typically structured as flat fees and are based on the scope, complexity, and level of support required for each event. Because no two events are the same, pricing is tailored rather than standardized.
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In most cases, planning and consulting services are scoped separately from on-site event management so clients have a clear understanding of how time and resources are allocated throughout the process. We’ll outline everything upfront, including what’s included and how fees are structured, so there are no surprises.
Our goal is to align our services with your needs, timeline, and priorities — and to provide clarity from the very beginning.​
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How do you handle budgeting and cost management?
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We work with clients at every stage of the budgeting process — whether that means building a budget from the ground up or refining an existing framework. From there, we take a very hands-on approach to cost management, including vendor sourcing, contract review, negotiations, and ongoing budget tracking throughout the planning process.
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Our focus is on clarity and informed decision-making. We provide realistic cost expectations, transparent updates, and thoughtful recommendations so clients understand where their investment is going and how different choices impact the overall event. When priorities shift or new ideas come into play, we help evaluate options and tradeoffs in a way that aligns with your goals.
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How far in advance should I be booking your services?
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Ideally, clients reach out at least three months in advance, with six to twelve months being ideal for more complex events, multi-day programs, or experiences involving travel, multiple vendors, or custom design elements.
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That said, timelines can vary widely depending on scope and priorities. We’ve successfully supported events with shorter lead times when needed, and we’re always happy to talk through what’s possible based on your goals and timing.
Reaching out early allows for more flexibility and creativity, but we’re experienced in adapting plans and moving efficiently when schedules are compressed.
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Will you be on-site the day of the event?
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In most cases, yes. For many events, I personally serve as the on-site lead, and depending on the size and scope, I may also be supported by a trusted lead coordinator or additional team members. All on-site staff are carefully vetted and experienced in executing events to our standards.
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On-site support isn’t required for every engagement. Some clients choose to work with us in a planning-only or consulting capacity. While those options are available, events typically run most smoothly when we’re present on-site to manage logistics, vendors, and real-time problem solving.
We’ll always align on the level of on-site support that best fits your event and goals.
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Do I have to use your preferred vendors, or can I bring my own?
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You’re welcome to bring your own vendors, and we’re also happy to recommend trusted partners if that’s helpful. Over time, we’ve built strong relationships with vendors who consistently deliver quality, professionalism, and great experiences — and those recommendations are always available as a resource, not a requirement.
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If you have existing vendor relationships or specific partners you’d like to work with, we’re glad to collaborate and coordinate alongside them. Our role is to help ensure everything works together seamlessly, regardless of who is on the team.