Category: Wilderness at the Smokies

Nation’s best volleyball players converge on Sevierville for K2 Volleyball’s Wilderness at the Smokies Tournament

Posted by Rick Laney – January 17, 2012

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – K2 Volleyball Club is back at Wilderness at the Smokies resort for its second annual volleyball tournament. This year, it’s bigger than ever!

This weekend, the nation’s best volleyball clubs will open the two-weekend tournament.  This weekend’s invitational will draw 78 teams to Sevierville (more than 1,000 competitors and 5,000 spectators, coaches and officials) and 181 teams (more than 2,500 athletes with 10,000 attendees) will come to the resort the weekend of Jan. 27 to complete the tournament.

In 2011, the first K2 Wilderness at the Smokies Volleyball Tournament had 120 teams and more than 6,000 guests. Because of the success of the inaugural event, K2 expanded this year’s tournament at Wilderness at the Smokies.

Traditionally a slower tourism season, Wilderness at the Smokies has successfully attracted massive crowds to Sevierville and the Smokies Region during the winter months because of the resort’s year-round offerings. This boosts sales in shopping, food and family activities and has a big impact on local revenues.

“We knew that K2 Wilderness at the Smokies Volleyball Tournament would be successful,” said Erin Caylor, a coach for K2 Volleyball Club. “Last year’s event exceeded our expectations in every way.  We immediately decided that not only were we coming back in 2012, but that we would expand the tournament into two separate weekends allowing us to grow.

“In spite of the event being two weekends this year, we are completely at capacity for this year’s event and have a lengthy list of teams from around the country on a waiting list.”

K2’s Elite Invitational will begin this weekend and is for power/open level teams ages 13-18. Junior Volleyball Association (JVA), Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and USA Volleyball (USAV) clubs will participate.

For players in the Knoxville area and those who will be arriving a few days early, two-time gold medalist Kerri Walsh and husband, Casey Jennings, hosted volleyball clinics this week at K2 Volleyball Club . The clinics were held at K2 Volleyball Club at 2639 Topside Road Louisville, TN 37777.

Attached to the 200,000 square-foot Sevierville Event Center, Wilderness at the Smokies has restaurants, gift shops, convenience stores, game rooms, a 36-hole championship golf course, mini-golf, lounges, a deli, two outdoor waterparks and a five-acre indoor waterpark, it isn’t necessary to leave the 700-acre resort. Coaches, athletes and spectators can even get to/from the event center without ever going outside – making Wilderness at the Smokies one of the Southeast’s only year-round destinations for sporting events.

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Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies Resort Will Open Indoor Waterpark for FREE to Sevier County Residents

Posted by Rick Laney – December 11, 2011

SEVIERVILLE, Tennessee — Although Wilderness at the Smokies only allows registered resort guests to use its waterpark facilities, on Sunday, Dec. 18 – for only the second time ever – the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark will be open to all Sevier County residents FREE of charge from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. in exchange for three (3) canned food items for donation to the Sevier County Food Ministries, a Second Harvest Food Bank of Knoxville partner agency.

Wilderness at the Smokies Resort

Guests will enjoy the entire seven-acre indoor waterpark (where it is ALWAYS 85-degrees), four huge water slides, an enormous indoor wave pool, indoor/outdoor hot tubs, and the amazing SurfRider which shoots 19,000 gallons of water per minute to create a six-foot wave to surf on. Don’t miss this opportunity to have an amazing afternoon and evening with your family while helping those in need right here in East Tennessee. **Each donation of three (3) canned food items will get free access for one individual.**

Also, many Wilderness at the Smokies employees – who each receive a holiday turkey from the resort – are donating their turkey to Sevier County Food Ministries this year to help those in need.

Those who attend should take their canned food items to the entrance to the indoor waterpark marked “Wild WaterDome.” For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies resort, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.  **Because of maximum capacity requirements, those attending will get access on a first-come-first-served basis (so don’t be late!).**

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Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies resort home to Santa Hustle Half-Marathon Run-and-Walk this Sunday

Posted by Rick Laney – November 29, 2011

Santa Hustle Run 2010

Sevierville, TN – Santa Claus is running to town, so don’t be a Grinch this holiday season!  The race will take place at the Wilderness at the Smokies hotel and waterpark resort on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 at 9 a.m. ET.  More than 1,200 participants are expected to attend the Santa Hustle in the Smokies this year.

The Santa Hustle series has had great success in Chicago, with last year totaling more than 3,500 finishers. The Santa Hustle race in Chicago has been featured on the Rachel Ray Show and will be shown on the Travel Channel this winter. This year the race has expanded and will take place in Sevierville, Chicago, and Indianapolis.

“Wilderness at the Smokies is honored to be part of this fantastic addition to the Sevierville holiday offerings,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies. “Since the day we opened, Wilderness has tried to give people new, exciting ways to enjoy the Smoky Mountain area – and this is just one more example of how we are doing that.”

Participants in the holiday-themed race will receive a free Santa hat, beard and a customized shirt to wear while running. The top three runners from each age category will be awarded along with the participant and group with the best Santa costumes. All half-marathon participants will receive a Santa Hustle Finishers medal. After the race, everyone can enjoy an after party at the Wilderness with holiday music, food and drinks.

“We are so excited to bring this race to Tennessee and can’t wait to see 1,200 Santa’s running down Route 66,” event director Heather Frayn said. “You will also see over 100 volunteers dressed as elves along the course, giant inflatable Santa’s candy stations and more.”

The Santa Hustle Smokies is presented by Reebok and is hosted by Adrenaline Sports Management of Illinois. With stores in both Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, Reebok is happy to share their holiday cheer with the community and take part in this event. The Santa Hustle Smokies also benefits two charity organizations; The Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee and Harvestfield Ministries.

Pre-Race Packet Pick-Up is only available at the Wilderness at the Smokies on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Packet pick-up will take place within the Adrenaline Sports Management expo, which is open to all participants and the general public.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, two outdoor waterparks, a seven-acre indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.santahustlesmokies.com or call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies resort announces multi-million dollar expansion

Posted by Rick Laney – October 18, 2011

Rick Laney addresses the media in front of the existing indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies, which will soon double in size.

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. –  Following a spring and summer tourism season that resulted in record-breaking attendance numbers at Wilderness at the Smokies resort, the Southeast’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark announced that it is about to get bigger – considerably bigger.

This week, Wilderness at the Smokies resort will begin construction of its new “Adventure Forest” indoor park, literally doubling the amount of indoor space the resort provides for its guests.  Currently, the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark provides acres of indoor water attractions for visitors, and the addition of the new Adventure Forest family entertainment center will double the total amount of “under-roof” year-round fun at Wilderness at the Smokies.

“Unlike our other attractions at Wilderness at the Smokies, the new Adventure Forest will be a ‘dry’ park,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “It will feature a three-story ropes course, a multi-level enclosed laser tag arena, bowling, black-light mini-golf, a 7,000-square foot arcade, a ‘Laser Maze,’ a 25-foot tall spring ride, special birthday party rooms, another restaurant and lounge, plus other attractions and activities that do not involve water – all of it indoors and open year-round.

“There is absolutely nothing like Adventure Forest anywhere in this region.  If it were a stand-alone attraction, it would be an amazing addition to the local tourism market – but when combined with the already outrageous offerings of Wilderness at the Smokies resort, it is going to be a premier Smoky Mountain destination.”

Unlike the other attractions at Wilderness at the Smokies, Cruz said the new Adventure Forest would be open to the general public periodically for special events.  Currently, all of the amenities at Wilderness at the Smokies are only open to resort guests.

Since opening in 2008, the $100 million Wilderness at the Smokies resort has consistently added attractions, rooms and other amenities for its guests.  Just six months after opening the Wild WaterDome waterpark, the resort added the $1.5 million, five-story Runaway Canyon waterslide.

In 2009, the resort opened its second multi-million dollar outdoor waterpark, Lake Wilderness – featuring the Cataloochee Creek Adventure River, the Wilderness Rapids Wave Pool, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a poolside restaurant and plush cabanas.  In spite of its long list of major expansions and additions, the new Adventure Forest indoor park is by far the most significant investment the resort has made in the Sevierville area since its grand opening.  With its latest addition, the only other area attraction that has invested as heavily as Wilderness at the Smokies in the local tourism market is Dollywood.

Wilderness at the Smokies resort also sells one- and two-bedroom condominiums ranging from 850 to 1,200 square feet priced from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$500,000s.  When condominiums went on sale at Wilderness at the Smokies resort in 2007, buyers snatched up $41 million worth of the units in just one day – in only six hours, to be exact.

In the past, the City of Sevierville has estimated in press releases that Wilderness at the Smokies generates about $3 million in sales taxes and more than $500,000 in bedroom taxes every year for the local economy.

Wilderness at the Smokies employs approximately 350 year-round employees and adds around 200 additional workers during the busy summer tourism season.  The addition of the new Adventure Forest indoor park is expected to initially increase overall employment numbers at the resort by about 10 percent (approximately 50 new jobs).

Cruz said, “Wilderness at the Smokies resort is the only local attraction where you get everything a family is looking for in one place.  If you consider that when you book your room at Wilderness at the Smokies, you get access to all of our water attractions and offerings, we are by far the best value out there for families watching their vacation budgets.”

In June 2011, Southern Living Magazine listed Wilderness at number two on its list of the nation’s “Ten Best Pools” and just two months later, Wilderness at the Smokies resort was named one of the “Top Three Waterparks” in the nation by Aquatics International Magazine (the worldwide authority on waterparks).

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, two outdoor waterparks, a huge indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

The resort is owned by Patrick Helland, Pete Helland, Jr., Tim Lucke and Tom Lucke (who also own Wilderness at the Dells Waterpark resort in Wisconsin).  Steve Cruz is the General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies and Rick Laney is spokesperson for the resort.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Passes for Jenny & Ashley Concert and Music Video Shoot Available on July 7

Posted by Shane Rhyne – July 5, 2011

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – July 5, 2011 – When rising teen music and television stars Jenny and Ashley Cooke take the Jenny & Ashley will be filming a music video and live concert at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort. stage at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort to film a music video and concert this month, East Tennessee residents can be a part of the fun for the price of a pair of shoes. A limited number of public passes are available and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tennessee.

A pass for one admission to the concert and video shoot will be given out for every pair of new or gently used shoes brought for donation to Soles4Souls, a charity organization providing shoes for those in need. Organizers for the concert will have a donation area set up in the parking lot of the Tennessee Smokies minor league baseball stadium, located near Exit 407 on I-40 in Sevier County. Passes will be distributed beginning at 9 a.m. Only one admission will be provided for each pair of shoes donated. Families wishing to receive multiple passes should bring a pair of shoes to donate for each ticket desired. There is a maximum of five passes per person. Passes will be distributed on Thursday, July 7, while supplies last.

The Jenny & Ashley concert and video shoot will be held at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort on Saturday, July 16. Admission to the concert is limited to guests of the resort and recipients of the passes distributed on July 7. Following the concert and video filming, concert pass holders will receive an admission pass to enjoy a free day at the Wilderness at the Smokies Resort’s waterpark—a benefit normally reserved only for the resort’s hotel guests. Tickets to the concert will not be available at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort and can only be obtained by donating a pair of shoes (one pair per pass) at the donation event on Thursday, July 7.

Jenny & Ashley are filming their new music video at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort in support of most recent new album. The concert and video will include the girls’ complete touring band, as well as the production team and director for the music video. Rick Laney, vice president of Ackermann PR who has also worked with National Geographic Television, MTV Productions, Travel Channel, and has also produced live concert DVDs in the past, is serving as a production consultant to the project.

Additional details for the Jenny & Ashley appearance will be updated online at http://www.ackermannwire.com/category/jenny-and-ashley/.

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MEDIA:

FOR MORE INFORMATION, TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS, FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS OR DIGITAL B-ROLL, CONTACT RICK LANEY AT (865) 584-0550, rlaney@ackermannpr.com


Wilderness at the Smokies is a premier eco-friendly resort

Posted by Rick Laney – June 8, 2011

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – It is only natural that a resort called “Wilderness at the Smokies” is doing everything it can to preserve the environment and be an environmentally responsible business.  Although thousands of visitors travel from all over to experience the resort’s indoor and outdoor waterparks every day, many of them don’t realize all that Wilderness at the Smokies is doing to be a leader in environmental-friendliness.

Inside the Wild Water Dome at Wilderness at the Smokies resort.

Just this month, Wilderness at the Smokies resort launched a new towel program designed to give guests the high level of service and convenience they are accustomed to from the resort while significantly reducing the amount of washing and drying it does and the energy it consumes.  With every waterpark pass, guests are issued a towel card which allows each visitor to have two towels at all times.  As the towels become wet, guests simply trade them for dry towels.  The new towel card system has already resulted in a huge reduction in energy use by the resort.

The first thing many families notice when entering the indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies is that it feels like you’re outside on a beautiful summer day – even in the middle of winter.  The see-through Texlon™ roof that covers the indoor waterpark allows sunlight and UV rays into the 60,000 square-foot indoor waterpark.  The Texlon™ roof not only allows guests to tan year round, it allows real plants to thrive indoors and dramatically reduces the resort’s energy consumption.

According to John Regnerus, operations director at Wilderness at the Smokies, the resort uses 300 to 400 less therms of natural gas per day to heat the indoor waterpark during the colder winter months because of the Texlon™ roof.  One therm is the energy equivalent of burning about 100 cubic feet of natural gas and the average U.S. household uses roughly 1,000 therms per year.  “It significantly lowers our energy consumption,” Regnerus said.  “Over a three or four month period, we can reduce our natural gas usage by 30,000 to nearly 50,000 therms.  That’s a considerable reduction in our use of fossil fuel.”

The difference between an indoor waterpark with a Texlon™ roof and one with a standard roof like one would find in a gymnasium is the difference between night and day.  The transparency of the Texlon™ roof and the natural light it allows into Wilderness at the Smokies brings the outdoors in throughout the year.

The natural lighting provided by the Texlon™ roof at Wilderness at the Smokies also allows the resort to lower its electric consumption by not using artificial lighting during daylight hours.  The roof has a built-in ventilation system to circulate more air in the summertime and reduces the resort’s use of air conditioning when it’s warm outside.

“Because of the roof at Wilderness at the Smokies, guests can literally forget they are inside,” said Dave Keim of Aquatic Development Group, the company that supplied the Texlon™ roof to Wilderness at the Smokies.  “In the middle of winter, guests are surrounded by live tropical plants, getting a suntan and splashing in the water attractions.  The energy savings are important, but what the guests remember is the experience.”

Wilderness at the Smokies is a member of the Green Hotels Association.  In addition to the Texlon™ roof over the resort’s indoor waterpark, Wilderness at the Smokies uses energy-saving compact florescent lighting in many areas throughout its facility and all of its appliances and kitchen equipment are the latest Energy Star rated design (using 30 percent less energy than older appliances).  Guest rooms at River Lodge are equipped with state-of-the-art key-controlled occupancy sensors which save electricity by turning on lights and the HVAC system as guests enter their rooms.  Tinted windows in guest rooms are also designed to reduce energy consumption and motion-sensing paper towel dispensers in the common areas reduce paper usage.

“Wilderness at the Smokies is adjacent to one of this nation’s most valuable natural wonders – the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” said Steve Cruz, the general manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “The environment is one of the primary reasons guests come to the Smokies.  We value nature and the environment the same way our guests do.  Being environmentally responsible is everyone’s job and Wilderness at the Smokies wants to be a leader in this area.”

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in 2009 and is the Southeast’s largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort.  With two outdoor waterparks and a 6-acre indoor waterpark, Wilderness also has six restaurants, a deli, gift shops, convenience stores, mini-golf, and a 36-hole championship golf course.  Wilderness is connected to a 200,000 square-foot conference and event center capable of hosting events for 10,000 people.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Beat the summer heat in one of Southern Living’s Best Pools of the South

Posted by Shane Rhyne – June 1, 2011

Sevierville, Tenn. – As summer temperatures begin to climb, families and travelers will soon be looking for Southern Living June 2011 coverentertaining ways to beat the heat. With that in mind, the editors of Southern Living began a search for best destination pools for dipping your toes and cooling off. Wilderness at the Smokies, the Southeast’s largest indoor-outdoor waterpark resort, was honored in the June 2011 issue as one of the magazine’s choices for “Best Pools in the South.”

The resort is featured in both the print and web editions of the popular magazine. The resort is located conveniently nearby the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation’s most visited national park. With two outdoor waterparks and a 6-acre indoor waterpark, Wilderness also has six restaurants, a deli, gift shops, convenience stores, mini-golf, and a 36-hole championship golf course. Wilderness is connected to a 100,000 square-foot conference and event center capable of hosting events for 10,000 people.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies Resort names Steve Cruz General Manager

Posted by Rick Laney – April 26, 2011

Steve Cruz

Sevierville, Tenn. – Wilderness at the Smokies resort has named Steve Cruz General Manager of the popular 700-acre indoor/outdoor waterpark resort in Sevierville, Tenn.  Cruz, who previously served as Director of Sales and Marketing for Wilderness, brings more than 15 years experience in the East Tennessee tourism industry to his new role.

Cruz’s professional experience includes working with Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia.

Cruz said, “Wilderness at the Smokies has changed the tourism landscape in this area.  It’s exciting to be part of such a special place that so many families look forward to visiting.  We plan to build on and grow the unbelievable success Wilderness at the Smokies has experienced in its first three years of operation.”

Wilderness owner Pete Helland said Cruz has the perfect background and knowledge to firmly establish Wilderness at the Smokies as the Smoky Mountain region’s premier resort attraction.

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in 2009 and is the Southeast’s largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort.  With two outdoor waterparks and a 6-acre indoor waterpark, Wilderness also has six restaurants, a deli, gift shops, convenience stores, mini-golf, and a 36-hole championship golf course.  Wilderness is connected to a 100,000 square-foot conference and event center capable of hosting events for 10,000 people.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies resort dives into spring 2011 with record-breaking attendance numbers

Posted by Rick Laney – April 12, 2011

Sevierville, Tenn. – After record-breaking March attendance, Wilderness at the Smokies resort, the Southeast’s largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort, is diving head-first into April 2011 with its Spring Grand Opening of all outdoor activities and attractions.

One of the three amazing waterparks at Wilderness at the Smokies resort

During April, Wilderness at the Smokies attendance figures rose more than 30 percent over the same time period last year.  The resort attributes a steadily growing spring break crowd and additional rooms that are now available at the resort for the growth.  Wilderness at the Smokies resort offers guests more than 1,500 rooms in a variety of configurations to choose from during their stay.

“As we continue to grow, word is getting out about Wilderness at the Smokies resort,” said Pete Helland, owner of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “Not only is Wilderness at the Smokies unique to the Smokies, it’s unique to the entire Southeast United States – and people are seeing what a great, affordable, family vacation we provide.  I expect that we will continue to see growth and more record-breaking months moving forward.”

April also ushered in the opening of Wilderness at the Smokies’ many outdoor activities – including both Salamander Springs and Cataloochee Creek outdoor waterparks.  Featuring wave pools, waterslides, an adventure river and countless play areas for people of all ages, the outdoor waterparks are always a resort favorite with guests.  The resort’s mini-golf course, cabanas, and outdoor dining facilities also opened this month (all outdoor activities operate weather permitting).

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in 2009 and is the Southeast’s largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort.  With two outdoor waterparks and a 6-acre indoor waterpark, Wilderness also has six restaurants, a deli, gift shops, convenience stores, mini-golf, and a 36-hole championship golf course.  Wilderness is connected to a 100,000 square-foot conference and event center capable of hosting events for 10,000 people.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

The first-ever K2 Wilderness at the Smokies Volleyball Tournament draws more than 6,000 people to Sevierville

Posted by Rick Laney – February 1, 2011

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — Local, regional and national sporting events are flocking to the new Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville, Tenn.  Within a one-day drive for 75 percent of the Eastern U.S. population, Wilderness at the Smokies resort provides a perfect year-round location for sporting events large and small and is quickly becoming a favorite of sporting event organizers.

WBIR-TV (NBC) conducts an interview during the K2 Volleyball Tournament.

Last weekend, Knoxville-based K2 Volleyball hosted its first-annual “K2 Wilderness at the Smokies Volleyball Tournament.  More than 1,400 elite athletes and more than 6,000 guests, fans and spectators turned out for the competition that featured the best volleyball teams from all over the Eastern U.S. 

(Click on the image to the right to watch the complete WBIR-TV story.)

Part of Wilderness’ draw for sporting competitions is that the resort has so much to offer athletes when they aren’t actively competing.  With three waterparks (including a five-acre indoor waterpark), a championship golf course, arcades, six on-property restaurants and countless other amenities, athletes and their guests stay entertained without having to travel outside the resort.  For those who do venture off-property, the hundreds of local attractions in the Smoky Mountain Region offer plenty of choices.

“My daughters are competing in the K2 Wilderness at the Smokies Volleyball Tournament,” said Scott Hames, a parent and coach.  “Right now, they are down at the indoor waterpark – and they are somewhat disappointed that they’re going to have to come up here to compete in a few hours.  They could play at the waterpark all day.”

The Mountain Press has complete coverage of the K2 Wilderness at the Smokies Voleyball Tournament; read the entire story here.

Wilderness at the Smokies has hosted major national youth sporting events including gymnastics competitions, cheerleading competitions, basketball, karate, volleyball, BMX Biking and power tumbling.  TAnother recent major sporting event at Wilderness at the Smokies was the Smoky Mountain Gymnastics Vacation Classic which took place over a four-day period.  There were nearly 7,000 attendees at the Smoky Mountain Gymnastics Vacation Classic.

“Wilderness at the Smokies resort is extremely focused on meeting the needs of sporting event planners and coordinators,” said Steve Cruz, Director of Sales and Marketing for Wilderness at the Smokies.  “We have invested in state-of-the-art athletic flooring for the 200,000 square-foot event center adjacent to our resort, and we can comfortably host very large volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and tennis events along with many other indoor sports.”

“Because we have hosted a variety of different athletic events, we know what is important to event planners and coordinators.  Our primary goal is to make their job as easy as possible and to enhance the overall experience of their guests.  There simply aren’t many venues that allow athletes and spectators to watch a competition and then play in a five-acre indoor waterpark ten minutes later without ever leaving the property.  Wilderness at the Smokies is quickly being recognized as the Southeast’s premier year-round athletic venue.”

To assist with the setup for sporting events, Wilderness at the Smokies has its own sports court flooring and can provide up to 20 volleyball courts and nets or, if the sport is basketball, five sets of basketball hoops.

Attached to the 200,000 square-foot Sevierville Event Center, Wilderness at the Smokies offers nearly 1,000 mountain modern guest rooms and multi-room suites in addition to condominiums and a Wyndham Vacation Resort on the Wilderness property.

The K2 Wilderness at the Smokies Volleyball Tournament

Wilderness resort works regularly with large youth groups (church groups, athletic groups, youth conferences and conventions).  With restaurants, gift shops, convenience stores, game rooms, mini-golf, lounges, a deli, two outdoor waterparks and a five-acre indoor waterpark, it isn’t necessary to leave the 700-acre resort. Coaches, athletes and spectators can even get to/from the event center without ever going outside – making Wilderness at the Smokies one of the Southeast’s only year-round destinations for sporting events.

(Click on the image to the left to see more television coverage of the K2 Tournament from WATE-TV and WVLT-TV.)

While staying at Wilderness at the Smokies resort, guests can swim, surf and splash in the waves in 84-degree weather all year because of the five-acre indoor waterpark.  Also, Wilderness at the Smokies has countless meeting rooms where teams and athletes can meet with coaches to prepare, go over strategy and review results before, during and after competitions.

When sports groups of any type are staying at Wilderness at the Smokies, the resort will arrange anything the group organizers request – including transportation to and from other locations for athletics, shopping or to take in the local attractions.  Wilderness at the Smokies also partners with many of the local attractions like the new Titanic Museum Attraction, the Ripley’s Aquarium, Dixie Stampede, WonderWorks, Tanger Outlet Mall and other popular destinations to provide value pricing for athletes and their guests.

Wilderness at the Smokies packages rooms and meeting space as well as services (transportation, A/V equipment, etc.) to create a cost-effective overall approach for sporting event planners and organizers.  Because Wilderness at the Smokies is so large and has so many events, organizers benefit from the volume of work Wilderness does with local suppliers and subcontractors that support large conferences, conventions and athletic events.  Since guests at Wilderness at the Smokies never have to leave the resort, and transportation around the property is completely free for its guests, they can park their cars at Wilderness (free of charge) and not get in them again until it’s time to leave.  Everything a guest could want in terms of family fun and R&R is available on the property.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is establishing a new standard for athletic competitions, conferences, conventions and meetings in East Tennessee.  With two six restaurants, two 18-hole golf courses, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and surf rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com