Tag: waterpark

Wilderness at the Smokies Resort Brings G-Force Thrills to Waterslide Fun

Posted by Ryan Willis – June 7, 2012

Sevierville, Tenn. – The newest waterslide to debut at Wilderness at the Smokies Resort appeals to a certain type of thrill seeker, perhaps one who has wondered what it might be like to be a drop of water inside a water pistol. The Wild Vortex features a trap door launching pad and a gravity-powered loop-the-loop experience at 2.5 g (g-force) and has adrenaline-hungry visitors lining up for a waterslide experience unlike any other ever seen in the Smokies or the Southeast.

Standing 66-foot tall, the slide is the only near-vertical, translucent, looping waterslide in the Southeast.  Riders of the Wild Vortex will enter the capsule at the top of the ride, standing vertically over a trap door.  Once the trap door is released, the rider accelerates into a 39-foot vertical free fall drop generating maximum g-force (2.5 g in less than two seconds) before reaching the inclined loop element.  The entire ride is over within seven seconds.

“The Wild Vortex provides our guests with the opportunity to witness and experience one of the most extreme thrill rides in any water or amusement park in the country,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “It has been an extremely busy year for us as this opening marks the launch of our second major expansion of the year.”

In March, the resort opened Adventure Forest family entertainment park, a ‘dry’ indoor park that has doubled the resort’s indoor park offerings.  It features a three-story ropes course, multi-level enclosed laser tag arena, mini-bowling, black-light mini-golf, more than 100 arcade games, a ‘Laser Maze,’ a 23-foot climbing wall, special birthday party rooms, another restaurant and lounge, plus other attractions and activities that do not involve water.

Cruz added, “We look forward to continuing to expand and providing our guests with a new and enhanced experience each time they choose to vacation with us.”

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, an 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 Territory Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin).  Steve Cruz is the General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Digital images of Wilderness at the Smokies are available to all media.  Contact Ryan Willis at (865) 584-0550 for more information.


Wilderness at the Smokies to add near-vertical looping waterslide

Posted by Erin Freeman – April 19, 2012

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – A trap door….a 39-foot vertical free fall drop….speeds of up to 40 mph…an adrenaline rush like no other – this is what guests at the Southeast’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark resort will have the opportunity to experience as Wilderness at the Smokies announces yet another exciting expansion project. Wilderness at the Smokies Resort will soon be home to the Wild Vortex, a 66-foot tall AquaLoopTM, the Southeast’s only near-vertical translucent looping waterslide.  The Wild Vortex is scheduled to open June 1, 2012.

Riders of the Wild Vortex will enter the capsule at the top of the ride, standing vertically over a trap door.  Once the

Rendering of Wild Vortex waterslide

An artist's rendering of the design of the Wild Vortex waterslide

trap door is released, the rider accelerates into a 39-foot vertical free fall drop generating maximum g-force (2.5 Gs in less than two seconds) before reaching the inclined loop element.  The entire ride is over within seven seconds.  The Wild Vortex at Wilderness at the Smokies will be the first AquaLoop located in the Southeast and one of only a handful in the U.S.

“Not only will this new attraction significantly change the skyline of our resort, but it will undoubtedly provide our guests with one of the most adrenaline-packed experiences of their lives,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “And thanks to the translucent tube, we expect both riders and spectators to be left breathless following the 7-second thrill ride.”

Since the grand opening in the summer of 2008, the resort has experienced a tremendous amount of growth.  The opening of the Wild Vortex will mark the sixth significant expansion project in the resort’s short history, including the most recent opening of the Adventure Forest family entertainment park in March 2012.  With this continued expansion, Wilderness at the Smokies Resort becomes the second largest tourism investor in Sevier County (second only to Dollywood).

“We have been fortunate to experience a great deal of success since our grand opening nearly four years ago and that is truly a testament to the strong tourism market here in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the hard work of our dedicated staff,” said Cruz.  “We look forward to introducing new attractions to our guests in the future and continuing to be the only local attraction where families are able to get everything they are looking for in one place.”

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, an 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 Territory 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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Digital images of Wilderness at the Smokies are available to all media.  Contact Ryan Willis at (865) 584-0550 for more information.

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opens multi-million dollar “Adventure Forest” indoor fun-park

Posted by Erin Freeman – March 16, 2012

Adventure Forest

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Following an exceptionally strong 2011 season at Wilderness at the Smokies resort, the Southeast’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark announced last year that it was about to get bigger – considerably bigger – with the addition of the new Adventure Forest family entertainment park.  Adventure Forest opened Friday, March 16, 2012.

Last November, Wilderness at the Smokies resort started construction of its new “Adventure Forest” indoor park, doubling the number of indoor facilities 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 completely expand 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 is a ‘dry’ park,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “It features a three-story ropes course, a multi-level enclosed laser tag arena, mini-bowling, black-light mini-golf, more than 100 arcade games, a ‘Laser Maze,’ a 25-foot tall spring ride, a 23-foot climbing wall, 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 Mountains destination.”

Unlike the other attractions at Wilderness at the Smokies, Cruz said the new Adventure Forest would be open to the general public until it reaches capacity.  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, Wilderness at the Smokies resort becomes the second largest tourism investor in Sevier County (second only to 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).

Now that Adventure Forest is open, Wilderness at the Smokies already has plans for its next major expansion – expected to be announced sometime in coming weeks.  The next expansion is expected to completely change the “skyline” of the resort, with something taller (and more fun) than anything else currently on the property.

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, an 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

Major sporting events finding success in the Wilderness – and having huge impact on local economy

Posted by Erin Freeman – February 20, 2012

2012 K2 Wilderness at the Smokies Volleyball Tournament

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Organizers of large sporting events are regularly asked by attendees – “What else is there to do around here?”  One destination offers an answer to this question unlike others in the Southeast.  Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville, Tenn. features everything an event organizer, athlete or spectator would want in an event, without even stepping outside – making it one of the Southeast’s only year-round destinations for sporting events.

Within a day’s drive for 75 percent of the Eastern U.S. population, Wilderness at the Smokies has 200,000 square feet of space available for hosting major national youth sporting events including:

  • gymnastics competitions
  • cheerleading competitions
  • basketball tournaments
  • karate and wrestling tournaments
  • volleyball tournaments
  • BMX and skateboarding events

The most recent (and one of the largest) was the K2 Volleyball Wilderness at the Smokies Tournament, which took place over two weekends last month.  This year’s tournament included more than 3,500 athletes and 15,000 total attendees.

“This event has been so successful, we have grown it each year and plan to expand once again in 2013,” said Erin Caylor, a coach for K2 Volleyball Club. “We were completely at capacity for this year’s event and had a lengthy list of teams from around the country on a waiting list.”

“Wilderness at the Smokies resort was wonderful to work with, and they truly were a partner in helping us host a top-notch tournament,” added Caylor.

To assist with the setup for sporting events, Wilderness at the Smokies has its own sports court flooring and can provide up to 21 volleyball courts and nets or, if the sport is basketball, five full-size basketball courts.

The traditional January and February “slow season” for Smoky Mountain tourism received a big assist in the form of the volleyball tournament in 2012. For two consecutive weekends, the nation’s best volleyball clubs competed in the tournament, bringing more than 18,000 people to Sevierville and generating an estimated economic impact in excess of one million dollars. The event has proven to be such a success that tournament organizers are considering adding a third weekend in January 2013 to accommodate the waiting list of teams hoping to participate.

Wilderness at the Smokies

Wilderness at the Smokies contributed $5 million to the Sevierville economy in 2011 in taxes alone.

Attached to the Sevierville Events Center, Wilderness at the Smokies offers more than 700 mountain modern guest rooms and multi-room suites in addition to condominiums and a Wyndham Vacation Resort on the Wilderness property.

With restaurants, gift shops, convenience stores, game rooms, mini-golf, lounges, a deli, two outdoor waterparks and the area’s largest indoor waterpark, it isn’t necessary to leave the amazing resort.  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 huge indoor waterpark and other amenities.  Also, Wilderness 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.

A brand new indoor park, Adventure Forest, opens in March 2012, doubling the resort’s indoor offerings.

The president of NetLynx, Doug Janeska, who organized the Smoky Mountain Gymnastics Vacation Classic at Wilderness, said, “My company has organized over 40 major competitive events across the country over the past 25 years.  One of the biggest events we’ve ever had was the Smoky Mountain Vacation Gymnastics Classic at Wilderness at the Smokies resort.” The resort played host to nearly 7,000 people during this four-day event.

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 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, and the brand new Adventure Forest, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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

Posted by Erin Freeman – 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 Erin Freeman – 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 announces multi-million dollar expansion

Posted by Erin Freeman – 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

East Tennessee gets second chance to see ‘Jenny & Ashley’ after Wilderness concert tickets disappear in 15 minutes

Posted by Erin Freeman – July 7, 2011

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – With people camped out in the parking lot at Smokies Stadium for nearly 12 hours, passes to the Jenny & Ashley concert and video shoot at Wilderness at the Smokies resort were grabbed up in just 15 minutes this morning. Fortunately, those who want to see the rising music and television stars perform will get a second chance when they rock Smokies Stadium on Wednesday evening, July 20, 2011.

Jenny & Ashley

Jenny & Ashley will perform during the Smokies’ home game against the Carolina Mud Cats. The sisters will also meet with fans and sign autographs before and after the game. Tickets to the Tennessee Smokies game are available at www.smokiesbaseball.com or at the team’s ticket office. Don’t miss this last opportunity to see Jenny & Ashley perform in East Tennessee.

Jenny (15) and Ashley (14) Cooke are originally from Wisconsin, but moved to Pleasanton, Calif. when they were in elementary school. The sisters discovered their talents early while performing in a number of theatre productions and quickly made the move to acting and modeling. Jenny appeared as a model and cover girl for Kohl’s television and print advertising and also started acting. Ashley quickly caught the bug too, and modeled for both Levi’s and Kohl’s in television and print advertising. They followed their dreams to Los Angeles, where Jenny and Ashley picked up television work with both Disney and Nickelodeon.

Quickly realizing their love and passion for music, the girls switched gears and headed to Nashville. Jenny & Ashley caught the eye of some very important players in Nashville and soon found themselves in-studio recording their first EP. The EP, “Songs About You,” has songs the girls wrote as well as great songs from famous Nashville writers. Darran Smith, Tim McGraw’s co-producer and lead guitarist, produced the entire product and Tim’s band, The Dance Hall Doctors, tracked every instrument you hear on the EP. “Songs About You,” available now on iTunes, is an upbeat pop/country album which includes the song “Indescribable,” co-written by Ashley, that is receiving national radio airplay.

Following in the footsteps of Disney superstars Miley Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”), Selena Gomez, and the Jonas Brothers, Jenny and Ashley Cooke are skyrocketing to stardom. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see them perform up-close and live.

Rick Laney, vice president of Knoxville-based Ackermann PR, is serving as a production consultant for the concert/video shoot. Laney has worked with National Geographic Television, MTV Productions, Travel Channel and other national and international television networks.

All additional details for the Jenny & Ashley appearance will be updated online at www.ackermannwire.com and at www.wildernessatthesmokies.com .

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

Wilderness at the Smokies is a premier eco-friendly resort

Posted by Erin Freeman – 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 Erin Freeman – 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