Tag: Wilderness at the Smokies resort

Wilderness at the Smokies, Titanic Museum Attraction and WonderWorks on Sirius-XM Radio

Posted by Rick Laney – April 26, 2010

Christine Eads

Christine Eads recently asked Ackermann PR’s Rick Laney to do a travel segment about East Tennessee for Sirius-XM Radio’s national talk show BroadMinded.  Christine and her son came down from Washington, D.C. to East Tennessee for a few days and Rick had the opportunity to show them some of the best new resorts and attractions the area has to offer.

The interview includes Wilderness at the Smokies resort, the new Titanic Museum Attraction and WonderWorks.  All three are clients of Ackermann PR.

The interview (which can be listened to below) has been divided into two segments.  The first segment covers primarily Wilderness at the Smokies resort and the second segment covers mostly the Titanic Museum Attraction.  Take a few minutes to listen in, even if you live here.  You might be surprised at how people from other parts of the country respond to East Tennessee.  You might want to take in some of the new local attractions yourself — they’re just down the road.

A special thanks to Christine Eads and the crew from Broadminded.  We look forward to seeing them back in East Tennessee again real soon.

Wilderness at the Smokies segment

Titanic Museum Attraction segment

Interview is © Sirius-XM Radio’s BroadMinded.

Wilderness at the Smokies brings year-round opportunities to conference, convention and meeting planners

Posted by Rick Laney – March 30, 2010

Sevierville, Tenn. – Wilderness at the Smokies resort is changing the way conference, convention and meeting planners view and utilize the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.  Always popular as a spring, summer and fall destination, the area’s newest resort is drawing year-round events to its 700-acre Sevierville, Tenn. property.

Conveniently located next to the 200,000 square-foot Sevierville Event Center, Wilderness at the Smokies offers 234 mountain modern guest rooms and 472 multi-room suites in addition to condominiums at the Wyndham Resort on the Wilderness property.  Wilderness at the Smokies resort also boasts two outdoor waterparks, a nearly four-acre indoor waterpark and 36-holes of championship golf.

Wilderness at the Smokies Resort

With a 108,000 square-foot exhibit hall, a 19,000 square-foot ballroom, more than 1,600 parking spaces, ten covered loading bays, two nearby airports, and less than a full day’s drive for 75 percent of the U.S. population, the Sevierville Event Center at Wilderness at the Smokies resort is quickly becoming one of the region’s most popular conference, convention and meeting destinations.

Since opening less than two years ago, Wilderness at the Smokies resort has hosted meetings, conferences and conventions ranging from family reunions to major national events like the Phil Waldrep Ministries “Celebrate America” conference in October with keynote speaker former President George W. Bush which was attended by nearly 10,000 people.

“We work hard to make sure the meetings our guests host are fun and easy,” says Dottie Clabough, director of sales for Wilderness at the Smokies. “Our facility offers multiple meeting room options, six executive suites, and if you need more space, we have the Sevierville Events Center, which is connected to our Events Center Hotel.

“When your guests are done with a busy day in the board room, they, along with their families, will welcome the opportunity to kick back and relax in our fabulous waterparks, on Eagle’s Landing championship golf course, or at our restaurants,” says Clabough. “We even have a trolley service available to us that goes to many popular shows and attractions in nearby Pigeon Forge. It is perfect for spouse’s programs or evening activities.

President George W. Bush speaks at Wilderness at the Smokies

“When guests come to our property, they can park their cars and not worry about driving during their stay. Everything they could want or need is all right here.”

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in June 2008 with the Stone Hill Lodge and Salamander Springs outdoor waterpark adjacent to the Sevierville Event Center.  Six months later, River Lodge and the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark were added.  In May 2009, Wilderness at the Smokies expanded again with the addition of Lake Wilderness, the resort’s second outdoor waterpark.  Lake Wilderness features Cataloochee Creek Adventure River, the Wilderness Rapids Wave Pool and poolside cabanas.

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 conferences, conventions and meetings in East Tennessee.  With 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

Santa Spotted Surfing, Sliding and Splashing at Secret Sevierville Getaway

Posted by Rick Laney – December 8, 2009

WildernessSmall

Sevierville, Tenn. –  Everyone knows December is a busy month for Santa Claus.  With all of the festivities leading up to the holidays, the always-elusive Santa was spotted this week at Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville, Tenn. enjoying summertime fun in the middle of winter.  When he isn’t dashing through the snow, the Jolly Old Elf can “hang ten” like a pro – and he proved it, much to the delight of throngs of young onlookers.  Click on the image of Santa below to watch a music video of Santa’s visit to Wilderness at the Smokies resort.

Click Photo to watch video of Santa at Wilderness

Click Photo to watch video of Santa at Wilderness

Dave McGregor, general manager at Wilderness at the Smokies, said he could not confirm nor deny the special visitors, but eyewitnesses claim they recognized Mr. and Mrs. Claus the minute the couple arrived and quietly headed for Runaway Canyon, the resort’s newest waterslide attraction that opened Thanksgiving weekend.  Santa told one guest that riding the new Runaway Canyon slide – with its winding channels and gargantuan tunnels that send riders blasting through explosive turns and 360-degree loops – was like flying behind his reindeer on Christmas Eve.  After numerous rides on the five-story high Runaway Canyon, Mr. and Mrs. Claus slid into lounge chairs next to the indoor wave pool to kick back, relax and read for a while.

Before heading back to his room, Santa spent some time in the wave pool and hot tubs with Mrs. Claus, he then grabbed a bodyboard and hit the SurfRider – where 19,000 gallons of water per minute create a five-foot, ocean-like wave.  Guests were amazed that a resident of the North Pole could have such wild surfing skills.  When he finished riding the waves, Santa received a standing ovation from his adoring fans. 

SurfinSantaWireWith holiday and winter specials and promotions, guests at Wilderness at the Smokies resort can save big on their family getaways right now.  On New Year’s Eve, the waterpark will stay open until midnight and a free New Year’s Eve Party will be open exclusively for hotel guests. The Wild Perks! program offered by Wilderness at the Smokies resort is also available at no charge to all guests and allows visitors to accumulate points toward free resort stays or Cabana Rentals simply by staying at the resort. 

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 family vacations to East Tennessee.  With 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

Southeast’s Largest Indoor and Outdoor Waterpark Opens New Attraction – Runaway Canyon

Posted by Rick Laney – December 8, 2009

Sevierville, Tenn. – Wilderness at the Smokies in East Tennessee, the southeast’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark resort, opened its newest attraction, Runaway Canyon, last week.  Runaway Canyon is located in the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies resort.

RunawayCanyonSmallRunaway Canyon is a five-story high enclosed waterslide measuring more than 450-feet and featuring a total drop of almost 60-feet.  Using more than 8,000 gallons of water per minute, Runaway Canyon propels up to four people in rafts through a series of exciting, totally enclosed twists, turns and drops.

Runaway Canyon sends entire families rocketing through winding channels and gargantuan tunnels.  This dark journey has you blasting through water curtains, climbing high onto steeply-banked walls, and leaning into explosive turns, 360-degree loops and pulse-pounding dips.

General Manager David McGregor said Runaway Canyon represents an additional local investment by Wilderness at the Smokies of more than $1 million.

“Our guests are going to love Runaway Canyon,” McGregor said.  “It is an exciting slide for the entire family.  Guests are going to recognize that Wilderness at the Smokies plans to give them something new every time they come to stay with us.”

The name “Runaway Canyon” was selected by fifth grade students at Catlettsburg Elementary School in Sevierville.  With the help of Principal Jerry L. Wear, Wilderness at the Smokies asked students to help them pick the name of the new attraction.  As a reward for selecting the name, fifth graders from Catlettsburg Elementary were among the first people to experience Runaway Canyon when it opened.

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in June 2008 with the Stone Hill Lodge and Salamander Springs outdoor waterpark.  Six months later, River Lodge and the 60,000-square-foot Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark were added.  In May 2009, Wilderness at the Smokies expanded again with the addition of Lake Wilderness, the resort’s second outdoor waterpark.  Lake Wilderness features Cataloochee Creek Adventure River, the Wilderness Rapids Wave Pool and a set of poolside cabanas.

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 family vacations to East Tennessee.  With 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

Former President George W. Bush is a big hit at Wilderness at the Smokies resort

Posted by Rick Laney – October 8, 2009

 
President George W. Bush

President George W. Bush

Sevierville, Tenn. –  Former President George W. Bush spoke last evening at Bridgemont, the Sevierville, Tenn. development that includes the Sevierville Events Center and Wilderness at the Smokies resort, during the Phil Waldrep Ministries “Celebrators” conference taking place at the resort this week.

Bush met with guests and conference attendees until shortly before 7 p.m. when he delivered the keynote address for the “Celebrate America” portion of the four-day Christian conference.  More than 8,500 people were signed up for the conference.  Seats for President Bush’s address had been sold out since June.

During his speech, President Bush spoke about faith, freedom and America.  The standing room only crowd responded enthusiastically to the 43rd President’s address.

“I’m going to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the Oval Office,” Bush said.  His speech, which lasted nearly an hour, included his thoughts on world events that took place during his presidency and personal stories about his family.  He told about a family gathering where he mentioned that his wife, Laura, was “the best First Lady ever” – much to his mother’s dismay.

In addition to last night’s address from Bush, the conference featured singer Sandi Patty, a large choir and orchestra, and a presentation by Phil Waldrep of Waldrep Ministries.

“We’re thrilled to have the former president here,” said David McGregor, general manager of Wilderness at the Smokies resort.  “It speaks volumes about the level of quality and service we deliver here at Wilderness at the Smokies.  It’s a tremendous honor to be associated with this kind of event.”

Based in Decatur, Ala., Phil Waldrep Ministries was formed in 1980 and hosts numerous conferences for men, women, senior adults, students and pastors, the North Alabama Bible Conference, and other events such as Christian cruises and worldwide mission trips.  According to Waldrep Ministries, the Celebrators conference this week is for “older adults and mature believers.”

Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville, Tenn. is just minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  For more information about the conference or indoor and outdoor waterpark resort, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com or http://www.philwaldrep.org.

Update:  Great story and photos in today’s Knoxville News Sentinel.

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