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3:12 p.m. July 25, 2015
National Quartet Convention commits to Pigeon Forge in 2016
The LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge will be the venue for the National Quarter Convention in 2015 and 2015.
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PIGEON FORGE, TN – The biggest event in Southern gospel music, the National Quartet Convention (NQC), has committed to a third year in Pigeon Forge in 2016 and has options on dates through 2020, according to Clarke Beasley, NQC executive vice president, and the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
This weeklong event held its convention at the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge in 2014 and recorded its largest attendance in 13 years, drawing more than 40,000 individuals, Beasley said.
“We’re gearing up now for our second year in Pigeon Forge. This year’s dates are September 27 through October 3, 2015, and advance indicators confirm that we are again going to have phenomenal attendance,” Beasley said.
NQC was one of the earliest events booked at the LeConte Event Center. NQC leaders committed to 2014 and 2015 while the building was still under construction. During the event, full usage of the 232,599-square-foot facility is mandated for nightly concerts, autograph opportunities, and trade show activity.
“Working with NQC, we are implementing several changes for 2015, including some tiered seating and more space for vendors,” said Phil Campbell, facility manager for the LeConte Event Center.
Beasley expects visitors from at least 40 states and a half-dozen countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
“Considering the success of 2014, we wanted to lock in 2016 now so people can make travel plans. Dates next year are September 25 through October 1,” Beasley said.
NQC started in 1957 in Memphis, Tenn., and later moved to Nashville. It was in Louisville, Ky., for 20 years before relocating to Pigeon Forge.
“Pigeon Forge loves NQC,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
“NQC entertains its guests royally, and we get to showcase our city and the Great Smoky Mountains. We polled the guests in 2014, and 47 percent of them said they planned to visit us again outside of NQC’s dates,” Downey said.
Information about NQC 2015 is available online at nqconline.com.
Published July 25, 2015 |
