TUNICA, Miss. -- The country's third-largest gaming resort
destination heightened its profile with the opening of a
100,000-square-foot arena and exposition center this month.
Dedicated to Paul Battle Jr., who served as the Tunica County
administrator for 36 years, the multi-purpose center boasts 48,000
square feet of climate-controlled space on the main arena floor,
with a seating capacity of 6,000 and 14 deluxe skyboxes.
As many as 246 10-by-10-foot exhibit booths are available. The
arena seats up to 2,500 banquet guests who receive the attention of
a full-service kitchen and staff.
Support teams assist at trade shows, conventions and special
events. The facility has two additional outdoor arenas, plus a
pavilion with 100,000 square feet of exhibition space.
A covered livestock show area is furnished with 355 stalls,
showers and dressing areas. With horses a way of life in the
Mississippi/Tennessee area, the arena planners pride themselves on
having the very best facilities for equine events.
Roger Newman, assistant director of the arena, has worked in the
horse industry for 30 years, including 13 years as the equine
center manager in Harriman, Tenn. Parking is provided for 1,100
vehicles, with 600 additional spaces for overflow and grounds for
66 RVs.
"Our facilities offer a unique combination of amenities and
services designed to accommodate anything from rodeos and horse
shows to concerts and banquets, to meetings and conventions and
sporting events," said A.C. Chapman, the arena's executive
director.
"Having this state-of-the-art, flexible arena center will
clearly enhance the rapidly growing casino resort destination in
Tunica County," Chapman adds.
Accessible by trolley, car or bus from Memphis Airport located
30 miles away, Tunica oozes with the sultry Mississippi Delta
tradition that inspired writers Tennessee Williams and William
Faulkner.
At the same time, the area has seen a phenomenal economic growth
since the state legalized casino gambling in 1990.
Fashioning its gaming legislation after Las Vegas and Atlantic
City, Tunica has attracted major resort developers whose
investments exceed $3 billion.
Bally's, Fitzgeralds, Goldstrike, Grand, Harrah's, Hollywood,
Sam's Town, Sheraton, Isle of Capri and Holiday Inn Express
contribute 120,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for groups
as large as 1,600 people. Individual meetings facilities range up
to 40,000 square feet.
The area is rich with leisure opportunities, including shopping
at the new factory outlet mall, antique hunting in downtown shops,
fishing in Cutoff Lake, golfing, the Blues and Legends Hall of Fame
and headliners appearing at the hotels.
"The value of Tunica compares with no other destination,"
maintains Nicole Whittington, public relations manager for the
Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"Each property offers incentive packages for booking meetings
and conventions. For example, a package may include discounted or
free meeting space, coupons and discounted room rates for extended
stays."
Tunica Arena & Exposition Center
Phone: (888) 488-6422 or (662) 363-3299
Web: www.tunicamiss.org