The International Bluegrass Music AssociationThe five-day World of Bluegrass event will move to Chattanooga, Tennessee for 2025-2027, with the inaugural Chattanooga event taking place September 16-20, 2025. World of Bluegrass will host a convention, trade show, annual IBMA awards show , artist exhibitions and a two-day live music festival featuring top bluegrass artists. No specific Chattanooga location has been revealed yet.
“In our mission to spread the music, IBMA considered 30+ destinations for a new home. While other cities could provide the necessary commitment, the passion and enthusiasm of the people of Chattanooga really stood out. We are incredibly grateful for the support from the state of Tennessee and the welcoming spirit of Chattanooga. This city's unique charm and hospitality make it a perfect home for WOB artists and visitors,” Ken White, IBMA executive director, said in a statement.
IBMA has announced the new home for World of Bluegrass in partnership with the Chattanooga Tourism Co., the General Assembly and the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development. Chattanooga was also unveiled as the first recipient of the Tennessee Special Event Fund, with The Chattanooga Tourism Co. to use the prize to invest in the support and development of the World of Bluegrass event. In 2022, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee worked with the General Assembly to allocate $25 million in the state budget for a fund designed to attract large-scale events expected to generate at least $10 million in visitor spending and $1 million in state and local taxes.
“Tennessee is proud to welcome IBMA's World of Bluegrass to Chattanooga. This event is not only a testament to our state's vibrant cultural heritage, but also a major economic driver for our communities,” said President Patsy Hazlewood in a statement. “We are excited to support this event that will bring Bluegrass fans together in our city and give us the opportunity to showcase Tennessee and Chattanooga to an audience that literally comes from around the world.”
Barry White, president and CEO of Chattanooga Tourism Co., added, “Tourism Co. is honored to be the first recipient of the new Tennessee Special Events Fund and to welcome WOB to Chattanooga. We are extremely excited to bring this event to Chattanooga and highlight our city's thriving cultural scene while bringing economic returns to our community.”
According to a release, Chattanooga Tourism Co. estimates that the 2025 World of Bluegrass event will bring more than 18,000 overnight visitors and more than 45,000, including day visitors, to generate more than $30 million in economic impact and generate $1.1 million in state tax revenue; with visitor spending supporting local jobs and additional tax revenue, benefiting industries beyond tourism.
Commissioner Mark Ezell of the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development added, “We're ready to welcome the world's biggest events to Tennessee's stages. IBMA's World of Bluegrass is a great way to showcase our rich musical heritage, and the very goal of the Special Event Fund is to support local partners as they pursue and secure high-value events like this that represent a huge financial benefit to Tennessee businesses.
The announcement follows the recent unveiling of the nominees for this year's IBMA Awards. The 2024 IBMA World of Bluegrass will be held September 24-28 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/pro/ibma-world-of-bluegrass-chattanooga-move/
