Global Finals

Knoxville, Tennessee

When Destination ImagiNation Global Finals® comes to town, we bring thousands of students from around the world to compete and have fun. These students bring tens of thousands of followers to wish their teams well. Knoxville, the smallest city ever to host a World's Fair, is an excellent venue with a blend of educational and fun activities.

Knoxville, Tennessee, is located in the Eastern U.S. time zone and during Global Finals will be on Daylight Savings Time (-4 GMT).

Temperatures range from an average low of 56F/13C to a high of 76F/24C. Temperatures can go as high as 90F/32C in May. Some days can be humid.

Days are generally mostly sunny and sunscreen is a good idea. Teams should be prepared for rain or a thunderstorm. Also bring a jacket as some evening venues are outdoors.

So Start Planning Now!

Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is pleased to recommend World Ventures Travel (WVTT) to assist you with travel arrangements to Global Finals 2010. WVTT is ready to assist you with travel to Knoxville and many of the other airports in the area (including Nashville, Atlanta, and others). The WVTT services are in addition to the other ground transfer, tour and hotel options that will be listed here soon

Visit their web site for more information at:

http://www.wvtt.com/globalfinals.htm
More information and answers to questions can be provided by calling World Ventures Travel at 800-225-4386.


Airport Transfer Info

Airport Transfers from Knoxville, Tennessee, Airport

Destination ImagiNation, Inc., in cooperation with the University of Tennessee, will make airport transfers available to those purchasing Global Finals housing and meal packages. Knoxville has 3 alternate airports. Transfers from Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport to Registration and then to your housing locations are available on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Return transfers from your housing location are available on Sunday only. Service is available for all arriving and departing flights. Please see the Rate Chart below for applicable charges.
Guests purchasing any Airport Transfer service will be met in the Baggage Claim area of the airport by UT staff and given instructions on boarding the appropriate bus.
Space must be reserved and paid for each transfer (both arrival and departure) at least 14 days in advance. To purchase Airport Transfers, please visit www.ShopDI.org. Then visit the Airport Transfer section and complete the information needed to purchase Airport Transfers. Once you have purchased your Airport Transfers, you will receive a receipt that provides you with a Web address. You must then visit that Web site to submit your itinerary. After your reservation is received, a detailed confirmation will be e-mailed to you. This e-mail will contain a 24-hour contact number for you to use during your trip in case you are delayed on your way to Knoxville. Please remember to carry this contact number with you – do not put it in your luggage. For questions and/or more information on Airport Transfers to or from Global Finals, please either call (865) 974-0263 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and include “Global Finals Airports” in the subject line.

Airport Transfers from Other Airports

Both the University of Tennessee and Destination ImagiNation, Inc. desire to keep team travel costs low. Knoxville has four alternate airports within 200 miles of the campus with event airport transfers available from each airport. Use of one of these airports may reduce your travel costs. Transfers from these alternate airports require a 14-day advance purchase. These transfers begin on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. and depart approximately every 3 hours. Return service is available on Sunday only. Return transfers are scheduled at Registration and start as early as needed. There is a minimum of 7 persons per transfer (10 per transfer to/from Atlanta), but every effort will be made to combine groups to achieve this minimum. This year, a special discount is being offered to those arriving on Tuesday. Please see the Rate Chart below for more information.

Rate Chart
Airport
One-Way Round Trip
Knoxville $24 $35
Nashville $50
$65
Chattanooga $45 $70
Atlanta $60 $95





Note: All prices listed above are discounted by $5 for Tuesday arrivals.

 

Helpful Hints for Airport Travel to Global Finals

  • Knoxville, Atlanta and Chattanooga are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
  • Nashville is in Central Standard Time (CST). Please take note of this in making your travel arrangements.
  • Travel times from airports (all times are approximate):
    Nashville – 3 hours (i.e., if you left Nashville at 12:00 p.m. CST, you would arrive in Knoxville around 4:00 p.m. EST)
    Atlanta – 4 hours, dependent upon traffiic
    Chattanooga – 2 hours
  • When you arrive at your airport, remain in the baggage claim area. UT Event Staff will meet you there. Event Staff will be wearing Navy shirts with “UT Event Staff” on the back.
  • If you do not see anyone from UT Event Staff, please call the 24-hour assistance number, (865) 974-0263, and remain by your baggage claim carousel. UT Event Staff members will come to you.
  • Please be sure to visit the Airport Registration Desk at Team Registration in order to confirm your return airport transportation.
  • Please be aware that we may be assisting other teams in boarding buses. Your patience is appreciated.

Event Shuttle Info

Shuttles for those attending or competing in Global Finals will stop at or near every major Challenge site. All Global Finals guests are encouraged to park their vehicles upon arrival at your Global Finals housing location and take advantage of the event shuttle service, leaving the driving to us. Shuttles will arrive approximately every 10 minutes and will run according to the following schedule:
Tuesday, May 25: 10:00 a.m. to Midnight
Wednesday, May 26: 7:00 a.m. to Midnight
Thursday, May 27: 6:30 a.m. to Midnight
Friday, May 28: 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Saturday, May 29: 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.