When asked why she thought the Sunsphere is such a special venue for important events, Donna Little Nussbaumer pauses before answering. “The 360-degree view is, of course, breathtaking, day and night. Where else could you get this panorama of our city?” the co-owner of Sunsphere Events continues. “But, a few weeks ago, a guest at an event said something so sweet I had never thought about.”
“You can look out these windows anywhere and find a memory.”
Towering 26 stories high in the East Tennessee sky, the iconic Sunsphere has become an instantly recognizable symbol of Knoxville since its original construction for the 1982 World's Fair (even making an appearance in The Simpsons episode, "Bart on the Road," later captured by Knoxville artist Paris Woodhull). For the past seven years, Donna and her team at Sunsphere Events (located on two floors—the sixth level for larger events and the eighth [top] floor for medium-sized groups), have been instrumental in inviting thousands of guests up to share the unparalleled view at every kind of corporate and social event, meanwhile steadily contributing to the economic growth of Knoxville's event and hospitality industry.
“That guest made such a great observation. Some couples choose us specifically for their wedding in order to have the University of Tennessee, where they met and fell in love, in the background for their ceremony and photos.”
“You can see it. Much of the event experience for a guest is walking the circumference of the floor and pointing out places on the UT campus, or downtown Knoxville, spreading out to surrounding neighborhoods, watching the light change on the Tennessee River, or gazing at the mountains as the moon rises. It’s true. There’s always something different to see that will pull a memory.”
“Our team, also led by Operations and Logistics Manager Danny Little and, new to our team, Sales and Marketing Manager Alicia Turner, works hard to make events as unforgettable for our clients and their guests as the views the Sunsphere offers and the personal memories they evoke,” Donna says.
Tailgating Parties: Eye Level with Touchdown Fireworks
In the fall, the vantage overlooking Neyland Stadium for a private tailgate party—whether a group of all-Vol fans, a company party, or an alumnus reunion—kicks a game day up a notch. Multiple TVs are positioned, so guests can eat, drink and watch the game from anywhere on the floor.
“It’s such a unique fall treat to reward a sales team or plan a friends’ get-together without any of the prep and clean-up fuss of tailgating,” Donna says. “You can pick a package based on party size, and we create a really different kind of tailgate experience for your guests. And every time the touchdown canons go off,” she adds, “you are eye level in the sky with the fireworks.”
Holiday Parties: Up on the Rooftop with City Christmas Trees
“East Tennessee companies come to us for corporate events all year, and especially holiday parties, for a unique venue for their employees and customers,” Donna says. Both event floors are decorated throughout the holidays, while festive city lights and brightly lit rooftop Christmas trees paint a holiday picture in the night sky for guests to enjoy as they dine and celebrate throughout the evening.
“We make it so easy for event planners. They appreciate not having to worry about providing decorations or table holiday centerpieces. There’s a beautiful tree if the boss brings gifts for his staff. We set up our audio-video equipment for a program or presentation. They truly need to bring and do nothing.”
Custom Catering: Grandma’s Recipe Coming Right Up
Sunsphere Events’ in-house caterer is its sister company, Rosa’s Catering, which Donna explains, you contact directly to coordinate menus. If Rosa’s is booked, Donna can supply a list of approved caterers. For a specific ethnic or national cuisine, she works to accommodate individual preferences.
“As a custom caterer, Rosa’s Catering has a huge range of menus to choose from. But, something really special is that they have been known to take a family recipe, maybe from someone’s grandma, and make that dish for an event. It’s another way we respond to custom requests to personalize and make it a one-of-a-kind event,” she adds.
Elevating New Year’s Eve
“Last year was our first New Year’s party, and we’re excited to welcome guests again to see in 2026.” A live band, prime rib dinner, champagne toasts, swag bags and a post-midnight breakfast buffet made for a sold-out event.
“People had so much fun. Some folks purchased tables for their friends or their business. We limit the number of tickets, so the party is not crowded and everyone has plenty of room to dance and dine. We expect this year’s party to sell out again.”
Catering to Families’ Big Days
East Tennesseans head up to the Sunsphere for many reasons to celebrate life’s special occasions: the ‘big’ birthdays, anniversaries, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners. “Our in-house caterer already has such a great reputation in Knoxville,” Donna says. Phil Nussbaumer, her business partner and husband, took over running Rosa’s Catering in 1990, a business his mother started when he was five. “The 50+ years’ experience that Rosa’s brings to the table is huge. Nothing throws Phil, even when events get stressful for families or corporate event planners,” Donna laughs.
She explains that as she became interested in transitioning from corporate and property management, venue management was just a natural fit for them. “It allowed us to work together and gave me more flexibility to care for my mother and now my grandchild,” she says. The two companies work hand in hand. The coordinator for Rosa’s is on hand to jump in if the Sunsphere Events coordinator is busy. And the Sunsphere Events coordinator can do the same for Rosa’s, Donna adds. “It’s a seamless partnership working behind the scenes for our clients and their guests.”
“Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong”
This seamless partnership started as a chance meeting.
“When my daughter turned 16, I had her sweet 16 birthday party at the Sunsphere. Phil catered it for the person who had the venue lease prior to us. When we met the first time, Phil asked what my daughter and I would want at the party. As a single mom, my budget wouldn’t begin to cover our requests. That sweet man worked it out to provide whatever my daughter wanted and even worked the event himself. So, being here now… It’s a special place in all our hearts. The Sunsphere brought us together.”
A year and a half after Donna and Phil met and married, in the midst of having conversations about adding venue management to their family businesses, the Sunsphere became available as a venue business. When Phil asked Donna which one she wanted of the options they had seen, she said without hesitation, “I really want the Sunsphere.”
While husbands often offer to try to get it for their wives, Phil actually reached out and got his bride the Sunsphere, the moon and the stars.
Learn more at SunsphereEvents.com and at RosasCatering.com.
Parking note from Donna: park and exit the Locust Street Garage to the pedestrian walkway crossing over Henley Street, which brings you directly to the Sunsphere. It is handicapped accessible, with both a ramp and steps leading to the Sunsphere elevators.
“Some couples choose us specifically for their wedding in order to have the University of Tennessee, where they met and fell in love, in the background for their ceremony and photos.” —Donna Little Nussbaumer.