Planners say 30th Elvis Week could be huge

MEMPHIS, May 29 (UPI) -- Officials in Memphis are bracing for a tourist invasion as Graceland celebrates the 30th Elvis Week, a commemoration of music, magic and memories of the King.

Hotel rooms are being snapped up three months in advance of the Aug. 11-19 celebration, The (Memphis) Commercial-Appeal reported Tuesday. Major events during the week already are sold out.

Five years ago, the 25th anniversary celebration broke records with an estimated 75,000 tourists, said Jack Soden, Elvis Presley Enterprises chief executive officer. He said he realized the 30th could be bigger when tickets went on sale for the anniversary concert at FedExForum.

"For the 25th anniversary, we spent all summer selling tickets to the concert," Soden said. "This one sold out without even trying."

Soden said interest in this year's milestone 30th year can be attributed to aggressive marketing, including a new nationwide advertising campaign, and an inaugural worldwide Elvis Tribute Artist contest with finalists competing in an Elvis Week showdown.

"Elvis is getting bigger all over the world. We say it, and I know it sounds like a company fight song, but it's true," says Soden, who helped open Graceland as a tourist attraction in 1982.