The first CTE goes LIVE contest was in 2011. The reason the event was started was to give Knox County Schools CTE students an opportunity to produce an event from start to finish. Stellar Vision and Sound quickly volunteered to help produce the event. Scion Knoxville, Toyota Knoxville, and Lexus of Knoxville were the original presenting sponsors and Toyota Knoxville and Lexus of Knoxville have continued sponsoring the event. Knoxville Coke, McGaha Electric, and Holston Gases continue to sponsor the event.