Gaylord Opryland Offers One-Stop Excitement
More than just a hotel or a convention center, the enormous Gaylord Opryland is an attraction in and of itself. Better yet, the Nashville, Tenn. resort sees SMERF groups as a top priority, and is willing to work with planners for groups of any size. “We provide an experience. We’re not just a hotel with meeting space,” says Randy Miller, Opryland’s vice president of sales. “The hotel has entertainment and great food and beverage. We’re really going after large SMERF groups,” he adds.
With 600,000 square feet of flexible exhibit, meeting and convention space including the nation’s largest single-level, self-contained facility (the 288,000-square-foot Ryman Hall), the Gaylord Opryland is more than equipped to handle SMERF groups of virtually any size. Recently, the resort hosted the 15,000-strong meeting of the Golden Wing Riders Association (a group of Honda motorcycle enthusiasts) and the 10,000-strong National Baptists Sunday School Convention.
Particularly appealing to large groups is the fact that the hotel’s 2,881 rooms allow for housing groups all under one roof, rather than spread across many properties. That’s important because it allows groups to attain a greater sense of camaraderie and networking potential, explains Miller. As part of that, the hotel can arrange a lunch banquet for 15,550 persons and a gala dinner for 9,000. Naturally, smaller groups can be accommodated too. Adding to the ease of planning is the resort’s location near three major highways and aside a major shopping mall, and a 10-minute drive from Nashville International Airport.
Still, there is a lot more than simple size and location that appeals to planners and groups. Opryland itself is a Nashville institution, known for its festive seasonal events that draw people from far and wide, such as the annual A Country Christmas lights display featuring Radio City Rockettes performances and Summerfest, an annual event which features everything from acrobats to water shows. The resort is designed with a giant atrium, which allows guests to wander the extensive gardens in air-conditioned comfort. Gaylord Opryland also features a wide selection of dining options, ranging from its Old Hickory Steakhouse to its sushi bar Wasabi’s to the convenient Delta Island food court, featuring Pizza Hut, Chick-Fil-A and other well-regarded vendors.
The resort is currently undergoing extensive upgrading of its rooms and restaurants. By the end of 2007, all suites will be renovated to feature amenities such as plush, Posturepedic mattresses, new carpeting and even flat-screen televisions. Last year the resort added a spa, which has also been a big hit with SMERF groups, notes Miller. “It’s our diversity that makes us appealing,” he says.
For More Information
Contact vice president of sales Randy Miller by phone at 800-326-5715 or reach the resort via e-mail at nashvillemeetings@gaylordhotels.com.
