Mayor Dean to Speak at NCVB Luncheon
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean will discuss his vision for the future of Nashville when he delivers the keynote address at the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB) Chairman's & President's Luncheon, May 6 at noon at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.

The luncheon is open to all NCVB members and the public. Please click here to make your reservation to attend. Admission is $35 with the NCVB member discount and $50 for all others. NCVB Double Platinum and Hall of Fame members will receive one complimentary admission.

NCVB Promoting Spring Vacation Packages
Nashville is hopping this Spring and the NCVB has created some exciting promotional offers to increase visitor traffic.

The Music City Total Access Package allows visitors to build their own itinerary by choosing four attractions from the pass and combining that with a minimum two-night stay in a Nashville area hotel.

A Day at the Plantation package includes a minimum one-night stay at a participating hotel, admission to Belle Meade Plantation, a lovely holiday ornament and coupons good for 10% off in both the Gift Shop at Belle Meade Plantation and Belle, a southern-inspired cafe on the grounds of the Plantation.

There are many other Spring packages available including Family Fun at the Zoo, Opry Country Classics, Magnificent Mansions, What's Cookin' in Music City, Family Fun at the Adventure Science Center and Night at the Nashville Palace.

Visitors can purchase vacation packages on the NCVB website at www.visitmusiccity.com. If you're interested in partnering with the NCVB to offer a special vacation package please contact the NCVB Marketing team.

Spring Press Trips Introduce Journalists to Music City
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB) is hosting more than 20 journalists during three Spring press trips featuring the many sights and sounds of Music City.

The week of April 5, the NCVB worked with the Rymer Gallery to host five New York arts journalists surrounding a special artist's retrospective show at the gallery. In addition to the Rymer Gallery, writers were taken to multiple other galleries and art exhibits around town.

The following week, the NCVB public relations team welcomed 13 journalists during its own Spring press trip. Writers were treated to tours of many local attractions including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts and Belle Meade Plantation, as well as attending opening night of the Nashville Film Festival. They also dined at various member restaurants including the Capitol Grill, Loveless Cafe, Sunset Grill and Tayst.

In addition to hosting other individual journalists this Spring, the NCVB will host a special art and culture press tour June 24-27. Writers will be exposed to the many cultural attractions in Music City including the highly anticipated Chihuly exhibits at Cheekwood and the Frist.

We Need Your Help - Order Your Music City License Plate Today
Express your love for music and the city it calls home with a new Music City specialty license plate designed by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB) to benefit the organization's Music City, Inc. foundation. Applications for the plate, which will feature the city's signature branded red music note, are currently being accepted. We must sell 1,000 plates by June and we have a long way to go!

There is a $36 registration deposit required for each vehicle you wish to tag using a Music City-branded plate. Tennessee residents wishing to purchase a new Music City plate can fill out a form online at www.visitmusiccity.com/licenseplate or print the form and mail it with their $36 check to the address at the bottom. Forms are also available at Regions Bank branches throughout the city. Please order yours today!

Industry Indicators
March’s hotel occupancy rate was 62.2 percent, an increase of 10.2 percent compared to March 2009.

The 2010 year-to-date occupancy rate is 53.8 percent, an increase of 1.6 percent compared to 2009.

February hotel tax collections were $1,652,216, a decrease of 7.1 percent compared to February 2009.

The 2010 year-to-date tax collections are $3,102,982, a decrease of 5.6 percent compared to 2009.

Brand Champion - Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Hosting musical and theatrical performances is old hat for April's Brand Champion, yet they consistently find new and innovative ways to promote and support each event. The Tennessee Performing Arts Center's (TPAC) recent promotional materials have included taglines such as "Music Happens Here" and "TPAC Rocks" which promote their venue, while also embracing and promoting the Music City brand. Congratulations to TPAC, our April Brand Champion!

Upcoming Events
Nashville Backstage Training
May 4
NCVB Boardroom
2-4 p.m.
A complimentary training program designed to educate NCVB members on what Music City has to offer in regards to attractions, tours, restaurants and nightlife.

Sell Nashville Meeting
May 27
NCVB Boardroom
7:45-8 a.m. Networking
8-9 a.m. Sell Nashville Meeting
Sell Nashville is a bi-monthly meeting that provides insight into current Nashville CVB sales and marketing efforts. This is also an opportunity to share information on upcoming events, new exhibits, renovations and more.

Conventions & Meetings Calendar