 Music City’s new website will launch this month with a dynamic new look—and increased functionality to boot. Vistimusiccity.com is an all-inclusive, one-stop-shop for vacation and convention planners. From booking rooms to buying concert tickets, we have our visitors covered. It’s also  full of fun features like podcasts, video streams and broadcasts of our “Music City Connection: Heroes Behind the Hits” XM Satellite Radio Show…and just flip the switch to hear our Music City Hits CDs. If they are looking for a funky new nightclub or the hottest new restaurant—they’ll find it here under “New and Noteworthy.” Our “Events Calendar” lists everything under the sun, stars and moon! They can download coupons for great discounts on shows and tours, link to maps, get directions and secure ground transportation. Whether they want to groove, jam, plan or play www.visitmusiccity.com helps them make all the right moves. Please tune in to the new Music City site in a few days and let us know what you think.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, and if you’re a member of the NCVB, we can help you dramatically improve your chances of making it a good one. Sign up now to attend the Branding Session being offered by the NCVB Marketing Team. And, if you are interested in more in-depth training, one of our knowledgeable staff members will come to your venue and give you plenty of tips and ideas on how to turn your venue into a true “Music City” destination. We can also take your employees through a simple orientation program that teaches them how to be effective ambassadors for Nashville. The session will be customized just to fit your venue—and you can tweak it and make it your own. After all, for Music City to work and succeed as a brand, it has to work and succeed for you.  More and more businesses—including many restaurants and music venues—are getting in on the action by becoming NCVB members. In the past month, new members have included the International Bluegrass Music Association, Johnny Walker Hospitality – Hotels & Tours, Matilda’s Fine Foods, F. Scott’s, Graham Central Station and the Santa Fe Cattle Company. Among the benefits they will receive are listings in over 600,000 printed publications which are given to people who are coming to visit Music City (hint-“targeted customer marketing”), discounted advertising rates in those publications, coupon opportunities and listings on the NCVB website which receives more than 60,000 unique visits per month. Membership definitely has its benefits. If you would like to refer a potential member, please call Melinda Judd at 259-4751, or email melinda@visitmusiccity.com. |
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Industry Indicators December hotel occupancy was 56.7%, an increase of 11.8% compared to December 2005. Year-to-date occupancy is 66.2%, an increase of 6.4% compared to 2005.  November 2006 collections were $2,185,125, an increase of 18.5% compared to November 2005. 2006 Calendar year-to-date collections were $22,194,647, an increase of 12.3% compared to 2005. |
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  The Renaissance Nashville Hotel has long described itself as a “musically-themed expressive destination.” Along with the hotel’s continued acknowledgement of how viable music is to Nashville, it has taken our city’s brand and incorporated it into the very fibers of the facility. The hotel has purchased and laid custom carpeting that features an inlaid keyboard and musical notes woven into the fabric. Flooring all the meeting rooms, the Renaissance is putting its best foot forward in promoting the Music City brand. |
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Also a Brand Champion this month, Metro Nashville Public Works is inventing ways to promote our brand. After their staff heard the brand story of Music City, they began to brainstorm on how they could add music to the Music Mile and throughout downtown. They found a small MP3 player that they were able to fit inside traffic control boxes that operate the stoplight patterns. They installed some prototype players and programmed them with Christmas music during the month of December; and for the Music City Bowl, they changed the music to the fight songs for Clemson and the University of Kentucky. Clever, creative and enhancing the brand. Thanks!
• The NCVB sales team attended six conventions and tradeshows in the month of December which resulted in 294 contacts and 48 immediate leads for Music City. These included sales calls in the cities of Chicago, Washington DC and Raleigh. • Some notable convention bookings in December include The Boy Scouts of America which has 12,224 room nights for August 2008 and Seventh Day Adventist which will bring 11,850 room nights to Nashville in August 2012. Two significant short term bookings are Sunbelt Rentals which will bring 6,459 room nights in June 2007 and Avaya, Inc, who will be here in October 2007, and has more than 12,000 total room nights for Nashville. • As a result of the Vanity Fair Country Music November Issue, Nashville also received a 2-page feature with an ad equivalency of $4,661,476. (This figure is not included in the Editorial Ad Equivalency in this report). • The NCVB sales team attended the Rhythms of the South Marketplace in Atlanta where we had 39 scheduled appointments with international tour operators. These appointments generated 55 contacts and 37 immediate leads. Nashville also hosted a Pre-Show Fam trip for nine of the Rhythms attendees December 5-9. During this time, we showcased six hotels including the Doubletree & Hilton, seven restaurants including Neely’s Bar-B-Que and Pancake Pantry and 16 different attractions which included Lane Motor Museum, Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum and Jack Daniel’s Distillery. • The NCVB sales team hosted a Fam Trip for 53 group leaders for Tourrific Group Travel. These clients were hosted by the Springhill Suites and had an action-packed stay which included two shows, visits to three restaurants including the Rainforest Café and the Loveless Café and visits to six attractions including the Ryman Auditorium and the Belmont Mansion. • Sponsored and promoted Music City Bowl through advertising, electronic marketing and packages. • Published the 2007 Music City Vacation Guide. • Sponsored and promoted the Sound & Speed event through marketing, print advertising, electronic marketing and packages. • Published a new Convention Services “box set” to assist conventions with branding their Music City meetings to increase delegate attendance. |
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 The next New Member Orientation will be held February 22 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the NCVB boardroom. Reservations can be made by contacting Fatima Thompson: Fatima@visitmusiccity.com or 615-259-4744. Beginning in February, we will start Music City branding sessions. This month, the sessions will follow the New Member Orientation lunch from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. You will receive a special invitation regarding the session very soon. Business and the Arts Lunch event in partnership with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce March 6, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Schermerhorn Symphony Center Invitations will be mailed for RSVP/Payment For questions about the event and sponsorship information, please contact Melinda Judd at 615-259-4751 or Melinda@visitmusiccity.com Creating Applause, customer service training March 13, 8:30 am – 10:30 am NCVB Boardroom RSVP to Fatima Thompson: Fatima@visitmusiccity.com or 615-259-4744 Membership Lunch meeting   The "Hit of the Month" is a discounted featured product at the Visitor Information Center. For the month of February, Bronze Musicians (Originally $24.99-44.99) are on sale at 20% off. Ranging in height from 8-11 inches tall, it is a perfect gift for music lovers this Valentine’s Day. The gift shop at the Visitor Information Center is located on the ground floor of One Nashville Place at the corner of 4th and Commerce. While you’re here, check out our wide variety of additional Music City items. (Promotion not valid with any other discount or coupon.) |
  If you have live music in your business at least four days a week, then make sure our visitors know! Call Allie Hardee at 259-4734 or email her at Allie@visitmusiccity.com to order your guitar pick sign today. |