Record Sales Leads in First Half of 2007-2008
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB) Convention Sales team has been on fire in the first half of the year, securing a record number of leads and lead room nights in both the first and second quarter.

The team is currently at 120% of its year to date quota for leads and 118% of quota for definite room nights. These numbers indicate strong demand for the city.

The NCVB Tourism Sales team is also off to a great start this year, achieving 106% of its year-to-date quota for leads and 108% of its quota for definite room nights. Not to be outdone, the NCVB Regional Sales representatives have already exceeded many of their annual performance goals putting them significantly ahead of pace for the year as well.

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

A NCVB Sweepstakes offers a lucky winner tickets to Belmont University Presents: Nashville Celebrates Elvis! at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 12. The show will feature Elvis songs performed by celebrity artists such as Vince Gill and TG Sheppard, who have recorded, performed or been influenced by his music.

The NCVB will be promoting Black History Month using the Aaron Douglas exhibit in conjunction with the Frist Center. We will be advertising in minority newspapers within a 200-mile radius as well as conducting web promotion and packaging on our site.

Also in February, the NCVB will promote the annual Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville. This year's show, themed Brava Italia!, will run Feb. 14-17 transforming the Nashville Convention Center into a wonderland of innovative exhibition gardens and antique and horticultural booths for shoppers and enthusiasts alike.

Visitors can purchase vacation packages or register for the Nashville Celebrates Elvis! Sweepstakes on the NCVB website at www.visitmusiccity.com.
Convention Sales
September 07 October 07 November 07 Total
Leads 105 101 90 296
Bookings 33 23 24 80
Room Nights 45,964 17,284 14,992 78,240

Tourism Sales
September 07 October 07 November 07 Total
Leads 27 35 39 101
Room Nights 16,282 2,086 4,269 22,637

Marketing Activity
September 07 October 07 November 07 Total
Unique Visitors to Website 71,685 79,980 48,732 200,397
Articles Generated 44 120 70 234
RMN Booked Online 245 305 193 743

Industry Indicators

November hotel occupancy was 63.9%,
a decrease of 5.8% compared to November 2006.

YTD hotel occupancy was 67%,
a decrease of 0.9% compared to this time last year.


Brand Champion
It is only fitting that we begin 2008 by recognizing a Brand Champion that exemplifies the Music City brand. The Barbershop Harmony Society opened its new world headquarters, Harmony Hall, in downtown Nashville last fall incorporating musical details throughout the design of the newly renovated building, and in the lobby gift shop which offers specialized musical gifts galore. The Society's new home is the perfect addition to Music City's downtown.

Hit of the Month
There's no question the South is famous for serving up delicious food from mouth-watering recipes passed down through families for generations. The Junior League of Nashville's Notably Nashville cookbook is a wonderfully fresh collection of Nashvillian's recipes, menus and photographs that any food-lover can savor. Notably Nashville is available for purchase at both Visitor Information Centers at 20% off its regular purchase price of $28.95. This discount cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.

Live Music Venue Sign

Visitors to Music City are now able to easily identify the best places to hear great live music! As the next step in our efforts to promote the Live Music Venue program, the NCVB has created a new collateral piece. In addition to the signature guitar pick street sign, we now have a new four-color brochure highlighting venues and other businesses that proudly display a Live Music Venue sign. The brochures will be distributed in visitor and convention packets as well as in our Visitors Information Centers.

The next addition to the Live Music Venue program will be the creation of an exclusive page on our website to showcase our venues. Currently, you can find a list of Live Music Venues at www.visitmusiccity.com/music/musicvenues.

If you offer live music, then make sure Music City visitors know about it! Learn how you can become a Live Music Venue. Call Allie Hardee at (615) 259-4734 or email her at Allie@visitmusiccity.com to order your guitar pick sign today.
The CVB Sales, Marketing & Membership Teams:

Sales

  • Sales attended the NTA Convention in Kansas City. They made contact with 48 clients and suppliers, and conducted 67 appointments returning with 52 leads.

  • The Sales team also attended the Rejuvenate Conference in Dallas. This was the first time the tradeshow was held. Sales made 27 appointments during the marketplace which produced 9 leads for approximately 16,610 total room nights.

  • The Sales team completed sales trips to Philadelphia, Missouri, Charlotte, and Virginia. Combined, the trips generated over 60 contacts and 11 leads representing more than 25,000 total room nights.

    Marketing

  • Produced third Music City Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony honoring six music legends including Barbara Mandrell, Vince Gill, Buddy Killen, Jimi Hendrix, Bob DiPiero and Rodney Crowell. More than 300 people and dozens of media outlets gathered for the event. There are currently 18 stars along the Music City Walk of Fame.

  • Promoted and sold visitor packages surrounding the Country Music Association Awards. The packages were designed to increase the length of visitor stays in Music City, offering tickets to other attractions and events.

  • Hosted more than 30 domestic and international journalists on multiple press tours in October and November. The journalists kept a very tight schedule visiting many local attractions, listening to great music, seeing shows and eating some of the city's best cuisine.


    • Member Notes

    Upcoming Member Events

    New Member Orientation & Branding Session
    January 10
    NCVB Boardroom
    11:30-11:45 a.m. - Lunch
    11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. - New Member Orientation
    Learn how you can make the most of your NCVB membership.
    Lunch provided by Demos' Steak and Spaghetti House.
    1-2 p.m. - Branding Session
    This Branding Session will follow New Member Orientation. Deana Ivey, NCVB senior vice president of Marketing, will offer innovative ideas on ways to incorporate the Music City brand into your business plan.
    Complete the registration form to RSVP your attendance.

    Nashville Backstage Training
    January 16
    2-3:30 p.m.
    NCVB Boardroom
    A complimentary training program designed to educate the hospitality industry on what Music City has to offer in regards to attractions, events, tours, restaurants and nightlife.

    All Access Disability Sensitivity Training
    February 13
    2-4 p.m.
    NCVB Boardroom
    This open training session on disability sensitivity has been presented to countless hotels, attractions, restaurants and Metropolitan police officers and is legally mandated for every Nashville cab driver. With representatives from all partnering contributors, All Access introduces participants to People First Language, disability etiquette and seizure first aid.

    Maximize Your Membership
    Use your NCVB membership benefits to grow your business! For more information on how to maximize your membership please contact Fatima Thompson, manager of Member Services at 615-259-4744 or fatima@visitmusiccity.com.

    Membership Invitation
    If you know a company that would benefit from an NCVB membership, please let us know. We will be happy to contact them.

    Chris Brown, Vice President of Membership
    615-259-4751 or chris@visitmusiccity.com


    For a complete listing of our new members as well as existing member businesses, visit our online membership section at www.visitmusiccity.com/members/newmembers