NCVB Introduces New Nashville Live Site
Prompted by a growing number of social media sites and their popularity with visitors, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a new "social media mashup" site, titled Nashville Live, where visitors can gain easy access to all of Music City’s social media pages in one place.

The new online "community" site will feature updates from Music City’s Twitter account, video from Nashville’s YouTube channel, access to Music City’s Facebook page, and will allow visitors to comment via Facebook, upload pictures and share information. The site will also be utilized during special events to create buzz about the city and the event by featuring pictures, video and comments from attendees.

Nashville Live is also the current home to Nashville Noise, a new music and celebrity news column designed to excite and entice visitors to make the trip to Nashville. Well-known, local entertainment reporter Brad Schmitt is posting weekly updates that include celebrity sightings, music happenings, local entertainment industry news and event information.

Check out Nashville Noise and Nashville Live at nashvillelive.visitmusiccity.com.

NCVB Names New Board Chair, Members for 2010-11
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB) today announced Robert Patterson, partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, will serve as Chairman of the NCVB Board of Directors for the 2010-11 fiscal year. David Davoudpour, Chairman and CEO of Shoney’s North America Corp., Beth Fortune, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs at Vanderbilt University and Tom Negri, Managing Director of Loews Vanderbilt Hotel have joined the board as new members.

Patterson succeeds Ellen Leifeld, retired publisher of The Tennessean, who served as Chairman in 2009-2010. Ed Hardy, President of Great American Country, will serve as chair-elect.

The 18-member, volunteer board represents the diverse voices of the Nashville community. Selected for varying terms, the board is charged with directing the bureau’s work on behalf of the city and the hospitality industry.

Stacey Garrett, Founding Member and Board Chair of Bone McAllester Norton, will serve as the organization’s general counsel.

Bring World Cup Soccer to the U.S. and Music City
Show your support for World Cup soccer in Music City by going online to visitmusiccity.com/worldcupnashville to sign the petition and learn more about the U.S. bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Industry Indicators
June’s hotel occupancy rate was 68.8 percent, an increase of 6.6 percent compared to June 2009.

The 2010 year-to-date occupancy rate is 59.6 percent, an increase of 6.3 percent compared to 2009.

May hotel tax collections were $1,796,339, a decrease of 2.2 percent compared to May 2009.

The 2010 year-to-date tax collections are $8,988,527, an increase of 1.7 percent compared to 2009.

Brand Champion - Metro Parks
Parks and live music just go together – especially in Music City! Playing host to signature events such as Music City’s July 4th Spectacular, Music City’s Walk of Fame, and now the free music program, Musicians Corner, Metro Parks has long been an advocate for the music brand. Their innovative programming and marketing reinforces the city’s brand identity and adds to our offerings. Congratulations to our July Brand Champion – Metro Parks!

Upcoming Events
New Member Orientation
August 10
NCVB Boardroom
11:15-11:45 a.m. Lunch & Network
11:50a.m.-12:50 p.m. Orientation
Learn how you can make the most of your NCVB membership at the New Member Orientation. Lunch will be provided by Demos' Steak and Spaghetti House.

Music City Center Site Tour
August 17 & 18
4 p.m. – Meet at Nashville's Visitor Information Center at Bridgestone Arena
Members are invited to get an up-close look at construction of Nashville’s new downtown convention center. Reservations are required. Please contact Jessica Cieler at 615-259-4744 or jessicac@visitmusiccity.com for more information or to reserve your place.

Conventions & Meetings Calendar