Nashville Launches Free Live Music App
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB) has launched a free Nashville Live Music App, the first ever citywide live music guide. The app allows users to search for music by area of town or venue name, and shows exactly who’s playing at each venue.

Created to help visitors and locals locate live music venues throughout Music City, the app includes a map function to show users where venues are located and an augmented reality feature that locates the live music venue options nearest the user. The app's calendar, powered by NowPlayingNashville.com, will search live music events up to 14 days out. It also includes a rotating 'featured events' section that highlights big music events taking place in the city.

App users will also be able to access a music player to listen to and download featured songs, and a store to purchase Music City merchandise.

The Nashville Live Music Guide App is currently available for download on the iPhone, and will be available on Android later this summer.Download the app from the iTunes store by searching 'Nashville Live Music.' Get a preview of the app here.

Music City Welcoming CMA Music Festival Attendees
Nashville is rolling out the red carpet and welcoming visitors this week for the 40th Annual CMA Music Festival.

The city's Visitor Information Center, located inside Bridgestone Arena, is featuring live music by up-and-coming artists Tuesday through Saturday. GAC is sponsoring the music and offering visitors a chance to audition on tape to become a "host" on GAC.

The NCVB booth inside the Nashville Convention Center is also stepping up its game, hosting special autograph signings with popular artists, and using iPads to promote the city's new live music app.

Today, the NCVB is hosting a fan club appreciation party for some of Nashville's biggest fans – the Music City Troubadours. Nashville's most frequent visitors will enjoy breakfast and a performance from one of Nashville's most popular songwriters, Leslie Satcher.

Also today, Music City will host its first ever "Tweet Up" event at the Visitor Information Center to show Music City followers some of our fabulous Southern hospitality.

Get Involved in the Music City Hitmakers Program
There's no doubt that what makes Nashville's hospitality industry so successful is its front-line employees, and a new program, Music City Hitmakers, is recognizing those who provide excellent customer service and ensure a memorable visitor experience.

Nashville visitors are being encouraged to nominate individuals that go above and beyond to ensure an unforgettable visit. One nominated Hitmaker will be recognized each month and at the end of the year, one of those monthly Hitmakers will win an annual prize. To encourage visitor participation, anyone that nominates someone as a Hitmaker will be entered into a drawing to win a return trip to Nashville.

We need your help to spread the word about the program. We have a variety of promotional materials for you to use at your place of business, to entice guests and recognize employees. You can order those materials here.

One of your employees could be the next Hitmaker and your business could be featured along with them.

Details and nomination form can be found here.

Industry Indicators
The April 2011 hotel occupancy rate was 67.5 percent, an increase of 10.9 percent compared to April 2010.

The 2011 year-to-date occupancy rate is 55.5 percent, an increase of 2.8 percent compared to 2010.

March 2011 hotel tax collections were $2,177,657, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to March 2010.

The 2011 year-to-date tax collections were $5,443,188, a increase of 4.6 percent compared to the same period in 2010.

Brand Champion - eventgenuity
Organizations from around the world choose to hold their events in Nashville because we are Music City. Our June Brand Champion understands this and promises them a unique musical experience in their marketing materials. Eventgenuity's most recent sales piece promotes their services and reinforces Nashville's music brand in a fun way by using a guitar pick to ask clients to "pick them." This is a great example of how local businesses can promote their services and the Music City brand. Congratulations to eventgenuity – our June Brand Champ!

Upcoming Events
New Member Orientation
Monday, June 20
SiriusXM Theater
4:15 p.m.
Learn how you can make the most of your membership and maximize your benefits.

Nashville Backstage Training
Tuesday, June 21
NCVB Boardroom
2 p.m.
A complimentary training program designed to educate NCVB members on what Music City has to offer in regards to attractions, events, tours, restaurants and nightlife.

Sell Nashville
Thursday, June 23
NCVB Boardroom
7:45 a.m.
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, exhibits, renovations, etc.

Tourism Connection
Thursday, July 21
Location TBD
3:30 p.m.
Get updates on leisure marketing and tourism-specific sales, and participate in an open forum for discussion and collaboration on citywide tourism efforts. This bi-monthly meeting is for hotels, attractions, restaurants and tour companies interested in increasing leisure visitor numbers.

For more information or to sign up for these events, please contact Caroline Smith at caroline@visitmusiccity.com.

Conventions & Meetings Calendar