NASHVILLE – Applications are now open for the third year of Music City Chart Climbers presented by Amazon, an NCVC program designed to help small, local businesses grow by connecting them with opportunities in Nashville’s hospitality industry. The eight-month program provides complimentary NCVC membership, industry education, networking opportunities and valuable connections with hospitality professionals.
“As Music City Chart Climbers enters its third year, it’s exciting to see the success of our first two cohorts and the opportunities this program is creating for small, local cultural businesses,” said Marcus Whitney, Chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Board of Directors and Founding Partner of Jumpstart Health Investors (JHI). “Past participants have already gained valuable experience working with our hospitality industry, connecting with local businesses through the NCVC and several conventions, and building relationships with industry mentors who can help guide their careers.”
“We’re proud to help open doors for the next generation of hospitality professionals and look forward to welcoming another talented group in our third year,” said Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “Our local businesses are a big part of what makes Nashville special. They bring the creativity, authenticity and unique experiences that visitors love, and we want to help them grow and succeed as part of our hospitality industry.”
Fifteen Nashville businesses will be selected by industry and community leaders to participate in the program, and from January to August 2027 they will attend monthly four-hour sessions on hospitality, sales, marketing, PR/social media, HR, finance, and entrepreneurship.
Applications will close on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. Nashville-based businesses that have been in operation for at least one year are encouraged to apply. For more information and a link to the application, go to visitmusiccity.com/musiccitychartclimbers. Partners include Amazon and Gallagher.
“Small businesses are a big part of what makes Nashville such a special and welcoming city, and Amazon is proud to support a program that helps them succeed,” said Courtney Ross, Senior Manager of Community Engagement for Amazon. “Music City Chart Climbers connects local entrepreneurs with new opportunities in the hospitality industry. We’re excited to partner with the NCVC for a third year and see how this next group of businesses grows.”
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be recognized at a ceremony and receive a monetary gift to invest in their business, along with one free year of NCVC membership and a reduced-price membership for a second year. Businesses interested in partnering with the NCVC on the Music City Chart Climbers program can contact Erin Foglia, NCVC Vice President of Membership, at [email protected].
Graduates of the 2026 cohort of Music City Chart Climbers included the following small businesses:
- Store And Snore - Melody Pinkard, Founder and Owner
- Oye Coffee Co. - Jonathan and Chris Oye, Founders
- SOCIALsitters 615 - Cicely Wilson, Founder
- Music City Sandwich Company - Jason Eskridge, Founder and Owner
- Disco Bros - Damien Horne, Co-Founder
- TNT Goods - Dr. Jessica McMillan and Simone Gonzalez, Co-Founders and Owners
- Just Play Entertainment - Leia Avery, Founder and Owner
- Groovy Print Strokes - Tyrone Coleman and Karen Briscoe, Co-Founders
- Immersive Events - Kimberly Adams and Paige Jack, Co-Founders and Owners
- Sweet Ruby’s - ChiQuita Kirby-Green, Founder and Owner
- The Vibrance Agency - Valenica Wicker, Founder and Owner
- Barney’s Sweet Shop - Harmony Hensley, Founder and Owner
- The G2 Experience - Gary Whitlow, Founder and Owner
- Quinta Martin Consulting - Quinta Martin, Founder and Owner
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. Visit the NCVC’s website at www.visitmusiccity.com and follow us on social media @VisitMusicCity.
