Music City Chart Climbers presented by Amazon is an accelerator program designed to engage and equip small, local businesses by connecting them with opportunities in Nashville’s hospitality industry. The program provides complimentary NCVC membership, education, and networking opportunities in the city’s hospitality industry. Fifteen Nashville businesses, selected by industry and community leaders, will attend monthly four-hour sessions on topics such as hospitality, sales, marketing, PR/social media, HR, finance, and entrepreneurship over the course of eight months.
“The success of the first year of Music City Chart Climbers showed the tremendous potential of more deeply engaging small cultural businesses in our community to connect with the hospitality industry and enhance visitors’ experiences. These neighborhood ‘hidden gems’ add depth and help us more authentically market Nashville’s cultural assets to visitors. We are grateful to have Amazon’s continued partnership with Music City Chart Climbers.”
— Marcus Whitney, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Founding Partner of Jumpstart Health Investors (JHI)
“Amazon is proud to sponsor Music City Chart Climbers, reinforcing our commitment to Nashville’s economic growth. The hospitality industry is essential to Nashville’s success, and this program will create meaningful pathways for local businesses to take part in and benefit from this thriving sector.”
— Courtney Ross, Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Amazon
“Music City Chart Climbers helps local businesses better understand our industry, engage fully, and take advantage of the many opportunities we offer with meetings, conventions, and leisure travelers. Our NCVC team has already had a chance to experience many of the products and services from businesses who participated the first year – from catering to client amenities to items featured in our Visitor Center store.”
— Deana Ivey, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
The 2025 Inaugural Music City Chart Climbers Cohort:
- Obi Ukwu – Attendants, Inc.
- Timothy Winn – Catering Concepts by Timothy
- Thomas Kelly – Creative Soulz Printing
- Briana Hawkins – Demirebel
- Olamide Aborowa – Giraffe Transport Services
- Zelinka Heslop-Randle – HunnyDo's Date Planning LLC
- Ashley Dunbar – Juice Pharm
- Jared Sizemore – Music City Creative
- Ta-Tanisha Thomas – Nashville Flying Dress
- Teneal Ivery – Ivory Cotton Bar
- Jasmine Williamson – Tea Rose
- Jessica Doaks – The Black Candle Company
- Waren Thomas – The Pepper Pott
- Christy Pruitt-Haynes – The Sip and Smoke Experience
- Erica Moore – Who Spilled The Veggies Co.
Testimonials
“This program has allowed deeper insight into how the NCVC's departments work together to shape Nashville's hospitality industry. It has revealed new opportunities to collaborate, expand services and elevate the experiences I create. Seeing how business, tourism and events intersect has given a fresh perspective on how to align my Company to contribute to Nashville's growth in a meaningful way. Nashville isn’t just where I live and do business—it’s where I make moments unforgettable, and this experience is helping me amplify that impact.”
Ta-Tanisha Thomas | Nashville Flying Dress
“Being part of Music City Chart Climbers has revealed how interconnected and supportive Nashville’s hospitality industry truly is. I’ve gained insight into the power of strategic partnerships and how deeply experience-driven businesses value unique, high-quality products like ours.”
Jessica Bobbitt Doaks | The Black Candle Company
“Being part of Music City Chart Climbers has shown me how intentional the building of the Nashville Music City brand has been. When I moved here, I felt the city’s warmth, but learning how deeply rooted exceptional hospitality, community, and camaraderie are has been reaffirming. As someone not from here, gaining insight into Nashville’s history and commitment to collaboration has deepened my appreciation for this city and the industry we serve.”
Mide Aborowa | Giraffe Transport
