Today’s meeting organizers want to offer attendees memorable experiences and interesting venues that play a leading role in the overall takeaway. Nashville has plenty of engaging spaces that are more stimulating than the standard meeting room. Here are three meeting scenarios and their Nashville meeting venues solutions.

The session content warrants a unique venue – Covington Meetings &Events arranged a meeting in Nashville where an economic development official addressed the group on the topic of tourism. The crowd was fascinated to learn that, according to the Music City Music Council, “The music and entertainment industry provides a $10 billion impact on Nashville’s economy annually.” One of the premier attractions located in the heart of downtown Nashville is the Country Music Hall of Fame. We contracted the lobby for a private group function and held the business session in a lecture hall, so they had state-of-the-art audio visual equipment at their disposal with lunch only ten steps away. When it came time to learn about the impact of the visual arts in the community we held the session at The Frist Center for the Visual Arts. This former Post Office, built at the height of the Art Deco period, now features galleries and special exhibits. It, too, has private function space with a built in stage.

 

The organizer wants to facilitate networking – When the business meeting concludes, it is nice to take folks “off-property” to a location outside the host hotel to give the participants a change of scene and foster a more casual exchange. Nashville venues like the Wild Horse Saloon offer private rooms for socializing, main stage entertainment and line dancing instruction. Guests like to get involved and socialize in the informal atmosphere. Another famous spot that is popular as a unique meeting venue is The Bluebird Café. Here groups can enjoy private performances of artists currently being featured at the Café. Special Meet and Greet sessions can be arranged with songwriters. Many celebrity artists such as Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Faith Hill and Taylor Swift have performed on the main stage at The Bluebird.

The goal is team building– Nashville has a unique opportunity for groups seeking team building. The Ultimate Event Nashville hosts groups of up to 35 in their facility which features space for refreshments, a fully-equipped music studio and breakout rooms for groups to compose their own songs. Larger groups can be accommodated in alternate facilities. Professional songwriters and entertainers who are cross trained in facilitation skills work with small groups to compose a song. No musical skill is required and everybody contributes their talents. After each group records its song a vote is taken for the “Best Song” of the evening. It is all about having fun while learning from and about one another.

Nashville has many famous and fascinating venues for groups: the Ryman Auditorium, Opryland, riverboat cruises, museums and honky tonks. Don’t overlook the pastoral, suburban home of President Andrew Jackson known as The Hermitage. The next time your group goes to Nashville, think outside the typical meeting room. Let Covington Meetings & Events help you get out and enjoy the unique features of the city.

Contributed by Christi Ruddy, CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) at Covington Meetings & Events

All images courtesy of  Nashville Convention & Visitor’s Corporation