COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO OVERSEE EVENT MARKETING FUND
First two meetings announced
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 11, 2008) -
Mayor Karl Dean announced today that the six-person committee to oversee Metro Nashville’s event marketing fund has been appointed and includes a wide representation of the Nashville hospitality, banking and sports communities.
“I applaud the State Legislature and the Metro Council for passing the legislation to create this fund,” Dean said. “It was passed with strong urging from the hospitality industry, which underlines its significance as a tourism promotion tool for our city. This fund will prove especially important as we move forward on the development of the Music City Center downtown.”
Mike Kelly, owner of local restaurant Jimmy Kelly’s, will serve as the committee chair.
“This fund is extremely important as we continue to protect signature events and create new opportunities that draw thousands of visitors to Nashville each year,” Kelly said. “The committee is comprised of long-standing community leaders who are dedicated to seeing that the fund has a lasting and meaningful economic impact on Nashville’s economy.”
Joining Kelly on the committee are:
- Sandra Fulton, former Tennessee Commissioner of Tourism; former chair of the Travel Industry Association for America and a veteran chair of many prominent civic and social boards in Nashville;
- Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment;
- Walt Baker, CEO of the Tennessee Hotel and Lodging Association; and Principal of MERCATUS Communications;
- Kevin Lavender, Senior Vice President of 5/3 Bank and Chairman of the Metropolitan Sports Authority; and
- Mike Edwards, President of First Tennessee Banking Group.
The event marketing fund, approved by the Metro Council in September, applies an additional 50 cents per night for all hotel rooms purchased in Davidson County. The money collected is intended to support existing and recruit new major events that have a significant economic impact on the city.
The committee will have the responsibility to set application guidelines for the fund and make recommendations to the city for fund allocations. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau has been tasked to administer the fund.
The first two meetings of the committee have been set for Nov. 21 and Dec. 12. Both meetings are at 11 a.m. and will be held at the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau Board Room at One Nashville Plaza.
For media inquiries contact:
Janel Lacy
(615) 862-6020
janel.lacy@nashville.gov