Nashville's Music City Center Set for Grand Opening in May
March 18, 2013
The new convention center in Nashville, Tenn., is set to open its doors with a big grand opening celebration that will feature a free concert with musician Sheryl Crow, street party and open house for the community during the May 19-20 event.
“I continue to be impressed by the size and beauty of the Music City Center and encourage Nashvillians to see it for themselves during the grand opening,” said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
He added, “There’s no doubt we are a city with momentum, and with the opening of the Music City Center in May, even more tourists and conventioneers will get to see that first hand. We know it’s not going to be the biggest convention facility in the country, but I’m absolutely certain it will be the best.”
The $585 million new center will be completed April 30 and span 2.1 million square feet, which includes 1.2 million sq. ft. of public space.
The facility also will feature green elements such as solar panels and a green roof and is on track to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification.
It’s doors are yet to open, but the Music City Center already has more than 100 meetings and 800,000 room nights already booked.
“I continue to be impressed – but not surprised – by the market’s response to Nashville. The city is an incredible meetings destination and has one of the most unique convention campuses in the country,” said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation.
He added, “I am confident we will reach our million room night goal. Then it’s on to fulfilling our ongoing goal of booking a million room nights for the entire city annually.”
The meetings booked for the Music City Center range from this year to 2026 and include multi-year agreements for many groups.
The most recent groups to commit include the National Emergency Number Association, booked for 2014, and the International Reading Association, booked for 2015.
The new center will be approximately three times bigger than the existing Nashville Convention Center, allowing the city to host 75 percent of conventions in the country, compared with 25 percent before.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
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MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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