It’s standing room only midweek at 3rd & Lindsay Bar & Grill in Nashville and there’s an unmistakable fervor among the crowd. They’re here for the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, the weeklong annual gathering of songwriters who take to the stage at venues throughout Music City.

The festival is a showcase for the too-oft unknown stars behind the stars, those who put pen or pencil to paper to craft the ‘songs that make the whole world sing,’ as Grammy Award-winning songwriter Bruce Johnson did for Barry Manilow.

Tonight, on this corner in Nashville, the crowd is rewarded with an acoustic performance from a foursome of arguably some of the greatest songwriters in the business – Bob DiPiero, Tony Mullins, Jeffery Steele and Craig Wiseman. They’ve written a slew of No. 1 and Top 20 hits for singers from Tim McGraw, George Strait and Etta James to Rascal Flatts, Van Zant, Dolly Parton and many others. For more than two hours, the songwriters rock the packed house in a performance filled with the stories behind the songs, the struggles of the craft, the daily trek to the mailbox in hopes of finding a royalty check, laughter, sing-alongs and, yes, some tears.

It Begins with a Song

For a city where it all begins with a song, this night captures the essence of the heart and soul of Nashville. And it's not just about country music. What comes out of Nashville's songwriter community crosses all genres.

“Music,” said Adrienne Siemers, Chief Sales Officer for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., “really underlines everything we do. Music is the universal language. We are truly the Music City and people want to be here and be part of that energy. It never gets old because music just keeps reinventing itself.”

And so does Nashville as a destination for group business. With music at the core, the destination continues to boldly expand its offerings for meeting planners and attendees, all while striving to keep its small-town appeal.

The growth is undeniable. A new, 60,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof for the Tennessee Titans football team is under construction and will enable the city to bid for events such as the Super Bowl, Final Four and Wrestlemania along with being able to accommodate large conventions. There are more than 2,300 new hotel rooms and 17 hotels under construction as of winter 2025. International access is growing with the addition of direct flights from Dublin and Reykjavik, to go with British Airways' nonstops between Nashville and London, and direct flights to all five major cities in Canada.

The city attracted more than 17 million visitors in 2024, generating $10.84 million in direct spend, about an 8% increase over 2022. Visitors spent an average of $29.5 million per day in Nashville. An estimated 10 million hotels night were sold in 2024, according to Siemers’ team. In 2024, business and group visitors represented 36% of the record number of 11.3 million overnight visitors.

Hotel rates are always a priority for planners and Siemers was open about addressing the issue.

“The perception has been that our rates have been on the high end,” she said, “and they were. I mean, I'll say it flat out and you can quote me on that. With the additional rooms that have come online in the last few years, that has opened up some opportunity. For those clients who have given up on Nashville historically because of perceived rate escalation, I definitely encourage them to give us another try, because the dynamic is shifting so significantly.”

Singing Praises About Nashville

The appeal of Nashville simply continues to drive optimism for hoteliers.

“People are finding how much there is to Nashville,” said Morgan Lluy, Group Sales Manager at Noelle, the historic hotel next to the famed Printers Alley and a few blocks from Broadway, the city’s main downtown thoroughfare and hub of activity. “The music scene goes so far beyond country. All the great musicians are coming here. You can walk into any bar, any restaurant just down the street and see incredibly talented people at work all the time, so it's brought a lot of artists here and I think the rest of the artistic community is getting more recognition as well. It's a very community driven place. You get that big city feel but in a walkable community.”

At the Hutton Hotel, music is ingrained in the vibe, from the in-room record players to Analog, a live-music venue inside the hotel.

Nashville, said Meredith DiMenna, Director of Marketing and Programming at Hutton Hotel, has “everything that the other great cities have, but it's much more approachable and it's much easier to navigate, and the people are incredibly friendly, accommodating and welcoming. So, it's like you can have a New York-level meal and a museum experience and a botanical garden.

“Our particular brand of luxury is really compelling because it's never stuffy. It never has that feeling of like, ‘I don't feel welcome, I don't think I'm up to snuff.’ You have this ability to tap into a number of different types of music as well, and the food scene is incredible.”

If Nashville indeed begins with a song, then the hits are still coming in the form of expansive and diverse restaurants and additional group meeting options that merge with the history and tradition of the Grand Ole Opry or the ‘Mother Church,’ the Ryman Auditorium, or the impressive National Museum of African American Music, the famed Music Row, and the more than 250 live music venues.

“People are looking for a more immersive experience and different experiences,” Siemers said. “Music is that international language. Come down, forget about your troubles for a while, and hang out. Let's just get some great music and have some good food and just escape your life for a minute.”

Why Nashville

• Nashville, known as Music City, is home to more than 250 live music venues.

• About 75% of the U.S. market is within a two-hour flight of the city, while more than 50% of the U.S. population lives within 650 miles.

• Nashville International Airport (BNA) is one of the fastest growing airports in North America. It served a record 24.5 million passengers in 2024, up 7.5% from 2023.

What’s New in Nashville

• As of winter 2025, Nashville has 2,352 new hotel rooms and 17 under construction.

• British Airways' nonstop between Nashville and London was one of its most successful flight launches with plans to double-up on daily nonstop flights on peak days for summer 2025. Nashville is one of only eight U.S. cities with direct flights to all five major cities in Canada. In addition, new international nonstop flights are being added this spring on Aer Lingus from Dublin, Ireland and Icelandair from Reykjavik.

• Nashville’s culinary scene is hotter than ever. In the last three years, the city’s rise in dining options has not slowed, and the city now boasts award-winning chefs and restaurants that are making their mark on the local, elevated scene and continue to push Nashville as a culinary destination.

SEE 

Music History

Immerse yourself in music history, starting at the Country Music Hall of Fame, where the legacy of country music, from its folk roots to today, is chronicled through one of the world’s largest museums and research centers dedicated to the genre. Its massive collection includes tributes and artifacts from country music’s defining artists and leaders, including nearly 160 Hall of Fame inductees. The 350,000 square foot museum includes group space such as the event hall, CMA Theater and Grand Foyer, the Ford Theater and Hall of Fame Rotunda. The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of Black music in America. The museum’s curated collections integrate history and interactive technology, along with 1,400 artifacts from artists such as Nat King Cole and Dorothy Dandridge. The museum includes a 200-seat theater and spacious foyer ideal for group events. No visit to Nashville would be complete without a visit to the Ryman Auditorium, a National Historic Landmark known as the “Mother Church.” The Ryman, former home of the Grand Ole Opry, is still in use today as a music and event venue.

The Lights and Sounds on Broadway

There’s no shortage of venues to hear music of any genre on Nashville’s famed Broadway, home to the city’s tourist and entertainment district. Two relatively new additions are Luke Comb’s Category 10, and Jon Bon Jovi’s JBJ’s. Both feature multiple levels of live music as well as space for groups. Enjoy a state-of-the-art customized light show that brings Hurricane Hall to life at Category 10 or consider getting a tattoo while enjoying the music at JBJ’s.

The Pinnacle

An ambitious development in the city is Nashville Yards, a 19-acre urban project that offers office, retail, entertainment, hospitality and residential spaces. Included is The Pinnacle at Nashville Yards, a live music venue seating 4,500.

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Nashville, a Hosts Global Member.

DO 

Music Behind the Scenes

Two of the most intimate experiences open to groups bring music and musicians up close and personal. The first is a VIP package at the Grand Ole Opry, which includes a private tour backstage and artist visit before the show, premium lounge access, seats on stage for the first half of the show, backstage dressing room to relax and a professional photo-op. Another option is Imagine Recording, where guests can experience an authentic live studio recording. The studio, home to artists including George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini and more, offers a 90-minute recording session with a singer/songwriter who will record one original song and one cover. Guests will sit in the studio during the recording and then have a meet-and-greet with the artist after the session.

Goal!

Get out and enjoy Major League Soccer with the Nashville Soccer Club, which plays matches at Geodis Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States with a capacity of 30,000.

Custom Hat Experience

Groups can arrange a group fitting for custom hat making at Rustler Hat Co. Guests can select their favorite color, crown style, brim length and custom extras.

Hatch Show Print

Founded in 1879, and now located inside the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hatch Show Print continues to print show posters for musicians, bands and performers using letter press printing and hand-carved wooden pieces. Groups can join a ‘Block Party’ where they learn the history of the shop and create their own poster.

Chocolate!

For chocolate lovers, a visit to Goo Goo Chocolate is in order. The candy bar created in 1912, considered the first with several types of candy rather than all chocolate, contains marshmallow nougat, caramel and roasted peanuts and variations including pecans and peanut butter. Guests can sign up for a variety of experiences that include making your own chocolate bars.

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Nashville, a Hosts Global Member.

EAT

Pancake Pantry

What better way to start the day than breakfast at Pancake Pantry. Get there early because there’s usually a line wrapped around the building of people waiting to get their fill of 23 different varieties of scratch-made pancakes and more.

Pelato

Enjoy Italian culture infused with the spirit of Brooklyn with tasty dishes such as Burnt Broccolini, Radiatori Vodka, Brooklyn-style calamari and for dessert, go for the rainbow cookies -- three-layer almond cookies with a dark chocolate coating.

Butcher & Bee

For a unique seasonal menu, check out Butcher & Bee. The dishes range from classic falafel and roasted radishes to avocado crispy rice and mushroom shawarma. For dessert, try the PB&J Malabi. The restaurant offers space for groups.

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

Supper Club at Nelson’s is a hidden gem, with new themed menus every week featuring four courses and four paired craft cocktails created with Nelson’s whiskey spirits. Plus learn about the distillery’s history with tour that includes a tasting.

Monday Night Brewing

Explore the former meat-packing facility in a redeveloped waterfront development area that has been turned into a colorful taproom featuring draft beer. There’s an outdoor area, as well, all available for private events.

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Nashville, a Hosts Global Member.

STAY/MEET

ALHI Members The Hermitage Hotel, Hutton Hotel and Noelle are ready to welcome you and your guests, serving as a luxurious home base while you experience bustling Nashville.

The Hermitage Hotel

The Hermitage Hotel, a National Historic Landmark, opened in 1910. The property features 122 guest rooms and more than 4,500 square feet of meeting space. Two restaurants, Drusie & Darr and The Pink Hermit, are under the guidance of renowned French chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten. A must-see at the hotel is the Art Deco Men’s Restroom…yes, the men’s restroom. An Instagram favorite, the facility features art deco style with gleaming lime green and black leaded glass tiles, lime green fixtures and a terrazzo floor. It is said, according to The Hermitage Hotel, that nearly as many women as men visit the restroom.

Hutton Hotel

Located near Music Row, music is infused into the décor and atmosphere at the city’s original boutique hotel with 248 guest rooms. Enjoy in-room record players with vinyl records to choose from and the Fender Play In-Room Experience, which allows guests to pick a guitar, bass or ukulele and learn their favorite song, all from their guest room. Another unique space is Analog, a live-music venue inside the hotel. The property offers more than 20,000 square feet of event space and nine flexible meeting rooms all on one floor.

Noelle

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Noelle is in the heart of downtown Nashville, adjacent to historic Printers Alley. One of the highlights on the main level is the long wooden Trade Bar and retro-lounge area with vintage armchairs and sofas. Look for the surprise behind the Storage Door downstairs. With 120 guest rooms and 7,500 square feet of meeting and event space across six rooms, Noelle is an intimate option for groups.

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Nashville, a Hosts Global Member.