Nashville has been known for hosting conventions, and in January, the city will host a convention for those who plan conventions around the world.
The PCMA Convening Leaders convention brings PCMA members to one location where they learn what the city has to offer, and they begin to plan out future conventions, both in the near-term and long-term.
Nashville has a lot to show these convention-goers, with 28,000 rooms in the city as of Monday and another 5,000 under construction with 40 percent of those rooms being filled by conventions.
Butch Spyridon has studied the business closely at the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. He said the more choices convention-goers have, the better, and the visit in January will allow these planners to see the new options first-hand.
"They're gonna see it, and they're gonna see that they're not far away. The J.W. Marriott is opening next Summer, the Cambria is opening in a couple of months. It's not wishful thinking, it's reality, and if they can touch it, feel it, taste it, see it, they'll buy it," Spyridon explained.
Beyond hotel rooms, the president and CEO of PCMA, Deborah Sexton, said that attendees will be able to see all of the other things Nashville has to offer as well.
"It's a golden opportunity for them [Nashville] to showcase all of the assets that exist within this incredible community," Sexton said. "We are bringing the audience here."
The last time the PCMA held a conference in Nashville was in 2002, and while many members have been to the city since, others have not.
Since 2002, Nashville built the Music City Center and became the "it city" thanks to its entertainment scene, food scene, and overall cultural experience.
"It's the best sales tool we've got, face-to-face selling. Come to town and experience it for yourself," Spyridon explained. "We don't have to do much, the city will sell itself."
The conference will take place January 7 through 10, and the conference will likely help Nashville book conferences for the next five to ten years.
"Our future will be bright, as long as we do it well," Spyridon said.
