Corporate Event Planning in Nashville: A Speaker’s Guide
When it comes to corporate event planning in Nashville, it’s easy to see why so many organizations choose this city. Whether you’re hosting a national sales kickoff, team retreat, or annual association conference, Nashville offers something truly special. It’s fun, energetic, and packed with opportunities to create moments your attendees will never forget — and yes, there’s way more to experience here than just music.
As a Nashville-based keynote speaker, I’ve spoken at many of the city’s most recognizable venues — including the Grand Ole Opry, Music City Convention Center, JW Marriott, Omni, Grand Hyatt, and many others. And one thing I love about events in Nashville? It’s a city that builds excitement the moment an invite lands in someone’s inbox.
It’s easy to get to, fun to explore, and packed with built-in appeal — which means fewer “I’ll skip this one” or “maybe I’ll take this year off” replies from your invite list. That matters — because the best events don’t just deliver during the agenda. They leave an impression before and after the conference, too.
Nashville keeps working for you long after the event ends. When people return home talking not just about the programming, but about the overall experience — that’s when you’ve succeeded.
That kind of experience sticks… and it keeps people coming back.
If you’re planning an event in Nashville, this guide offers ideas to make it stand out. From choosing the right venue to creating thoughtful, on-brand touchpoints, these tips will help you design an experience that drives impact, builds loyalty, and keeps people coming back.
Why Nashville Is the Perfect Event Destination
One of the biggest perks of corporate event planning in Nashville is that most people want to come here. It’s a city with instant energy — and one that tends to spark a “yes” instead of an “ugh, another conference.”
But even if your audience isn’t into country music or honky-tonks, Nashville still checks a lot of important boxes. It’s practical, accessible, and incredibly easy to promote.
In fact, Nashville saw a 38% year-over-year increase in meetings and events in April 2024 — the highest growth of any top U.S. market. That kind of momentum reflects what planners already know: this city makes it easy to attract attendees and host events that deliver.
Need a pros and cons list? I’ve got you covered:
Pros:
- Most cities have direct flights to BNA. As a keynote speaker, I travel often — and Southwest almost always has a direct flight from Nashville to wherever I need to be.
- It’s super central. We’re only a 2.5-hour flight from Boston and a 2-hour flight from Tampa. Indianapolis, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Atlanta are all within driving distance. Even the West Coast is just a 4-hour flight away.
- The airport is close to the action. Unlike some cities, you won’t spend 45 minutes in a cab. Downtown (including Broadway) and the Grand Ole Opry are about 10 minutes from BNA. Vanderbilt and its surrounding hotels? Roughly 15.
- Rideshare is a breeze. Uber and Lyft are everywhere here — which, trust me, isn’t something you can say about every city.
- We have exceptional live music seven days a week. And not just country, either! Some of the world’s most talented artists across all genres call Nashville home.
- Downtown Nashville is home to some of the best museums and tourist attractions, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, the Johnny Cash Museum, Frist Art Museum, and much more. With so much to see, your attendees will be more likely to extend their trip.
Cons:
- I may be biased, but there are very few cons when it comes to hosting a conference in Nashville. The summer heat can be intense, but if your event is mostly indoors (like most are), it’s not a dealbreaker.
- Yes, Nashville does attract bachelorettes, but that just means we’re a city that’s equipped for large groups.
Event Venues in Nashville
Nashville has no shortage of incredible venues — and the one you choose should reflect the kind of experience you want to create.
I’ve spoken at some of the best, including:
- Grand Ole Opry
- Music City Convention Center
- JW Marriott Nashville
- Omni Nashville
- Renaissance Nashville
- Sheraton Music City
- Westin Nashville
- Grand Hyatt Nashville
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Nashville
- Cowan at Topgolf
- The Standard
- Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza
- …and more.
A downtown venue, like Omni, Westin, or JW Marriott, gives your attendees convenient access to Broadway and other nearby attractions. On the other hand, the venues near Vanderbilt University make it easy for people to explore the charming Hillsboro Village and the stunning college campus.
From historic charm to sleek modern backdrops, there’s something for every brand and every audience. Whether you’re planning an intimate offsite or a 1,500-person general session, you’ll find a space that sets the tone for something unforgettable.
Timing: What Time of Year is Best for Traveling to Nashville?
Nashville is poppin’ in the spring and fall — and while that makes for great energy, it also means hotels book up fast and prices climb. If you’re planning a large-scale event, I recommend locking in your venue and speaker early.
Nashville gets especially busy during CMA Fest, which is usually the first week of June. I highly recommend checking the dates before locking in a late-Spring conference.
Want to stretch your budget further? Consider a winter or early summer date when availability is better and the city is still just as vibrant.
Curating a True Nashville Experience at Your Corporate Event
No matter where you’re hosting your event, I always recommend tapping into the personality and culture of the city you’re in. In Nashville, that means embracing what makes the city iconic — creativity, connection, and a little bit of country charm.
Here are some of my favorite activities I’ve seen at Nashville-based conferences that will delight your attendees:
Hat-Making: Nashville Hat Bar offers a fun, hands-on experience where guests can design their own hats with patches, chains, and even custom company branding. Whether you’ve got 30 or 600 attendees, it’s a creative activation that scales easily — and everyone leaves with a personalized souvenir they’ll actually want to keep.
Songwriters’ Rounds: Nashville Tour Stop curates live songwriter rounds — a Music City staple where hitmakers and up-and-comers perform their songs and share the stories behind them. It’s a uniquely Nashville experience that brings the heart of the music industry straight to your event. You can find a writers round near your event venue on any given night (they’re typically free to attend!), or work with NTS to bring one to you!
Line Dancing Lessons: New Boots Line Dancing brings authentic Nashville flair to corporate events with high-energy, beginner-friendly line dance lessons. Their pro instructors tailor everything — from choreography to music — to fit your group.
Goo-Goo Clusters: Goo Goo Cluster is a Nashville original — the country’s first combination candy bar, invented right here in 1912. If you’re looking for a sweet way to bring a taste of Music City to your event, Goo Goo offers customizable tins filled with their signature clusters. You can even add your company’s logo or event branding for a memorable (and delicious) giveaway that feels both local and personal.
The Goo Goo Chocolate Company offers private events, including chocolate classes, Goos and Booze pairing sessions, and more. You can also visit their storefront downtown to create your own Goo Goo Cluster!
Party Bus: If you want to give your attendees a true taste of Nashville, renting a party bus is a lively (and very on-brand) way to do it. With companies like Honky Tonk Party Express, Nashville Party Barge, and The Big Drag Bus, you’ll find options that range from classic rooftop-style rides to themed experiences.
Topgolf: Nashville Topgolf is a popular pick for corporate events — and for good reason. I’ve spoken at The Cowan, the beautiful event space located inside Topgolf Nashville. After my keynote session, the event planner booked several hitting bays for attendees to unwind and network. It was the perfect balance of structured content and casual fun.
Assembly Food Hall: Assembly Food Hall is a large, multi-level food court located in the heart of downtown Nashville, just steps from Broadway. If your event is downtown, it’s probably within walking distance. With vendors offering all kinds of food and drink options, it’s easy to please a crowd and allow attendees to try the local favorites without needing a reservation. You can also rent space for a private event! For those brave enough to try the Nashville hot chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken is inside the hall, while Hattie B’s is right next door. My favorite vendor? Cotton & Snow, a shaved ice and cotton candy stand.
Thoughtful, locally inspired activities like these can take your agenda from good to unforgettable—and they’re a key part of successful corporate event planning in Nashville.
In addition to the Nashville-themed activities, I’ve seen some fantastic event decorations and souvenirs that leaned into the Music City culture.
For example, at Total Expert’s Accelerate conference, they had:
- Guitar-shaped mints
- NASH baseball caps
- A Nashville-themed photobooth
- Light-up Cowboy boot cups
- Light-up Cowboy hats
- …and much more!
All of the thoughtful touches felt fun, local, and completely on-brand. It worked because it wasn’t just decoration — it was intentional experience design. Every detail served a purpose and reinforced the event’s story. And because they made the most of the city itself, the “after” of the event was just as strong — attendees left with stories to share and memories tied to both the brand and the location.
I even interviewed the Total Expert events team on my podcast about their planning process— you can listen to that conversation here.
Everything is experience. Your signage, your swag, your soundtrack — they all shape how attendees feel about your brand. The most successful events aren’t just enjoyable in the moment — they’re memorable. They’re talked about. They make people want to come back next year and bring their colleagues.
Hiring a Nashville Keynote Speaker (Like Me!)
Booking a Nashville keynote speaker has more benefits than you might think:
- No travel delays or logistics headaches
- A speaker who truly understands your audience and the city
- Potential cost savings compared to flying someone in (many keynote speakers offer local rates!)
As someone who’s worked with brands like Zoom, Jersey Mike’s, and OrangeTheory Fitness — and who calls Nashville home — I bring local insight and high-impact energy to every event.
And because I specialize in helping brands create superfans, I don’t just fill time onstage — I help set the tone for long-term engagement and advocacy.
Not looking for a customer experience speaker? My good friends at Premiere Speakers Bureau, a Nashville-based speaking agency, can help you find the right speaker for your event.
Final Tips for Corporate Event Planning in Nashville
- Build in downtime. Give your guests space to explore and recharge.
- Stretch the magic. Use the city to create excitement before and after your event.
- Plan for weather. Outdoor venues are lovely — but always have a backup.
- Ask yourself: is this memorable? Don’t default to generic. Choose surprise and delight.
Let’s Make Your Event One to Remember
If corporate event planning in Nashville is on your radar and you’re looking for a keynote speaker who brings energy, strategy, and a proven framework for turning customers into superfans, I’d love to help.
