David Sacco, Vice President of Food & Beverage
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

"I would like to use my talents and experience to constantly evaluate and challenge current products, processes and people to assure that Gaylord Opryland will always be the partner of choice for our customers as well as the employer of choice for our STARS."

David Sacco is the vice president of food & beverage for the Nashville, Tennessee-based Gaylord Opryland® Resort & Convention Center. A long-time hotelier and born leader, he brings more than 30 years of experience to this position, which he sees as an opportunity to instill passion for the culinary arts in each of his STARS (employees).

As the vice president of food & beverage, Sacco is the key executive in directing Gaylord Opryland's ongoing $30 million food and beverage transformation. This includes the operations of more than 15 restaurants, lounges and eateries, including the award-winning Old Hickory Steakhouse, Ristorante Volare and Cascades Seafood Restaurants. Part of Gaylord Hotels' latest major investments in the hotel brand's landmark facility, the enhancement and expansion of the resort's dining and entertainment outlets will include preserving the best of the classic establishments and adding new ones that will showcase the world-class talents of the culinary team, combined with the property's more contemporary attitude.

Sacco began his career with Gaylord Hotels in 1997, when he served as the manager of catering, banquet operations and food service for four years. In 2001, he was promoted to the director of conference services at Gaylord Opryland's sister property, the Gaylord Palms® Resort & Convention Center, located in Kissimmee, Florida. But Music City lured him back just a few years later, as he became the executive director of operational excellence and innovation and later went on to become the vice president of conference services before being promoted to his current role.

The successes Sacco has had with Gaylord Hotels are substantial. He has served as a consultant for the opening of all Gaylord Hotels' properties, as well as for the expansion of Gaylord Opryland. He assisted in the development and implementation of Gaylord Hotels' brand standards for banqueting; defined the communication and execution processes needed when meeting and convention groups rotate from one Gaylord property to another; and helped in the roll-out and implementation of Project One, another brand consistency of service basics, banquet commission distribution and organizational standards among the different properties. Sacco also has special event management experience. He worked with Gaylord Opryland on the development and execution of ICE!, an attraction during the property's highly popular "A Country Christmas" celebration. But, Sacco explains that his most successful project has been the development of the conference coordinator program, referred to as the "Teal Coat" program, a project designed to differentiate Gaylord Hotels from others. Conference coordinators are assigned to each meeting group to serve as the liaison between meeting planners and the resort, ensuring flawless service.

Sacco got his start in the industry as an independent hotel owner with Marcus Hotels. Prior to joining the Gaylord Hotels family, he served in various roles with Sheraton Hotels. Over the course of 20 years with that company, he worked as a director of catering, senior catering manager, assistant food and beverage director and director of banquets/convention services.

The oldest of eight brothers and sisters, Sacco was raised in a strict Italian family. At the age of 10, his family moved to a farm, and from that point on, he was held responsible for managing not only his chores but his siblings as well. That experience helped to mold and direct his professional life.

Sacco is married to Tammy, who has often served as his mentor when life seemed off balance. He loves spending time with her and their four daughters and one granddaughter. His all-time favorite movie is Ben Hur. And, aside from work, Sacco enjoys jogging, fishing, reading science fiction books and eating Italian food.

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