Gaylord Opryland Earns National Industry Awards

Including diversity and special events honors.

Nashville, Tenn.—( June 15, 2007 ) The industry’s first Prism Award, recognizing innovative diversity programs contributing to the overall success of a major hotel or resort, was awarded this week to Gaylord Opryland Resort® and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). The landmark luxury resort was also recognized for its year-round entertainment with the Special Events Award. The distinctions were announced at a luncheon held during the AH&LA’s annual conference which convened in Nashville this week.

Properties entering the Prism Award competition were required to clearly demonstrate the diversity programs’ integration into the hotel's strategic plan and show how it has given the hotel an edge in hiring, promoting, retaining and positioning it in the market place.

“We are especially proud of the Prism Award, as Gaylord Opryland strives to create an inclusive environment, which respects the individual and values the contributions of all people,” said Arthur Keith, senior vice president and general manager, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. “We view diversity as a competitive advantage. Our diversity strategy includes broad-based representation of all employees throughout the organization as well as a culture where the diversity of STARS experience equity of opportunity in terms of practices, policies and procedures.”

Some diversity program examples: Gaylord Opryland Resort and Attractions employs approximately 4,000 people. Of those people, approximately 600 qualified for the resort’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program in 2006. Free English education was offered to every STAR (employee). That includes 40 hours of training in a program that consists of a two-hour weekly course. It includes five advancement levels, hotel terminology and, at the start, addresses questions frequently asked by guests. Approximately 350 STARS participated in this program in 2006, mostly Spanish- and Arabic-speaking STARS. It is a program led by full-time bi-lingual instructors, through a self-paced education format. The program has an 80 percent graduation rate, and there is a waiting list to participate.

Also:

Interpreters provided for ESL STARS at all large company group functions.
Internal newsletter published in English, Spanish and Arabic.
All Human Resources collateral are now printed in English and Spanish.
Gaylord Opryland also received the AH&LA Special Events Award for its on-going special events and entertainment. The resort’s world-famous A Country Christmas alone is comprised of eight separate and complex events ranging from the annual ICE! ™ exhibit to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular®

“Our mission is to provide bold, exceptional and unique year-round entertainment in order to create unforgettable experiences for more than two-million guests each year,” said Ken Groneck, special events director, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. “This award underscores the fact that we are known now, more than ever, as a major entertainment destination and we want to dazzle our guests with surprises and music around every corner.”

From A Country Christmas, to SummerFest, to the Celebrity Chef’s events, to the Fiddlin’, Brewin’, Bar-B-Q’n Cook-off, to the hugely popular Legacy Five Southern Gospel Festival, there is always a special event on the calendar at Gaylord Opryland.

“Gaylord Opryland Resort is not new to these national industry awards. Just last year, the resort won three national AH&LA awards with the Good Earth Keeping, General Manager of the Year and Guest Services Awards, all in the Large-Property category,” Arthur Keith stated. “We don’t take these honors lightly. Our team strives for creative excellence every day and being recognized by our industry peers is gratifying and motivating to each and every one of us at Gaylord Opryland.”

To view AH&LA’s news release about these awards, go to http://www.ahla.com/news_view_release.asp?mstr=589. To access the AH&LA Prism Newsletter, go to http://www.ahla.com/diversity_prism.asp. To learn more about special events at Gaylord Opryland, go to www.gaylordopryland.com.

ABOUT GAYLORD OPRYLAND NASHVILLE
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center – the largest non-gaming in-hotel facility in the continental United States – is known for providing superior products and services to the meetings and convention industry. Winner of numerous prestigious awards including the coveted Gold Key Elite Award in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and Gold Platter Elite in 2004, 2005 and 2006, Gaylord Opryland Nashville is the flagship property of the Gaylord Hotels brand owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gaylordentertainment.com or www.gaylordopryland.com.

Media Contacts:
Ann Dee McClane amcclane@gaylordhotels.com 615.458.2896
Kim Keelor kkeelor@gaylordhotels.com 615.458-2877

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