Gaylord Opryland® and Athletes Honor Troops

Champions for Fallen Soldiers to Hold Fundraising Event

Nashville, Tenn.—( July 17, 2007 ) Gaylord Opryland® Resort & Convention Center and a team of sports legends involved with the organization Champions 4 Champions are joining forces to honor fallen troops and their families through a special event, Champions for Fallen Soldiers, at Gaylord Opryland. Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe and retired stars from the NBA and NFL will be on-hand during this exciting weekend to dine with, give sporting demonstrations to, play golf with and entertain guests Sept. 7-8, 2007.

Bowe, who is currently making headlines as he prepares to stage a comeback during a fight in Switzerland in September, will lead a team of champions from professional sports during this two-day event. Participants include: Billy Joe Dupree and Ed "Too Tall" Jones, both formerly of the Dallas Cowboys; Ricky Sanders, formerly with the Washington Redskins; Everson Walls, who played for the Cowboys, the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants; and NBA great Lamar Green.

"We are excited to partner with Gaylord Opryland to help raise money for the families of fallen soldiers," said Coach Charles Hatcher, a former Olympic basketball player, NBA Summer Tour coach, host of Sports Inside and Out and supporter of Champions 4 Champions. "It is the goal of our organization to help where we can, and this is our way of giving back to so many families who have lost so much on our country's behalf."

The weekend will kick off with a welcome reception and food-and-wine pairings, followed by a training session featuring Bowe. Also included during the two-day event will be a golf tournament at Gaylord Springs® Golf Links, an awards banquets, an auction, as well as meet-and-greets with the athletes and a Champions 4 Champions evening benefit concert from a variety of musical stars. Special discounts will be provided to members of the military and their dependents.

"Gaylord Opryland is committed to showing our troops and their families how much their efforts are appreciated," said Arthur Keith, senior vice president and general manager of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. "We also strive to provide an array of events that our guests will enjoy, and sports have always attracted large numbers of people. Combining sports with the military is a wonderful way to raise money for such a great cause."

The Champions for Fallen Soldiersevent is part of an initiative by the television show Sports Inside and Out to give U.S. troops and their families the opportunity to participate in U.S. Army Morale Welfare & Recreation (MWR) events.
"MWR is pleased to partner with Gaylord Opryland and Champions 4 Champions for such a great event," said Sgt. Maj. Willie Wilson "Our mission is to serve the needs, interests and responsibilities of each individual in the Army for as long as they are associated with the Army. Joining forces with these famed athletes at a world-renowned resort to raise money for the families affected by war can draw more attention to our noteworthy cause."

Champions 4 Champions is an organization that joins celebrated sports, entertainment and music figures with military troops in impactful programs. Specifically, the Champions 4 Champions Troop Morale Program connects soldiers more than 8,000 miles from home with the opportunity to participate in MWR family events, such as celebrity base appearances. The program includes military installations in the U.S. to enable soldiers to interact with Sports Inside and Out celebrity athletes, dignitaries and loved ones using videocollaboration technology.
Special value packages for the Champions for Fallen Soldiers weekend are available so that guests can get up close and personal with these famed legends. All packages include:

Two-night room accommodations at Gaylord Opryland
VIP seating to the Riddick Bowe training session
VIP seating to the Champions 4 Champions concert.
The price for the basic "Silver" package is $224*. Guests can upgrade to a "Gold" or "Platinum" package to receive admission to the welcome reception and the pairings party, the golf tournament and the meet-and-greet. A ticket-only option is available, with prices starting at $30**. Members of the military can receive a 50 percent discount on all ticket-only events. All donations received during this fun-filled weekend will be given to the families of fallen soldiers as well as the MWR program.

The Champions for Fallen Soldiersevent is a great way to interact in once-in-a-lifetime occasions with some of sports' biggest stars, all while paying tribute to U.S. troops. Visit www.gaylordopryland.com for more information. To book your package, please call 1-888-999-OPRY (6779). For more information on Champions 4 Champions, visit www.champions4champions.org.

*Rate is per person based on double occupancy for traditional accommodations, plus applicable tax and daily resort fee. Extra nights also available at prevailing rates. Atrium Garden, add $65 plus tax per night.
**Members of the Armed Forces receive a 50% discount.

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

print