Local Resort Featured in Rand McNally's Southeast Getaway Guide

Rand McNally puts Gaylord Palms 'on the map'.

Kissimmee, Fla.—( May 29, 2007 ) Rand McNally, America’s largest map company, just put Gaylord Palms on the map — literally. The Kissimmee resort is highlighted as a “can’t miss” stop in Rand McNally’s new Southeast Getaway Guide. The guide blends travel information and recommended stops with maps designed to help vacationers find their way to the destinations featured in the guide.

“We wanted to unearth the best-kept secrets in each state — things that they might not discover on their own,” says Rand McNally Editorial Director Laurie Borman. “As more people grow up in one place and move another, they might not know the area right around them. This book is a great resource for locals to explore their state, too.”

Gaylord Palms Resort is just one of the exceptional destinations suggested in the guide, which takes an in-depth look at restaurants, lodging and one-of-a-kind attractions in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

“Research shows that more and more Americans are choosing to take their vacations close to home and explore the areas where they live,” says Robert Apatoff, president and chief executive officer of Rand McNally. “You might live in an area for years before discovering all it has to offer. We designed this guide for Southeasterners who want to find the local treasures hidden in their own backyards.”

Gaylord Palms, a landmark resort and convention center in the Kissimmee resort area, features award-winning restaurants, high-tech convention facilities, the prestigious Canyon Ranch SpaClub and colorful Florida themes that carry throughout an expansive 4.5-acre glass-topped atrium and into each of the 1,406 guest rooms.

The 2.1-million-square-foot resort, located five minutes from the gates of Walt Disney World, is designed in the tradition of a grand 19th-century Florida seaside resort. The hotel’s appearance is distinct and completely themed to the Sunshine State, including the locales of St. Augustine, Key West, the Emerald Coast, Miami’s South Beach and the Everglades.

For five years in a row, Gaylord Palms has been named the top Florida resort by Florida Monthly magazine. The resort has also received a host of other honors, including the prestigious AAA 4 Diamond Award, and every major meetings industry award including Gold Key Elite from Meetings & Convention magazine.

“We are pleased to be recognized by Rand McNally,” said Kemp Gallineau, general manager. “It’s an honor to know that people who travel in Florida will not only know about us, but will be able to see us right on the map.”

About Rand McNally & Company
Rand McNally is North America’s largest commercial maker of national and local maps, street guides and atlases. The company’s print and electronic products include America’s No. 1 Road Atlas, The Thomas Guide® map books, custom-made wall maps on the Web, wireless navigation solutions and online maps, directions and trip planning at www.randmcnally.com.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2006, Rand McNally offers the most trusted tools to discover, map and navigate your world. The company leads the way with innovative products and services for the consumer, business, education and commercial transportation markets. For more information, visit www.randmcnally.com or call (800) 333-0136.

About Gaylord Hotels
Gaylord Hotels® is a collection of upscale, meetings-focused resorts which also afford endless entertainment options for leisure travelers. The hotel company's hallmark - "everything in one place" - provides meeting attendees and vacationers with diverse dining options, quality spa and fitness center services, top-notch entertainment, on-site shopping and numerous resort activities -- all within the confines of each resort.

Gaylord Hotels is a pioneer in the hotel and convention industry with properties in attractive event destinations, including Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.; Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., near Orlando; Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center on Lake Grapevine near Dallas, Texas; and Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac in National Harbor, Md., opening early 2008.

Gaylord Hotels is owned and operated by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. Gaylord Entertainment (www.gaylordentertainment.com) includes the Grand Ole Opry (www.opry.com), the weekly showcase of country music's finest performers for 80 consecutive years. For more information about Gaylord Hotels, www.gaylordpalms.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com.

# # #

Media Contact:

Keith Salwoski, (407) 586-0315, ksalwoski@gaylordhotels.com

print