Gaylord Palms Resort is Clearing the Air

Resort's conversion to non-smoking environment includes charity auction.

Kissimmee, Fla.—( January 8, 2007 ) Gaylord Palms® Resort and Convention Center announced that it will be a 100 percent non-smoking facility beginning Feb. 12. The new policy is clearing the air by prohibiting smoking in all of its 1,406 guest rooms, restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms and public spaces. The hotel touts the move to kick the habit as being driven by health concerns and consumer preferences.

The announced “smoke free” policy also includes other Gaylord Hotels properties: Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Gaylord Texan on Lake Grapevine near Dallas, and Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Prince George's County, Maryland, which is slated to open in 2008. The announcement was made by John Caparella, executive vice president and COO of Gaylord Hotels. "We pride ourselves on offering extraordinary environments at our properties, which include climate-controlled glass-covered atriums featuring acres of indoor foliage and plants," said Caparella. "It doesn't seem right to pollute those environments with smoke, especially when our clients increasingly request non-smoking rooms. We care about our meeting attendees and we also care about our STARS [employees] who will no longer have to be subjected to second-hand smoke."

As part of its effort to clear the air, Gaylord Hotels gathered its 10,577 vintage ashtrays, some of which will be auctioned on the Internet along with a package to stay at a Gaylord hotel of the winner’s choice either in Nashville, Kissimmee, Florida, or Grapevine, Texas. The proceeds from the vintage ashtray sale will be donated to the American Lung Association. For more information about Gaylord Hotels’ move to clear the air, go to www.gaylordhotelskicksbutts.com.

Gaylord Palms Resort has 1,406 guest rooms, including suites and balcony-view rooms overlooking 4.5-acres of lush gardens enclosed by three majestic, climate-controlled atriums. With 400-thousand square feet of meeting space, the move to clear the air is especially important to most meeting professionals.

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.

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Media Contact:

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

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