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Greater Nashville Hospitality Association | Nashville, TN

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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Membership
    • Member Login
    • Member Directory
    • Lodging Membership
    • Restaurant Membership
    • Vendor Membership
    • Attraction Tourism Membership
  • Resources
    • Explore All Resources
  • Education
    • Explore Education
    • AH&LA Education Foundation
    • NRA Education Foundation
    • Platinum Ambassador
    • ServSafe Certifications
    • Tennessee ProStart
  • News & Events
    • Legislative Updates
    • GNHA Newsletter
    • Hospitality Championship Series
    • News
    • Events
    • Calendar
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQs
  • Blog
  • GNHA in the Media

Blog

Member Spotlight Interview with Tye Reedy

8/8/2023

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Q: How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA?
A: Adams Keegan has been hyper focused on the hospitality industry for over 35 years. The fact that we are a Tennessee based company means that many of our clients (some who are fellow GNHA members) are directly impacted by the state of Nashville’s hospitality industry. Membership with GNHA enables us to keep a pulse on the industry which in turn allows us to provide up-to-date, sound, thoughtful advice & counsel to our clients. Membership in GNHA gives us the opportunity to educate members on who we are and the value we provide our clients.


Q: Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand?
A:
Our office is the fastest growing office within Adams Keegan. We recognize the rapid growth of Nashville and will continue to build our team here to meet the market demand.

Q: What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville?
A: Back in 2010, I was an Infantry officer in the 101st Airborne up at Ft. Campbell. The Infantry is the tip of the spear for the Army, and I was proud to lead teams that had a direct impact on our mission. The hospitality industry is the tip of the economic & cultural spear for Nashville. Being involved in the hospitality industry, and helping support our clients who are at the tip of the spear, makes us extremely proud.

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Member Spotlight Interview with Ali Buchanan

7/31/2023

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This week we are spotlighting Ali Buchanan, Director of Strategy with 4Top Hospitality, a multi-concept independent restaurant group with 14 locations across the Southeast US. Check out her answers below!

Q: How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA? 
A: The connection to other like-minded professionals in the industry is invaluable. Through networking and educational opportunities, we are able to share resources, stay abreast of legislative efforts, and tackle some of the biggest challenges our industry faces collectively. 

Q: Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand? 
A: Like many other restaurants, we have had to pivot to meet the needs of our guests over the years. Advances in technology have helped us expand our bandwidth to reach more people through online ordering, direct private dining and catering bookings, and marketing and recruitment efforts. But what it really boils down to is our simple mission statement: "Make guests happy."  Our goal remains to create an environment where we are putting guests first, and to empower our team to take whatever steps are necessary to achieve that. We also have a new location on the horizon to expand our reach! The second location of etch will open this winter in The Factory at Franklin.
 
Q: What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville? 
A: As a Nashville native, I have had the distinct opportunity to experience the growth in the industry firsthand. I started working in restaurants in 2000, long before we were considered a culinary destination. Since then, I've seen the demand and reputation for quality restaurants blossom into what it is today. It hasn't always been a smooth ride, but an exciting one to be a part of! For 4Top, our footprint has tripled in size and transitioned into an employee-owned company during my tenure; I am beyond proud to have been part of this team that has accomplished such growth amidst the competition and challenges our industry has faced.
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Member Spotlight Interview with Marc Sternagel

7/24/2023

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This week we are highlighting Marc Sternagel, the General manager of the Grand Hyatt Nashville, located on Broadway in downtown Nashville. Check out his answers to our questions below!

Q: How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA?
A: For us as a business it is important to be represented in the hospitality community to work on common issues to find the best possible solutions for our guests, visitors of Nashville and our colleagues.
 
Q: Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand? 
A: We keep focusing on adjusting our offerings to the demands of our guests while excelling in the service delivery. The rapid growth is also a magnet for talent to work in the most vibrant market within the United States, especially with being part of the Nashville Yards as the biggest premiere development in the country.
 
Q: What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville? 
A: The overwhelming entertainment offering combined with our Southern Hospitality make it very special to be here. This is the place where you are a part of something special, not just the spectator.

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Member Spotlight Interview with Gena Shearon

7/17/2023

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This week we are spotlighting Gena Shearon, the Director of HR/Loss Prevention at the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt. She is a longstanding member of GNHA and actively involved in giving back to the community. Check out her answers to our questions below!
 
Q: How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA?
A: We benefit mostly from referrals and networking to make relationships in our tight-knit industry circle.
 
Q: Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand?
A: We are evolving by hiring additional staffing and adding social media content and other additional ideas to stay ahead of technology for incoming bachelorette parties, growth, etcetera to keep state of the art ideas to stay fresh and new.
 
Q: What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville?
A: The relationships I have with past/present and future members. I love to network and share job and career opportunities with the entire Nashville area to meet the needs of our city and employment demands with industry growth.

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Member Spotlight Interview with Chuck Abbott

7/13/2023

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This week we are spotlighting Chuck Abbott, the President and CEO of Gray Line Tennessee, who is celebrating 50 years of touring in Music City! Check out his responses below.

1. How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA?

A: Gray Line Tennessee is in the business of providing premium transportation services and authentic sightseeing experiences. By connecting with other members of the GNHA, we are able to anticipate the needs of visitors coming to Music City. We can also share best practices when it comes to recruiting and employee retention, and we benefit greatly from the representation that we receive through the GNHA as they keep our industry in the forefront of our state and local legislative bodies.
2. Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand?
A: Gray Line Tennessee has been able to expand our capabilities and improve our levels of safety and customer service by leveraging the technology that is available to us. Through improved communication and administrative processes, we have increased the amount of time that our drivers and guides have available to do their customer-facing jobs. And because we are more efficient, we have been able to invest in new motorcoaches, minicoaches and black car fleet vehicles.
3. What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville?
A: Our company is proud to be celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, right alongside CMA Fest. We have seen a lot of changes in Music City over the course of five decades, and we feel that we have been an integral part of the growth. Whether it is one of our open top double deckers full with customers enjoying our one-hour Nashville City Tour, or one of our motorcoaches wrapped for a local professional or college sports teams, or any of the other vital services that we provide to the people who work, learn, play or live in Nashville, we are proud to know that we are an iconic part of an iconic city.

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Member Spotlight Interview with Thomas Hartzog

7/5/2023

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This week we are spotlighting Thomas Hartzog, managing partner of Black Rabbit. Check out his responses below!
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1. Q: How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA?
A: Black Rabbit has benefited from GNHA membership in that we are more connected to like-minded businesses, their owners, and their managers. Whether we are coming together to solve problems like trash collection, parking and traffic enforcement, or to share new business strategies, I feel that we are more recognized as members of the community than before. This past year alone, we were able to get a new crosswalk at Banker's Alley and 3rd Ave N along with additional signage, and I know that our efforts to influence the Connect Downtown study will have a long-term impact on the safety of our community.. 

2. Q: Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand?
A: I started working on Broadway when I was 18 on November 2nd, 2000. I also grew up cruising 2nd Ave on the weekends as long as I could get away with it before that. So, believe me when I say that the growth I have witnessed since I started coming downtown is absolutely unbelievable. Even in 2010, I never would've guessed that we would be where we are today. 

Black Rabbit opened in November 2017 and was just hitting the note when we all had to close our dining rooms and eventually reopen to restricted capacities. I embraced the forced changes to our format and have used that to curate an experience that has turned us into more of a restaurant than cocktail lounge. Giving more attentive service to match the high quality of Chef Raul Garcia's food has been my main objective as we continue to evolve. We are a small restaurant. Therefore, finding more efficient ways to turn tables is the name of the game. Also, my wife, Melissa, took over as General Manager, which includes the traditional Sales Manager responsibilities, as we began to see the return of business / convention tourism. Together with Chefs Garcia and Garrett O'Shea, we are continuing to refine our family style / tapas style group dinner menus. Our newest venture is opening for lunch for the first time ever! Come try all the fantastic sandwiches that feature Chef Andrew Kutsulis's fresh bread program. We will be open for lunch Thursday through Saturday from 10:30-1:30!


3. Q: What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville?
A: I like to think that being a member of the hospitality industry in Nashville for more than two decades is badge of honor that I have earned. There are folks coming from around the world to get a piece of the action, and maybe they have their badge of honor from somewhere else. But, did I ever think about moving to Vegas or NYC to bartend or cook? No. Never. I am from Nashville, and I am a loyal person. I take pride in having a small piece of the pie in my hometown where I can put my personal stamp on what I think Nashville Hospitality should look like... high integrity food and drink, support of local / original music, and a general understanding of respect for one another. That last one is really important to us at Black Rabbit. When you come to Black Rabbit, you are coming into my house, and I am very proud of it. I expect everyone to act accordingly.
 
Lastly, I appreciate Chef Trey Cioccia, owner, having faith in me and continuing to support my ideas as we move forward. Working with a local chef-owner that understands both sides of the coin is definitely a plus.
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Member Spotlight Interview with Krystle Williams

6/26/2023

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We are spotlighting Krystle Williams, the Commercial Account Manager with BMS CAT. Check out her responses below!
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1.    
Q: How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA?
A: My participation in GNHA has allowed me to meet other general managers in the hospitality industry.  My background is Operations with Hospitality and Service.  I not only understand their needs and daily struggles, but also know the hoops they are required to go through with vendors.

 2.     Q: Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand?
A: BMS CAT has a sector dedicated to Large Loss cases, so it assures my local team can handle anything that comes our way…even in the event of a city-wide disaster.  Our local office is growing just like Nashville!!!

 3.     Q: What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville?
A: I believe that hospitality plays a key role in all industries if applied correctly.  People who love and want to be in the industry, bring a different level of customer service to clients.  I genuinely believe in helping others any way I can.  I plan to start public speaking training companies to incorporate hospitality into their industries.  Staying active in this association will help keep my speaking initiative on point!
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Member Spotlight Interview with Monica Jackson

6/19/2023

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We are spotlighting Monica Jackson, the Marketing Manager at Madam Tussaud's Nashville. Check out her responses below! 
 
1.Q: How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA?
A: GNHA is such a great partnership. Our membership has afforded us the opportunity to connect and network with industry peers, organizations, local businesses, and charities. GNHA also brings a wealth of knowledge about the hospitality industry to include our growth wins, challenges in new policies and regulations and presenting awesome opportunities that benefit businesses and the success of expansion projects.
 
2. Q: Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand?A: Our business is evolving daily in our marketing, advertising, and hiring efforts. We observe trends, we listen to customer feedback, and we monitor our own success by channeling new process improvements, studying and piloting new innovation as well as servicing our customers with our friendly, and knowledgeable staff.
 
3. Q: What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville?A: I’ve been in the hospitality industry 15+ year. My peers are also my friends. Being in the hospitality industry makes me proud of how we grow with each other and how our goals align to support the city/state. I am proud of how we help grow our industry while maintaining top notch integrity in what we do. The relationship building in our industry is unmatched to other industries. We are thought leaders and find the silver lining in adversity. I am proud to be a hospitality industry leader because I know that I have the support of my peers and mentors.
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Member Spotlight Interview with Vince Foster

6/12/2023

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We are spotlight Vince Foster who has been in Sales and Marketing for Sir Speedy Music City for 13 years. See his responses below!

1. Q: How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA?
A: GNHA allows me to network with our current clients and opens doors to new prospects. They host many events throughout the year that allow you to get involved with the Hospitality community.

2. Q: Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand?
A: With the growth in our city, we have seen a major demand in print, signage, and more marketing materials. Our team is working with all our suppliers to make sure we meet those demands. We have also stepped outside our norm to find other vendors as well. We understand the hospitality industry’s fast pace and the urgency to get product in hand.
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3. Q: What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville?
A: What makes me proud to be a part of the hospitality industry in Nashville…is to be a member of GNHA! This industry is a huge part of our business and being involved in the community is the only way to grow our business and support other businesses as well.
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Member Spotlight Interview with Stacey Nickens

5/30/2023

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We are spotlighting Stacey Nickens, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Communications with the Nashville International Airport. See her responses to our questions below!

Q: How does your business benefit from membership with GNHA?

A: As an airport, having a seat at the table with a myriad of hospitality leaders in the city provides our team with vital information on peak travel periods and open discussions about best customer service practices to meet the needs of travelers.

Q: Nashville is experiencing rapid growth. How is your business evolving to meet demand?
A: BNA is on the forefront of enhancing our infrastructure to accommodate annual travelers from 19 to 30 million. Forecasting for the future is a critical element of our business that is key to staying ahead of the population and travel growth.
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Q: What makes you proud to be part of the hospitality industry in Nashville?
A: The Hospitality Industry offers a distinctive experience unlike any other Southern city in America. We present a welcoming Southern flare with an overlay of culture, music and culinary pleasures that appeal to people all over the world. We, as the hospitality industry have the honor of delivering the first and last impression of our great city.
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