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Planner’s Perspective

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Lori Rentfrow
National Meeting Planner
Pavestone
Grapevine, Texas

Describe your event.
We planned a reception for the attendees of a National Convention for Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) at The Stage on Broadway, a honky-tonk, and hired a band and cancan dancers to perform. Over 200 attendees came for dinner and dancing. The event’s purpose was to establish relationships with existing clients, peers and potential clients. We wanted to plan an event that would show the true flavor of Nashville and its music culture.

What do you think sets Nashville apart?
The [musical] character is really unique and its honky-tonks are just seconds away from the convention center. Since everything is so close, you have so many diverse venues within walking distance. After our event ended, attendees had even more choices of how they were going to end their evening. Many chose to catch a band and maybe see the next big star.

How did your event reflect Nashville’s unique flavor?
We wanted to incorporate Nashville’s music scene into our event and it worked. The level of fun was over the top and everyone was able to walk to the venue, which made me very happy as a planner. We had a local band and dancing girls. The Stage on Broadway is a famous honky-tonk and that alone was an experience.

Did you work with a DMC to plan the event?
Yes. Destination Nashville is the best DMC I’ve worked with in my 25 years as a planner. Both Stephanie Monroe and Ansley Hampton took my concepts, enhanced them and produced them. I always felt it was very much about what I wanted and they made my event their event. They removed all the pressure and all the last-minute panic. The response was so overwhelmingly positive that every VP was excited and said, “It was the most professional and fun event we’d ever had!”

How did your attendees like the event?
It was the most talked about event of the show. Destination Nashville helped me outdo every one of our industry competitors.

What would you have done differently in retrospect?
Absolutely nothing. It was a “rock star” event and I got huge kudos.

Do you have any advice for other planners who might bring a meeting to Nashville?
Call Destination Nashville.