What does your job entail?
My job for DECA’s International Career Development Conference (ICDC) involves hotel and convention center contracting with Music City Center, Bridgestone Arena and approximately 6,700 hotel rooms in 45 hotels in Nashville and its surrounding areas; transportation from the hotels to Music City Center and Bridgestone Arena (145 buses on peak); assignment of the meeting space for the conference; management and execution of the competitive events program (54 events with nearly 12,000 participants); and other duties as assigned by the executive director.
Describe the type of meeting you held in Nashville?
DECA is a student organization of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs studying marketing, management, finance and hospitality.
Top winners from each of the chartered associations (from all states within the United States, as well as Ontario, China, Guam and Puerto Rico) compete for top honors in 54 competitive events at the ICDC.
Was anyone particularly helpful in executing your event?
The entire Nashville community was very helpful throughout the process, including the Nashville CVC, Music City Center and Bridgestone Arena staffs, the hospitality community, local businesses and members of the community who served as judges for the competitive events program.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most about Nashville?
Nearly 12,000 students attended the conference hoping to hear their name called as a winner at ICDC. Another 3,000 students participated in the Emerging Leader Series, DECA’s unique leadership program of workshops and activities.
Did you use a unique off-site venue for a gathering?
The Grand Ole Opry didn’t have a scheduled performance on either of our open evenings. We rented the facility and conducted a concert for nearly 8,800 conference attendees.
Are there any experiences you would recommend for groups meeting in Nashville?
Some groups may not think about the Nashville Sounds baseball team, but we took nearly 6,000 people to a Monday evening game. The General Jackson Showboat was very accommodating for our group and provided a student-friendly menu and DJ on the daytime cruises. The Country Music Hall of Fame and other museums experienced record attendance during the DECA conference.
How does Nashville compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings?
Tighter hotel package but we were able to find enough hotels for nearly 18,000 students, advisors and business partners. We look forward to working with the new hotels for our 2020 meeting. Most cities we go to don’t have a hockey team so it was a very different experience basically moving out of the arena during our conference and then moving back in for our awards sessions. Obviously the staff at the Bridgestone Arena is used to this.
Would you return?
DECA is planning to return to Nashville in April 2020.