More Accolades for Nashville

[MLBrumby]

New York Magazine is the latest to fall in love with Nashburg... with a feature on food and lodging...  http://nymag.com/travel/weekend-escapes/nashvillefood/

Hat tip to Nashville Business Journal..http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2015/09/new-york-magazine-tours-nashvilles-food-scene-and.html

 

 

[Guest]

From across the Pond - I do hope all of this UK love is a prelude to a Direct Flight to London....

why-whiskey-tastes-better-the-nashville-way



 

Edited September 29, 2015 by Guest

[markhollin]

BRIDGESTONE ARENA RANKS SECOND IN U.S., SIXTH IN WORLD TICKET SALES IN POLLSTAR’S

2015 THIRD-QUARTER REPORT

Arena Improves Two Spots In World Ranking From Mid-Year Report

 

Nashville, Tenn. (October 6, 2015) – Bridgestone Arena ranks second in the United States and sixth in the world for concert ticket sales, according to international trade publication Pollstar’s Third-Quarter Ticket Sales report. Pollstar announced Bridgestone Arena ticket sales as 504,153, inclusive of solely show and concert tickets, which surpasses  all of 2014’s total concert and show attendance (359,894). When including the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament and Nashville Predators home hockey games, Bridgestone Arena has hosted nearly 1 million people in the building year to date.

 

Pollstar’s Top-10 U.S. Venues (Show & Concert Ticket Sales):

1.) Madison Square Garden (New York)

2.) Bridgestone Arena

3.) Staples Center (Los Angeles)

4.) Forum (Inglewood, Calif.)

5.) Allstate Arena (Rosemont, Ill.)

6.) Barclays Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

7.) American Airlines Center (Dallas)

8.) Sprint Center (Kansas City, Mo.)

9.) Phillips Arena (Atlanta)

10.) Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay, Fla.)

 

“Bridgestone Arena continues to set the standard of excellence for sports and entertainment venues in the United States,” Bridgestone Arena Senior Vice President of Booking David Kells said. “This ranking is due to the support of our fans, building staff, great performers, promoters, Metro Davidson County and the entire music community. We still have work to do to make us the No. 1 venue in the U.S., but we are pleased with the progress we’ve made.”

 

Bridgestone Arena underwent $11.2 million in renovations this summer, and included the addition of metal detectors at each entrance, in-bowl LED lights, 7,000 seats in the Lower Bowl, new concession stands and renovated restrooms.

 

Serving as the home for numerous national and international events, Bridgestone Arena has the distinction of being one of the busiest venues in the United States over the past decade and a half. In addition to being named Pollstar’s 2014 Arena of the Year, Bridgestone Arena was named the Academy of Country Music’s Large Capacity Venue of the Year in March of 2014. Kells has also recently received recognition; he received his third consecutive Pollstar Facility Executive of the Year nomination in November 2014, weeks after being named IEBA’s Venue Executive of the Year.

 

[Titans10]

Wow! That's crazy!! Second behind Madison Square Garden, and ahead of the Staples Center!

[21jump]

I remember reading an article in The Tennessean about 10 years ago about major concerts and tours skipping over Music City. Then, soon after, the Preds were rumored to be looking to move elsewhere...  And now Bridgestone is the second busiest arena in the country.  Major props to everyone involved.  Funny how things change.

[titanhog]

Look at the cities we're among on that list.  Impressive!

[chris holman]

http://m.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2015/10/developers-and-investors-love-nashville-more-than.html

[CenterHill]

http://m.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2015/10/developers-and-investors-love-nashville-more-than.html

It can't be said enough: 

"Similar to Austin, the only noticeable concern from interviewees is whether the current infrastructure will be able to keep up with growth at its current pace," the report says.

Let's condense that sentence down to one word: transit.

[Nathan_in_DC]

It's funny, of the cities ranked higher, I think the only others I'd want to actually live in are Seattle and Denver, maybe Austin. Charlotte, Atlanta, and Dallas have zero appeal to me. 

[smeagolsfree]

It's funny, of the cities ranked higher, I think the only others I'd want to actually live in are Seattle and Denver, maybe Austin. Charlotte, Atlanta, and Dallas have zero appeal to me. 

100 % agreement with that.

[nashvillwill]

I realize that polls like this are just drivel, but all of these things have to make you wonder, are we still well on our way up. If you had asked me 6 months ago about a "bubble", I would have told you we are almost there. The rapid growth, the influx of people, the tv show and national press, I would say that can't be sustained for long. But now I'm beginning to wonder if we are just halfway to the "bubble" or even just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg. No one can predict these things, but it's amazing to wonder if this growth becomes exponential and how long it may last. 

[smeagolsfree]

The growth in Austin has been going on now for at least a decade, and maybe even longer. It has still not slowed down and they weathered the recession as well. With the numbers of folks moving here, and that is sustained, we could be in for a long ride.

The office and residential markets still have a lot of life, but I think we will see the hotel market slow next year. I think that was noted in the latest Colliers report.

With the residential market growing like it is,  the retail sector will continue to grow as well.

We are still playing catch up with our peer cities. The next big step will be a mass transit plan start and continue for the next ten to twenty years as we are not even at the starting line yet.

Edited October 9, 2015 by smeagolsfree

[MLBrumby]

Three observations from afar (170 miles)... 

The emerging (nascent) technology industry in Nashville will be critical to sustained growth at these rates

Continued consolidation in the healthcare industry will benefit Nashville

Nashville needs to land a big event such as Super Bowl, party convention, or a Final Four for the kick to put the city over the hurdle and to be recognized as a "player" with the biggies. This will require more hotel rooms, but could spur some of those sitting on the fence (Bloom's Four Seasons, Intercontinental, et.al.)

The above will increase chances of more airline flights to/from large markets and may cinch the deal with a transatlantic to London (or?)

[grilled_cheese]

Three observations from afar (170 miles)... 

The emerging (nascent) technology industry in Nashville will be critical to sustained growth at these rates

Continued consolidation in the healthcare industry will benefit Nashville

Nashville needs to land a big event such as Super Bowl, party convention, or a Final Four for the kick to put the city over the hurdle and to be recognized as a "player" with the biggies. This will require more hotel rooms, but could spur some of those sitting on the fence (Bloom's Four Seasons, Intercontinental, et.al.)

The above will increase chances of more airline flights to/from large markets and may cinch the deal with a transatlantic to London (or?)

Would the NHL All Star Weekend count as big?

[Hey_Hey]

Unfortunately, we're out of the running for a Final Four or Super Bowl since we don't have a dome. If we had one then I wouldn't see a reason for us no to get one of those. If Indianapolis can host both of those then we could. 

I think Nashville could pull off a party convention for the 2020 election. By that time we'll have the JWM, Thompson, Westin, Kimpton, several boutiques and mid-range hotels open in the core of Nashville. We'll also (hopefully) have an improved transit system. It might even serve as a goal to have a new mass transit line open by then. The only fly in the ointment is that Tennessee is not a swing state, and I can't help but think the conventions are more likely to be in places like Ohio, Florida, or Colorado than here. 

We did host a major convention last year with the NRA. We'll now hopefully be on the radar for other big, politically meaningful conventions like the AMA, ABA, and union meetings. 

[MLBrumby]

Would the NHL All Star Weekend count as big?

Yeah... I thought of that one as I wrote this, and that's definitely big for hockey fans... I'd say it's still not the same. It's certainly a good start, but IMHO there's a big leap to the next big events.  Of course, the CMA Fest is a big deal but that's over a long (week +) period and the TV cameras aren't trained on the event the whole time as say, "Super Bowl Week".  Last year's game in an open stadium notwithstanding, I don't see Nashville ever getting the S.B. without an all weather venue.  I think the next big thing Nashville could go for and do well would be a Political Convention... other small markets have pulled it off. 

Edited October 10, 2015 by MLBrumby

[farm_boy]

Someone will have to help an old man with limited memory .... If I recall correctly, the MCC/Nashville wants one of the political conventions. I think, the Republican convention is not possible due to a scheduling conflict. And I can't remember if this is for 2016 or 2020. Anyway, yes, Nashville is trying for a political convention.

The SI swimsuit, NRA, and NHL All Stars are big events. But the lack of a domed stadium limits Nashville from bigger events

[MidTenn1]

Someone will have to help an old man with limited memory .... If I recall correctly, the MCC/Nashville wants one of the political conventions. I think, the Republican convention is not possible due to a scheduling conflict. And I can't remember if this is for 2016 or 2020. Anyway, yes, Nashville is trying for a political convention.

The SI swimsuit, NRA, and NHL All Stars are big events. But the lack of a domed stadium limits Nashville from bigger events

I do know the republicans are in Cleveland next summer as I was in Cleveland last summer when they were searching for a site. I saw and heard the high speed police escorts of officials being taken to various locations as the City demonstrated how fast they can taxi people around. Ohio is important because it is a large swing state.

On the other hand, Tennessee is rock-solid, right-wing and there is no political advantage to holding a convention here. So, I don't see it happening.

[titanhog]

Yeah...I would have to imagine most conventions in the near future (next 4-12 years) will be in states like Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, etc.

[Guest]

Great write-up in Rolling Stone on the Nashville Premier of "I saw the Light".

 

Rolling Stone

[markhollin]

Another award for Bridgestone Arena...

BRIDGESTONE ARENA NAMED

IEBA’S VENUE OF THE YEAR

 

Nashville Tenn. (October 20, 2015) – Bridgestone Arena was named the Venue of the Year by the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) during the annual Honors and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

 

The IEBA is the leading non-profit trade organization for live entertainment industry professionals, and works to help members improve relationships and increase revenue by offering its members networking and education opportunities.

 

“We have taken great strides over the years to fulfill our mission of being the No. 1 sports and entertainment venue in the United States,” Bridgestone Arena Senior Vice President of Booking David Kells said. “This award, along with the other accolades we have received over the last two years, is a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence exhibited by our building staff and Metro Davidson County. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the great performers, agents, managers and promoters that bring quality entertainment to Nashville.”

 

Serving as the home for numerous national and international events, Bridgestone Arena has the distinction of being one of the busiest venues in the United States over the past decade-and-a-half. In addition to being named Pollstar’s 2014 Arena of the Year, Bridgestone Arena was named the Academy of Country Music’s Large Capacity Venue of the Year in March of 2014. Kells has also recently received recognition and was named IEBA’s Venue Executive of the Year in 2014.

 

Bridgestone Arena underwent $11.2 million in renovations this summer, and included the addition of metal detectors at each entrance, in-bowl LED lights, 7,000 seats in the Lower Bowl, new concession stands and renovated restrooms.

 

The NHL’s Nashville Predators have been the primary tenant of Bridgestone Arena since 1998 – just two years after the venue opened its doors for its first concert. On Oct. 17, 2014, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman visited Bridgestone Arena to announce that the arena, the Predators and the city of Nashville had been named hosts of the 2016 NHL All-Star Game and festivities that will take place on Jan. 30 and 31, 2016. The awarding of the NHL All-Star Game comes on the heels of the announcement in October 2013 with the Southeastern Conference that Bridgestone Arena would be the home of 12 consecutive SEC Basketball Championships, including the 2015 SEC Tournament in March.

 

[markhollin]

Ryman Lofts wins national award...

http://www.nashville-mdha.org/2015/10/19/ryman-lofts-wins-national-award-3/

[markhollin]

Nashville tops nation in global travel searches:

http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2015/10/27/study-nashville-tops-nation-global-travel-searches/74677756/

[markhollin]

Nashville only U.S. city on Lonely Planet's international high-profile Top 10 list for 2016:
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2015/10/nashville-only-u-s-city-on-lonely-planets-high.html

Edited October 27, 2015 by markhollin

[smeagolsfree]

I would have posted that but I sort of found the rankings a bit self serving as they are based in Franklin. However I understand it can boost tourism to us self serving or not.