The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center’s flood ravaged exposition facilities will require extensive cleaning and the information technology infrastructure totally replaced before the ground floor convention hall can reopen. A statement released by the Gaylord Entertainment Co. in June stated that Nashville’s largest integrated resort and convention center is expected to reopen Nov. 15.
The resort was forced to close after the Cumberland River breeched a levee resulting in 10 feet of water swamping the resort’s conference and convention facilities the evening of May 2. About 350 exhibits were in the process of being erected for the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Associations Show scheduled for May 3-7. All booth properties and tools and equipment left behind by the general contractor and other exhibit service providers were lost.
According to a statement released by Gaylord Entertainment Co., the resort’s convention facilities are expected to reopen Nov.15. Resort management is saying rebuild cost will range from $215 million to $225 million.
“We have made significant progress in our work to assess and repair the damage inflicted by the historic flooding,” said Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Gaylord Entertainment. “Our Nashville-area assets have been stabilized and we have a large group of contractors and experts working diligently alongside our management team to get us back to business as soon as possible.”
Aleta Walther is a marketing communications professional and freelance writer with several years experience as a corporate exhibit manager. Contact Aleta at: aleta@prwriterpro.com.
