CMA MUSIC FEST GENERATES RECORD $30 MILLION FOR CITY
NASHVILLE – Nashville entertained a record number of CMA Music Festival attendees during the 40th annual event, selling more than 110,000 estimated hotel room nights and generating approximately $30 million in direct visitor spending for the city, up from $24 million last year.
“This year’s event produced record crowds, record ticket sales, record hotel room night sales and record growth,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It was a huge win for the city and a great way to celebrate the event’s 40th anniversary.”
The significant increase in visitor spending and room night sales can be attributed to higher room rates being charged by hotels and longer stays by more people who came to Nashville to take advantage of the Festival’s free events. The 2011 Festival was a sell-out, boasting average daily attendance of 65,000 over four days.
Since moving the Festival downtown 10 years ago, visitor spending has increased from $15.5 million in 2001 to the current $30 million.
In addition to the increased revenue the Festival brought to the city, the CMA will again donate a portion of the event proceeds to “Keep the Music Playing” a program that supports music education and children in Nashville’s schools.
“Obviously, we couldn’t be more pleased with the record-setting turnout for this year’s Festival,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The numbers speak volumes about the importance of the event, the interest from fans, dedication of the artists and the collaboration by all involved. I want to express my thanks to everyone for a spectacular event.”
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination.