F YOU WATCHED the widely circulated YouTube video show-
ing Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Conven- tion Center under six feet of water as a result of flooding in early May, you might find it hard to believe that the property could reopen next month. But that’s exactly what’s happening. “Had you looked at
the hotel that morn- ing,” said Peter J. Weien, Gaylord Opryland’s senior vice president and general manager, who narrated the video, “and seen the significant damage and the amount of water, you could prob- ably never fathom that.” Speaking to Convene
in late August, Weien reported that much of the hotel’s infrastructure,
including its electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, had to be “completely rebuilt.” Gaylord also worked with industrial hygienists to remove any porous material from the prop- erty, in order to prevent the growth of mold. And Gaylord took ad-
vantage of the time that its facilities were idle to get ahead on some of its capital projects, including changing out its restaurant concepts and renovating 600 of its guest rooms that weren’t damaged. Nearly 80 percent
of the 1,750 employees Gaylord was forced to lay off after the flood- ing will be returning to the property for its reopening. (The other 20 percent either found
other work or left the industry altogether.) “I think it says a lot about our company’s culture,” Weien said, “… that people really want to come back and be part of this hotel opening.” Weien clearly shares
his employees’ optimism. “I feel really very strongly that Opryland will be back bigger and better than it ever has been,” he said. “This unfortu- nate event … will really be a catapult to take us to a new level of not only the product of the hotel and the experience but … the overall experience and service that we pro- vide our customers.” For more information
about Gaylord Opryland, visit www.gaylord opryland.com. n — Hunter R. Slaton