
Nashville Through CEMA’s Eyes: A Shared Experience
January 23, 2025
By Bridgette Birdie
Senior Director, Global Events and Outreach – Moody’s
Although I’ve been a CEMA member for a number of years now, I have never had the opportunity to attend a CEMA Study Tour. That all changed when the stars aligned, and I was able to make time to attend their most recent study tour of Nashville and the behind the scenes of the CMAs. Networking over hot chicken and live music allowed CEMA members to absorb the energy of the city together, fostering collaboration and inspiration. Walking through Nashville’s neighborhoods, visiting landmarks, and engaging with the local culture provided fresh perspectives on how to craft events that are not just hosted in a location but fully immersed in it.
Why Nashville Should Be on Every Planner’s Radar
For event professionals, Nashville is more than just a destination—it’s a living, breathing example of how a city can shape and elevate an event. From its authentic cultural offerings to its logistical expertise, our amazing hosts from
- Music City Nashville (Deana Ivey, Adrienne Siemers, Wendy Ramirez, Katie Baker, and Michael Glover)
- The Westin Nashville (Kayla Dentley)
- CMA (Emily Evans & Kris Kennedy as our tour guides)
- Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum (Austin Taylor)
- TC Restaurant Group (Katie Goyette)
- Tennessee Titans (Dan Boyd)
- Signature Transportation (Dana Taft)
Provided CEMA members with a roadmap for creating events that are rooted in their surroundings, leaving a lasting impression on attendees.
As one participant put it, “You don’t just visit Nashville; you experience it. And when your event embraces the city, your attendees do too.”
I was so impressed with how this study tour showed how a destination is truly a dimensional and integral part of your event. For the CEMA organizers, they made sure that this program was about showing how a city can be your greatest partner in storytelling. And for those of us in the business of creating memorable experiences, that’s a lesson worth carrying back to our own events.
Thought Provoking Educational Content
Another dynamic part of this event was the content that was delivered during the event. We heard from Deana Ivey, President & CEO of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, and Greg Luehrs, Director of Sponsorships (Jack Daniels), about growing and shaping a brand to a large name brand business. In addition, I had the opportunity to host a panel session with Kara Wooten, Dell Technologies, Brooke Long, Blue Sky, and Monica Dolan, Oracle, focused on technology trends driving the event industry today and how that shapes how we engage not just our audience but our teams, work cross functionally with others and research event landscapes. It was a lively discussion that we hope to continue with our member base.
Closing Thoughts
Nashville isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a co-creator, a mood-setter, and a storyteller. From the CMA Awards to its streets filled with music and heart, Nashville offered a masterclass for CEMA attendees on how to let a destination take center stage. Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a global spectacle, this city reminds us that great events don’t just happen in a place—they are shaped by it.