TAG Alliances Spring 2024 International Conference - Nashville

Early Bird Tour: Music City of Nashville Tour – RCA Recording Studio and Country Music Hall of Fame

Nashville expanded from a foundation built on music which music remains a common thread connecting the life and soul of the city with its people. On our tour, guests will acquire a deep understanding of the city's musical roots and gain a new appreciation for the legendary artists who recorded right here in the heart of Nashville.  

We will depart our hotel by coach to Music Row, where our expert guide will show us the vibrant neighbourhood populated by a collection of active recording studios and record labels.  Here, we will visit the iconic RCA Recording Studio.  RCA Recording Studio is one of the world's most important recording studios and is an iconic relic of American history. Various rock, pop, R&B, gospel, and country music artists recorded songs in this building, which remains a monument of a critical American music period from 1957 to 1977. Guests will be transported back to historical moments when music titans such as Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, and the Everly Brothers recorded many of their hit songs in these spaces. This tour is sure to be an emotional and memorable experience.

After our recording studio experience, we will visit the impressive Country Music Hall of Fame.  The museum features a vast collection of exhibits, artifacts, and memorabilia related to the history of country music.  Many of the exhibits are interactive, providing a hands-on opportunity to immerse in the music, engage in the experience from videos, and learn about country music's legendary artists and their contributions. 

Our morning activities will be sure to have worked up our appetites, and we will be ready to cruise down the Honky Tonk and head to Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint for some of its famous pit-cooked barbequed meats.   This casual southern lunch will give guests ample time to network and catch up with fellow conference attendees.

The Grand Hyatt Nashville is your ticket to an unforgettable stay in the heart of downtown, perfectly situated amid Nashville's vibrant energy. This upscale retreat is located next to the Nashville Yards and within walking distance of the Gulch and Midtown. 

The Nashville Yards got its name from the areas alongside the railway lines that once housed marble, brick, and lumber. Acknowledging this neighbourhood's rich history, The Grand Hyatt has creatively incorporated many playful railroad elements into its interior design, from in-floor lighting strips to angular wall art reminiscent of the nearby tracks. The result is an elegant blend of history and modern luxury, offering you a switch to relaxation with all the bells and whistles to make your stay comfortable. 

At this junction, attendees will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow TAG Alliances members while enjoying the warmth and charm of Southern cuisine.

Companion Tour: Charcuterie and Cantor - Day on the Farm

Get away from downtown Nashville and escape to the countryside for an exciting day on a farm.  The natural beauty of Tennessee's many abandoned barns and rolling hills is as much a highlight of the state as the whiskey and country music bars.  Here, we will spend time with the farm's horses and learn about Tennessee Cowboy Culture.  We will work with the local produce on the farm to assemble stunning charcuterie boards for us to sample and taste.  You will also have the opportunity to create a special charcuterie board for the friendly horses that we will use to feed them and give them some extra attention.  

Following our time with the horses, we will meet Jenny Cain.  Jenny Cain is a small-town girl from West Tennessee who started country dancing, singing and acting at a young age.

Over the years, Jenny Cain has collaborated with incredible directors and top musical artists ranging from Dierks Bentley, Dolly Parton, Carly Pearce, Walker Hayes and, more recently, Luke Bryan.  Jenny will be onsite with her team to teach you some of the hottest line dances.  After this session, you will be ready to show off your new moves on the Honky Tonk!

Gala Dinner: Country Music Hall of Fame - A Legendary Evening of Music

Music is widely considered a universal language.  It transcends all boundaries of communication because you can speak and tell stories to someone on the other side of the planet, even though you may not speak the same language.  Music plays a significant role in bringing people together; we use music to relax, express ourselves, understand our emotions, encourage one another, and inspire greatness.  Thanks to the musical artists who put their heart and soul into creating unique songs, we feel connected with others and can empathize with the triumphs, challenges, and emotions.

We will be surrounded by music during our evening at the Country Music Hall of Fame.  From the piano keyboard-inspired design of the building's front windows to the massive bass clef design when viewed from above, the Country Music Hall of Fame is an impressive symbol of the city's dedication to music.  During the evening, we will have the pleasure of live music from local talent and an exclusive singer-songwriter experience, where we will be granted an up-close and personal backstage pass to the artists' creative process in creating legendary songs.  This event promises to be an enriching, entertaining, and unforgettable experience that will leave you with a profound appreciation for the artistry and history of music.  

This unique and intimate evening is a perfect opportunity to engage with fellow attendees while sharing the timeless allure of music.  Together, we will discover the stories, sounds, and legends that have made Nashville an enduring mecca for music lovers worldwide. 

Companion Tour: Ryman Auditorium Tour and GOO GOO Chocolate Making

We will depart the hotel on foot for a brief walk to “Muisc’s most iconic stage,” The Ryman Auditorium.  On our privately guided tour, we will learn how it was initially built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle over 130 years ago.  The Ryman Auditorium has transformed from a religious entity to one of the most revered music venues in the world.  In the 1950s and 1960s, it served as the home of the Grand Ole Opry.  The incredible acoustics make this building a spiritual space, making it a sacred place for all music lovers.  The most prominent performers, from Elvis and Johnny Cash to Lizzo and Harry Styles, have graced its stage.  Today, the venue continues its outstanding legacy of delivering exceptional entertainment night after night.  No visit to Nashville would be complete without stepping into these hallowed grounds.

We will depart the Ryman and continue with a brief walking tour to our lunch at one of Nashville's distinguished restaurants.  For dessert, we will walk to the Goo Goo chocolate museum.  Here, we will learn the art of chocolate making.  What is a Goo Goo Cluster?  In 1912, America's first combination candy bar was invented in a copper kettle at the Standard Candy Company at Clark & First Avenue in Nashville.  Goo Goo Clusters are roundish mounds of caramel, marshmallow nougat, fresh roasted peanuts, and real milk chocolate, and they represented the first time a chocolate bar consisted of more than just one principal ingredient.  As part of today's activities, guests will learn a little history and a lot about chocolate!  Guests will also have the opportunity to get their hands dirty and make their own candy bars.

Networking Activity & Dinner: Ole Red Rooftop

Guests have the option to join representatives from our host firm, Spencer Fane, for a guided 12-minute walk (0.6 mile) from the hotel along Broadway to our dinner venue or travel by coach.

Join fellow attendees on one of the most sought-after rooftops tucked high above the bustle of Broadway at Ole Red's Lookout for an exclusive PRIVATE TAG event. Ole Red is a popular entertainment venue and restaurant co-owned by country music star Blake Shelton and was voted Nashville's Best Rooftop Bar by Nashville Scene.  Ole Red's rooftop provides a fantastic vantage point for views of downtown Nashville, including the famous Broadway entertainment district. The elevated Lookout offers a glam-meets-grit lounge where our guests will indulge in mouth-watering Southern comfort food that will leave your taste buds singing. 

We will enjoy each other's company while listening to live local entertainment that will inspire you to grab a partner, kick up our cowboy boot heels, and partake in some good ole country line dancing. Being our final event in Nashville and having absorbed all that Music City has to offer during the week, we will finally have the opportunity to express our own creative styles with an open microphone and Karaoke. It will surely be a memorable event showcasing our many talented and aspiring TAG musicians. Come for the live music, stay for the incredible views of Music City.