The question arose in a previous thread about a new location for the Super Nationals. To everyone it appears that the Gaylord Opryland is the only site with the space that is controlled by a hotel. The whole point is to be able to get the space in exchange for hotel room nights. I have a question that was never raised in that thread. What about other Gaylord locations?
Considering the current relationship with the Gaylord in Nashville, other Gaylord resorts should also be willing to work with the USCF for this event.
The Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas [about 8 miles from the Dallas/Ft Worth airport] appears to have the space. It has a ballroom of 179500 square feet of space, another with 49000 square feet, a third with 32000 square feet, and quite a number of small meeting rooms as well for a total of 62 meeting rooms. However, there is about 500-700 less hotel rooms. So, there does appear to be an alternative to the Nashville site. It may be worth a look as it may cost less to travel to DFW [Dallas/Ft Worth airport] than to Nashville, and maybe [unknown] more eateries within walking distance.
General comment - Texas has not been a very good draw for us, which is surprising given the size of some of the scholastic programs there.
As to the adequacy of the facility - I don’t know. We are contracted to Nashville for several more cycles, but it is indeed getting time to get future events under contract due to the lead times for facilities.
Having been to the Gaylord in Nashville a couple times for Nationals (not yet for Super Nationals), I have to say I think the Gaylord is a really nice site for the Nationals. My vote would be to stay there. It’s more or less centrally located so it works reasonably well for most of the country. The large size and with the way it is spread out it has never felt overly crowded. It is a beautiful facility. Keeping continuity for a location also makes it a destination point for people - and easier to plan in the future.
The only real downside and it is a fair one is that the room price is high - $149 per night. I think, though, for something like this that price will be hard to overcome.
There are other minor issues (not uncommon for any hotel I’m sure). Food options are varied, but can generate long lines with the kids. At the last Elementary Nationals this was a problem until someone had the bright idea to put a chicken tender stand right outside the main playing hall. That and maybe a few more need to be near permanent fixtures at the upcoming Super National.
Cash sales stands were in the contract and the Gaylord unilaterally decided not to do them. they were persuaded to actually do what they were supposed to do and opened them up after the event had started and they helped a great deal. Such will be even more important at the SN.
I was not saying not to stay at the Gaylord in Nashville. Rather the question arose as to where else the SN event could be held. In that other thread it looked like there was no where else the SN event could be held. I recently came across a listing for the Gaylord in Grapevine, and thought it should be mentioned.
The USCF does have a history of working with specific hotel chains to get sites. The good previous relationship at one or more sites is a plus when looking at a new site that has not previously been used, but is in the chain of a hotel that has been used in the past.
It looks like this other Gaylord venue in Texas follows the same formula as the one in Nashville – atriums, an indoor river, everything under one roof – with a “Texas” theme in place of the “Old South” theme. Their Texas ballroom appears to be a dead ringer for the Delta ballroom. It’s about three miles from the Gaylord Texan to the Grapevine Mills Mall; it’s about a four block walk from the Opryland to Opry Mills. (Malls have food courts with shorter lines and cheaper food if you have a bit of extra time.)
The Gaylord Texan is 15 minutes from the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport. Those of you who are road warriors can tell us whether it’s easier for families all over the U.S. to get a non-stop, low-cost flight to DFW or to Nashville. Perhaps it depends on whether you’re flying from a hub or not. Which site would attract more team buses?
The advantage to staying at the Opryland instead of trying a different Gaylord venue is the Opryland people know us and our event, and our organizers and participants know that site. That’s not a small thing.
Given where the other Gaylord properties are located, it is a question whether they are not even busier and harder to book than the one in Nashville. If you don’t or cannot get rooms to stay on site, the surrounding hotels are more expensive in these other venues. The tourist season in Washington, DC, alone is year round.