NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Music City Center President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Starks has been honored with the Nashville Public Education Foundation’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. This award recognizes graduates of Metro Nashville Public Schools who have shown exceptional leadership in their professional, civic, business, and community endeavors and have positively impacted the lives of others.
“I graduated from McGavock High School, and I’m proud of that,” Starks said. “It’s an honor to be recognized by NPEF and to be among others who contribute greatly to our community.”
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Starks began his hospitality career at the young age of 14. After completing college and gaining experience with several Nashville-based hotel companies, he joined the Nashville Convention Center. During his tenure, he successfully advocated for a new building, led his team through construction, and produced consistent positive results for the convention center’s operations. Since the opening of Music City Center in 2013, the facility has hosted 2,534 events and generated $4.1 billion in direct economic impact for the greater Nashville region.
In addition to his professional achievements, Starks has actively contributed to various professional, civic, and community boards, including the Nashville Downtown Partnership, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, and the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association. Most recently, he served as Chairman of the Board for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), a global leader in business events.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of this industry and part of this community where I grew up and to work toward making both better. And my path started with my public education,” added Starks.
Starks is one of three recipients of the NPEF Distinguished Alumni Award honored at the foundation’s 20th Public Schools Hall of Fame celebration. The event, held at Music City Center, recognized alumni, educators, innovators, and leaders making a difference in the lives of Nashville’s students through five award categories.
For more information on the Public Schools Hall of Fame, visit nashvillepef.org/hall-of-fame.
About the Music City Center:
Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, Music City Center is a 2.1 million square foot convention center featuring more than 353,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, two ballrooms, 55 meeting rooms, and a covered parking garage with 1,800 spaces. The mission of MCC is to create significant economic benefits for the greater Nashville area, focusing on community inclusion, sustainability, and exceptional customer service through conventions, trade shows, and community events.
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