The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) has introduced a new initiative called Music City Chart Climbers: Amplifying Diverse Hospitality, presented by Amazon. This program aims to engage and equip diverse communities by connecting them with opportunities within Nashville’s growing hospitality industry. This initiative aligns with the NCVC’s strategic plan, which was released earlier this year.
Music City Chart Climbers will provide free NCVC membership, educational resources, and networking opportunities over an eight-month period. This program targets small and economically disadvantaged businesses owned by people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, the disabled community, and veterans. To broaden its reach, the NCVC is collaborating with various local minority and multicultural business organizations.
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Mayor Freddie O’Connell emphasized the importance of equitable access to economic opportunities, stating, “Ensuring minority businesses have access to our ever-growing hospitality industry is a good step in that direction.” The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development is fully supporting this initiative.
The program is designed to empower minority-owned businesses to take advantage of opportunities in the hospitality industry, whether it be through securing contracts, serving leisure travelers, or partnering with large event organizers. Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the NCVC, expressed that the program would help small businesses better prepare to engage with the industry.
Fifteen Nashville-based businesses will be selected for the first cohort. Participants will attend monthly sessions covering various topics, including hospitality, sales, marketing, public relations, social media, human resources, finance, and entrepreneurship. The program will conclude with a ceremony at the NCVC’s annual Chairman & President’s Luncheon in Fall 2025. Graduates will receive a monetary gift to invest in their businesses, a complimentary year of NCVC membership, and a reduced-price membership for a second year.
Applications for the program are open and will close on November 1, 2024. Eligible businesses must have been operational for at least one year and should be looking to expand their presence in the hospitality sector. More information and application details can be found at visitmusiccity.com/music-city-chart-climbers.
Courtney Ross, Senior Manager of Community Engagement for Amazon, expressed the company’s pleasure in sponsoring the program, highlighting its alignment with Amazon’s commitment to supporting minority and multicultural businesses in Nashville. An advisory board of industry and community leaders will select participants, ensuring a diverse representation of business owners, including AAPI, Black, Hispanic/LatinX, Kurdish, Middle Eastern, Native American, disabled, LGBTQ+, veterans, and women.
Businesses interested in partnering with the NCVC on the Music City Chart Climbers program can reach out to Erin Foglia, NCVC Vice President of Membership, at erin@visitmusiccity.com.
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City is to enhance the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by promoting Nashville as a premier destination. For more information, visit the NCVC’s website at www.visitmusiccity.com and follow @VisitMusicCity on social media.
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