Newly Formed Owner of Gaylord Hotels to Continue Focus on Meetings Business

The company formerly known as Gaylord Entertainment will continue to focus on meetings business following its conversion into a real-estate investment trust. Executives of the newly formed Ryman Hospitality Properties say they will grow by acquiring hotels that specialize in catering to groups or taking in overflow attendees. Speaking at a conference on leveraged finance last week in Scottsdale, Ariz., Executive VP and CFO Mark Fioravanti said the company’s priority for the next three to six months will be completing the conversion process and establishing its relationship with Marriott International, which is taking over the Gaylord Hotels brand. After that, the trust will begin seeking out new acquisitions. Its portfolio currently includes five properties: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and the soon-to-be-renamed Radisson Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.; Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla.; Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas; and Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. Group business currently accounts for 78% of revenue at Gaylord hotels. hotelnewsnow.com