In 1995, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau found that a majority of the Music City hospitality staff were not born and raised in Nashville which meant that they were not as knowledgeable in the history, culture, and attractions of the city. In the next year, a training program was created that was designed to reach and educate Nashville natives, new locals, and visitors about Nashville. Nashville was the first, and is still one of the few, convention and visitor bureaus that have a full-time staff person dedicated to training the hospitality industry. 

This training program has evolved into Music City University, the training department of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Music City University offers both complimentary training as well as membership driven programs. This service is provided in hopes of enriching the guest experience through increased knowledge of the city and providing applause-worthy service. This is done by offering three training programs: Nashville Backstage, All Access, and Creating Applause.

Contact Shannon Largen, Hospitality Industry Training Director, at (615) 259-4789 or shannon@visitmusiccity.com for more information or to schedule a training session.

Nashville Backstage
What to do in Nashville
1.5 hours

An informal poll taken during every hospitality training program we have conducted in the last four years has shown that the majority of the front-line customer service representatives of Nashville's hotels, restaurants and attractions are from somewhere other than Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville Backstage is a complimentary training program designed to educate the hospitality industry on what Music City has to offer in regards to attractions, events, tours, restaurants, and nightlife.

Creating Applause
Customer Service
Member Only Session
1.5 - 2 hours

Nashville has been voted the #1 Friendliest City by Travel + Leisure magazine. Our Southern hospitality has been recognized time and time again and we want to be sure that we win the friendliest award every year. After conducting the Nashville Backstage training session, we were often asked for additional programs, specifically a customer service session. Creating Applause discusses how to create applause-worthy service so that the guest experience will be one not only to remember, but to talk about with others and bring them back time and time again. This session focuses on attitude, product knowledge, listening skills, solving problems and exceeding expectations. This training program is offered to members of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

All Access
Disability Sensitivity
2 hours

Music City University has partnered with the Center for Independent Living, Disability Law and Advocacy Center, and the Epilepsy Foundation to create the complimentary All Access training program. This disability sensitivity program has been presented to countless hotels, attractions, restaurants, Metropolitan police officers, and is legally mandated for every Nashville cab driver. With representatives from all partnering contributors, All Access introduces participants to People First Language, disability etiquette, and seizure first aid. The panel of speakers includes a gentleman who has quadriplegia and uses a power chair, a woman who is blind and uses a service animal, and a woman who has cerebral palsy and works for the Epilepsy Foundation. The trainer discusses other disabilities, including cognitive disabilities and people who are deaf.

It was because of the All Access training program and efforts with Access Nashville that the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau received the Agency/Organization Award from the Mayor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities in 2004 and 2005. This award honors individuals, agencies, businesses and organizations that have made significant contributions to the disability community.