Ryman Hospitality Properties: A Real Estate and Media Company

Previously a subsidiary of the Oklahoma Publishing Company, Ryman Hospitality Properties has become a million dollar venture after it was accumulated by Edward Gaylord. The business which started out as a division of a family business became a hotel, resort, media and entertainment venture.

Prior to 2012, the business has conducted its businesses under the name Gaylord Entertainment Company. Earlier than that, the venture was known as Gaylord Broadcasting Company. It was Edward’s wife Thelma who convinced him to purchase Opryland USA properties after it was put up for sale by the American General Insurance. After purchasing the property, it was immediately merged with the family’s Gaylord Broadcasting thereby creating Gaylord Entertainment Company. The business’ glory days came in the early 1990s under the management of E.W. Wendell. It was under his leadership that the business became the chosen leader in “country lifestyle”.

After the company has reorganized its focus, it has spun off the majority of its broadcast media assets. Several television stations and radio stations were sold to various businesses which left the company with only one broadcast property, the WSM (650 AM). This radio station is a categorized as a country music station that broadcasts in the Nashville area.

Ryman’s hospitality venture started with the founding of the Opryland Hotel which has 600 rooms. This property is part of the Opryland Lodging Group that was formed in 1997. In 2012, an agreement with Marriott International has been reached which allowed the latter to manage the four hotels of the company – General Jackson Snowboat, Wildhorse Saloon, Gaylord Springs Gold Links. In addition, Marriott purchased the Gaylord Hotels division. Other than the properties owned by Marriott, Ryman Hospitality Properties also have their wholly owned and operated properties. This includes the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. continues to trade publicly on the New York Stock Exchange. The business is now headed by their CEO, Colin Reed.