KELSEY A. NOBIS

District Sales Coordinator | Opry Entertainment

What inspired you to pursue a career in sales and marketing?

It was a change. Before sales and marketing, I was working in human resources and consulting on brewery management. We did a lot of events and music festivals and I got to manage most of the marketing. When I moved to Nashville earlier this year, it felt very natural to land at the Wildhorse Saloon with Opry Entertainment Group. We get to be the catalyst of experiences for live music and good people.

With all the new venues popping up on the Nashville scene how do you keep the Wildhorse Saloon relevant in the public eye?

When people plan their trips to Nashville and ask their friends or coworkers where they need to go or what they need to see, most people say, “If you’re going to Nashville, you’ve got to go to the Wildhorse.” Our long-standing history downtown, southern smokehouse BBQ, live music, and line-dancing make us a need-tostop spot. We stay relevant by delivering incredible customer service. Everyone leaves happy and the music is pretty good. Our front of house team and banquet staff are truly top tier. We are not your cookie cutter Broadway bar. We are a music venue with incredible food and true southern hospitality. Do you know how to line dance?

Yes. I have a couple moves; I am in the right boots. With the largest dance floor in Nashville and in-house line dance instructors, it is hard not to boot, scoot, and boogie.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The music. It is truly amazing how music and saucy BBQ bring people together. Getting to watch people love a space and love the people around them with good music is the ultimate dream job. I am glad I get to be part of the glue that brings people together. What new and exciting things does the Wildhorse Saloon have planned for the future?

We recently announced our new partnership with Luke Combs. The plan is to open a massive multi-level bar and entertainment venue. We will transform the current Wildhorse Saloon into a 69,000 square foot complex, complete with a 9,000 square foot rooftop with one of the best views in downtown Nashville, overlooking the Cumberland River and Nissan Stadium. The revitalization of 2nd Avenue North is great for the lower Broadway community.

What does the word power mean to you?

Power means having the ability to influence and advocate. People often associate having power with being strong and here at the Wildhorse you are only as strong as your team. As a female in the event planning and entertainment industry, I use my power to bring different perspectives to the table and in some situations, adding some extra seats to the table. Power in practice looks like supporting our teams and guests and making sure we are promoting a culture of inclusion.

e: angie@nashvillepedaltavern.com w: nashvillepedaltavern.com

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Dena Tidwell is an MPI member and events professional who specializes in creating memorable experiences for clients visiting Nashville, Tennessee. She currently serves as the director of brand sales at Ole Red and Wildhorse Saloon, two popular music venues, bars and restaurants on Broadway in the heart of downtown Nashville.

With over 30 years of experience, Dena has planned and executed events of all sizes, including the annual Spotify House event that offers VIP performances from popular country music artists at Ole Red during Nashville’s CMA Fest. She is a member of the International Live Events Association and serves as a board member for Nashville Sports Council, which recruits premier sports experiences for the city to boost economy and tourism.