The 2021 biennial national SAFN convention will be held at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, Tennessee. Rooms are blocked and priced at $129/night plus state and local taxes (currently 15.25% + $2.50) which is a little more than we like to pay but actually is an excellent rate compared to most of the Nashville hotels that we contacted about hosting our meeting.
The Sheraton Music City, a Marriott property, is an elegant, southern mansion-style hotel nestled atop 23 beautifully landscaped acres and just minutes from downtown Nashville and three miles from the Nashville International Airport. With ample meeting space on one level, the ADA-accessible hotel recently completed a full renovation of the guest rooms, lobby, restaurant, bar, and club lounge. There is complimentary airport shuttle or, if you drive in, overnight self-parking for $5.00! The hotel is smoke-free, all rooms come with high speed wired and wireless internet and a private balcony or patio, and it is pet-friendly.
UPDATED 4/27/2021
TOURS & MEETINGS
Transportation included
MONDAY 8/23 0900-1700
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING
Drive by Historic Downtown Nashville and the Riverfront; Ryman Auditorium and Honky Tonk Row; Bicentennial Park and Centennial Park; and the Korean War, Vietnam War and WWII Memorials, PLUS get treated to a Guided Tour of the legendary RCA Studio B Country Western recording studio. After a BBQ lunch and line-dance lessons at the Wildhorse Saloon, end the day with 2 1/2 hours for a self-guided tour of Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum (CMHOF). Admission tickets included.
When you enter the CMHOF, you will take a step back in time through decades of music history! It is the definitive home of American music, safeguarding more than 2.5M priceless artifacts, including countless recordings, photographs, stage costumes & musical instruments. $121
BUS TRIP FOR SELF-GUIDED VISIT TO GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT HOTEL & GARDENS OR TO SHOP AT OPRY MILLS OUTLETS
Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center has earned an international reputation for its service and
amenities but is equally well known for its nine acres of lavish indoor gardens. Boasting 50,000 tropical plants, rare international blooms and romantic Southern species,
the horticultural displays at Gaylord Opryland are among the most exquisite in the world. Meticulously selected and lovingly maintained by a staff of 20 full-time interior horticulturists, the landscaping is a colorful, year-round paradise tucked inside this amazing resort.
Opry Mills is a super-regional “outlet” shopping mall that opened in Nashville in 2000 on the former site of the Opryland USA theme park. The mall has over 200 stores on a single level and is adjacent to the Grand Ole Opry House and the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. $15
WEDNESDAY 8/25 0800-0900
OPENING CEREMONY
Biscuits and gravy is a staple Southern breakfast dish but recreating this culinary classic can be tricky. Swap written recipes for hands-on tuition from cookery writer Maryann Byrd in this small-group class in downtown Nashville—and learn to make the dish with ease.
Discover its history, watch demos and prep your biscuits and gravy using the tips & tricks. AND you get to savor your fresh biscuits & gravy as you learn and leave with your homemade batch! Limited class size of 20. $63
(for those who missed the Experience Music City Bus Tour on Tuesday, this one has a slightly different itinerary)
Start with one hour off the bus for a self-guided tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium. Admission tickets included. The Ryman Auditorium was the original home of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 30 years. The backstage area and dressing rooms still hold the spirits of the legends who have performed there. Your self-guided tour winds up on the world-famous stage, with you being the star. Then reboard the bus to drive by Historic Downtown Nashville and the Riverfront; Honky Tonk Row; Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum; Bicentennial Park and Centennial Park; and the Korean War, Vietnam War and WWII Memorials. $55
Be treated to a “Southern feast,” with pass-the-plate group seating at tables of 10 and gracious turn-of-the-century decor, complete with sweeping staircase, high ceilings and antique furniture. Choose from a rotating lineup of all-you-can-eat Southern meat of three specials. $50
BUS TRIP FOR SELF-GUIDED VISIT TO GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT HOTEL & GARDENS OR TO SHOP AT OPRY MILLS OUTLETS
See Tuesday above for details $15
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder/PTSD—the unseen enemy that follows all too many of our soldiers home from war. Every 65 minutes a Veteran's life is ended by suicide. The loss is tragic--HHH can help. "Hope and Healing at Hillenglade™ is an Equine-Assisted Program, established by former actress Jennifer O’Neill that offers time away in the country for our Active Armed Forces, Veterans, First Responders and their families to enjoy the therapeutic wonder of horses. Motto: RELAX-RECONNECT-RESTORE RELATIONSHIPS. Tour the ranch and visit the horses. Limited to 35. $40
See Wednesday above for details. Limited class size of 20. $63
The Hermitage is the most-preserved and the third-most visited early presidential home in America. The 1,120-acre National Historic Park features 30 historical buildings, walking trails and spectacular grounds. Take a guided mansion tour and a self-guided tour of the lush gardens & the quarters of those who cared for the grounds/served President Jackson. Lunch at Hermitage House Smorgasbord, famous for their apple fritters! $70
See Friday above for details Limited to 35. $40
BUS TRIP FOR SELF-GUIDED VISIT TO GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT HOTEL & GARDENS OR TO SHOP AT OPRY MILLS OUTLETS
See Tuesday above for details $15
Dinner at the nearby popular Santa Fe Cattle Club—have your choice of entree from a special group menu of sirloin, ribs, chicken or catfish. Then have a seat at The Grand Ole Opry, an American icon and Nashville's number one attraction (live on the radio first in 1952!), renowned for creating one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences for audiences of all ages. It's where unforgettable moments happen every week. With country music's new stars, superstars, and legends live on stage, you never know what'll happen next. See the show that made country music famous! Dinner & GOO tickets included. $110
