NASHVILLE, Tennessee — November 2010 — Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center welcomed guests back with a spectacular three-day Grand Reopening celebration following the historic May 2010 flood that filled the property with 71 million gallons of water and led to a $200 million restoration and renovation effort.

Produced by Corporate Magic, the Grand Reopening was designed to demonstrate that Gaylord Opryland had returned stronger than ever while honoring the resilience of the resort, its employees, and the Nashville community.

Corporate Magic was selected to plan and produce the multi-day event with just 90 days of preparation. The celebration welcomed travel industry leaders, meeting planners, media representatives, elected officials, business leaders, and members of the local community to experience the newly restored property.

Led by Jim Kirk, Chief Creative and Executive Producer, Corporate Magic assembled a team of leading creative, technical, production, music, staging, lighting, and special effects professionals to create an experience that would communicate confidence, renewal, and optimism.

The opening ceremony took place on a massive outdoor stage featuring elaborate lighting, three large LED screens, live social media integration, musical performances, and theatrical effects. Throughout the production, the LED screens rolled upward to reveal performers and visual elements while maintaining an unobstructed view of the resort itself.

The celebration culminated in a dramatic lighting sequence that illuminated two million lights throughout the property in synchronization with a 30-foot Christmas tree. Santa Claus arrived atop an elevated float before triggering a theatrical effect that launched a burst of flame toward the hotel, followed by a large-scale fireworks display that officially announced Gaylord Opryland’s return.

The following day, Corporate Magic produced an equally ambitious indoor presentation within the resort’s Delta Atrium. The show featured a massive multi-level stage, a full orchestra, a gospel choir, aerial performers, break dancers, indoor pyrotechnics, and a custom 20-foot cylindrical LED screen that moved vertically to reveal performers and scenic elements.

Original music composed by Corporate Magic powered a series of production numbers that celebrated the resort’s history, honored its employees, and told the story of Nashville’s recovery following the flood. The production combined emotional storytelling with large-scale theatrical spectacle to create a memorable experience for attendees.

The creative and production team included Jim Kirk as Chief Creative and Executive Producer, Stephen Dahlem as Senior Creative Director, Steve Evans as Executive Producer, Brian Greenway as Event Director, Steve Dumbacher as Technical Director, Joe West for Lighting Design, Tim Smith and Bruce Wermuth for Musical Direction, Alford Media for Audio Design, Jamie Smith and Pyrotechnical Designs for special effects, and GoVision for LED technology.

Following the event, Gaylord Entertainment CEO Colin Reed praised the production, stating that the creativity, precision, and execution exceeded expectations and helped create a reopening celebration worthy of the occasion.

For Corporate Magic, the project demonstrated the company’s ability to blend creative storytelling, technical execution, original music, and large-scale production into an experience that resonated with audiences while marking a defining moment in the history of a major hospitality destination.

About Corporate Magic

Corporate Magic is an award-winning creative agency specializing in creative services, strategic communications, live experiences, broadcast productions, and high-end events. Since 1986, Corporate Magic has partnered with leading organizations to create experiences that engage audiences, strengthen connections, and inspire action.