James Morrison updates on Motto by Hilton Hotel development during public meeting

The Tourism and Convention Commission of Nashville convened on May 15, 2025, to discuss key updates regarding the city's tourism sector and financial performance. The meeting began with a public comment period, during which James Morrison from Mortenson Development and Construction introduced himself and shared insights about the ongoing development of the Motto by Hilton Hotel on Third Avenue.

Following the public comments, the commission moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting, which passed unanimously. The financial report was then presented, highlighting a strong fiscal year thus far. The hotel tax collections reported through February totaled over $95 million, with $27.5 million allocated for tourism promotion, reflecting a slight increase compared to the previous year. Notably, October set a record for the highest monthly hotel tax collections in the city's history.

The report indicated that the total revenue for the commission from all sources exceeded $30 million, bolstered by an additional $6 million raised from other funding sources. Expenses were reported to be below budget, with significant spending already accounted for from major events and trade shows. The commission anticipates that the remaining discretionary spending will focus on advertising, website development, and supporting new international flights from Nashville International Airport (BNA).

The financial report was approved without opposition, affirming the commission's positive outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year. The meeting concluded with a brief mention of upcoming research on the spring travel season, indicating ongoing efforts to assess and enhance Nashville's tourism strategies.