Hundreds of Opryland Hotel employees attended Saturday's celebration.
The hotel will hold its grand reopening celebration on November 15.
A marching band, dancers and cheerleaders all provided entertainment at Saturday's rally.NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center held a celebration for employees on Saturday as they prepare to reopen for business later this month.
Employees and hotel administrators are eager for the grand reopening of the hotel and convention center.
Assistant Director of Housekeeping Jayson Atheiton told News 2 the celebration was a motivational rally for employees to get back into the spirit for what the hotel and convention center represents.
A marching band, dancers and cheerleaders all helped the employees celebrate.
"Today is a homecoming and a celebration. We're getting ready to reopen on November 15, just about a week away, and this is a wonderful opportunity to take stock of what we've accomplished and how proud we are to open this hotel, to show why Opryland is the best convention hotel in the county," Pete Weien Senior Vice President and General Manager of Gaylord Opryland told News 2.
Atheiton told News 2 that the celebration helped raise employee morale and that everyone is eager to reopen the hotel's doors to the public.
"When you think about the floods, we had eight and 10 feet of water, the fact we can get up and operating in 195 days is a spectacular accomplishment," Weien said.
During the May flood the hotel took in several feet of water, causing millions of dollars in damage.
In June, the hotel and convention center had to lay off 1,700 employees. Employees had to reapply for their jobs as the hotel prepares to reopen.
News 2 will be broadcasting live from Opryland Hotel on November 15 to give viewers a look inside the newly renovated hotel.
Related Stories:
- Oct. 20, 2010: Opryland reopening to include benefit concert
- Sept. 16, 2010: Gaylord to reopen on schedule, with new Christmas attraction
- Sept. 10, 2010: Gaylord hires hundreds for reopening of hotel
- Aug. 15, 2010: Gaylord rehires employees laid off post flood
- Aug. 12, 2010: Gaylord Opryland set to reopen on schedule, buys new land
- July 27, 2010: Gaylord Springs Golf Links reopens post flood
- July 21, 2010: Opryland looks to annual Christmas celebration
- July 10, 2010: Gaylord Opryland's Country Christmas will go on after flood
- July 8, 2010: Mayor wants tax funds to help rebuild Opry House
- June 24, 2010: Gaylord plans updates during rebuilding process
- June 16, 2010: Gaylord Opryland to question Army Corps of Engineers
- June 3, 2010: Flood damage to Opryland Hotel may prompt lawsuit
- June 2, 2010: Gaylord to layoff 1,700 employees
- June 1, 2010: News 2 tours flood-damaged Opryland
- May 20, 2010: Opry Mills Mall shows clean up progress
- May 11, 2010: Opry Mills to remain closed
- May 7, 2010: Opryland damage estimates at least $50M
- May 5, 2010: CEO says it will be months before Opryland reopens
