Nashville’s tourism honcho Butch Spyridon

Nashville wasn’t always the tourist destination it is today. Over the past three decades, the city has attracted high-level pro sports franchises, minted the nickname “Music City” into a brand, and become the bachelorette capital of the U.S. Like it or not, the tourism industry is booming in our town. And for the past 32 years, Butch Spyridon has been at the helm, running the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation. Now, as he prepares to step down as CEO at the end of this month, we invite him to reflect on his career and the consequences — intended and otherwise — of the city’s growth. But first, WPLN contributor Tasha A.F. Lemley talks about the city’s evolving approach to homeless encampments. Guest: Butch Spyridon, longtime CEO and president of NCVC