PrismHR LIVE 2024: It’s ‘Your Time to Shine’ in Music City

Do you hear that? It must be the sound of music. No, not the Julie Andrews film, but the reverberations coming from Nashville (aka Music City) as we inch closer to PrismHR LIVE.

Excited about PrismHR LIVE? Of course you are. This guide might give you a reason or two or three not only to register but also to spend a few extra days in Nashville!

Nashville is known for a lot of things from the Man in Black and Dolly Parton to Goo Goo Clusters and Hot Chicken. And don’t you dare forget the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame, ya hear?

But since this year’s PrismHR LIVE theme is “Your Time to Shine,” we guess we should start with the nearby Adventure Science Center, which houses the Sudekum Planetarium. Because stars shine, get it?

Nashville, which is the country’s 21st biggest city with about 683,000 people, traces its roots all the way back to the American Revolutionary War. It was founded in 1779, and named after Gen. Francis Nash from the Continental Army, who died a few days after being wounded in battle in October 1777.

Today, Nashville has become one of the most happening towns in the country. We’re not sure who said it, but the classic quote is: “You either love Nashville or you’re wrong.” And whoever said that was not wrong.

Nor can you go wrong heading to Nashville for this year’s PrismHR LIVE, which takes place June 2-5. As always, PrismHR has a lot of great events planned that you won’t want to miss, so  keep an eye on our events page for the latest updates. Daytime temperatures tend to be in the low to mid-80s and evening temps a comfortable  mid- to high 60s.  Sounds delightful. If you’re heading to Nashville early or intend to stay a little longer, there’s a lot of great things to do in the  “Songwriting Capital of the World.”

Sing It Loud or Don’t

We bet you’re wondering if anyone has ever written a song about Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs). We don’t know, but we’ve got friends in low AI places where the chorus and middle eight chases my bluespretty much everyone away. We’ll spare you the verses, but somebody drop a beat:
 
PEOs, the backbone of HR’s embrace/Navigating complexities with grace/ 
Together we stand, in this corporate space/ 
In unity, we conquer, building a strong workplace.

Moving right along …

In the midst of challenges, PEOs lead the way/Efficiency and compliance,  
in their array/Middlemen in the dance of work and pay/Harmony in business, every single day.

Where to Stay?

PrismHR LIVE takes place at the Omni Nashville hotel, which features four restaurants, a spa and a beautiful rooftop pool with views of downtown Nashville. The hotel is located right next door to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s also near the starting point for the Tennessee Whiskey Experience, which takes connoisseurs, casual fans and curious imbibers of the “Water of Life” to three distilleries over a six-hour period.

Things to Do 

Need a quick break? The Music City Walk of Fame Experience (similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame) honors the biggest stars in country music. It is just a couple of minutes away from the hotel. You’re also walking distance from the Johnny Cash Museum and National Museum of African American Music.

More Things to Do 

Both of those museums are located on Broadway, aka the “Honky Tonk Highway,” where you can experience live music and plenty of food and libation options.  Oh, yeah, you can also learn how to line dance at places like Bootleggers Inn and Whiskey Bent Saloon.

Want to check out the Grand Ole Opry? Sure you do. It’s a quick 20-minute ride to get there. Or if you like history, wine and a little Southern charm, head to the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery. It’s also about 20 minutes from the hotel as well. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, there’s a ziplining tour through the beautiful Whites Creek Valley, which is also less than a half-hour away.

Love animals? Ever seen a red panda, colorful poison dart frog or Sulawesi babirusa (a relative of the hippopotamus) in person? No? Then you have to check out the Nashville Zoo, which is about 15 minutes away.

Always wanted to be on a game show? We’ve got you covered. The Great Big Game Show is, you guessed it, a game-show experience that’s about 20 minutes from the hotel. Bring a friend and get ready to draw, guess, spin and more for some serious bragging rights!

If you have a little more time on your hands, the Mammoth Cave in border state Kentucky is the longest known cave system on the planet. Allow about 90 minutes to get there. If golfing is your thing, there are several beautiful public courses to check out in the area. Fore!

Can’t-Miss Cuisine

There are lots of great Nashville eateries, but some you might want to check out are Shotgun Willie’s BBQ, which is only open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday. Craving some fried chicken? Consider Hattie B’s, offering Hot Chicken with heat levels from Southern (no heat) to Cluck Up!!! (for those who can handle some serious hot sauce).

If you’re looking for some tantalizing Asian food with some vegetarian options, Xiao Bao in East Nashville comes highly recommended. The menu is subject to change, but includes goodies like bao buns, crab rice and bing (whipped feta, charred eggplant and chili garlic sauce). The restaurant only takes walk-ins, but reservations are required for parties of seven to 14 for private dining.

Yearning for some Southern comfort food, how about giving Big Al’s Deli & Catering a try? For everything from fried catfish to Southern Carolinian Shrimp & Grits, go see “Big Al!”

Craving some pizza? While Nashville might not be known for its ’za, there are a couple places that come highly recommended: Pinky Ring offers the classics as well as some more adventurous options, and Folk is there if you prefer more exotic pizza selections.

If you’re looking for a Detroit tradition in the Nashville area, you’re in luck. Joe Muer Seafood, which has been serving seafood and steaks for nearly 100 years in the Motor City, recently opened its first location outside the home of Michiganders. Prefer food from someone who has lived and breathed Tennessee for most of her life? Try Margot Cafe & Bar. The menu changes daily based on locally sourced ingredients.

All that said, PrismHR LIVE 2024 is your time to shine. We can’t wait to see you in Nashville. Register today!

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James Tehrani is PrismHR’s digital content marketing manger. He is an award-winning writer and editor based in the Chicago area.