Laura Wheeler, CMP
Laura Wheeler, CMP, is a seasoned hospitality and event sales leader based in the Nashville metropolitan area, currently serving as Senior Sales Manager with Opry Entertainment Group. In this role, she leads group sales strategy and client experiences across premier entertainment venues including the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry House, Ascend Amphitheater, Category 10, and Ole Red Nashville. With over three decades in the hospitality and catering sales industry, she is recognized for her ability to design high-impact, memorable events that drive repeat business and long-term client relationships. Her career in Nashville hospitality began in the mid-1990s and has grown from frontline service roles into senior leadership within major entertainment properties.
Throughout her career, Laura has built a strong reputation as a collaborative sales strategist, mentor, and industry advocate. She is actively involved in trade show strategy, team development, and client relations management, while also supporting and training emerging sales professionals and interns. A Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), she also contributes to the industry through her leadership role with International Live Events Association, where she serves on the board and helps advance best practices in live events and experiential marketing. In addition, she regularly speaks to hospitality students at Belmont University, sharing insights from her extensive career and encouraging the next generation of industry professionals.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Laura is deeply engaged in wellness, education, and community service. She has taught yoga and group fitness for many years and holds additional certifications in meditation coaching and trauma-informed yoga, reflecting her commitment to personal development and holistic well-being. She is also passionate about animal welfare, volunteering with the Southern Cross Boston Terrier Rescue to help place rescued dogs into loving homes. Balancing a dynamic professional career with family life and service, Laura is known for her energy, mentorship, and dedication to creating meaningful experiences both in and outside of the events industry.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• Meditation Coach
• Yoga Instructor
• Group Fitness Instructor
• Ball State University - B.S.
• BNI
• HSMAI
• ILEA (International Live Events Association) Board Member
• Southern Cross Boston Terrier Rescue
What do you attribute your success to?
The first thing I can really think of is my mentor. I had a director of sales that hired me. I had sales experience as a speech communication major, I had all that, I sing, I've been on stage so it doesn't bother me, microphone doesn't bother me. But she took me under her wing, and she hired me. And it wasn't because I had any sales and catering experience, because I didn't. I had zero. But she told me that she could teach me all those things, and she did, and she is still my mentor to this day. I think she has greatly contributed to where I am, and how I've approached my career. I think that's why I am so passionate about mentorship. I do believe in mentorship, definitely.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would definitely just advise them to learn from everybody that you can, from every department. Seek to understand, learn what everybody else does, because that affects the whole team, indirectly and directly, and to just always be flexible. I kind of have that mentality of never telling the client no. Instead, it's kind of a, okay, how are we going to do this? How are we going to make this happen? That's how I approach my teams. This is kind of what I've always followed, and I believe it has made me successful in hospitality, because we are planning parties, people are happy, they're excited, and the sky's the limit, kind of thing.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field include managing the emotional demands of multiple responsibilities, avoiding over-promising to clients, and ensuring that all departments are aligned and able to effectively execute proposed solutions, while key opportunities include mentoring emerging professionals and expanding my involvement in speaking and teaching engagements to share knowledge and contribute to industry growth.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life include mentorship, flexibility, presence and mindfulness, team collaboration, transparency, and maintaining a client-focused, solution-oriented approach in everything I do.
Locations
Opry Entertainment Group
Old Hickory, TN 37138