8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 25, 2009 (June 22, 2009)

GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-13079	73-0664379
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Gaylord Drive Nashville, Tennessee	37214
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (615) 316-6000

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.

     On June 24, 2009, Gaylord Entertainment Company (the “Company”) announced several changes to its executive leadership team, effective immediately unless otherwise noted.

     John Caparella will leave the Company on July 1, 2009, and will no longer serve as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.

     David C. Kloeppel, age 40, was named Chief Operating Officer of the Company in addition to his position as President, and will no longer serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kloeppel’s annual base salary will increase to $700,000. Mr. Kloeppel’s fiscal 2009 bonus target will not change as a percentage of base salary and will be determined based on the actual base salary earned in 2009, assuming satisfaction of performance targets. A description of Mr. Kloeppel’s business background and experience is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009.

     Mark Fioravanti, age 47, was named Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Fioravanti’s annual base salary will increase to $350,000. Mr. Fioravanti’s fiscal 2009 bonus target will not change as a percentage of base salary and will be determined based on the actual base salary earned in 2009, assuming satisfaction of performance targets. A description of Mr. Fioravanti’s business background and experience is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009.

     In connection with the promotions of Messrs. Kloeppel and Fioravanti mentioned above, the following equity grants were awarded to the respective officers on June 22, 2009, pursuant to the Gaylord Entertainment Company 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan:

	Options to Purchase Shares of
Name of Executive	Common Stock (# of Shares)		Restricted Stock Units
David C. Kloeppel		59,000		43,500
Mark Fioravanti		15,000		11,000

The stock options noted above have an exercise price of $12.47 per share. Each of these equity awards will vest annually in four equal installments on the anniversary of the date of grant.

Item 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

     On June 24, 2009, the Company issued a press release announcing these changes to its executive leadership team. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release of Gaylord Entertainment Company dated June 24, 2009.

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
Date: June 25, 2009	By:	/s/ Carter R. Todd
		Name:	Carter R. Todd
		Title:	Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

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INDEX OF EXHIBITS

99.1 Press Release of Gaylord Entertainment Company dated June 24, 2009.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY ANNOUNCES
CHANGES TO LEADERSHIP TEAM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — June 24, 2009— Gaylord Entertainment Company (NYSE:GET) announced today several key changes to its leadership team, effective immediately.

As part of its continuing efforts to streamline the organization, Gaylord announced that John Caparella, currently chief operating officer, will leave the Company. David Kloeppel, currently chief financial officer and president, will take on an expanded role and will now oversee all Gaylord’s operations in addition to sales, marketing, development, and information technology. Mark Fioravanti, currently treasurer, is being promoted to chief financial officer.

“During his tenure as chief operating officer, John played an important role working with our management team in building our unique culture and developing our Gaylord Hotels brand into a world class destination for convention and leisure guests,” said Colin V. Reed, Gaylord Entertainment chairman and chief executive officer. “We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Mr. Reed continued, “John’s departure has given us an opportunity to move forward with our ongoing effort to streamline our management structure while taking advantage of the strength of our existing executives. In his eight years at Gaylord, Dave has played an instrumental role in defining the strategic vision for the Company and has built a deep understanding of our group-centric business model. In a short period of time during a very difficult economic environment, Dave led the charge in several areas of our business that helped the Company maintain its strong margins and preserve revenue. Under Dave’s guidance, we were able to take quick action on our cost-cutting initiatives, and shift the focus of our sales team to fill the occupancy gaps vacated by cancellations, which delivered impressive margins last quarter. I am confident Dave will continue to make significant contributions to the business as he now takes on the expanded role of managing the Company’s operations.”

“I have great confidence in Mark, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the financial profile of the Company and has diligently managed our balance sheet and capital expenditures. Of note, Mark was able to lead the charge on extending the maturities of our credit facilities, a significant undertaking in the current tough lending environment.”

About Gaylord Entertainment

Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE:GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn., owns and operates Gaylord Hotels (www.gaylordhotels.com), its network of upscale, meetings-focused resorts and the Grand Ole Opry (www.opry.com), the weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers for more than 80 consecutive years. The Company’s entertainment brands and properties include the Radisson Hotel Opryland, Ryman Auditorium, General Jackson Showboat, Gaylord Springs Golf Links, Wildhorse Saloon, and WSM-AM. For more information about the Company, visit www.GaylordEntertainment.com.

Investor Relations Contacts:	Media Contacts:
David Kloeppel, President	Brian Abrahamson
Gaylord Entertainment	Gaylord Entertainment
(615) 316-6101	(615) 316-6302
dkloeppel@gaylordentertainment.com	babrahamson@gaylordentertainment.com
~or~	~or~
Mark Fioravanti, CFO	Josh Hochberg
Gaylord Entertainment	Sloane & Company
615-316-6588	(212) 446-1892
mfioravanti@gaylordentertainment.com	jhochberg@sloanepr.com
~or~
Patrick Chaffin, Vice President of Strategic Planning & Investor Relations
Gaylord Entertainment
615-316-6282
pchaffin@gaylordentertainment.com

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