Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company held certain assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included investments held in conjunction with the Company’s non-qualified contributory deferred compensation plan.

The investments held by the Company in connection with its deferred compensation plan consist of mutual funds traded in an active market. The Company determined the fair value of these mutual funds based on the net asset value per unit of the funds or the portfolio, which is based upon quoted market prices in an active market. Therefore, the Company has categorized these investments as Level 1. The Company has consistently applied these valuation techniques in all periods presented and believes it has obtained the most accurate information available for the types of investments it holds.

The Company had no liabilities required to be measured at fair value at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, were as follows (in thousands):

	March 31, 2012		Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Deferred compensation plan investments	$	15,837	$	15,837	$	—	$	—
Total assets measured at fair value	$	15,837	$	15,837	$	—	$	—
	December 31, 2011		Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Deferred compensation plan investments	$	13,892	$	13,892	$	—	$	—
Total assets measured at fair value	$	13,892	$	13,892	$	—	$	—

The remainder of the assets and liabilities held by the Company at March 31, 2012 are not required to be measured at fair value. The carrying value of certain of these assets and liabilities do not approximate fair value, as described below.

As further discussed in Note 5 and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, in connection with the development of Gaylord National, the Company received two bonds (“a Series A Bond” and “a Series B Bond”) from Prince George’s County, Maryland which had aggregate carrying values of $90.6 million and $58.7 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2012. The maturity dates of the Series A Bond and the Series B Bond are July 1, 2034 and September 1, 2037, respectively. Based upon current market interest rates of notes receivable with comparable market ratings and current expectations about the timing of debt service payments under the note, which the Company considers as Level 3, the fair value of the Series A Bond, which has the senior claim to the cash flows supporting these bonds, approximated carrying value as of March 31, 2012 and the fair value of the Series B Bond was approximately $37 million as of March 31, 2012. While the fair value of the Series B Bond decreased to less than its carrying value during 2011 due to a change in the timing of the debt service payments, the Company has the intent and ability to hold this bond to maturity and expects to receive all debt service payments due under the note. Therefore, the Company does not consider the Series B Bond to be other than temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2012.

The Company has outstanding $360.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes due 2014 that accrue interest at a fixed rate of 3.75%. The carrying value of these notes on March 31, 2012 was $322.6 million, net of discount. The fair value of the Convertible Notes, based upon the present value of cash flows discounted at current market interest rates, which the Company considers as Level 2, was approximately $332 million as of March 31, 2012.

The Company has outstanding $152.2 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2014 that accrue interest at a fixed rate of 6.75% (the “Senior Notes”). The fair value of these notes, based upon quoted market prices, which the Company considers as Level 1, was $149.9 million as of March 31, 2012.

The carrying amount of short-term financial instruments held by the Company (cash, short-term investments, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities) approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. The concentration of credit risk on trade receivables is minimized by the large and diverse nature of the Company’s customer base.