Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

For financial statement presentation and reporting purposes, the Company is the successor to Gaylord Entertainment Company, a Delaware corporation (“Gaylord”). As part of the plan to restructure the business operations of Gaylord to facilitate its qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes, Gaylord merged with and into its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Ryman”), on October 1, 2012, with Ryman as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). At 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2012, the effective time of the Merger, Ryman succeeded to and began conducting, directly or indirectly, all of the business conducted by Gaylord immediately prior to the Merger. The “Company” refers to Ryman and its subsidiaries and to Gaylord.

On January 1, 2013, the Company began operating as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets. The Company’s owned assets include a network of upscale, meetings-focused resorts that are managed by Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) under the Gaylord Hotels brand. These five resorts, which the Company refers to as the Gaylord Hotels properties, consist of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee (“Gaylord Opryland”), the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center near Orlando, Florida (“Gaylord Palms”), the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center near Dallas, Texas (“Gaylord Texan”), the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center near Washington D.C. (“Gaylord National”), and the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center near Denver, Colorado (“Gaylord Rockies”). Prior to May 2021, Gaylord Rockies was owned by a joint venture (the “Gaylord Rockies joint venture”) in which the Company owned a 65% interest. The Company’s other owned hotel assets managed by Marriott include the Inn at Opryland, an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland, the AC Hotel at National Harbor, Washington D.C. (“AC Hotel”), an overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord National, and effective June 30, 2023, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa (“JW Marriott Hill Country”). See “JW Marriott Hill Country Transaction” below for further disclosure.

In April 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with RIDA Development Corporation to acquire the remaining 35% ownership interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture not previously owned by the Company for $188.0 million and approximately 130 acres of undeveloped, adjacent land for $22.0 million in cash (the “JV Purchase”). The JV Purchase closed in May 2021 and was funded through cash on hand and borrowings under the Company’s $700 million revolving credit facility. As discussed below, the Company consolidated the Gaylord Rockies joint venture both before and after the purchase in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company also owns a controlling 70% equity interest in a business comprised of a number of entertainment and media assets, known as the Opry Entertainment Group (“OEG”), which the Company reports as its Entertainment segment. These assets include the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary weekly showcase of country music’s finest performers; the Ryman Auditorium, the storied live music venue and former home of the Grand Ole Opry; WSM-AM, the Opry’s radio home; Ole Red, a brand of Blake Shelton-themed bar, music venue and event spaces; two Nashville-based assets – the Wildhorse Saloon and the General Jackson Showboat (“General Jackson”); and as of May 31, 2022, Block 21, a mixed-use entertainment, lodging, office, and retail complex located in Austin, Texas (“Block 21”). Prior to June 16, 2022, the Company owned 100% of OEG. The Company also previously owned a 50% interest in a joint venture that created and distributed a linear multicast and over-the-top channel dedicated to the country music lifestyle (“Circle”). See “OEG Transaction,” and “Block 21 Transaction” in this Note 1, as well as Note 11, “Commitments and Contingencies,” for further disclosure.

The Company conducts its business through an umbrella partnership REIT, in which all of its assets are held by, and all of its operations are conducted through, RHP Hotel Properties, LP, a subsidiary operating partnership (the “Operating Partnership”) that the Company formed in connection with its REIT conversion. Ryman and the non-controlling operating partnership unit holders discussed in “Income (Loss) Per Share” in this Note 1 are the sole limited partners of the Operating Partnership, and Ryman currently owns, either directly or indirectly, 99.3% of the partnership units of the Operating Partnership. RHP Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Finco”), was formed as a wholly-owned

subsidiary of the Operating Partnership for the sole purpose of being an issuer of debt securities with the Operating Partnership. Neither Ryman nor Finco has any material assets, other than Ryman’s investment in the Operating Partnership and its 100%-owned subsidiaries. Neither the Operating Partnership nor Finco has any business, operations, financial results or other material information, other than the business, operations, financial results and other material information described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Ryman’s other reports, documents or other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The Company principally operates, through its subsidiaries and its property managers, as applicable, in the following business segments: Hospitality; Entertainment; and Corporate and Other. The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31 for all periods presented.

Business Segments

Hospitality

The Hospitality segment includes the Gaylord Hotels properties, JW Marriott Hill Country (effective June 30, 2023), the Inn at Opryland and the AC Hotel, each of which is managed by Marriott pursuant to a management agreement for each hotel.

Entertainment

The Entertainment segment includes the OEG business, specifically the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, WSM-AM, Ole Red, Block 21, the General Jackson, the Wildhorse Saloon, and the Company’s previous investment in the Circle joint venture, among various others. Marriott manages the day-to-day operations of the General Jackson and the W Austin, which is part of the Block 21 complex, pursuant to management agreements.

Corporate and Other

The Corporate and Other segment includes operating and general and administrative expenses related to the overall management of the Company which are not allocated to the other reportable segments, including certain costs for the Company’s retirement plans, equity-based compensation plans, information technology, human resources, accounting, and other administrative expenses.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company’s investments in non-controlled entities in which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for by the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company analyzes its variable interests, including loans, guarantees, management agreements, leasing arrangements and equity investments, to determine if an entity in which it has a variable interest is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This analysis primarily includes a qualitative review, which is based on a review of the design of the entity, its organizational structure, including decision-making ability, and relevant financial agreements. This analysis is also used to determine if the Company must consolidate the VIE as the primary beneficiary.

For periods prior to its acquiring 100% ownership of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture in May 2021, management concluded that the Company was the primary beneficiary of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture, which was a VIE. As such, the Company consolidated the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The portion of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture that the Company did not previously own was recorded as noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture, and any previous adjustment necessary to reflect the noncontrolling interest at its redemption value was shown in the accompanying consolidated statements of equity (deficit) and noncontrolling interest. As Gaylord Rockies is now wholly-owned by the Company, it is no longer considered a VIE. See “Noncontrolling Interests” below for further discussion.

The terms of the Company's joint venture agreement in Circle provided that the Company and its joint venture partner each shared the authority to make major decisions in the joint venture, including operating plans, entering into certain contracts, admitting additional members of the joint venture, issuing additional membership interests, and amending the operating agreement. In addition, the officers of Circle were not employees of the Company. Based on management’s analysis of the joint venture agreement, management concluded that the Company was not the primary beneficiary of this variable interest entity and accounted for this previous investment under the equity method.

OEG Transaction

On June 16, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, including OEG Attractions Holdings, LLC (“OEG”), which directly or indirectly owns the assets that comprise the Company’s Entertainment segment, consummated the transactions contemplated by an investment agreement (the “Investment Agreement”) with Atairos Group, Inc. (“Atairos”) and A-OEG Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Atairos (the “OEG Investor”), pursuant to which OEG issued and sold to the OEG Investor, and the OEG Investor acquired, 30% of the equity interests of OEG for approximately $296.0 million (the “OEG Transaction”). The purchase price payable to the Company for the OEG Transaction may be increased by $30.0 million if OEG achieves certain financial objectives in 2024.

The Company retains a controlling 70% equity interest in OEG and continues to consolidate the assets, liabilities and results of operations of OEG in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The portion of OEG that the Company does not own is recorded as noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture, which is classified as mezzanine equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and any adjustment necessary to reflect the noncontrolling interest at its redemption value is shown in the accompanying consolidated statements of equity (deficit) and noncontrolling interest. After the payment of transaction expenses, the Company used substantially all of the net proceeds from the OEG Transaction, together with the net proceeds the Company received from the OEG Term Loan (as defined below), to repay the then-outstanding balance of the Company’s former $300 million term loan A and to pay down substantially all borrowings then outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement for OEG entered into at the closing of the OEG Transaction (the “OEG LLC Agreement”), OEG is governed by a Board of Managers (the “Board”), subject to member consent to certain actions. The Board initially consists of six members, four designated by the Company and two designated by the OEG Investor. Board membership may be modified from time to time to reflect the proportional ownership of outstanding units by each party. Subject to certain ownership thresholds, the approval of both parties will be required with respect to certain “major decisions” affecting OEG, including, but not limited to, approval of OEG’s annual operating budget in the event of changes exceeding certain thresholds, the incurrence of certain debt, the issuance of new equity securities, and mergers, acquisitions or dispositions in excess of a certain dollar threshold.

The OEG Investor will have the option to acquire additional common units of OEG from the Company (the “Purchase Option”) in each of the fourth quarters of 2024 and 2025 in an amount equal to the lesser of $125 million or the maximum amount of proceeds that the Company may receive with respect to its compliance with applicable REIT tests, provided that the OEG Investor may not purchase an amount of common units that would result in the Company owning less than 51% of the outstanding common units after giving effect to the purchase. If the OEG Investor elects to exercise the Purchase Option, then (i) beginning on June 16, 2027 (the fifth anniversary of the OEG Investor’s original investment in OEG (the “Fifth Anniversary”)), the OEG Investor will have the right to demand that OEG undertake a Qualified IPO and (ii) the OEG Investor’s rights with respect to the IPO Request Put Right, the Seven-Year Put Right, an IPO Payment and a Sale Payment, each as defined in the OEG LLC Agreement and described below, will expire. The Purchase Option will terminate upon the occurrence of a Qualified IPO, a Sale of OEG or a Qualified Spinoff, each as defined in the OEG LLC Agreement.

IPO Request Put Right. If OEG has not completed a Qualified IPO prior to June 16, 2026 (the fourth anniversary of the OEG Investor’s original investment in OEG (the “Fourth Anniversary”)), the OEG Investor may request that OEG undertake a Qualified IPO. If the Company, through its subsidiary RHP Hotels, LLC (the “Ryman Member”), declines to undertake such Qualified IPO, the OEG Investor may cause the Ryman Member to acquire all of the OEG Investor’s interest in OEG at a price equal to 1.5 times the OEG Investor’s equity investment (the “IPO Request Put Price”).

Seven-Year Put Right. If OEG has not completed a Qualified IPO, Sale of OEG or a Qualified Spinoff prior to June 16, 2029 (the seventh anniversary of the OEG Investor’s original investment in OEG (the “Seventh Anniversary”)), the OEG Investor may cause the Ryman Member to acquire all of the OEG Investor’s interest in OEG at a price equal to the fair value of the OEG Investor’s equity interest (the “Seven-Year Put Price”).

The IPO Request Put Price and the Seven-Year Put Price may each be settled in either cash or Company stock, at the Company’s option, and the IPO Request Put Right and the Seven-Year Put Right will each terminate at the first closing of the Purchase Option.

IPO Payment. Upon a Qualified IPO that occurs on or before the Seventh Anniversary, the OEG Investor will be entitled to an IPO Payment if the Post IPO Investor Stake Value (as defined in OEG LLC Agreement) measured on the 120^th trading day post-IPO does not equal or exceed the Minimum Investor Stake Value (as defined in the OEG LLC Agreement). If the IPO occurs after the Fourth Anniversary, the IPO Payment will be capped at 50% of the OEG Investor’s investment in OEG (the “Payment Cap”). Any IPO Payment may be satisfied in either cash, OEG equity owned by the Ryman Member, or Company stock, at the Company’s option.

Sale Payment. Upon a sale of OEG (but excluding a Qualified Spinoff) that occurs on or before the Seventh Anniversary, the OEG Investor will be entitled to a Sale Payment if the value of the OEG Investor’s retained invested equity (implied by the sale) does not equal or exceed the Minimum Investor Sale Value (as defined in the OEG LLC Agreement). If a sale of OEG occurs after the Fifth Anniversary, any Sale Payment will be capped at the Payment Cap. Any Sale Payment may be satisfied in either cash, a preferential cash distribution, additional consideration in the Sale of OEG or Company stock at the Company’s option.

The above descriptions related to the OEG LLC Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the OEG LLC Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.12 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference.

JW Marriott Hill Country Transaction

On June 30, 2023, the Company purchased JW Marriott Hill Country for approximately $800 million. Located amid approximately 600 acres in the Texas Hill Country region outside of San Antonio, JW Marriott Hill Country, which opened in 2010, is a premier group-oriented resort with 1,002 rooms and 268,000 total square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. The resort’s amenities include a spa, several food and beverage outlets, a water experience, and TPC San Antonio, which features two 18-hole golf courses. The Company funded the purchase price with approximately $395 million in net proceeds of an underwritten registered public offering of approximately 4.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock (see Note 9, “Equity”), approximately $393 million in net proceeds of a private placement of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes due 2028 (see Note 4, “Debt”) and cash on hand. JW Marriott Hill Country assets and operations are reflected in the Company’s Hospitality segment beginning June 30, 2023.

The Company performed a valuation of the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of June 30, 2023. The valuations of the various components of property and equipment were determined principally based on the cost approach, which uses assumptions regarding replacement values from established indices. The valuation of intangible assets was based on various methods to evaluate the values of advanced bookings previously received for the hotel and the values of golf memberships and water rights for the golf course. The Company considers each of these estimates as Level 3 fair value measurements.

The Company determined that the acquisition represents an asset acquisition and has capitalized transaction costs and allocated the purchase price to the relative fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, adjusted for working capital adjustments as set forth in the purchase agreement and transaction costs, as follows (amounts in thousands):

Property and equipment	$	772,821
Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted		12,690
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted		5,477
Trade receivables		14,743
Prepaid expenses and other assets		3,953
Intangible assets		25,097
Total assets acquired		834,781
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(25,148)
Total liabilities assumed		(25,148)
Net assets acquired	$	809,633

Block 21 Transaction

On May 31, 2022, the Company purchased Block 21 for a stated purchase price of $260 million, as subsequently adjusted to $255 million pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement, which included the assumption of approximately $136 million of existing mortgage debt. Block 21 is the home of the Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater (“ACL Live”), a 2,750-seat entertainment venue that serves as the filming location for the Austin City Limits television series. The Block 21 complex also includes the 251-room W Austin, the 3TEN at ACL Live club and approximately 53,000 square feet of other Class A commercial space. The Company funded the cash portion of the purchase price with cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, given the different nature of the principal operations acquired (a hotel and an entertainment venue). Block 21 assets and operations are reflected in the Company’s Entertainment segment beginning May 31, 2022.

The Company performed a preliminary valuation of the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of May 31, 2022. The valuations of the various components of property and equipment were determined principally based on the cost approach, which uses assumptions regarding replacement values from established indices. The valuation of intangible assets was based on various methods to evaluate the values of leases in place and advanced bookings previously received for the hotel. The valuation of assumed debt was principally based on a discounted cash flow approach using market interest rates at the time of the transaction. The Company considers each of these estimates as Level 3 fair value measurements. Other acquired assets were valued at, and fair value approximated, carrying value. Based on the aggregation of fair values as compared to consideration transferred, the Company concluded that there was no goodwill or bargain purchase gain related to the business combination. The Company performed an income approach evaluation of the acquired set which corroborated the conclusion that there was no goodwill related to the acquisition. Such evaluation included assumptions of future projected cash flows, which were based on the future projected occupancy and average daily rate for the W Hotel Austin, future anticipated cash flows at ACL Live, and market discount rates.

Utilizing the valuation, the Company performed a purchase price allocation for the acquired assets and liabilities of Block 21. As a result, the Company allocated the purchase price, adjusted for working capital adjustments as defined in the purchase agreement, as follows (amounts in thousands):

Property and equipment	$	237,159
Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted		8,493
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted		12,450
Trade receivables		1,405
Prepaid expenses and other assets		1,085
Intangible assets		1,723
Total assets acquired		262,315
Debt		(132,531)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(14,774)
Other liabilities		(75)
Total liabilities assumed		(147,380)
Net assets acquired	$	114,935

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company concluded its valuation of the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of May 31, 2022, and no significant changes were made to the provisional amounts presented above.

The Company incurred $1.3 million in acquisition-related expenses in 2022, which are included in entertainment expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost or initially at estimated fair value if recorded in connection with purchase accounting. Improvements and significant renovations that extend the lives of existing assets are capitalized. Interest on funds borrowed to finance the construction of major capital additions is included in the cost of the applicable capital addition. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Property and equipment are generally depreciated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Buildings	40 years
Land improvements	20 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	5-8 years
Leasehold improvements	The shorter of the lease term or useful life

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Unrestricted

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents balances in excess of insured limits with various financial institutions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Restricted

Restricted cash and cash equivalents primarily represent funds held by our property manager for furniture, fixtures and equipment reserves. In addition, based on their respective loan agreements, Gaylord Rockies must maintain a restricted cash balance related to debt service payments and Block 21 must maintain a restricted cash balance related to debt service, property tax, insurance and other payments.

Beginning in July 2020, Gaylord Rockies was in a cash sweep period pursuant to the Gaylord Rockies term loan agreement, and such cash amounts are also included in restricted cash for 2022. Gaylord Rockies exited this cash sweep period in January 2023. Block 21 was in a Trigger Period (as defined in Note 4, “Debt”) as of the date of its purchase by the Company but exited the Trigger Period with first quarter 2023 results. Such cash amounts previously held as a result of the Trigger Period are also included in restricted cash for 2022.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts from interest rate swaps, for the years ended December 31 was comprised of (amounts in thousands):

	2023		2022		2021
Debt interest paid	$	183,479	$	135,467	$	113,669
Capitalized interest		(2,483)		(183)		(2,922)
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$	180,996	$	135,284	$	110,747

Net cash payments of income taxes in 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $6.5 million, $27.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Accounts Receivable

The Company’s accounts receivable are primarily generated by meetings and convention attendees’ room nights and food and beverage. Receivables arising from these sales are not collateralized. Credit risk associated with the accounts receivable is minimized due to the large and diverse nature of the customer base.

Credit Loss Reserves on Accounts Receivable

The Company provides credit loss reserves based upon a percentage of accounts receivable that considers historical write-offs, current economic conditions, and management’s expectations about future economic conditions, as well as periodic evaluations of the aging of accounts receivable.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Prepaid expenses and other assets at December 31 consist of (amounts in thousands):

	2023		2022
Prepaid expenses	$	22,458	$	19,377
Supplemental deferred compensation plan assets		33,073		29,245
Tax rebate receivables		34,324		22,181
Inventories		14,007		12,041
Right-of-use assets for operating leases		18,134		18,910
Deferred financing costs on revolving credit facilities		8,420		5,757
Derivative assets		—		11,350
Other		24,394		15,309
Total prepaid expenses and other assets	$	154,810	$	134,170

Prepaid expenses consist of prepayments for property taxes, insurance and other contracts that will be expensed during the subsequent year. Inventories consist primarily of food and beverage inventory for resale and retail inventory sold in the Entertainment segment. Inventory is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is computed on an average cost basis. Other assets include capitalized software costs, non-trade receivables, and investments in joint ventures, among others.

Gaylord Rockies is party to an incentive agreement with the local government that provides that Gaylord Rockies is entitled to receive monthly rebates of certain city and state taxes, including property, sales and lodging taxes. The term

of the rebate agreement varies by type of tax but ranges from 25-33 years from commencement of the construction of Gaylord Rockies. Gaylord Rockies earned $52.8 million, $38.4 million and $29.1 million in rebates in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which are generally recorded as a reduction in other hotel expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Intangible Assets

In connection with the Company’s purchase price allocation of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture, the Company acquired certain definite-lived intangibles, which are shown on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Included in these intangibles are the original estimated fair value of advanced bookings of $125.5 million and the original estimated fair value related to the Gaylord Hotels trade name, which Marriott owns, of $115.3 million. The advanced bookings asset was amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 3.5 years, which corresponded with the period in which the advanced bookings related, and the value in the trade name is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 30 years, which is the period of the Marriott management agreement.

The gross carrying amount of intangible assets at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $279.8 million and $254.7 million, respectively. Accumulated amortization of intangible assets at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $155.6 million and $148.7 million, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $6.8 million, $22.7 million and $40.2 million, respectively. The estimated amounts of amortization expense for the next five years are as follows (amounts in thousands):

2024	$	8,083
2025		7,694
2026		7,275
2027		5,446
2028		5,329
	$	33,827

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31 consist of (amounts in thousands):

	2023		2022
Trade accounts payable	$	57,030	$	38,628
Property and other taxes payable		90,558		73,461
Deferred revenues		159,762		136,479
Accrued salaries and benefits		57,502		58,219
Interest payable		39,870		23,111
Other accrued liabilities		59,998		55,261
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	464,720	$	385,159

Deferred revenues consist primarily of deposits on advance bookings of hotel rooms and advance ticket sales at the Company’s entertainment properties, as well as uncollected attrition and cancellation fees. Other accrued liabilities include accruals for, among others, purchasing, meeting planner commissions and utilities.

Income Taxes

The Company establishes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax carrying amounts of assets and liabilities using existing tax laws and tax rates. The Company reports a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, if any. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. See Note 10, “Income Taxes,” for more detail on the Company’s income taxes.

The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in the tax rate is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of the rate change. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company has considered all available positive and negative evidence in assessing the need for a valuation allowance.

Deferred Management Rights Proceeds

The Company has deferred and amortizes the proceeds received from Marriott that were allocated to the sale of the management rights, as discussed further in Note 5, “Deferred Management Rights Proceeds,” on a straight-line basis over the term of the hotel management agreements, including extensions, as a reduction in management fee expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Other Liabilities

Other liabilities at December 31 consist of (amounts in thousands):

	2023		2022
Pension and postretirement benefits liability	$	17,404	$	21,148
Deferred compensation liability		33,073		29,245
Derivative liabilities		1,322		1,164
Other		14,859		13,267
Total other liabilities	$	66,658	$	64,824

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs (“DFCs”) consist of loan fees and other costs of financing that are amortized over the term of the related financing agreements, using the effective interest method, and are generally presented as a reduction of the related debt liability. DFCs on the Company’s revolving credit facility and the OEG revolving credit facility are included in prepaid expenses and other assets when the related revolving credit facility has no outstanding balance. During 2023, 2022 and 2021, DFCs of $10.7 million, $9.8 million and $8.8 million, respectively, were amortized to interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Noncontrolling Interests

OEG

The noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture for 2023 and 2022 represents the minority investor’s proportionate share of the assets and liabilities of OEG, adjusted for changes in the redemption value of the related put rights. The noncontrolling interest is classified in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets as the related redemption options do not meet the requirements for permanent equity classification because these redemption options may be redeemed by the holder as described above in “OEG Transaction.”

The initial value of the noncontrolling interest in OEG, which included certain put rights, was estimated based on the purchase price received from the OEG Investor. In general, the carrying value will be based on the greater of the accumulated historical cost or the put right redemption value, and at December 31, 2023, approximates the fair value of the noncontrolling interest. An adjustment is also made for the OEG Investor’s proportionate share of income or loss in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Gaylord Rockies

Until the Company’s buyout of the minority partners’ interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture in 2021, the noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture for 2021 represents the previous minority partners’ proportionate share of the assets and liabilities of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture. An adjustment was made in 2021 for the minority

partners’ proportionate share of income or loss in the joint venture in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

OP Units

Certain former owners of interests in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture received units of the Operating Partnership (“OP Units”) in exchange for their interests. Such OP Units have economic terms that are substantially similar to shares of the Company’s common stock and are redeemable at the option of the holders thereof.

The noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership represents the limited partners’ proportionate share of the equity of the Operating Partnership. The noncontrolling interest is classified in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets, separately from stockholders’ equity, as the related redemption options are redeemable for cash, or if the Company so elects, in unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments. An adjustment is made for the limited partners’ proportionate share of income or loss in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2023, 0.4 million outstanding OP Units, or 0.7% of the outstanding OP Units, were held by the noncontrolling limited partners and are included as a component of equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company owns, directly or indirectly, the remaining 99.3% of the outstanding OP Units.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from occupied hotel rooms are recognized over time as the daily hotel stay is provided to hotel groups and guests. Revenues from concessions, food and beverage sales and group meeting services are recognized over the period or at the point in time those goods or services are delivered to the hotel group or guest. Revenues from ancillary services at the Company’s hotels, such as spa, parking, and transportation services, are generally recognized at the time the goods or services are provided. Cancellation fees and attrition fees, which are charged to groups when they do not fulfill the minimum number of room nights or minimum food and beverage spending requirements originally contracted for, are generally recognized as revenue in the period the Company determines it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized will not occur, which is typically the period these fees are collected. The Company generally recognizes revenues from the Entertainment segment at the point in time that services are provided or goods are delivered or shipped to the customer, as applicable. Cash received from advanced ticket sales is deferred and recognized as revenue at the time of the event. Entertainment segment revenues from licenses of content are recognized at the point in time the content is delivered to the licensee and the licensee can use and benefit from the content. Revenue related to content provided to Circle has been eliminated for the portion of Circle that the Company owned. The Company is required to collect certain taxes from customers on behalf of government agencies and remit these to the applicable governmental entity on a periodic basis. These taxes are collected from customers at the time of purchase but are not included in revenue. The Company records a liability upon collection from the customer and relieves the liability when payments are remitted to the applicable governmental agency.

The Company’s revenues disaggregated by major source are as follows (in thousands):

	2023		2022		2021
Hotel group rooms	$	462,674	$	364,835	$	131,404
Hotel transient rooms		238,464		230,709		197,470
Hotel food and beverage - banquets		569,803		440,364		140,186
Hotel food and beverage - outlets		261,993		226,645		139,303
Hotel other		300,544		275,421		178,220
Entertainment admissions/ticketing		124,647		107,377		62,768
Entertainment food and beverage		107,335		89,931		51,515
Entertainment produced content		5,764		4,984		5,919
Entertainment retail and other		86,912		65,703		32,588
Total revenues	$	2,158,136	$	1,805,969	$	939,373

The Company’s Hospitality segment revenues disaggregated by location are as follows (in thousands):

	2023		2022		2021
Gaylord Opryland	$	474,884	$	424,188	$	238,567
Gaylord Palms		309,616		279,578		139,130
Gaylord Texan		358,399		307,318		180,031
Gaylord National		307,139		249,849		79,419
Gaylord Rockies		266,737		253,326		135,942
JW Marriott Hill Country		92,813		—		—
AC Hotel		11,997		10,419		5,838
Inn at Opryland and other		11,893		13,296		7,656
Total Hospitality segment revenues	$	1,833,478	$	1,537,974	$	786,583

The majority of the Company’s Entertainment segment revenues are concentrated in Nashville, Tennessee and Austin, Texas.

The Company records deferred revenues when cash payments are received in advance of its performance obligations, primarily related to advanced deposits on hotel rooms in its Hospitality segment and advanced ticketing in its OEG venues. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $159.8 million and $136.5 million, respectively, in deferred revenues, which are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Of the amount outstanding at December 31, 2022, approximately $103.1 million was recognized in revenues during 2023.

Management Fees

The Company pays Marriott a base management fee based on the gross revenues from the applicable property for each fiscal year or portion thereof. The applicable percentage for the Gaylord Hotels properties, excluding Gaylord Rockies, is approximately 2% of gross revenues, Gaylord Rockies is approximately 3% of revenues, and JW Marriott Hill Country is approximately 3.5% of gross revenues. Additionally, the Company pays Marriott an incentive management fee based on the profitability of the properties. The Company incurred $42.8 million, $35.1 million and $17.6 million in base management fees to Marriott during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company incurred $28.5 million, $13.5 million and $0.3 million in incentive fees to Marriott during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Management fees are presented in the consolidated statements of operations net of the amortization of the deferred management rights proceeds discussed further in Note 5, “Deferred Management Rights Proceeds.”

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $65.0 million, $55.1 million, and $36.2 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 7, “Stock Plans.” The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plan under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.”

Preopening Costs

The Company expenses the costs associated with start-up activities and organization costs associated with its development or reopening of hotels and significant attractions as incurred. The Company’s preopening costs during 2023 include costs associated with Ole Red Las Vegas, which opened in January 2024. The Company’s preopening costs during 2022 include costs associated with Ole Red Nashville International Airport, which opened in May 2022. The Company’s preopening costs during 2021 include costs associated with the Gaylord Palms expansion, which was completed in April 2021.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company has entered into and may in the future enter into additional interest rate swap agreements to hedge against interest rate fluctuations. The Company does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes and currently does not hold any derivatives that are not designated as hedges.

For derivatives designated as and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative resulting from recording each instrument at estimated fair value is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified to interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. These amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the related variable-rate debt. The Company estimates that $0.3 million will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense in the next twelve months.

Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Assets

In accounting for the Company’s long-lived and other assets (including its property and equipment and intangible assets), the Company assesses its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or asset group may not be recoverable.

Recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets that will continue to be used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the related total future undiscounted net cash flows. If an asset or asset group’s carrying value is not recoverable through those cash flows, the asset group is considered to be impaired. The impairment is measured by the excess of the assets’ carrying amount over their fair value, which is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses that utilize comprehensive cash flow projections, as well as observable market data to the extent available.

The Company recorded no impairment losses during 2023, 2022 or 2021.

Income (Loss) Per Share

Income (loss) per share is measured as basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding after considering the effect of conversion of dilutive instruments, calculated using the treasury stock method or if-converted method, as applicable. Net income (loss) per share amounts are calculated as follows for the years ended December 31 (income (loss) and share amounts in thousands):

		2023		2022		2021
Numerator:
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	311,217	$	128,993	$	(176,966)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		57,750		55,140		55,047
Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation		311		237		—
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		58,061		55,377		55,047
Basic income (loss) per share available to common stockholders	$	5.39	$	2.34	$	(3.21)
Diluted income (loss) per share available to common stockholders	$	5.36	$	2.33	$	(3.21)

For 2021, the effect of dilutive stock-based compensation was the equivalent of 0.2 million shares of common stock outstanding. Because the Company had a loss available to common stockholders in 2021, these incremental shares were excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share as the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

As more fully discussed above in “OEG Transaction,” although currently not exercisable, the OEG Investor has certain put rights (the “OEG Put Rights”) to require the Company to purchase the OEG Investor’s equity interest in OEG, which the Company may pay in cash or Company stock, at the Company’s option. The Company calculated potential dilution for the OEG Put Rights based on the if-converted method, which assumes the OEG Put Rights were converted on the first day of the period or the date of issuance and the OEG Investor’s noncontrolling equity interest was redeemed in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock. For 2023 and 2022, the effect of the OEG Put Rights was the equivalent of 4.2 million and 1.9 million shares, respectively, of Company common stock outstanding. Because the OEG Put Rights were anti-dilutive for 2023 and 2022, such incremental shares were excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share.

The OP Units held by the noncontrolling interest holders in the Operating Partnership have been excluded from the denominator of the diluted income (loss) per share calculation as there would be no effect on the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the income (loss) attributable to the OP Units held by the noncontrolling interest holders would also be added (subtracted) to derive net income (loss) available to common stockholders.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Newly Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting,” which provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the existing guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The guidance in ASU 2020-04 is optional, effective immediately, and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur generally through December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848,” which extends the transition period for the shift from LIBOR to December 2024. The Company has now converted all of its LIBOR-indexed debt and derivatives to SOFR-based indexes. For all derivatives in hedge accounting relationships, the Company utilized the elective relief in ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2022-06 that allows for the continuation of hedge accounting through the transition process.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” requiring public entities to provide disclosures of significant segment expenses and other segment items, as well as to provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. The guidance is applied retrospectively and will be effective for the Company for fiscal year 2024 and for interim periods beginning in fiscal year 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU but does not anticipate this adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” requiring public entities to provide additional information in the rate reconciliation, to disclose annually income taxes paid disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes and to disaggregate the information by jurisdiction based on a quantitative threshold. The guidance is applied prospectively, but with the option to apply retrospectively, and will be effective for the Company for fiscal year 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU but does not anticipate this adoption to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.