NASHVILLE, Tenn., November 21, 2008 - Gaylord Entertainment Company (NYSE: GET) today announced that executive vice president and chief financial officer David Kloeppel has been promoted to president of the Company, effective immediately. In addition to retaining his duties as CFO, Kloeppel will assume new responsibilities including oversight of marketing, media and entertainment.

Kloeppel has established a strong record of leadership during his seven years as chief financial officer with Gaylord Entertainment. Prior to joining Gaylord, Kloeppel was a vice president in the mergers and acquisitions department of Deutsche Bank in New York, where he was responsible for the department’s activities in the lodging, leisure and real estate sectors.

Colin V. Reed, Gaylord Entertainment chairman and chief executive officer, said, “Over the last seven years, I have observed Dave’s talents and witnessed his growth into becoming a very effective leader and I concluded it was time for the company to reward him with more responsibility. Dave’s wealth of financial experience as well as his knowledge of operational excellence will serve our company well as we navigate the extraordinary economic climate that the nation presently faces. I look forward to working more closely with Dave over the next few years as we chart the company’s future.”

Kloeppel earned his master’s degree in business administration, graduating with honors from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics, also from Vanderbilt University. In 2003, the school presented him with the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award.

Kloeppel said, “This is a tremendous opportunity for me. Colin and I have a shared vision for Gaylord, which starts with a belief that the strength of the Company lies in its people and its focus on operational excellence. It has been great working with Colin for the last seven years; he is truly one of the leaders and innovators in our industry and I look forward to working closely with him and my other colleagues in the years ahead. There is no better management team in the hospitality industry and none better equipped to manage the severe headwinds we all face today.”

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.

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CONTACT: Investor Relations Contacts:
Gaylord Entertainment
Mark Fioravanti, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
(615) 316-6588
mfioravanti@gaylordentertainment.com
or
Rob Tanner, Director Investor Relations
(615) 316-6572
rtanner@gaylordentertainment.com
or
Media Contacts:
Sloane & Company
Josh Hochberg
(212) 446-1892
jhochberg@sloanepr.com