NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gaylord Entertainment Company (NYSE: GET) today announced that its 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due October 1, 2014, are now convertible at the option of the holders and will remain convertible through September 28, 2012, the last business day of the current fiscal quarter. The company issued the notes in September 2009.

The notes have become convertible because the last reported sale price of the companys common stock for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading-day period ending on June 30, 2012, was greater than 120 percent of the conversion price in effect on such day.

The company will deliver shares of its common stock or pay cash upon conversion of any notes surrendered through September 28, 2012. If shares are delivered, cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares only. The notes are currently convertible at a rate of 36.6972 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equal to a conversion price of $27.25 per share.

There is approximately $360 million in aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding.

If all outstanding notes are surrendered for conversion and the company elects to deliver shares of its common stock, the aggregate number of shares of common stock issued would be approximately 13.2 million. The notes could be convertible after September 28, 2012, if the sale price condition described above is met in any future fiscal quarter or if any of the other conditions to conversion set forth in the indenture governing the notes are met.

About Gaylord Entertainment (GET)

Gaylord Entertainment, 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 musics finest performers for more than 86 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.

This press release contains statements as to the Companys beliefs and expectations of the outcome of future events that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current information. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. Such factors include those described in the Companys filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, and those associated with the Companys plans to qualify as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes following the consummation of the Companys previously announced transaction with Marriott International, Inc., including the failure to receive, on a timely basis or otherwise, the required approvals by the Companys stockholders or the private letter ruling from the IRS; the Companys expectation to elect and qualify for REIT status and the timing and effect of that election; the Companys ability to remain qualified as a REIT; the form, timing and amount of the special earnings and profits distribution; the Companys and Marriott s ability to consummate the sale; operating costs and business disruption may be greater than expected; and the Companys ability to realize cost savings and revenue enhancements from the proposed REIT conversion. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements made by it to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor Relations:
Gaylord Entertainment
Mark Fioravanti, 615-316-6588
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
mfioravanti@gaylordentertainment.com
or
Patrick Chaffin, 615-316-6282
Vice President of Strategic Planning and Investor Relations
pchaffin@gaylordentertainment.com
or
Media:
Gaylord Entertainment
Brian Abrahamson, 615-316-6302
Vice President of Corporate Communications
babrahamson@gaylordentertainment.com
or
Sloane & Company
Josh Hochberg, 212-446-1892
jhochberg@sloanepr.com
or
Dan Zacchei, 212-446-1882
dzacchei@sloanepr.com

Source: Gaylord Entertainment Co.

Copyright Business Wire 2012