Nashville International Airport and Arts at the Airport Foundation Host Exclusive Concourse D Extension Pre-Opening Reception

WHAT:  Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) and the Arts at the Airport Foundation will host an exclusive Concourse D Extension Pre-Opening Reception, marking the completion of the first project under New Horizon, the airport’s $3 billion growth and expansion plan. The Concourse D extension adds five gates to BNA, as well as new food and beverage locations, retailers and a moving walkway. This brand-new 160,000-square-foot area of the airport culminates in an iconic record node—a rotunda with panoramic views from which travelers can access BNA’s first outdoor terrace, offering views of the airfield and even downtown Nashville. The Concourse D extension will be fully operational and open to the public on July 8.

Among the features to be unveiled at the exclusive pre-opening are three unique, showstopping pieces of artwork on display in the Concourse D extension:

• “Twine with my Mingles” by Nashville-based studio New Hat Projects, a 180-foot-long piece that lines the moving walkway created by loom-style weaving custom-printed wristbands.
• “A Thread Without End” by Los Angeles-based artist Benjamin Ball of Ball-Nogues Studios, comprised of 620 stainless steel spheres suspended in the concessions area between gates D7 and D8.
• “Our Radiant City” by Nashville-based artist Brenda Stein, encircling the center of the record node featuring depictions of some of Nashville’s most recognizable buildings in shimmering terrazzo, acting as a focal point when passengers enter.

Members of the media are invited to attend this momentous occasion and an exclusive preview marking a significant milestone for the airport and New Horizon. The event will feature remarks from prominent city, state and airport officials, discussing the importance of partnerships and collaboration when it comes to building a world-class airport with unforgettable features that pay homage to Nashville and its international reputation of Music City like the Concourse D extension.

WHERE: Nashville International Airport **Please notify BNA Communications Team if you plan to attend, and, if possible, the name(s) of attendee(s) as the event is beyond the security checkpoint**   

Media Parking & Access Instructions: 

• • Please park in Terminal Garage 1—parking will be validated.
  • After parking, proceed to Level P5 and enter the Pedestrian Plaza leading to our Administration Building.
  • At the Administration Building (Suite 520), check in to complete registration and receive parking validation.
    • All attendees must present a valid government-issued ID for registration and TSA screening.
  • After completing registration, proceed through the Grand Lobby and make your way to the TSA security lanes.
  • Dedicated event lanes will be available but will close promptly at 6:30 p.m. as the program begins.
    • Late arrivals will not be permitted past security.
  • BNA staff will be stationed throughout the airport to assist with wayfinding to the Concourse D extension.

WHO: Invited guests include leaders from various federal, business, civic and community sectors of the Middle Tennessee region, including:

• Doug Kreulen, A.A.E., President and CEO, MNAA
• Nancy B. Sullivan, P.E., Board Chair, MNAA
• Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
• Bill Hagerty, United States Senator
• Butch Eley, Deputy Governor and Commissioner of Transportation for Tennessee
• Stuart McWhorter, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
• Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Airlines®

WHEN: July 1, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (Media arrival: 5:45 p.m.)  

**Valid government-issued IDs required for registration; all media will go through TSA screening**  

Run of Show:

• • 3 – 4 p.m. | Pre-event interviews in the Concourse D extension
  • 6:30 – 6:45 p.m. | Welcome and special remarks from Doug Kreulen, Southwest Airlines leadership, and state and city officials followed by ribbon-cutting
  • 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. | Guests mingle and self-guided tours; artists will be near their artwork to talk about pieces and answer questions