Gaylord Entertainment Co. Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

Solid Gross Advance Group Bookings Underscoring Strength of Brand and Customer Loyalty

• Press Release
• Source: Gaylord Entertainment Co.
• On 8:30 am EST, Tuesday November 3, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gaylord Entertainment Co. (NYSE:GET - News) today reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2009. Highlights from the third quarter of 2009 include:

• Consolidated revenue decreased 12.2 percent to $199.1 million in the third quarter of 2009 from $226.7 million in the same period last year. Hospitality segment total revenue decreased 10.7 percent to $182.0 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $203.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Gaylord Hotels revenue per available room¹ (“RevPAR”) decreased 9.6 percent and total revenue per available room² (“Total RevPAR”) decreased 10.7 percent in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. 2009 Total RevPAR includes attrition and cancellation fees of approximately $4.3 million collected during the quarter compared to $3.3 million in fees for the prior-year quarter.
• Loss from continuing operations was $13.1 million, or a loss of $0.32 per share, in the third quarter of 2009 compared to a loss of $6.5 million, or $0.16 per share, in the prior-year quarter. Loss from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2009 included a pre-tax $6.6 million non-cash impairment charge related to the write-off of goodwill of Corporate Magic, a reporting unit within our Opry & Attractions segment, as well as a pre-tax $3.0 million non-cash charge to recognize compensation expense related to the surrender of certain executives’ stock options.
• Including the non-cash charges noted above, Adjusted EBITDA³ was $28.8 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $36.4 million in the prior-year quarter.
• Consolidated Cash Flow⁴ (“CCF”) increased 2.4 percent to $40.7 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $39.7 million in the same period last year.
• Gaylord Hotels gross advance group bookings in the third quarter of 2009 for all future years was 491,262 room nights; a decrease of 0.5 percent when compared to the same period last year. Net of attrition and cancellations, advance bookings in the third quarter for all future years were 313,998 room nights; a decrease of 18.1 percent when compared to the same period last year.

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Symbol	Price	Change
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“Relative to the lodging industry, our business model delivered solid performance this quarter,” said Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Gaylord Entertainment. “Our meetings-focused strategy demonstrated its resilience in what continues to be a challenging climate for the hospitality industry. Our commitment to customer service, our focus on driving cost controls and our aggressive collection of attrition and cancellation fees, enabled us to maintain our CCF Margins this quarter.”

Segment Operating Results

Hospitality

Key components of the Company’s hospitality segment performance in the third quarter of 2009 include:

• Same-store RevPAR decreased 12.3 percent to $95.19 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $108.52 in the prior-year quarter. Same-store Total RevPAR decreased 14.9 percent to $224.56 in the third quarter compared to $264.00 in the prior-year quarter. Same-store hotels excludes Gaylord National for all periods presented. In the third quarter of 2009, Gaylord National RevPAR decreased 2.5 percent to $122.68 compared to $125.80 in the prior-year quarter. Gaylord National Total RevPAR increased 0.6 percent in the third quarter to $305.05 compared to $303.34 in the prior-year quarter.
• Third quarter 2009 same-store CCF decreased 12.1 percent to $31.3 million compared to $35.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Same-store CCF Margin⁴ increased 80 basis points to 24.8 percent in the third quarter compared to 24.0 percent for the same period last year and benefited from a $1.2 million favorable adjustment for lower property taxes at Gaylord Opryland. In the third quarter of 2009, Gaylord National CCF increased 42.4 percent to $15.2 million compared to $10.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Gaylord National CCF Margin improved 800 basis points to 27.2 percent in the third quarter compared to 19.2 percent for the same period last year.
• Same-store attrition that occurred for groups that traveled in the third quarter of 2009 was 9.9 percent of the agreed upon room block compared to 10.6 percent for the same period in 2008 and 14.0 percent in the second quarter of 2009. Same-store cancellations in the third quarter totaled approximately 14,375 room nights compared to 23,777 in the same period of 2008 and 29,381 in the second quarter of 2009. Gaylord Hotels attrition and cancellation fee collections totaled $4.3 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $3.3 million for the same period in 2008 and $8.2 million in the second quarter of 2009.

Reed continued, “We continued to see signs of stabilization this quarter, as we booked almost 500,000 new room nights for future periods, nearly equivalent to our bookings in the third quarter a year ago. Cancellations for the quarter were down compared to prior quarters in 2009 and lower than the third quarter of 2008. We once again benefited from the collection of attrition and cancellation fees, but demonstrated that even as fee collection levels move back towards historical levels, we can maintain strong CCF Margins.

“In the year pricing continued to be a challenge due to competitive pressures. However, we are confident that as the market turns, rates will follow suit, especially given our quality signature service that differentiates our brand and continues to compel our customers to return to our properties.”

At the property level, Gaylord Opryland generated revenue of $54.5 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $64.2 million for the same period a year ago. Third quarter RevPAR decreased 12.1 percent to $94.69 compared to $107.73 in the same period last year, driven by a 7.9 percentage point decline in occupancy resulting from group cancellations and attrition. Total RevPAR decreased 15.1 percent to $205.74 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $242.24 in the prior-year quarter. CCF decreased 11.7 percent to $14.4 million for the third quarter, versus $16.3 million in the year-ago quarter due to the decline in rooms revenue and a resulting drop in food and beverage spending. This resulted in a CCF Margin performance in the third quarter of 26.4 percent, which is an increase of 100 basis points when compared to the third quarter of 2008. CCF in the third quarter of 2009 benefited from a continued focus on aggressive cost management and a $1.2 million adjustment for a decrease in property tax rates.

Gaylord Palms posted revenue of $30.4 million in the third quarter of 2009, a 13.1 percent decrease compared to $34.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Occupancy for the quarter was down 10.0 percentage points compared to the prior-year quarter due to group cancellations and attrition. Third quarter RevPAR decreased 13.5 percent to $91.19 compared to $105.38 in the same quarter last year, largely driven by the decline in occupancy. Total RevPAR decreased 13.1 percent to $234.75, due largely to decreased occupancy and the related impact on food and beverage revenue. CCF at the property was $5.7 million in the third quarter compared to $5.8 million in the prior-year quarter, resulting in a CCF Margin of 18.6 percent, which is an increase of 190 basis points when compared to the third quarter of 2008. CCF in the third quarter of 2009 benefited from the continued focus on aggressive management of costs.

Gaylord Texan revenue was $39.5 million in the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 15.6 percent from $46.9 million in the prior-year quarter driven by a decline in Average Daily Rate (“ADR”) and outside the room spending. Occupancy for the third quarter was flat compared to the prior-year quarter at 72.8 percent. RevPAR in the third quarter decreased 10.8 percent to $109.13 due to the decline in ADR. Total RevPAR decreased 15.6 percent to $284.38 compared to $337.09 in the prior-year quarter. CCF decreased 15.6 percent to $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $12.9 million in the prior-year quarter, resulting in a 27.5 percent CCF Margin for the third quarter of 2009. CCF in the third quarter of 2009 benefited from the continued focus on aggressive management of costs.

Gaylord National generated revenue of $56.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, an increase of 0.6 percent from $55.7 million in the prior-year quarter. RevPAR in the third quarter decreased 2.5 percent to $122.68 compared to $125.80 in the prior-year quarter driven by a decline in ADR. Total RevPAR increased 0.6 percent to $305.05 in the third quarter compared to $303.34 in the prior-year quarter. CCF increased 42.4 percent to $15.2 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $10.7 million in the prior-year quarter, resulting in a 27.2 percent CCF Margin, which is an increase of 800 basis points when compared to the third quarter of 2008. CCF in the third quarter of 2009 benefited from the continued focus on aggressive management of costs.

Reed continued, “The Gaylord National once again performed well this quarter, delivering solid CCF results and profitability margins. We continue to be pleased with the progress of this property as it builds momentum and improves its operational efficiencies.”

Development Update

Gaylord Entertainment’s planned resort and convention hotel in Mesa, Arizona remains in the very early stages of planning, and specific details of the property and budget have not yet been determined. In the current economic environment, the Company anticipates that any expenditure associated with the project will not have a material financial impact in the near-term.

Opry and Attractions

Opry and Attractions segment revenue decreased 25.4 percent to $17.1 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $22.9 million in the year-ago quarter. The segment’s CCF decreased to $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $4.2 million in the prior-year quarter.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other operating loss totaled $15.0 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to an operating loss of $13.8 million in the same period last year. Corporate and Other CCF in the third quarter increased 14.4 percent to a loss of $9.2 million compared to a loss of $10.7 million in the same period last year. For the third quarter of 2009, the difference between Corporate and Other operating loss and Corporate and Other CCF was primarily due to depreciation and amortization expense and non-cash stock option expense, which included $3.0 million non-cash charge to recognize compensation expense related to the surrender of certain executives’ stock options.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2009, the Company had long-term debt outstanding, including current portion, of $1,502.0 million and unrestricted and restricted cash of $469.6 million. At the end of the third quarter of 2009, $760.5 million of borrowings were outstanding under the Company’s $1.0 billion credit facility, and the lending banks had issued $9.9 million of letters of credit, which left $229.6 million of availability under the credit facility. Gaylord Entertainment has no significant loan maturities until July 2012.

During the quarter, Gaylord received aggregate net proceeds from financings of $442.4 million, after deducting underwriting and initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions and expenses, as well as the net cost of certain convertible note hedge transactions entered into in connection with the offering, through a public offering of 6 million shares of its common stock at a price of $21.80 per share and a concurrent private placement of $360 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.75% convertible senior notes due 2014.

Gaylord intends to use the net proceeds from the sales, together with cash on hand, to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire all of its $259.8 million aggregate principal amount outstanding 8% senior notes due 2013, and as of October 21 had accepted for purchase $223.6 million aggregate principal amount, or 86% of these notes for a total payment of $229.8 million and has called for redemption of the remaining balance of the 8% senior notes due 2013.

The remaining balance of the net proceeds from the sale may be used for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, future development opportunities for new hotel properties, potential expansions or ongoing maintenance of the existing hotel properties, investments, or the repayment or refinancing of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of Gaylord.

Outlook

The Company does not expect to update 2009 guidance before next quarter’s earnings release. However, the Company may update its full business outlook or any portion thereof at any time for any reason.

Reed continued, “We are encouraged by how our business has responded to the unprecedented economic challenges of the past year, as well as by the early signs of market stabilization. Our leading indicators remain strong and we have been successful in implementing operational efficiencies, which has enabled us to deliver solid profitability metrics. We are currently tracking towards the higher end of our current guidance which remains unchanged and is outlined below.”

^(a) For consistency in the presentation of guidance, the Company has excluded the impact of certain severance and proxy resolution expenses totaling $8.7 million. Note that reported CCF for completed quarters reflects the impact of those expenses.

Reed concluded, “Looking ahead, we have closely examined our business and the factors that could impact it moving forward and continue to believe that 2010 will be a challenging year in which top line demand will likely be flat. Although we have successfully controlled expense levels in 2009, we expect to see labor and benefit cost increases in 2010. We anticipate giving more detailed guidance early next year after seeing our own fourth quarter results as well as the pace of economic recovery.”

Webcast and Replay

Gaylord Entertainment will hold a conference call to discuss this release today at 10 a.m. ET. Investors can listen to the conference call over the Internet at www.gaylordentertainment.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the Investor Relations section of the website (Investor Relations/Presentations, Earnings, and Webcasts) at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call and will run for at least 30 days.

About Gaylord Entertainment

Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET - News), 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.

This press release contains statements as to the Company’s 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. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These include the risks and uncertainties associated with economic conditions affecting the hospitality business generally, including recessionary economic conditions in the United States, the timing of the opening of new hotel facilities, increased costs and other risks associated with building and developing new hotel facilities, the geographic concentration of our hotel properties, business levels at the Company’s hotels, our ability to successfully operate our hotels and our ability to obtain financing for new developments. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in the filings made from time to time by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009. 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.

¹ The Company calculates revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) for its hospitality segment by dividing room sales by room nights available to guests for the period.

² The Company calculates total revenue per available room (“Total RevPAR”) by dividing the sum of room sales, food & beverage, and other ancillary services revenue by room nights available to guests for the period.

³ Adjusted EBITDA (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, as well as certain unusual items) is a non-GAAP financial measure which is used herein because we believe it allows for a more complete analysis of operating performance by presenting an analysis of operations separate from the earnings impact of capital transactions and without certain items that do not impact our ongoing operations such as gains on the sale of assets and purchases of our debt. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, these items are not included in determining our operating income (loss). The information presented should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (such as operating income, net income, or cash from operations), nor should it be considered as an indicator of overall financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA does not fully consider the impact of investing or financing transactions, as it specifically excludes depreciation and interest charges, which should also be considered in the overall evaluation of our results of operations. Our method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the method used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income is presented in the Supplemental Financial Results contained in this press release.

⁴ As discussed in footnote 3 above, Adjusted EBITDA is used herein as essentially operating (loss) income plus depreciation and amortization. Consolidated Cash Flow (which is used in this release as that term is defined in the Indentures governing the Company’s 8 percent and 6.75 percent senior notes) is a non-GAAP financial measure which also excludes the impact of pre-opening costs, impairment charges, the non-cash portion of the Florida ground lease expense, stock option expense, the non-cash gains and losses on the termination of certain interest rate swaps and the disposal of certain fixed assets and adds (subtracts) other gains (losses). The Consolidated Cash Flow measure is one of the principal tools used by management in evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s business and represents the method by which the Indentures calculate whether or not the Company can incur additional indebtedness (for instance in order to incur certain additional indebtedness, Consolidated Cash Flow for the most recent four fiscal quarters as a ratio to debt service must be at least 2 to 1). The calculation of these amounts as well as a reconciliation of those amounts to net (loss) income or segment operating (loss) income is included as part of the Supplemental Financial Results contained in this press release. CCF Margin is defined as CCF divided by revenue.

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