Nashville CVC to Hire New Chief Sales Officer
The organization will welcome Cahal Mowery to the leadership team starting on November 16, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in People
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. has announced the hiring of Cahal Mowery as its new chief sales officer. Mowery is scheduled to officially begin his new role on November 16, 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment brings extensive industry experience to Nashville as the organization continues to compete for large-scale tourism and convention business. Mowery joins the team following a high-performing tenure in a similar role in Chicago.
Mowery joins the team with 15 years of industry experience, including four years as vice president of sales at Choose Chicago. In 2025, he secured 2.8 million room nights and 65 citywide conventions.
The players
Cahal Mowery
He is an experienced hospitality industry executive who previously served as the vice president of sales at Choose Chicago.
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
This is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting the city of Nashville to national and international travelers.
The details
Mowery transitions to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. after holding significant leadership positions across multiple major U.S. markets. His background includes a five-year stint as director of convention sales for Visit Denver and six years as director of sales and catering at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown.
Timeline
Mowery secured 65 citywide conventions and 2.8 million room nights during 2025.
Mowery will begin his new role at the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. on November 16, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition aligns with the industry-wide focus on securing high-value group business in a competitive market. The hiring positions the organization to aggressively compete for national conventions against other major U.S. tourist destinations.
The transition of this high-level sales leadership may influence the volume of major events hosted in Nashville, impacting local hotel occupancy rates and restaurant traffic. Residents may notice more citywide convention activity in the coming years as a result of these strategic sales efforts.
The takeaway
Securing leadership with a proven track record of booking millions of room nights is a strategic move for any major tourism bureau. It underscores the importance of experienced sales professionals in driving the economic activity that large conventions bring to a city.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest leadership changes within the city at Nashville People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Meetings Today.
