Once again, the CMT Awards are being held at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center. While the event brings yearly concerns about parking and building access for students, it also brings opportunities for student participation.

Students who experienced the changes on campus during the awards in previous years felt the impact of areas restricted for event use; Grace Wilson, a 20-year-old junior, recalled that the “parking is insane,” and Ashley Weyhmeyer, a 22-year-old senior, remembered that “for those students not involved, it was a little intrusive, and I kind of felt like I was being a nuisance in my own territory.” Weyhmeyer also added that “it was a little annoying that throughout the day students were not allowed in certain areas of our own campus (which we kind of pay a lot for).”
 
However, despite the inconvenience that the awards show inevitably seems to bring, both students were quick to point out that they realized the show brought opportunities to Belmont students. Wilson took advantage of the free wristband passes to attend the show in 2006 and enjoys Belmont hosting the awards. Her experience was a good one.

“Being in that environment is exciting. There is so much effort that goes into a four-hour show; it amazes me, the technology. I would do it all again,” Wilson said.

Even Weyhmeyer saw pluses in hosting the awards. “It probably looks good for connections in the music industry if we hold big events. It also gives us opportunities to be involved in the entertainment industry,” she said.

Ron Jackson, general manager of the Curb Event Center, is aware of the concerns about parking and building restrictions.

“We are accommodating as much as we can be. There is really only one day students are affected. Unfortunately, it’s the cost of doing business,“ Jackson said.
 
He pointed out what he considers to be “intangible” benefits of having events like this and others that draw national attention:

-Students work on the show.
-Rental revenue from CMT that goes back to the general fund of the college.
-National exposure creates relationships in the city and the United States as the NCAA Tournament has and the 2008 presidential debate will.

Finally, Jackson had this say: “We don’t exist in a vacuum. It’s important for us in the city to have relationships in the city with corporations like CMT or Healthways.”

Check BIC for updates on building and road closures.