Are there credential expectations?
YES! If you desire entry into the building, you will need your credential or be escorted with someone who has escorting privileges, beginning Sunday, October 4, 2026. This expectation will apply to everyone entering the building, staff, crew, talent & talent team because:
Safety is of our utmost importance.
We are downtown Nashville.
We will have longer hours this year than ever before.
For the safety of all talent, teams, staff & crew, every individual must pick up their credential (s) at Nashville First Baptist Church in order to enter Bridgestone Arena. If you do not have your credential, Bridgestone will not grant access.
Upon entry to the building, individuals must clearly display his/her credential. If not clearly displayed, Bridgestone security will request the individual to locate said credential and immediately begin wearing it. If the individual is not able to produce a credential, they will be immediately escorted from the building. You will be prompted to scan your own personal credential at each checkpoint while in Bridgestone which will notate if you have access to each separate zone.
GMA wants to do everything we can to make this a safe environment, and therefore, it is crucial for us to work together to make sure your credential requests are clearly outlined this year.
How are credentials different than in years past?
Your credential is programmed with the specific zones you are approved to access. At each checkpoint, simply scan your credential and trust the technology: green means go, red means no. A green scan confirms that your credential has access to that zone, while a red scan means your credential is not currently approved for that area.
Please do not ask checkpoint staff to override a red scan or allow access based on recognition, title, or role as they cannot do that. If you believe your credential was given incorrect zone access, contact your team lead so the credentialing team can review your access accordingly.
What do I do if I misplace my badge or it is stolen?
First, please thoroughly check through all of your personal belongings (backpack/purse, car, home, office).
Second, retrace your steps to the last place you remember having your credential.
Third, if you are still not able to find it, please contact your leader or whoever originally distributed the credential to you and they will contact John Michael at jm.angel@gospelmusic.org.
Where & when can I receive my credential?
Your credential (& any others requested/managed by you) will be available for pick-up on Friday, October 2nd during the All Hands meeting. Otherwise, you can pick your credential(s) up at the designated pickup location across from Bridgestone at Nashville First Baptist Church. Pickup inside the church will be located inside Entrance 15. Additionally, if you do not have a designated parking spot approved at the church, you will be allowed to park on site for 10 minutes only in order to pick up your credential. A parking attendant will direct you to those appropriate short term spots.
Hours:
Sunday, October 4, 3:00pm-8:00pm
Monday, October 5, 8:00am-8:00pm
Tuesday, October 6, 8:00am-10:00am
Where do I enter the building?
After picking up your credential from the distribution location at Nashville First Baptist Church, unless otherwise specified, GMA staff will be entering through the ‘SoBro’ entrance (see map attached), which is on the Demonbreun side of the building.
Do I have to go through security to enter the building?
Yes. Everyone entering Bridgestone Arena—including GMA staff, crew, talent and talent teams—must enter through an approved security checkpoint and complete the required screening process. Your credential provides authorized access but does not exempt you from security screening. Please have your credential clearly displayed and be prepared to present all bags and personal items for screening. Bridgestone Arena security personnel will conduct entry screening.
Are there any exceptions to the bag policy? Am I able to bring in a laptop, backpack or large tote bag?
Individuals will be notified if they may bring a laptop and an appropriately sized laptop bag into the building. All bags, including laptop bags, backpacks, and tote bags, are subject to search and security screening upon entry.
What about my supplies from the GMA office?
All supplies will be gathered and organized by Cherissa Way & Carrie Alling (more to come there), and they will let you know when things are ready for pick-up.
For anyone who has items going to Bridgestone, please note that on the supplies sheet so the items can be organized accordingly. Those items will be loaded onto a truck on Saturday, October 3rd and will be delivered to Bridgestone via the loading dock early Sunday morning.
Items will be unloaded & taken to a dedicated space within the back of house at Bridgestone. From there, you’ll be responsible for distributing items accordingly. To avoid your items being lost along the way, please do your best to pick-up your items no later than noon on Sunday. If you will not make that timeline, please coordinate with Rachel Elder. Also worth noting, we will have a few ‘flatbed’ carts that will be available for our use beginning Sunday - we will all need to share 😊
Where do I park?
If you have parking access, it will be indicated by the letter “E” on your credential. You will also have selected the specific days you need parking when submitting your credential request. If you were not given the option to select parking days, or not approved through another parking access has not been assigned to your credential, and we kindly ask that you make your own parking arrangements for those days.
Which entrance do I use at Bridgestone?
When entering the building during standard business hours, please utilize the ‘SoBro’ entrance, as noted on the parking map. All individuals entering the building are subject to security screening upon entry.
Will I get a meal ticket? If so, when will I receive it?
With the new credentialing system in place, for those individuals who traditionally receive on-site catering at Bridgestone, your credential is your meal ticket this year. You will simply scan your credential at the beginning of the entrance into the catering area, a team member will confirm your access and you’ll be able to get your meal.
If you are unsure whether or not you receive on-site catering access for a particular day or meal, please contact your manager/leaders, as they will let you know accordingly, or if a walk-away meal is best for your role.
If you believe you were left off the meal list by mistake, please text Rachel Elder, 949-887-3076.
Where is catering this year?
We needed more space to accommodate our growing teams, so this year, crew & staff catering can be found on the 3rd floor concourse, on the southeast side of the building (behind the stage). You can utilize any combination of stairs, elevators or escalators to get there.
What is the meal schedule?
Large groups of people are going through the crew catering room each meal. To maximize the space and the time the food will be served, we ask for you to consider the “ideal eating window” outlined below in order to accommodate everyone within the room.
If you are not able to eat within the ‘ideal windows’, that’s okay! Please make yourself a plate and find yourself a cozy spot elsewhere to enjoy!
SUNDAY
Breakfast – 9:00am-11:00am [ideal eating time, 9:00-10:00 am]
Lunch – 12:30pm-2:30pm [ideal eating time, 12:30-1:30 pm]
Dinner – 6:00pm-9:00pm [ideal eating time, 6:00-7:00pm]
MONDAY
Breakfast – 7:00am-9:00am [ideal eating time, 8:00-9:00 am]
Lunch – 12:00pm-3:00pm [ideal eating time, 1:00-3:00pm]
Dinner – 5:00pm-8:00pm [ideal eating time, 5:00-5:30pm & 7:30-8:00pm]
TUESDAY
Breakfast – 8:00am-11:00am [ideal eating time, 8:30-9:30 am, 10:30-11am]
Lunch – 12:00pm-3:00pm [ideal eating time, 12:00-2:00 pm]
Dinner – 4:00pm-7:00pm [just be patience & efficient]
Will we know what is being served at each meal?
You’ll just have to come on into catering & find out 🙂 But seriously, there are a ton of restaurants we are ordering from this year (not just a random caterer), so we’re excited to offer variety. We hope you enjoy the food and take some time to recharge and connect with others over the meal. We do want to make you aware that there are hundreds of people we’re needing to feed, so we kindly ask that once you’re done with your food, that you continue your fellowshipping elsewhere.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
We did our best to ensure each meal had a vegetarian option. At the time of placing the order, no other dietary restrictions were communicated. We do understand sometimes a detail is missed, so please contact the Hospitality Coordinator, Mel Agustin, 949-394-7048, should you have special needs for future meals.