Projects
CMA Fest
The Challenge
CMA Fest, produced annually by the Country Music Association, transforms downtown Nashville into a multi-day celebration of country music drawing over 90,000 attendees each day. The 2025 event featured performances across five downtown stages, fan activations throughout the city and nightly headliner concerts at Nissan Stadium. As the official shuttle transportation provider, TMS was tasked with delivering a large-scale high-frequency shuttle operation that could support attendees, staff and artists while navigating a dense urban core. The festival's layout required a mobility plan that offered flexible routing, ADA accessibility and efficient crowd movement without disrupting city traffic or the guest experience. In addition, 2025 marked the first deployment of an artist-focused shuttle program and the launch of a proprietary trip planning platform, adding new layers of complexity and opportunity to the operation.
The Process
TMS worked closely with CMA, city agencies and local law enforcement to develop a transportation plan aligned with the pace and structure of CMA Fest. Key components included:
-
Citywide Shuttle
Network
A high-frequency shuttle network connecting Nissan Stadium with downtown hotels and key venue access points.
- Artist Transport Innovations
The launch of the first-ever Artist Shuttle serving five daytime performance stages with secure time-sensitive movements to support artist scheduling
- Accessibility Integration
Integration of an ADA-compliant fleet ensuring inclusive access across all shuttle routes.
- Event Mobility Dashboard
Deployment of TMS’s proprietary Event Mobility Dashboard and Trip Planner providing attendees with real-time shuttle updates, walking directions, rideshare information and trip planning based on transport mode preferences.
- Real-Time Operational Flexibility
On-site management and operational flexibility to adjust services based on crowd flow, weather and venue capacity.
The Results
Efficient Transportation Services
Thousands of successful passenger movements completed throughout the four-day event.
Operational Excellence
Shuttle operations delivered with a high level of consistency, reliability and guest satisfaction.
Flawless VIP Execution
The Artist Shuttle provided efficient and discreet movement between performance zones enhancing the festival's overall production flow.
Simplified Navigation Experience
TMS’s digital tools simplified attendee navigation and reduced transportation-related friction points.
High Client Satisfaction
CMA and local stakeholders praised the operational discipline, customer service focus and citywide coordination throughout the event.
The Conclusion
CMA Fest 2025 demonstrated how transportation can elevate the total event experience. By combining high-capacity shuttle service, artist transport and a digital trip planning tool, TMS delivered a cohesive mobility program that kept Nashville moving smoothly and safely.
From behind-the-scenes coordination to guest-facing service, TMS proved that effective event mobility begins long before the first performance.