TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT



SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION



Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the


Securities Exchange Act of 1934


(Amendment No.  )

Filed by the Registrant    ☒                              Filed by a Party other than the Registrant    ☐

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

☐

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Definitive Additional Materials

☐

​

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Soliciting Material underSection 240.14a-12

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.


(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)



(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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(1)​

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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3)​

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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form of Schedule and the date of its filing.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(3)

Filing Party:

(4)

Date Filed:


LOGO

April 8, 2020

7, 2021

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

I am pleased to invite you to attend the 20202021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., which will be held at 10:11:00 a.m. localeastern time on Wednesday,Thursday, May 13, 20202021 at the Gaylord OprylandPalms Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.Kissimmee, Florida. The doors will open at 9:10:30 a.m. localeastern time. You may also attend our annual meeting virtually via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RHP2021. Additional information on how to participate in this year’s annual meeting virtually can be found on page 72. Our directors and management team will also be available to answer questions.

questions during the annual meeting.

We describe in detail the proposals to be introduced at the annual meeting in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and proxy card. Our 20192020 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is not a part of our proxy solicitation materials, is also enclosed.

We intend to hold ourconduct the annual meeting in person.both in-person and virtually via the Internet. However, we are sensitivemay impose additional procedures or limitations on in-person meeting attendees, or we may decide to hold the annual meeting entirely online (i.e., a virtual-only meeting), depending on public health and travelsafety concerns our shareholders may have and recommendations that public health officials may issue in light of the evolving coronavirus(COVID-19)ongoing COVID-19 situation. As a result, we may impose additional procedures or limitations on meeting attendees or may decide to hold the meeting in a different location or solely by means of remote communication (i.e., a virtual-only meeting). We will issue a press release announcing any changes to the annual meeting, and we will also announce any changes on our proxy website, located at (http://ir.rymanhp.com/proxy). We encourage you to check this website prior to the meetingin advance if you plan to attend.

As always, weattend the annual meeting in person.

We encourage you to vote your shares prior to the annual meeting. You can ensure your shares are represented and voted at the annual meeting by promptly voting and submitting your proxy by telephone, by Internet or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card. Voting instructions are included on the enclosed proxy card. If you attend the annual meeting (whether in-person or virtually), you may continue to have your shares voted as instructed in the proxy, or you may withdraw your proxy at the annual meeting and vote your shares in person.

Thank you for your continued interest in Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., and we look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting.
​
​​
Sincerely,
​
​
​​

​
​
​​
Colin V. Reed
​
​
​​
Chief Executive Officer & Chairman
of the Board of Directors
​

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sincerely,

LOGO

Colin V. Reed

Chief Executive Officer &

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Page Intentionally Blank

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.


Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

​

Wednesday,

Thursday,
May 13, 2020

10:2021

11:00 a.m. localeastern time

​

​

Gaylord OprylandPalms Resort
& Convention Center

2800 Opryland Drive

Nashville, Tennessee 37214


6000 West Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee, Florida 34746

and live via the Internet at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RHP2021
​

​

Record Date


The close of business


March 25, 2020

26, 2021
​

Items of Business

​
•
​​
To elect the eight (8) nominees identified in this proxy statement for a one-year term
as directors;
​
​
•
​​
To approve, on an advisory basis, our executive compensation;
​
​
•
​​
To ratify the appointment by the Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2021; and
​
​
•
​​
To conduct any other business if properly raised.
​

To elect the eight (8) nominees identified in this proxy statement for aone-year term as directors;

To approve, on an advisory basis, our executive compensation;

To ratify the appointment by the Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020; and

To conduct any other business if properly raised.

You will find more information on the matters for voting in the proxy statement on the following pages. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by mail, by toll-free telephone number by usingor the Internet prior to the meeting, or in personyou may vote at the meeting.

meeting (either in-person or virtually).

Your vote is important to us. We strongly encourage you to exercise your right to vote as a stockholder. Please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided, or vote by calling the toll-free number or using the Internet — even if you plan to attend the meeting.annual meeting (either in-person or virtually). You may revoke your proxy at any time before the completion of voting for the annual meeting.

You will find instructions on how to vote beginning on page 7.8. Most stockholders vote by proxy and do not attend the annual meeting in person. However, you are entitled to attend the annual meeting if you were a stockholder of record or a beneficial holder as of the close of business on March 25, 2020,26, 2021, or if you are an authorized representative of any such stockholder or beneficial holder.

By Order of the Board of Directors of Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.,

Scott J. Lynn, Secretary


Nashville, Tennessee


April 8, 2020

7, 2021
​

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders To Be Held on May 13, 2020.2021. This proxy statement and our 20192020 annual report to stockholders are available on the internet at:

​
​
http://ir.rymanhp.com/proxy

​
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On this site, you will be able to access this proxy statement, our 20192020 annual report to stockholders and our annual report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,2020, and all amendments or supplements (if any).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Table of Contents

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Proxy Summary

​​
1
​

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Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. Annual Meeting of Stockholders

​​
1
​

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Voting Matters

​​
1
​

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Director Nominees

​​
1
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Board of Directors Matrix
​​
2
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Company Highlights

​​2
3
​

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Compensation Highlights

​​3
4
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Corporate Governance Highlights

​​6
7
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Questions and Answers About How to Vote Your Shares

​​7
8
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Proposals
​​
12
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Proposals

11

Proposal 1: Election of the Eight (8) Nominees for Director Identified in this Proxy Statement

​​11
12
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Proposal 2: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

​​15
17
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Proposal 3: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 20202021

​​16
18
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Company Information

​​17
19
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Corporate Governance

​​17
19
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Committees of the Board

​​18
21
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Majority Voting Standard for Director Elections

​​21
23
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Director Retirement PolicyRefreshment

​​21
24
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Director CommitmentsEmeritus Program

​​22
24
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CEO Pay Ratio

​​23
24
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Compensation Clawback

​​24
26
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Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

​​24
26
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Information Security
​​
27
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Environmental, Social and Governance Program

​​25
27
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Restrictions on Hedging and Pledging of Company Stock

​​26
29
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Proxy Solicitation

​​26
29
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Shareholder Outreach

​​26
29
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Communications with the Board of Directors

​​26
29
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Stock Ownership

​​28
30
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Beneficial Ownership of Directors, Executive Officers and Large Stockholders Table

​​28
30

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

30

  Executive Summary

30

  Our Compensation Program

34

  2019 Compensation Decisions

35

  Other Compensation Information

42

  2020 NEO Compensation

44​

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

​
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
​​
32
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Executive Summary
​​
32
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Our Compensation Program
​​
36
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2020 Compensation Decisions
​​
37
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Other Compensation Information
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44
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2021 NEO Compensation
​​
47
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Human Resources Committee Report

​​46
48
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Executive Compensation

​​47
49
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  20192020 Summary Compensation Table

​​47
49
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20192020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

​​49
51
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  20192020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

​​49
51
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Outstanding Equity Awards at 20192020 Fiscal Year End

​​50
53
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Outstanding Equity Awards at 20192020 Fiscal Year End Table

​​50
53
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20192020 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

​​52
55
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  20192020 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

​​52
55
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Other Compensation Information

​​53
56
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Pension Benefits

​​53
56
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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

​​53
56
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  20192020 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

​​54
57
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Potential Payments on Termination or Change of Control

​​55
58
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Employment and Severance Agreements

​​55
58
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Description of Potential Payments on Termination or Change of Control

​​56
58
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Summary of Potential Payments on Termination or Change of Control

​​59
62
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Summary of Actual Payments Made in Connection with Mr. Westbrook’s Resignation
​​
63
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Director Compensation

​​61
64
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Cash Compensation

​​61
64
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Equity-Based Compensation

​​61
64
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Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

​​62
65
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   20192020 Non-Employee Director Compensation Table

​​63
66
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​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
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Certain Transactions

​​64
67
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Equity Compensation Plan Information

​​64
67
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December 31, 20192020 Equity Compensation Plan Information Table

​​64
67
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Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

​​65
68
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Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP

​​65
68
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Fee Information

​​65
68
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Audit Committee Report

​​66
69
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Submitting Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 20212022 Annual Meeting

​​67
71
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Stockholder Proposals

​​67
71
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Nominations of Board Candidates

​​68
71
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Discretionary Voting of Proxies on Other Matters

​​68
72
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Instructions for Attending the Annual Meeting Virtually
​​
72
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Appendix A – Reconciliation ofNon-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Measures

​​
A-1
​

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Page Intentionally Blank

TABLE OF CONTENTS

​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
Proxy Summary

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider, so please read the entire proxy statement before voting. Additionally, for more complete information about our 20192020 financial performance, please see our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

2020.

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. Annual Meeting of Stockholders

​
Time and Date:
​10:​
11:00 a.m., localeastern time, May 13, 20202021
​
Place:​
Place:

​

​
Gaylord OprylandPalms Resort & Convention Center

2800 Opryland Drive

Nashville, Tennessee 37214


6000 West Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee, Florida 34746
​
​
Record Date:
​​
March 25, 202026, 2021
​
​
Number of Common Shares Eligible to Vote at the Meeting (and Record Holders) as of the Record Date:
​54,969,934 (907​
55,049,856 (785 holders of record)
​
​
Company Principal Executive Offices:
​

​

One Gaylord Drive


Nashville, Tennessee 37214

​
​
Date of First Mailing of Proxy Statement and Accompanying Materials to Stockholders:
​​
April 8, 20207, 2021
​

Voting Matters

​
​​
Matter
​​
Board Recommendation
​​
Page Reference
​

Matter

​

Board Recommendation

Page Reference

Proposal 1:

​​
Election of the Eight (8) Nominees for Director Identified in this Proxy Statement
​​
FOR each director nominee
​              11              ​
12
​

​

Proposal 2:

​​
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
​FOR​
FOR
15​​
17
​

​

Proposal 3:

​​
Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 20202021
​FOR​
FOR
16​​
18
​

Director Nominees
​
Name
​​
Age
​​
Director
Since
​​
Primary
Occupation
​​
Committee
Memberships;
Other Roles
​​
Other Public
Company Boards
​
​
Rachna Bhasin
​​
48
​​
2016
​​
Founder/CEO, EQ Partners
​​
Nominating & CG
​​
Shutterstock, Inc.
​
​
Alvin Bowles Jr.
​​
47
​​
2017
​​
VP, Global Marketing Solutions, Facebook, Inc.
​​
Audit
​​
—
​
​
Christian A. Brickman
​​
56
​​
—
​​
President & CEO, Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.
​​
—
​​
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.
​
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Fazal Merchant
​​
48
​​
2017
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Private Consultant
​​
Audit
​​
Meritor, Inc.
​
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Name

 

 

Age

 

 

Director
Since

 

 

Primary

Occupation

 

 

Committee
Memberships;
Other Roles

 

 

Other Public
Company Boards

 

  Rachna Bhasin

 47 2016 

Founder/CEO,

EQ Partners

 Nominating & CG Shutterstock, Inc.

  Alvin Bowles Jr.

 46 2017 VP, Global Marketing Solutions, Facebook, Inc. Audit -

  Fazal Merchant

 46 2017 

Co-CEO,

Tanium

 Audit -

  Patrick Moore

 50 2015 

EVP, North America

Retail, Carter’s Inc.

 Human

Resources (Chair);

Nominating & CG

 The Interpublic
Group of
Companies

​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Name

 

 

Age

 

 

Director
Since

 

 

Primary

Occupation

 

 

Committee
Memberships;
Other Roles

 

 

Other Public
Company Boards

 

  Christine Pantoya

 50 2019 

Non-Executive Partner,

Delta Partners Group

 Audit -

  Robert Prather, Jr.

 75 2009 President & CEO, Heartland Media, LLC Audit (Chair);

Human Resources

 GAMCO Investors,
Inc.; Southern
Community
Newspapers, Inc.

  Colin Reed

 72 2001 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. - First Horizon
National
Corporation

  Michael Roth

 74 2004 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Interpublic Group of Companies Human Resources;
Nominating & CG
(Chair); Lead
Independent
Director		 The Interpublic
Group of
Companies;
Pitney Bowes, Inc.
(non-executive
chairman)

​
Name
​​
Age
​​
Director
Since
​​
Primary
Occupation
​​
Committee
Memberships;
Other Roles
​​
Other Public
Company Boards
​
​
Patrick Moore
​​
51
​​
2015
​​
EVP, North America Retail, Carter’s Inc.
​​
Human Resources (Chair); Nominating & CG
​​
The Interpublic Group of Companies
​
​
Christine Pantoya
​​
51
​​
2019
​​
CFO, Omnichannel Acquisition Corp.
​​
Audit
​​
—
​
​
Robert Prather, Jr.
​​
76
​​
2009
​​
President & CEO, Heartland Media, LLC
​​
Audit (Chair); Human Resources
​​
GAMCO Investors, Inc.; Southern Community Newspapers, Inc.
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
73
​​
2001
​​
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.
​​
—
​​
First Horizon National Corporation
​
Board of Directors Matrix
The following matrix provides information about the director nominees (but does not include information about Michael Roth, who is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting), including certain types of knowledge, skills, experiences and attributes possessed by one or more of our director nominees which our Board believes are relevant to our business and operations. The matrix does not encompass all of the knowledge, skills, experiences or attributes of our director nominees, and does not suggest that a director nominee who is not listed as having any particular knowledge, skill, experience or attribute is unable to contribute to the decision-making process in that area.
​
​​
Rachna
Bhasin
​​
Alvin
Bowles
​​
Christian
Brickman
​​
Fazal
Merchant
​​
Patrick
Moore
​​
Christine
Pantoya
​​
Robert
Prather
​​
Colin
Reed
​
​
Knowledge, Skills and
Experience
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Public Company Board
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•
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•
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•
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Financial
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•
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•
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•
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Accounting
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•
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•
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•
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Strategic Planning
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•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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HR/Compensation
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•
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•
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•
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Operations
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•
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Corporate Governance
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Media & Entertainment
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•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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Hospitality/REIT
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•
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•
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•
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2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
​
 
​​
Rachna
Bhasin
​​
Alvin
Bowles
​​
Christian Brickman
​​
Fazal
Merchant
​​
Patrick
Moore
​​
Christine Pantoya
​​
Robert
Prather
​​
Colin
Reed
​
​
Demographics
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Race/Ethnicity
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African American
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•
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Asian/Pacific Islander
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•
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•
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Hispanic/Latino
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White/Caucasian
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•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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Gender
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Female
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•
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Male
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•
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•
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Board Tenure
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Years
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5
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4
​​
—
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3
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6
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2
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12
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20
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Independence
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Independent Director
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•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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Company Highlights

Total Stockholder Return

The following table shows the company’s total stockholder return, or TSR(1), as compared to the S&P 500 Index and the FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index, over the last one, three and five years.

LOGO



(1)

TSR is equal to stock price appreciation plus dividends, with dividends reinvested quarterly. For more information with respect to the comparison of our TSR with that of the S&P 500 Index and the FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index over the applicable time periods, please see theCompensation Discussion and Analysis on page 30.

32.
3

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Financial Highlights

Our financial results in 2020 were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the closure of our businesses for a significant period of time during the first half of 2020. We were able to re-open most of our businesses in the second half of 2020, but our operations for the remainder of the year were materially impacted by governmental restrictions on group meetings and live events, as well as customer sentiment relating to the pandemic. During 2020, in light of these conditions, our total revenue decreased approximately 67% from 2019 to $524.5 million, and we experienced:
a consolidated net loss of $460.8 million (as compared to consolidated net income of $128.3 million in 2019); and
•
consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding non-controlling interest in consolidated joint venture(2) of ($44.3) million (as compared to consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding non-controlling interest in consolidated joint venture of $479.4 million in 2019).
Our efforts in 2020 principally were focused on efforts to stabilize our businesses and our company’s financial condition as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts included a significant focus on reducing the company’s monthly cash operating expenditures, as well as creating and implementing strategies for safely re-opening our businesses on a limited basis in light of the pandemic and with a further strategic focus in our hospitality business on rebooking cancelled group room nights in future years. We also suspended our quarterly dividend following payment of our first quarter 2020 dividend in a further effort to reduce our cash expenditures during 2020.
We believe that our results in 2019 reflectefforts during 2020 will enable our company to successfully emerge from the continued overall strength of our Hospitality business segment, particularly the group meetings sector in which we focus,pandemic as well as the strategic investments we have made in our hotel propertiesvaccines become widely available over the past several years, including our investment incourse of 2021 and the Gaylord Rockies joint venture in 2018, our Gaylord Texan roomshospitality and meeting space expansion in 2018 and our Gaylord Opryland SoundWaves water attraction, which fully opened in 2019. In addition, the growth in our Entertainment business segment in 2019 continuedentertainment sectors continue their recovery. We will continue to reflect our strategic focus on expanding this business and the continued popularity of the country music genre and Nashville as a tourist destination, as well as the success of our Ole Red entertainment venues. Our 2019 financial highlights included:

Revenues

Profitability

Dividend Growth

$1.2 billionof Same-store

Hospitality segment revenue

  (up 5.9% from 2018) (2)

$183.1 million of

  Entertainment segment

revenue(up 24.4% from 2018)

$128.3 million of consolidated net income(3)(down 51.5% from 2018)

$479.4 millionof consolidated AdjustedEBITDAre, excludingnon-controlling interest(4)(up 23.3% from 2018)

$3.60 per shareannual cash dividend in 2019 (up 5.9% from 2018)

$188.3 millionin total cash dividends (paid for 2019 fiscal year)

We believe that, as a result of our efforts in 2019, we are better able to meet our corporatelong-term strategic objectives of increasing funds available for distribution to our stockholders and creating long-term stockholder value. You can find more information about our 20192020 financial and operating performance, and its impact on our compensation decisions, in theCompensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 30.

(2)

Same-store Hospitality segment revenue does not include revenues from the Gaylord Rockies, which opened on a limited basis in December 2018 and fully opened during the first quarter of 2019. As a result of our purchase of an additional interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture as of December 31, 2018, we began consolidating the joint venture’s financial results in our financial statements beginning January 1, 2019.

(3)

2018 consolidated net income included aone-time gain of $131.4 million related to our acquisition of our increased ownership in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture recognized in the fourth quarter of 2018.

(4)

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excludingnon-controlling interest is anon-GAAP financial measure. For a definition of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excludingnon-controlling interest and a reconciliation of thisnon-GAAP financial measure to consolidated net income (the most comparable GAAP financial measure), and an explanation of why we believe Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excludingnon-controlling interest presents useful information to investors, see Appendix A.

32.

Compensation Highlights

Objectives

In order to achieve our corporate strategic objectives and to attract, retain and motivate a team of qualified, talented and knowledgeable executives who are capable of performing their responsibilities, we design our executive compensation with the intent of providing competitive compensation programs which reward strong performance and limit compensation when our performance objectives are not achieved. We believe that our compensation programs provide a suitable balance between long- and short-term compensation and have an appropriate performance-based and “at risk” component.

(2)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding non-controlling interest in consolidated joint venture is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a definition of consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding non-controlling interest in consolidated joint venture and a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to consolidated net income (loss) (the most comparable GAAP financial measure), and an explanation of why we believe consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding non-controlling interest in consolidated joint venture presents useful information to investors, see Appendix A.
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Compensation Program Summary
The key elements of the compensation program for our named executive officers, or NEOs, which are described more fully in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 32, are:

Compensation Program Summary

The key elements of the compensation program for our named executive officers, or NEOs, are:

​

Compensation Element

​

​

Key


Characteristics

​

​

20192020 Compensation


Decisions

​

​

Percentage of 20192020


Target Total
Compensation(3)

​
​
Base Salary
​

​

• Fixed compensation.


• Payable in cash.

cash

• Reviewed annually and adjusted when appropriate.

​Our​
Prior to the widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, our CEO received an 8.1%a 10% increase in base salary, and our other NEOs (on average) received a 9.5%12.9% increase in base salary, for 2020. Our NEOs voluntarily agreed not to accept these base salary increases for 2020.

In addition, our NEOs voluntarily agreed to forego a portion of their base salaries during 2019.2020, with these amounts being repaid to each active NEO in March 2021.

​

​

• 18%18.0% of our CEO’s target total compensation.


• 27%28.5% of our other NEOs’ target total compensation (on
(on average).

​

​

Short-Term Cash Incentive

Compensation

​

​

• Variable compensation.


• Payable in cash based on performance against annually established performance objectives.

​Annual short-term​
No annual cash incentives were earned or paid to each NEO at 121.7% of the target payout level due tobased on our financial performance (and, also, inpursuant to the caseterms of our CEO, the achievement of designated strategic objectives). Each NEO also received additionalshort-term cash incentive compensation plan for the 2020 fiscal year.

Each active NEO other than Mr. Reed was awarded a modest discretionary cash bonus for 2020 in recognition of their contributionsefforts to stabilize our operatingbusinesses and financial performance in 2019.condition following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Reed voluntarily agreed to forego a cash bonus award for 2020.

​

​

• 27%26.6% of our CEO’s target total compensation.


• 29%26.8% of our other NEOs’ target total compensation (on average).

​

​

Long-Term Equity

Incentive

Compensation

​

​

• Variable compensation.


• Performance-based RSUs vesting over a three-year performance period.


• Time-based RSUs vesting ratably over four years.

​​
Annual long-term equity incentive compensation to our NEOs for 2020 was approximately 50% in the form of performance-based RSUs and 50% in the form of time-based RSUs (with the exception of our EVP & COO, who also received a promotional time-basedRSUs.

No changes were made to these, or any previously-granted, RSU award during 2019).awards in 2020.
​

​

• 53%54.5% of our CEO’s target total compensation.


• 42%43.2% of our other NEOs’ target total compensation (on average).

​
​
Executive-Level Perquisites
​

​

• Fixed compensation.


• Participation in broad-based plans at same cost as other employees.


• Certain executive-level perquisites not paid generally to our other employees.

​​
Our NEOs received only modest executive-level perquisites.perquisites in 2020.
​

​

• Approximately 2%0.9% of our CEO’s target total compensation.


• Approximately 2%1.6% of our other NEOs’ target total compensation (on average).

​

(3)

Calculated in the manner described in theCompensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 30.

32. Average target total compensation for the other NEOs (excluding Mr. Reed, our CEO) presented in this proxy statement does not include Bennett Westbrook, our former EVP & Chief Development Officer, who resigned effective September 1, 2020.
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Our Compensation Practices

We also are mindful of the risks to our stockholders that may be inherent in our compensation programs, and we attempt to utilize compensation practices that mitigate these risks. Some of these compensation practices are:

​

What We Do

​

​✓
✔
​

​

We Pay for Performance—We tiepay to performance in a manner that we believe advances our stockholders’ interests by paying a significant portion of our NEOs’ total compensation opportunities in the form of variable compensation. In 2019, 56%2020, 53.7% of our CEO’s total target compensation, and 49%49.4% of our other NEOs’ target total compensation (on average) was performance-based.

​

​✓
✔
​

​

Our Performance-Based RSUs are Tied to TSR—The long-term performance-based awards to our NEOs are in the form of RSUs which vest based on our achievement of TSR compared to the TSR of a designated peer group and other comparable companies, and there is no minimum payout level associated with these awards (i.e., all of these awards are “at risk”). We believe these awards incentivize our NEOs and align the interests of our NEOs with our stockholders.

​

​✓
✔
​

​

We Hold an Annual Say on Pay Vote—Consistent with the views of our stockholders, initially expressed in 2011 and reaffirmed in 2017, we continue to conduct an annual“say-on-pay” “say-on-pay” advisory vote to solicit our stockholders’ views on our compensation programs.

​

​✓
✔
​

​

We Solicit Independent Compensation Advice—Our Human Resources Committee retains Aon, a leading independent compensation consultant.

​

​✓
✔
​

​

We Require Meaningful Levels of Stock Ownership by Our Executives and Directors—Our stock ownership guidelines require meaningful levels of stock ownership by our executives (including 5x base salary for our CEO) and directors. All NEOs andnon-employee directors are currently in compliance with the guideline applicable to them, after taking into account the applicable grace period for our recently appointed directors.

​

​✓
✔
​

​

WeHave Implemented Meaningful Stock Retention Guidelines—Any officer or director who does not meet the applicable stock ownership guideline (regardless of any compliance grace period) must hold at least 50% of the net shares received in any stock option exercise or RSU vesting.

​

​✓
✔
​

​

Relevant Peer Groups—Groups—We use representative and relevant peer groups when determining compensation.



​

​

What We Don’t Do

​

​O
✘

​

​
We Don’tDon’t ProvideExcessive Levels of Guaranteed Compensation—Our short-term cash incentive compensation plan and the terms of the performance-based RSUs issued to our NEOs (which are tied to TSR) do not have minimum payout levels. All of this compensation is performance-based and “at risk”.

No annual cash incentives were paid to the NEOs based on our financial performance pursuant to the terms of our short-term cash incentive compensation plan for the 2020 fiscal year (and no adjustments were made to the terms of this plan as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic).
​

​O
✘

​

​
We Don’t Make “Mid-Stream” Changes to Previously Granted Performance-Based RSU Awards—We believe as a general matter that once issued, changes should not be made the design of long-term performance-based RSU awards. Accordingly, no changes have been made to previously-granted performance-based RSU awards as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
​
​
✘
​​
We Don’t Make “Single Trigger” Cash Payments Upon a Change of Control—Control—Theemployment and severance arrangements with our NEOs require a “double trigger” (requiring both a change of control and termination of employment) for cash severance payments following a change of control.

​

​O
✘

​

​
We Don’tDon’t Pay“Gross Ups” “Gross Ups” For Severance Payments—Payments—We do not provide excise or other tax “gross up” payments in connection with any severance payment made to an NEO.

​

​O
✘

​

​
We Don’t Allow Hedging or Significant Pledging of Company Securities by Officers and Directors—Directors and executive officers are prohibited from engaging in hedging transactions designed to offset decreases in the market value of our securities, and directors and executive officers may not pledge a significant amount of company securities without prior approval.

​
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Corporate Governance Highlights

Our Board of Directors has adopted governance policies that we believe are in the best interests of our stockholders, including:

​
•
​​
Annual election of all directors.
​
​
•
​​
Board refreshment and reduction in average board tenure.
​
​
​​
•
​​
On at least an annual basis, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors evaluates the Board’s composition to ensure that the Board maintains complementary and diverse skill sets, perspectives, backgrounds and experiences for its continued effectiveness, with the goal of having a mix of years of tenure of Board members between those who have served longer term, medium term, or shorter term.
​
​
​​
•
​​
All of our independent director nominees other than Mr. Prather have joined our Board since 2015. Immediately following the Annual Meeting (assuming all director nominees are elected), the average tenure of our independent directors will be 5 years, as compared to 15 years in 2015, and the average age of our independent directors will be 55 years, as compared to 67 years in 2015.
​
​
•
​​
Majority vote standard in uncontested elections.
​
​
•
​​
Independent, involved and informed Board of Directors.
​
​
​​
•
​​
All director nominees, other than our CEO, are independent.
​
​
​​
•
​​
All of our directors attended more than 75% of the meetings of the Board and those committees of which the director was a member in the aggregate during 2020. The independent director attendance at all Board and committee meetings in 2020 was 100%.
​
​
​​
•
​​
Board orientation for new members and ongoing director education.
​
​
•
​​
A diverse Board, with 50% of our current Board members being either female or racially/ethnically diverse, and with 50% of our director nominees for 2021 being either female or racially/ethnically diverse.
​
​
•
​​
Independent Lead Director.
​
​
•
​​
Independent Board committees.
​
​
​​
•
​​
Our three active standing Board committees are comprised solely of independent directors.
​
​
•
​​
Executive sessions of independent directors are held at each regularly scheduled Board meeting.
​
​
•
​​
Annual Board and committee self-evaluations.
​
​
•
​​
Board oversight of risk management.
​
​
•
​​
No stockholder rights plan.
​
​
•
​​
Common stock is the only class of voting securities outstanding.
​
​
•
​​
Ongoing engagement with stockholders.
​
​
•
​​
Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations
​

Annual election of all directors.

Non-management director retirement policy.

Board refreshment and reduction in average board tenure.

Since 2015 the Board of Directors has added 5 new independent directors. During 2019 the average tenure of our independent directors was 5 years, as compared to 15 years in 2015, and the average age of our independent directors was 54 years, as compared to 67 years in 2015.

Majority vote standard in uncontested elections.

Independent, involved and informed Board of Directors.

All directors, other than our CEO, are independent.

All of our directors attended more than 75% of the meetings of the Board and those committees of which the director was a member in the aggregate during 2019. The average independent director attendance at all Board and committee meetings in 2019 was 97.9%.

Board orientation for new members and ongoing director education.

Lead Independent Director.

Independent Board committees.

Our three active standing Board committees are comprised solely of independent directors.

Executive sessions of independent directors are held at each regularly scheduled Board meeting.

Annual Board and committee self-evaluations.

Board oversight of risk management.

No stockholder rights plan.

Common stock is the only class of voting securities outstanding.

Ongoing engagement with stockholders.

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Questions and Answers


About How to Vote Your Shares

Below are instructions on how to vote, as well as information on your voting rights as a stockholder. Some of the instructions vary depending on how your stock is held. It’s important to follow the instructions that apply to your situation.

Q.
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders?
A.
At the Annual Meeting, each holder of shares of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held by such stockholder close of business on March 26, 2021 (the record date).
Q.
How do I vote at the Annual
Meeting?
A.
Electronically. You may vote using the Internet or by phone.
To use the Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 12, 2021 (for shares in our 401(k) plan, the voting deadline is 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 11, 2021). Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
To vote by phone, dial 1-800-690-6903 up until 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 12, 2021 (for shares in our 401(k) plan, the voting deadline is 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 11, 2021). Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
In Person or by Mail. If you hold the shares in your own name, you may also vote in person at the meeting or by signing and dating each proxy card you receive and returning it in the enclosed prepaid envelope. If you vote by proxy, the proxies identified on the back of the proxy card will vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. If you submit a signed proxy card but do not mark the boxes showing
how you wish to vote, the proxies will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board.
Q.
How can I participate in the Annual Meeting virtually?
A.
You will be able to log into the virtual annual meeting platform by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting/RHP2021 and entering the control number found on your proxy materials. Stockholders participating virtually will also be able to submit questions via the virtual meeting platform and to vote their shares. See page 72 for more information on how to participate in this year’s annual meeting virtually.
Q.
What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
A.
At the Annual Meeting, you and your fellow stockholders will vote on the following matters:
​
Proposal
​​
Matter
​
Q.​
1
Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

A.​​You may vote if you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on March 25, 2020 (the record date).

Q.

How do I vote at the Annual Meeting?

A.Electronically. You may vote using the Internet or by phone.

To use the Internet, go towww.proxyvote.com to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 12, 2020 (for shares in our 401(k) plan, the voting deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 11, 2020). Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

To vote by phone, dial1-800-690-6903 up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 12, 2020 (for shares in our 401(k) plan, the voting deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 11, 2020). Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

In Person or by Mail.If you hold the shares in your own name, you may also vote in person at the meeting or by signing and dating each proxy card you receive and returning it in the enclosed prepaid envelope. If you vote by proxy, the proxies identified on the back of the proxy card will vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. If you submit a signed proxy card but do not mark the boxes showing



how you wish to vote, the proxies will vote
your shares in accordance with the
recommendations of the Board.

Q.


What is the purpose of the Annual
Meeting?

A.

At the Annual Meeting, you and your fellow
stockholders will vote on the following
matters:
ProposalMatter
1

Election of the eight (8) nominees for director identified in this proxy statement

​
​
2
​2​

Advisory

Avisory vote on executive compensation

​
​
3
​3​

Ratification of independent registered public accounting firm for 2020

2021



You and your fellow stockholders will also
be asked to transact any other business that
may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment or postponement.

Q.


What if my shares are held in “street
name” by a broker?

A.











If you do not own your shares directly, but
instead are the beneficial owner of shares
held in “street name” by a broker, bank or
other nominee, your broker, bank or other
nominee, as the record holder of the shares,
must vote those shares in accordance with
your instructions. If you do not give
instructions to your broker, bank or other
nominee, your broker, bank or other
nominee can vote your shares with respect
to “discretionary” items, but not with respect

​
You and your fellow stockholders will also be asked to transact any other business that may property come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement.
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2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​
Q.
What if my shares are held in “street name” by a broker?
A.
If you do not own your shares directly, but instead are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” by a broker, bank or other nominee, your broker, bank or other nominee, as the record holder of the shares, must vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, your broker, bank or other nominee can vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items, but not with respect to “non-discretionary” items. On non-discretionary items for which you do not give instructions, your shares will be counted as “broker non-votes”.
Q.
What shares are included on my proxy card?
A.
Your proxy card represents all shares registered in your name with the transfer agent on the record date, including those shares owned pursuant to our 401(k) plan.
Q.
Which matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting are discretionary items and may be voted on by a broker?
A.
A discretionary item is a proposal that is considered routine under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Shares held in street name may be voted by your broker, bank or other nominee on discretionary items in the absence of voting instructions given by you.
The matters presented in Proposal 1 (Election of Directors) and Proposal 2 (Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation) are not considered routine under the rules of the NYSE. Therefore, brokers, banks or other nominees will not have the ability to vote shares held in street name with respect to those proposals unless the broker, bank or other nominee has received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares held in street name. Broker non-votes will not impact the outcome of Proposals 1 or 2. It is therefore important that you provide instructions to your broker,
bank or other nominee if your shares are held in street name by a broker, bank or other nominee so that you are able to vote with respect to Proposals 1 or 2.
Proposal 3 (Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm) is considered routine and therefore may be voted upon by your broker, bank or other nominee if you do not give instructions for the shares held in street name by your broker, bank or other nominee. If any other matter that properly comes before the meeting is not considered routine under the rules of the NYSE, broker non-votes will not impact the outcome of this matter.
Q.
How many shares must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?
A.
The holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding on the record date, or 27,524,929 shares, in person or by a valid proxy, must be present at the meeting for any business to be conducted, known as a “quorum.” Proxies received but marked as “abstain,” as well as shares that are counted as broker non-votes, will be counted as shares that are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Q.
What if a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting?
A.
If a quorum is not present at the scheduled time of the meeting, we may adjourn the meeting, either with or without a vote of the stockholders. If we propose to have the stockholders vote whether to adjourn the meeting, the people named in the enclosed proxy will vote all shares of our common stock for which they have voting authority in favor of the adjournment.
We also may adjourn the meeting if for any reason the Board determines that adjournment is necessary or appropriate to enable our stockholders to (i) consider fully information which the Board determines has not been sufficiently or timely available to stockholders
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​
to“non-discretionary” items. Onnon-discretionary items for which you do not give instructions, your shares will be counted as “brokernon-votes.”

Q.

A.

Which matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting are discretionary items and may be voted upon by a broker?

A discretionary item is a proposal that is considered routine under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE. Shares held in street name may be voted by your broker, bank or other nominee on discretionary items in the absence of voting instructions given by you.

The matters presented in Proposal 1 (Election of Directors) and Proposal 2 (Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation) are not considered routine under the rules of the NYSE. Therefore, brokers, banks or other nominees will not have the ability to vote shares held in street name with respect to those proposals unless the broker, bank or other nominee has received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares held in street name. Brokernon-votes will not impact the outcome of Proposals 1 or 2. It is therefore important that you provide instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee if your shares are held in street name by a broker, banker or other nominee so that you are able to vote with respect to Proposals 1 or 2.

Proposal 3 (Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm) is considered routine and therefore may be voted upon by your broker, bank or other nominee if you do not give instructions for the shares held in street name by your broker, bank or other nominee. If any other matter that properly comes before the meeting is not considered routine under the rules of the NYSE, brokernon-votes will not impact the outcome of this matter.

Q.

What shares are included on my proxy card?

A.Your proxy card represents all shares registered in your name with the transfer agent on the record date, including those shares owned pursuant to our 401(k) plan.

Q.

How are shares in the Company’s 401(k) Plan voted?

A.

Participants in our 401(k) plan are entitled to vote the shares held under the plan in their name. To do this, you must sign and return the proxy card you received with this proxy statement no later than May 11, 2020. Your proxy card will be considered your confidential voting instructions, and the plan trustee will direct your vote in the manner you indicate. The voting results for all shares held in the plan will be tabulated by our transfer agent for all participants and reported to the plan trustee on an aggregate basis. The overall vote tallies will not show how individual participants voted. The trustee will vote the shares at the meeting through the custodian holding the shares. If a plan participant’s voting instructions are not received by our transfer agent before the meeting, or if the proxy is revoked by the participant before the meeting, the shares held by that participant will be considered unvoted. All unvoted shares in the plan will be voted at the meeting by the plan trustee in direct proportion to the voting results of plan shares for which proxies are voted.

Q.

How many shares must be present to hold the Annual Meeting?

A.

The holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding on the record date, or 27,484,968 shares, in person or by a valid proxy, must be present at the meeting for any business to be conducted, known as a “quorum.” Proxies received but marked as “abstain,” as well as shares that are counted as brokernon-votes, will be counted as shares that are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

20202021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

or (ii) otherwise effectively exercise their voting rights. An adjournment will have no effect on the business that may be conducted at the meeting.
Q.
How does the Board recommend I vote on each of the proposals?
A.
The Board recommends that you vote as follows on each of the following proposals:
​
Proposal
​​
Matter
​
Q.​
1
What if a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting?
A.​​If a quorum is not present at the scheduled time of the meeting, we may adjourn the meeting, either with or without a vote of the stockholders. If we propose to have the stockholders vote whether to adjourn the meeting, the people named in the enclosed proxy will vote all shares of our common stock for which they have voting authority in favor of the adjournment.

We also may adjourn the meeting if for any reason the Board determines that adjournment is necessary or appropriate to enable our stockholders to (i) consider fully information which the Board determines has not been sufficiently or timely available to stockholders or (ii) otherwise effectively exercise their voting rights. An adjournment will have no effect on the business that may be conducted at the meeting.

Q.

How does the Board recommend I vote on each of the proposals?

A.

The Board recommends that you vote as follows on each of the following proposals:

ProposalMatter
1

FOR election of the eight (8) nominees for director identified in this proxy statement

​
​
2
2​​

FOR approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation

​
​
3
3​​

FOR ratification of independent registered public accounting firm for 2020

2021
​
Q.
How do I change my vote?
A.
You can revoke your proxy at any time before the meeting by:
Submitting a later-dated proxy card by mail or transmitting new voting instructions via internet or phone;
Giving written notice to Scott J. Lynn, our corporate secretary, stating that you are revoking your proxy; or
Attending the meeting either in-person or virtually and voting your shares.
If you hold your shares in “street name” your broker, bank or other nominee will provide you with instructions on how to revoke your proxy.
Q.
Who will count the votes?
A.
Representatives of Broadridge will count the votes and act as the independent inspector of elections.
Q.
How are shares in the Company’s 401k plan voted?
A.
401(k) plan participants may vote the shares held under the plan in their name by signing and returning the proxy card you received no later than May 11, 2021. Your vote will be confidential, and the plan trustee will direct your vote in the manner you indicate. The voting results for all shares in the plan will be tabulated for all participants and reported on an aggregate basis. The trustee will vote the shares at the meeting through the custodian holding the shares. If a plan participant’s voting instructions are not received before the meeting (or later revoked) the shares will be considered unvoted. All unvoted shares will be voted at the meeting by the plan trustee in direct proportion to the voting results of plan shares for which proxies are voted.
Q.
What if I send in my proxy card and do not specify how my shares are to be voted?
A.
If you send in a signed proxy card but do not give any voting instructions, your shares will be voted as follows on each of the following proposals:
​
Proposal
​​
Matter
​
​
1
Q.​​How do I change my vote?
A.You can revoke your proxy at any time before the meeting by:

                           •

Submitting a later-dated proxy card by mail or transmitting new voting instructions via internet or phone;

                           •

Giving written notice to Scott J. Lynn, our corporate secretary, stating that you are revoking your proxy; or

                           •

Attending the meeting and voting your shares in person.




If you hold your shares in “street name” your
broker, bank or other nominee will provide
you with instructions on how to revoke your
proxy.
Q.Who will count the votes?
A.

Representatives of Broadridge will count the
votes and act as the independent inspector
of elections.
Q.

What if I send in my proxy card and
do not specify how my shares are to
be voted?

A.


If you send in a signed proxy card but do not
give any voting instructions, your shares will
be voted as follows on each of the following
proposals:

ProposalMatter
1

FOR election of the eight (8) nominees for director identified in this proxy statement

​
​
2
​2​

FOR approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation

​
​
3
​3​

FOR ratification of independent registered public accounting firm for 2020

2021

Q.



How will the proxies vote on any
other business brought up at the
Annual Meeting?

A.








We are not aware of any other business to
be considered at the meeting other than the
proposals described in this proxy statement.
If any other business is properly presented
at the meeting, your signed proxy card
authorizes Colin V. Reed, Michael I. Roth
and Scott J. Lynn to use their discretion to
vote on these other matters.

Q.


What are my voting options on
Proposal 1 (Election of Directors)?

A.

You may:

                           •

Vote FORall of the director nominees;

                           •

Vote FORspecific director nominees;

                           •

Vote AGAINSTall director nominees;

                           •


Vote AGAINSTspecific director
nominees;

                           •


ABSTAIN from voting with respect toall
of the director nominees; or

​
Q.
How will the proxies vote on any other business brought up at the Annual Meeting?
A.
We are not aware of any other business to be considered at the meeting other than the proposals described in this proxy statement. If any other business is properly presented at
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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

the meeting, your signed proxy card authorizes Colin V. Reed, Robert Prather and Scott J. Lynn to use their discretion to vote on these other matters.
Q.
What are my voting options on Proposal 1 (Election of Directors)?
A.
You may:
•
Vote FOR all of the director nominees;
•
Vote FOR specific director nominees;
•
Vote AGAINST all director nominees;
•
Vote AGAINST specific director nominees;
•

                           •


ABSTAIN from voting with respect to
all of the director nominees; or
•
ABSTAIN from voting with respect to specific director nominees.

























A nominee will be elected as a director if the
number of votes cast “FOR” such nominee’s
election exceeds the number of votes cast
“AGAINST” such nominee’s election (with
abstentions and brokernon-votes not
counted as votes cast either for or against
such election). Proxies may not be voted for
more than eight directors, and stockholders
may not cumulate votes in the election of
directors.

Under our Corporate Governance
Guidelines and Bylaws, each incumbent
nominee for director agrees that if he or she
fails to receive the required majority vote in
a director election, the director will tender a
resignation for consideration by the
Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee and, ultimately, the Board. If the
resignation is accepted, the nominee will no
longer serve on the Board. If the resignation
is rejected, the nominee will continue to
serve on the Board. Under our Corporate
Governance Guidelines and Bylaws, any
new nominee will not be elected to the
Board if he or she fails to receive the
required majority vote in an election.

Q.

What are my voting options on the
other proposals?

A.



When voting on either Proposal 2 (Advisory
Vote on Executive Compensation) or
Proposal 3 (Ratification of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm), you
may:

•    Vote FOR the proposal;

•    Vote AGAINST the proposal; or

•    ABSTAIN from voting.



If you abstain from voting on Proposal 2 or
Proposal 3, your shares will be counted as
present in person or represented by proxy
A nominee will be elected as a director if the number of votes cast “FOR” such nominee’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “AGAINST” such nominee’s election (with abstentions and broker non-votes not counted as votes cast either for or against such election). Proxies may not be voted for more than eight (8) directors, and stockholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors. See “Majority Voting Standard for Director Elections” below for the effect of a director nominee failing to receive the required majority vote in an election.
Q.
What are my voting options on the other proposals?
A.
When voting on either Proposal 2 (Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation) or Proposal 3 (Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm), you may:
Vote FOR the proposal;
Vote AGAINST the proposal; or
ABSTAIN from voting.
If you abstain from voting on Proposal 2 or Proposal 3, your shares will be counted as present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such proposal, and thus the abstention will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST such proposal.
Q.
Is my vote confidential?
A.
Yes. All proxy cards and vote tabulations that identify an individual stockholder are kept confidential. Except to meet legal requirements, your vote will not be disclosed to us unless a proxy solicitation is contested, you write comments on the proxy card, or you authorize disclosure of your vote. However, we may confirm whether a stockholder has voted or take other actions to encourage voting.
Q.
How many votes are required to approve each proposal?
A.
The following votes will be required to approve each proposal:
​


and entitled to vote on such proposal, and
thus the abstention will have the same effect
as a vote AGAINST such proposal.
Q.Is my vote confidential?
A.








Yes. All proxy cards and vote tabulations
that identify an individual stockholder are
kept confidential. Except to meet legal
requirements, your vote will not be disclosed
to us unless a proxy solicitation is
contested, you write comments on the proxy
card, or you authorize disclosure of your
vote. However, we may confirm whether a
stockholder has voted or take other actions
to encourage voting.
Q.

How many votes are required to approve each proposal?

A.

The following votes will be required to approve each proposal:

Proposal
​​
Vote Required
​
​

1


(Election of the eight (8) nominees for director identified in this proxy statement)

​

​

Votes cast “FOR” must exceed votes cast “AGAINST” any nominee(abstentions and brokernon-votes will not be counted as votes cast for or against)

​
​

2


(Advisory vote on executive compensation)

​​
Majority of shares entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy
​
​

3


(Ratification of independent registered
public
accounting firm)

​​
Majority of shares entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy
​
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2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Proposals

Proposal 1 (Election of the Eight (8) Nominees for Director Identified in this Proxy Statement)

The information below about the business background of each nominee for director has been provided by each nominee. All nominees other than Christian Brickman are currently directors. Incumbent director Michael Roth (whose information is provided below) intends to retire as a director, and will not stand for re-election, effective as of the Annual Meeting. Mr. Roth is not retiring as a result of any disagreement with the Company. As described on page 24, we intend to appoint Mr. Roth as a director emeritus for an initial one-year term following his retirement as a director. In case any nominee is not available to serve as a director, the person or persons voting the proxies may vote your shares for such other person or persons designated by the Board if you have submitted a proxy card.

The Board may also choose to reduce the number of directors to be elected at the meeting. Each of the nominees shall be elected to serve as a director until the annual meeting of stockholders in 20212022 or until his or her respective successor is otherwise duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. The names of the nominees for director, along with their present positions, their principal occupations, current directorships held with other public companies, as well as directorships with other public companies during the past five years, their ages and the year first elected as a director, are set forth below. Individual qualifications, experiences and skills that contribute to the Board’s effectiveness as a whole, as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, are also described below.

Incumbent Directors Standing forRe-Election

​
Incumbent Directors Standing for Re-Election
​​
​

​

Rachna Bhasin


​​
​
​
Founder/CEO,Chief Executive Officer, EQ Partners, a private consulting firm, since January 2019. Ms. Bhasin has also served as a director of Clearview Media Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) with a stated focus of acquiring media and technology companies, since March 2021. From October 2015 to January 2019, Ms. Bhasin served as Chief Business Officer of Magic Leap, Inc., a digital technology company. Prior to such time, Ms. Bhasin was Senior Vice-President of Corporate Strategy and Business Development at media company SiriusXM Radio, a position she had held since 2010. From 2007 until 2010 Ms. Bhasin was General Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Personalization at technology company Dell, Inc., and from 2004 to 2007 she served as Vice President of Business Development at the media company EMI Music, North America.
​

​

Qualifications:Ms. Bhasin’s experience in the technology and media industries provide her with a unique perspective on our challenges and opportunities.



Current Directorships:Shutterstock, Inc.



Former Directorships:None



Age: 47

48


Director since:2016

​
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​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​

​

Alvin Bowles Jr.


​​
​
​
Vice-President, Global Marketing Solutions, Facebook, Inc., a technology company, since January 2020; Head of Global Publisher Sales and Operations, Facebook, October 2015 to January 2020; CEO of media company GrabMedia, March 2011 to September 2015; SVP, Integrated Marketing & Brand Solutions, of media company BET, April 2007 to December 2010; Vice President Sales, Publisher, AOL Black Voices, of media and technology company AOL, April 2005 to April 2007; Vice President, Global Media Group, of entertainment company Time Warner Inc., January 2004 to April 2005.
​

​

Qualifications:Mr. Bowles brings operating experience in large, complex organizations as a result of his service as a senior executive of public and private companies, including those with a focus on digital media and technology.



Current Directorships: None

Former Directorships: None

Age: 47

Director since: 2017
​
​
Fazal Merchant
​​
​
​

Current Directorships:None

Former Directorships:None

Age: 46

Private Consultant, since September 2020; Director, since: 2016

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

Fazal Merchant

Co-CEOasset management firm Ariel Investments, LLC, since March 2021; Co-Chief Executive Officer of Tanium, a privately-held endpoint security and systems management company, sincefrom June 2019;2019 to September 2020; Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Tanium, May 2017 to June 2019; Consultant to WndrCo, a new media and technology company, December 2016 to May 2017; Chief Financial Officer, media company DreamWorks Animation SKG, September 2014 to September 2016; Chief Financial Officer, media company DirecTV Latin America, December 2013 to September 2014; SVP, Treasurer & Corporate Development, media and technology company DirecTV, July 2012 to April 2014; Managing Director, Head of Global Industrials Group, Americas, financial services company Royal Bank of Scotland, January 2011 to July 2012; Managing Director, Global Industrials, financial services company Barclays Capital, May 2004 to January 2011.2012.​

​

Qualifications:Mr. Merchant brings operating and financial experience in large, complex organizations as a result of his service as a senior executive in public and private companies.



Current Directorships: Meritor, Inc.

Former Directorships: None

Age: 48

Director since: 2017
​
​
Patrick Moore
​​
​
​

Current Directorships:None

Former Directorships:None

Age: 46

Director since:2017

Patrick Moore

EVP, North America Retail, Carter’s Inc., a branded marketer of apparel and related products, since December 2019; EVP, Strategy & Global Business Development at Carter’s, February 2019 to December 2019; EVP, Strategy & Business Development at Carter’s, August 2017 to February 2019; Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer, YP Holdings, a privately-held media and advertising company, June 2013 until July 2017; Partner,Principal, McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm, September 2001 to May 2013, where he served a range of consumer, hospitality and media clients and also led McKinsey’s North American Consumer Digital Excellence initiative.2013.
​

​

Qualifications:Mr. Moore’s previous experience at a digital media company and at a management consulting firmMoore's work experiences provide him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by our Entertainment business segment. Mr. Moore also has considerable expertise in the hospitality industrysegment as a result of his service as a management consultant.



Current Directorships:TheInterpublicThe Interpublic Group of Companies



Former Directorships: None

Age: 51

Director since: 2015
​
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​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
​
Christine Pantoya
​​
​
​

Former Directorships:None

Age: 50

Director since:2015

Christine
Chief Financial Officer, Omnichannel Acquisition Corp., a recently-formed SPAC with a stated focus of acquiring technology-enabled cross-channel retail and consumer service businesses, since October 2020; and Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Strategy, FANchise, an integrative fan-controlled sports league, since July 2020. Ms. Pantoya

has also served as Non-Executive Partner, Delta Partners Group, an investment and advisory firm, since June 2019. Ms. Pantoya has also served as a senior advisor to multiple early-stage companies (including Stay Tuned Digital, Boom Fantasy, FanControlled Football League and Rivals Media) since January 2019. From January 2015 to October 2018, Ms. Pantoya served as SVP & Head of Mobile &Direct-to-Consumer for the National Basketball Association, a professional sports league. From April 2012 to January 2015, Ms. Pantoya served as VP of Corporate Development and Strategy for telecommunications company Verizon Communications. From June 2008 to April 2012, Ms. Pantoya served as Regional Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for telecommunications company Cox Communications. Prior to such time, Ms. Pantoya served in a variety of roles for telecommunicationstele-communications companies Cox Communications, Enhanced Wireless, Clearwire, and Sprint Nextel.​

​

Qualifications:Ms. Pantoya’s experiencescurrent roles as an operating executive for the National Basketball Associationwith a recently formed SPAC focusing on technology-enabled businesses and for telecommunications companies provides experience in thewith a new media and entertainment industries.

venture provide her with insights on the challenges and opportunities faced by our Entertainment business segment.


Current Directorships:None



Former Directorships:None



Age: 50

51

Director since:2019
​

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

​
Robert Prather, Jr.


​​
​

​

President and Chief Executive Officer, Heartland Media, LLC, a television broadcasting company, since June 2013; President and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Media Broadcasting, a television broadcasting company, since February 2020; President and Chief Operating Officer, Gray Television, Inc., a television broadcasting company, September 2002 to June 2013; Executive Vice President, Gray Television, Inc., 1996 to September 2002; Chief Executive Officer, Bull Run Corporation (now Southern Community Newspapers, Inc.), a media and publishing company, 1992 to December 2005.

For more information about the Board’s decision to grant aone-year waiver of ournon-management director retirement policy with respect to Mr. Prather, see page 21.

​

​

Qualifications:Mr. Prather’s history as a chief executive officer of media companies provides financial expertise, as well as operating experience in the media and entertainment industries. Mr. Prather also has considerable corporate governance experience through his service on the boards of other public companies.



Current Directorships:GAMCO Investors, Inc.; Southern Community Newspapers, Inc.



Former Directorships:Diebold Nixdorf, Inc.; Gray Television, Inc.



Age: 76

Director since: 2009
​
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​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
​
​

Age: 75

Director since:2009

Colin Reed

Chairman of our Board since May 2005; our Chief Executive Officer since April 2001; our President from November 2012 to March 2015 and from April 2001 to November 2008; Member, three-executive Office of the President, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., a gaming company, May 1999 to April 2001; Chief Financial Officer, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., April 1997 to April 2001. Mr. Reed served in a variety of other management positions with Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. and its predecessor, hotel operator Holiday Corp., from 1977 to April 1997.
​

​

Qualifications:Mr. Reed’sday-to-day leadership as Chairman of our Board and CEO, as well as his many years of experience in the hospitality industry, provides him with deep knowledge of our operations and gives him unique insights into our challenges and opportunities.



Current Directorships:First Horizon National Corporation



Former Directorships: None

Age: 73

Director since: 2001
​
​
Director Nominee
​
​

Former Directorships:None

Christian A. Brickman
​​
​
​

Age: 72

Director since:2001

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

Michael Roth

Chairman (since July 2004)President and Chief Executive Officer, Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., a consumer products company, since February 2015; President and Chief Operating Officer, Sally Beauty, June 2014 to February 2015; President of Kimberly-Clark International, a subsidiary of consumer products company Kimberly-Clark Corporation, May 2012 to February 2014; President of Kimberly-Clark Professional, a Kimberly-Clark subsidiary, August 2010 to May 2012; Chief Strategy Officer of Kimberly-Clark, 2008 to 2010. Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark, Mr. Brickman was a Principal in the Dallas, Texas office of McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm.

​​
Qualifications: Mr. Brickman’s experience as chief executive officer of a public company and as a senior officer of a large multi-national corporation brings managerial and operational experience.

Current Directorships: Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.

Former Directorships: None

Age: 56
​
​
Incumbent Director Not Standing for Re-election
​
​
Michael I. Roth
​​
​
​
Executive Chairman (since January 2005)2021), The Interpublic Group of Companies, a global marketing services company; Chairman (from July 2004 to January 2020) and Chief Executive Officer (from January 2005 to January 2020), The Interpublic Group of Companies; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, The MONY Group Inc. (and its predecessor entities), a financial services company, 1997 to 2004.

Mr. Roth also serves as our Lead Independent Director, and Mr. Roth regularly devotes additional time and effort to perform the duties associated with this role, as described on page 17 below.

As further described underCompany Information—Director Commitments on page 22 below, the Board believes that Mr. Roth’s service with other publicly traded companies does not negatively impact his service on our Board.

​

Qualifications:As chairman and chief executive officer of one of the world’s largest publicly-traded marketing service companies, Mr. Roth brings a variety of experience and expertise to the Board, including in the areas of capital markets and corporate governance.

​

Current Directorships:The Interpublic Group of Companies;Companies (executive chairman); Pitney Bowes, Inc.(non-executive (non-executive chairman) chairman)



Former Directorships:None



Age: 74

75


Director since:2004

​
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
Board Meetings in 20192020 and Director Attendance

In 20192020 the Board met 6 times. All directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and those committees of which the director was a member in the aggregate during 2019.

2020.

Company Voting Recommendation

The Board unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote FOR each of our nominees.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Bylaws provide for a majority voting standard in uncontested director elections. A director nominee will be elected to the Board only if the number of votes cast “FOR” such nominee’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “AGAINST” such nominee’s election (with abstentions and brokernon-votes not counted as votes cast either for or against such election). If an incumbent nominee for director fails to receive the required majority vote in a director election, he or she will tender his or her resignation as a director for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and, ultimately, the Board.

In the event any incumbent nominee for director does not receive the requisite majority vote, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Bylaws provide that our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate the circumstances of the failed election and will make a recommendation regarding how to act upon the tendered resignation to the full Board, in light of the best interests of the company and its stockholders. The full Board will then act upon the resignation, taking into account the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and will publicly disclose its decision regarding the tendered resignation and its rationale within 90 days of the certification of the election results. If the Board accepts the resignation, the nominee will no longer serve on the Board. If the Board rejects the resignation, the nominee will continue to serve until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier disqualification, death, resignation or removal.
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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Proposal 2 (Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation)

We are asking stockholders to cast an advisory(non-binding) vote on our executive compensation for our named executive officers, or NEOs. Please read theCompensation Discussion and Analysisbeginning on page 3032 and the related compensation tables and narrative discussion appearing on pages 4749 through 54,57, which provide more information on the compensation paid to our NEOs for 2019.

2020.

Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, retain and motivate qualified, knowledgeable and talented executives who are capable of performing their responsibilities. Our efforts in 2020 principally were focused on efforts to stabilize our businesses and our company’s financial condition as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts included a significant focus on reducing the company’s monthly cash operating expenditures, as well as creating and implementing strategies for the re-opening of our businesses on a limited basis in light of the pandemic.
We believe that our efforts during 2020 will enable our company to successfully emerge from the leadershippandemic as
vaccines become widely available over the course of 2021 and performancethe hospitality and entertainment sectors continue their recovery. We will continue to focus on our long-term strategic objectives of our executives contributed significantlyincreasing funds available for distribution to our strongstockholders and creating long-term stockholder value. You can find more information about our 2020 financial and operating performance, and financial resultsits impact on our compensation decisions, in 2019, which included:

•Revenues. In 2019 our Same-store Hospitality segment revenue(1) increased 5.9% from 2018 to $1.2 billion, and our Entertainment segment revenue increased 24.4% from 2018 to $183.1 million.
•Net Income, AFFO Available to Common Stockholders and Adjusted EBITDAre, ExcludingNon-Controlling Interest.In2019:
•Our consolidated net income(2) decreased 51.5% from 2018 to $128.3 million;
the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 32.
Our consolidated net income available to common stockholders decreased 44.9% from 2018 to $145.8 million;
•Our AFFO available to common stockholders(3) increased 18.2% from 2018 to $356.6 million; and
•Our Adjusted EBITDAre, excludingnon-controlling interest(3) increased 23.3% from 2018 to $479.4 million.
•Dividends to Stockholders.In 2019 we increased our annual cash dividend by 5.9% (as compared to 2018) to $3.60 per share, paying approximately $188.3 million in dividends to our stockholders in 2019 (including the dividends paid in January 2020 to holders of record as of December 31, 2019).

Company Voting Recommendation

For the reasons discussed above and in theCompensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 30,32, we are asking our stockholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the company’s named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of RegulationS-K, including theCompensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, in this proxy statement.”

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on this matter. If you abstain from voting on this matter, your abstention will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Brokernon-votes will not impact the outcome of this matter. While this vote is advisory and therefore not binding on us, our Board and our Human Resources Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will take into consideration the outcome of this vote when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation programs.The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the approval of the advisory resolution relating to the compensation of our NEOs as disclosed in this proxy statement.
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(1)

Same-store Hospitality segment revenue does not include revenues from the Gaylord Rockies, which opened on a limited basis in December 2018 and fully opened during the first quarter of 2019. As a result of our purchase of an additional interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture as of December 31, 2018, we began consolidating the joint venture’s financial results in our financial statements beginning January 1, 2019.

(2)

2018 consolidated net income included aone-time gain of $131.4 million related to our acquisition of our increased ownership in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture recognized in the fourth quarter of 2018.

(3)

AFFO available to common stockholders and Adjusted EBITDAre, excludingnon-controlling interest arenon-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of thenon-GAAP financial measures used herein, a reconciliation of eachnon-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and an explanation of why we believe these measures present useful information to investors, see Appendix A.

​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Proposal 3 (Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020)

2021)

Proposal 3 asks that our stockholders vote to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for the 20202021 fiscal year. You can find more information about our relationship with Ernst & Young LLP on page 6568 of this proxy statement.

Proposal 3 asks that our stockholders vote to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the 20202021 fiscal year. In the event the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider this appointment. The Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any

time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in our and our stockholders’ best interests.

Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2002. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the meeting. They will be available to respond to your questions and may make a statement if they desire.

Company Voting Recommendation

Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. If you abstain from voting on the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, your abstention will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal.

The Board and the Audit Committee unanimously recommend that the stockholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2020.2021.
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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

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Company Information



Corporate Governance

Our business is managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. The Board delegates the conduct of the business to our senior management team. The Board held 6 meetings during 2019.2020. All directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and those committees of which the director was a member in the aggregate during 2019.

2020.

We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines governing the conduct of our Board. The charters of our Audit Committee, Human Resources Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as our Corporate Governance Guidelines, are all posted on our web site atwww.rymanhp.com(under “Corporate Governance” on the Investor Relations page).

We have also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which is applicable to all employees, officers and directors, including the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the principal accounting officer. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our web site atwww.rymanhp.com(under “Corporate Governance” on the Investor Relations page). We intend to post amendments to or waivers from our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (to the extent applicable to our directors, principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer) at this location on our website.

We will provide a copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our committee charters or our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (and any amendments or waivers) to any stockholder or other person upon receipt of a written request addressed to:

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.


Attn: Corporate Secretary


One Gaylord Drive


Nashville, Tennessee 37214

Board Leadership Structure

The Board believes that Mr. Reed’s service as both Chairman of the Board and CEO is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders.

Mr. Reed

possesses a detailed knowledge of our industry as well as an understanding of both the opportunities and challenges we face. The Board thus believes that Mr. Reed is best positioned to develop agendas that ensure that the Board’s time and attention are focused on the most important matters facing the company. The Board also believes that Mr. Reed’s combined role ensures clear accountability, enhances our ability to articulate our strategy and message to our employees, stockholders and business partners and enables decisive overall leadership.

The Board has determined that it is also important to have an independentIndependent Lead Director who will play an active role and oversee many of the functions that an independent chair would otherwise perform. The Board has adopted a description of the duties of the Independent Lead Director, which is posted on our website atwww.rymanhp.com (under “Corporate Governance” on the Investor Relations page). Pursuant to this description, the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee serves as the company’s Independent Lead Director, and that individual is currently Michael Roth.

The Company expects that following the Annual Meeting Robert Prather will be appointed as the Company’s Independent Lead Director.

Some of the primary functions of ourthe Independent Lead Director are:

To call, convene and chair meetings of thenon-management non- management directors or independent directors and other meetings as may be necessary from time to time and, as appropriate, provide prompt feedback to the CEO;
To coordinate and develop the agenda for and chair executive sessions of the independent directors;
To coordinate feedback to the CEO on behalf of independent directors regarding business issues and management;
To be available, as appropriate, for direct communication with major stockholders who request such a communication; and
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To perform such other duties as may be necessary for the Board to fulfill its responsibilities or as may be requested by the Board as a whole, by thenon-management directors, or by the Chairman of the Board.

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Each of the directors other than Mr. Reed is independent, and the Board believes that the independent directors coupled with the Independent Lead Director provide effective oversight of management. Ournon-management directors meet regularly in scheduled executive sessions, and the Independent Lead Director presides at these executive sessions. Following an executive session of ournon-management directors, the Independent Lead Director acts as a liaison between thenon-management directors and the Chairman regarding any specific feedback or issues, provides the Chairman with input regarding agenda items for Board and committee meetings, and coordinates with the Chairman regarding information to be provided to ournon-management directors in performing their duties. The Board believes that this approach appropriately and effectively complements the combined CEO/Chairman structure.

Although we believe that the combination of the Chairman and CEO roles is appropriate in the current circumstances, the Board retains the authority to modify our current combined CEO/Chairman structure to best address our circumstances, if and when appropriate.

Board Attendance at Annual Meeting

We strongly encourage each member of the Board to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. AllDue to the timing of the 2020 Annual Meeting in light of the pandemic, we were unable to conduct the annual meeting virtually in a timely manner that would have complied with Delaware law. As a result, the 2020 Annual Meeting was held in person, although interested parties were able to listen to the meeting via the teleconference line that was provided to the public in advance of the meeting. Due to the pandemic and the resulting government restrictions on gatherings in public and private places, including gatherings such as the 2020 Annual Meeting, then in place in Davidson County, Tennessee, we were unable to invite our independent directors to attend the meeting in person. Accordingly, none of our directors, attendedother than Mr. Reed,
were able to formally attend the 20192020 Annual Meeting. However, all of our directors listened to the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Stockholders via the teleconference line described above.

As described on page 72, the company plans to host the Annual Meeting in a “hybrid” format, with attendees expected to be able to formally attend the upcoming Annual Meeting either in-person or virtually. The company currently expects all directors to be in formal attendance at the Annual Meeting.
Independence of Directors

Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board undertook its annual review of director independence in February 2020.2021. Our Board determines the independence of its members through a broad consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances, including an assessment of the materiality of any relationship between the company and a director. In making this assessment, the Board looks not only at relationships from the director’s standpoint, but also from the standpoint of persons or organizations with which the director has an affiliation. In making its determination, the Board adheres to the requirements of, and applies both the objective and subjective standards set forth by, the NYSE (as set forth in Section 303A.02 of the NYSE listed company manual), as well as the requirements and standards of the SEC and other applicable laws and regulations.

During this review, the Board considered whether there are or have been any transactions and

relationships between each director, or any member of his or her immediate family, and the company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Board also examined whether there are or have been any transactions and relationships between the incumbent directors, or their affiliates, and members of the company’s senior management or their affiliates. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any of these relationships or transactions were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent. The Board concluded that no such transactions existed during the relevant period. As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that, with the exception of Colin Reed, all of our incumbent directors are independent of the company and its management.

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Committees of the Board

The Board maintains 3 standing committees, an Audit Committee, Human Resources Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, to facilitate and assist the Board in the execution of its responsibilities.

Audit Committee

The current members of the Audit Committee are Robert Prather (Chair and Financial Expert), Alvin Bowles, Fazal Merchant (Financial Expert) and Christine Pantoya.

The committee is a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The committee is responsible for, among other things:

overseeing the integrity of our financial information, the performance of our internal audit function and system of internal controls and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to preparation of financial information;
appointing, compensating, retaining and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm;
evaluating the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm;
meeting with our independent registered public accounting firm and with our director of internal audit concerning, among other things, the scope of audits and reports;

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

reviewing the work programs of our independent registered public accounting firm and the results of its audits; and
assessing our risk assessment and risk management policies.

The Board has determined that all the members of the committee are financially literate pursuant to the NYSE rules. The Board also has determined that Mr. Merchant and Mr. Prather are “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning stipulated by the SEC.

In 2019,2020, the committee met 7 times.

Human Resources Committee

The current members of the Human Resources Committee are Patrick Moore (Chair), Robert Prather and Michael Roth.

The committee is responsible for, among other items:

reviewing and approving all compensation policies and programs that benefit employees, including employment and severance agreements, incentive programs, benefits and retirement programs;
reviewing and approving annually the corporate goals and objectives relative to the CEO’s compensation, evaluating the CEO’s performance in light of those objectives, and determining and approving the CEO’s compensation level based on this evaluation;
reviewing, approving and administering, and granting awards under, cash- and equity-based incentive plans; and
reviewing and approving compensation for executive officers and directors (subject to, in the case of director compensation, approval by the full Board).

The committee has also delegated to the CEO the authority to make limited equity grants to new members of our management team to allow such grants to be made in a timely manner, as the committee generally only meets on a quarterly basis. Equity grants under this delegation of authority may only be made as initial equity grants to newly hired executives (other than officers subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and on the same terms and conditions as were

applied by the committee in its most recent prior equity grants. In addition, equity grants under this delegation of authority to any one executive are limited to 6,250 RSUs and must be ratified by the committee.

The committee has engaged Aon as its compensation consultant since 2013. The committee has determined that no conflict of interest exists between Aon and the company (including the company’s Board members and company management) pursuant to Item 407(e)(3)(iv) of SEC RegulationS-K. In 2019 2020 neither Aon nor any affiliate of Aon provided any services to the company or its affiliates apart from its engagement by the committee described above.
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Aon assisted the committee in determining if its strategies and plans were advisable based on our current financial position and strategic goals, as well as developments in corporate governance and compensation design. At the committee’s request, Aon also performed several analyses, including updates to the executive salary structure and modeling of executive compensation levels at different levels of company performance, to assist the committee in its review.

For additional information regarding the committee’s processes and procedures for considering and determining executive compensation, including the role of executive officers in determining the amount or form of executive compensation, seeCompensation Discussion and Analysis below.

In 2019,2020, the committee met 4 times.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The Human Resources Committee (which functions as our compensation committee) is comprised entirely of independent directors. In addition, there are no relationships among our executive officers, members of the committee or entities whose executives serve on the Board or the committee that require disclosure under applicable regulations of the SEC.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Michael Roth (Chair), Rachna Bhasin and Patrick Moore.

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The committee is responsible for, among other things:

developing and recommending criteria for the selection of new directors and recommending to the Board nominees for election as directors and appointment to committees;
developing and recommending changes and modifications to our corporate governance guidelines and our code of conduct to the Board;
monitoring and enforcing compliance with our corporate governance guidelines, certain provisions of our code of conduct and other policies;
monitoring and overseeing our ESG program; and
advising the Board on corporate governance matters, including as appropriate obtaining updates on corporate governance developments from professional advisors.

In 2019,2020, the committee met 4 times.

A formal Board evaluation covering Board operations and performance, with a written evaluation from each Board member, is conducted annually by the committee to enhance Board effectiveness. Recommended changes are considered by the full Board. In addition, each Board committee conducts an annual self-evaluation.

The committee annually reviews with the Board the company’s “Statement of Expectations of Directors.” This review includes an assessment of independence, diversity, age, skills, experience and industry backgrounds in the context of the needs of the Board and the company, as well as the ability of current and prospective directors to devote sufficient time to performing their duties in an effective manner. Directors are expected to actively participate in Board discussions and exemplify the highest standards of personal and professional integrity. In particular, the committee seeks directors with established strong professional reputations and expertise in areas relevant to the strategy and operations of our businesses.

While our Corporate Governance Guidelines do not prescribe specific diversity criteria for selection of directors, as a matter of practice, the committee considers diversity in the context of the Board as a whole and takes into account diversity, including the personal characteristics (such as gender, ethnicity or age) and experience (such as industry, professional or public service) of current and prospective directors,

when selecting new directors to facilitate Board deliberations that reflect a broad range of viewpoints. The committee’s charter gives it responsibility to develop and recommend criteria for the selection of new directors to the Board, including but not limited to diversity, age, skills, experience, time availability and such other criteria as the committee shall determine to be relevant at the time.

The committee also considers the impact of any changes in the employment of existing directors. In this regard, if a director changes employment, the director is required to submit a letter of resignation to the committee. The committee then reviews the director’s change of employment and determines whether the
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director’s continued service on the Board would be advisable as a result of such change. After completing this evaluation, the committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to whether to accept the director’s resignation, and the Board makes a final determination of whether to accept the director’s resignation.

The committee considers candidates for Board membership recommended by its members and other Board members, as well as by management and stockholders. From time the time the committee may also engage a third party search firm to identify prospective Board members. The committee will only consider stockholder nominees for Board membership submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth inSubmitting Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 20212022 Annual Meetingbeginning on page 67.

71.

Once the committee has identified a prospective nominee, the committee makes an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate. This initial determination is based on whatever information is provided to the committee with the recommendation of the prospective candidate, as well as the committee’s own knowledge of the prospective candidate, which may be supplemented by inquiries to the person making the recommendation or others. The preliminary determination is based primarily on the need for additional Board members to fill vacancies or expand the size of the Board and the likelihood that the prospective nominee can satisfy the evaluation factors described below. If the committee determines, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and other Board members as appropriate, that additional consideration is warranted, it may request additional information about the prospective nominee’s

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background and experience. The committee then evaluates the prospective nominee against the following standards and qualifications:

the ability of the prospective nominee to represent the interests of our stockholders;
the prospective nominee’s standards of integrity, commitment and independence of thought and judgment;
the prospective nominee’s ability to dedicate sufficient time, energy and attention to the diligent performance of his or her duties, including the prospective nominee’s service on other boards; and
the extent to which the prospective nominee contributes to the range of knowledge, diversity, skill and experience appropriate for the Board.

The committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the current composition of the Board and the evaluations of other prospective nominees. In connection with this evaluation, the committee determines whether to interview the prospective nominee, and if warranted, one or more members of the committee, and others as appropriate, will interview the prospective nominee in person or by telephone. After completing this evaluation and interview, the committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to whether this prospective nominee and any other prospective nominees should be nominated by the Board, and the Board determines the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the committee.

Mr. Brickman was initially identified to the committee as a potential director nominee by an existing director, Patrick Moore. After a review of the qualifications, expertise and experience of Mr. Brickman and other candidates, the committee ultimately recommended to the full Board that Mr. Brickman become a nominee for director.
New directors participate in an orientation program that includes discussions with senior management, their review of background materials on our strategic plan, organization and financial statements and visits to our facilities. We encourage each director to participate in continuing educational programs that are important to maintaining a director’s level of expertise to perform his or her responsibilities as a Board member.

Majority Voting Standard for Director Elections

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Bylaws provide for a majority voting standard in uncontested director elections. Under these provisions, any director nominee in an uncontested election will be

elected to the Board if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present (with abstentions and brokernon-votes not counted as votes cast either for or against such election). In addition, under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, each director agrees, by serving as a director or by accepting nomination for

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election as a director, that if while serving as a director he or she fails to receive the required majority vote in a director election, he or she will tender his or her resignation as a director for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and, ultimately, the Board, as described below.

In the event any incumbent director nominee does not receive the requisite majority vote, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate the circumstances of the failed election and will make a recommendation regarding the director’s resignation to the full Board and will evaluate the resignation in light of the best interests of the company and its stockholders in determining whether to recommend accepting or rejecting the tendered resignation, or whether other action should be taken. Thereafter, the Board will act upon the resignation, taking into account the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and will publicly disclose (by a press release, a filing with the SEC or other broadly disseminated means of communication) its decision regarding the tendered resignation and the rationale behind the decision within 90 days of the certification of the election results. In such event, if the Board accepts the resignation, the nominee will no longer serve on the Board, and if the Board rejects the resignation, the nominee will continue to serve until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier disqualification, death, resignation or removal.

Director Retirement Policy

OurRefreshment

The Board of Directors does not believe in imposing term limits or a mandatory retirement age as such policies may result in the loss of experienced directors who have developed expertise and insights into the Company’s business, strategy and industry. The Board recognizes the importance of an appropriate balance of experience and fresh perspectives and considers the overall mix of age and tenure on the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Guidelines includeCommittee evaluates, at least annually, the Board’s composition to ensure that the Board maintains complementary and diverse skill sets, perspectives, backgrounds and experiences for its continued effectiveness.
The Board intends to maintain an orderly turnover of members of the Board over time, with the goal of having anon-management mix of years of tenure of Board members between those who have served longer term, medium term, or shorter term.
Prior to 2020, the Board had maintained in effect a mandatory director retirement policy, which requires anyrequired non-management director who reaches directors reaching the age of 75 to either (at the option of the director): (1) retire effective as of the date of the annual meeting of stockholders next following the director’s 75th birthday; or (2) not stand forre-election at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

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The Board’s Corporate Governance Committee considered, at its February 2020 meeting, whether to recommend to Given the full Board a waiverrecent completion of the mandatory retirement policy for a periodBoard’s multi-year refreshment process, pursuant to which all of one year with respect toour independent directors other than Mr. Prather who has met the mandatory retirement age. The Board and the Corporate Governance Committee believe that it is important to exercise judgment when implementing this policy to avoid losing the services of otherwise qualified and engaged Board members. In addition, the Board and the Corporate Governance Committee believe that the mandatory retirement policy should be applied in connection with an analysis of the overall composition and tenure of the Board to ensure that the Board maintains an appropriate balance of experience, skills and independence.

With respect to whether the mandatory retirement policy should be waived for Mr. Prather for a period of one year, the Corporate Governance Committee considered numerous factors, including the following:

Mr. Prather’s record as an active and engaged director (since 2013, the year of our REIT conversion, Mr. Prather has attended 98.1% of all Board and applicable committee meetings in the aggregate);
The addition of 5 new independent directorshave been added to the Board since 2015, which has resultedand in a reduction in the average tenurelight of the independent directors from 15 yearschallenges the company is currently facing due to 5 years and a reduction in the average age of our independent directors from 67 to 54 (in each case as compared to 2015);
The need to maintain continuity amongCOVID-19 pandemic, the Board given the refreshed Board described above;
Mr. Prather’s unique knowledge of, and experience in, the media and entertainment industry as a result of his service as a chief executive officer of multiple television station operators. The Board believes this expertiseit is particularly important as the company continues to grow its recently-launched Circle media joint venture in 2020; and
Mr. Prather is in good mental and physical health and continues to remain active in business and community endeavors, including serving as a director of GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Based on the foregoing factors, upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee, the Board, at its February 2020 meeting, concluded that, due to Mr. Prather’s experience, skill

set and record of active engagement as a Board member, his service on the Board has been particularly valuable to the company and its stockholders and will be difficult to replace.

Accordingly, the Board concluded aone-year waiver of the mandatory retirement age policy for Mr. Prather would be in the best interests of the company to move away from a strict director age or tenure limit and its stockholders. Asto incorporate the holistic review process described above.

Director Emeritus Program
Our Board has created a result,director emeritus program to avail itself of the counsel of retiring directors who have made and can continue to make a unique contribution to the deliberations of the Board. Under the program, the Board approvedmay, at its discretion, designate a retiring director as director emeritus for one or more one-year terms following the Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendationdirector’s retirement. A director emeritus may provide advisory services as requested from time to time and may be invited to attend meetings of Mr. Pratherthe Board, but may not vote, be counted for quorum purposes or have any of the duties or obligations imposed on our directors or officers under applicable law or otherwise be considered a director. The Board currently anticipates appointing Michael Roth as a director nominee at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Director Commitments

The Board believes that all members of the Board should devote sufficient time and attention to their duties and to otherwise fulfill the responsibilities required of directors. In assessing whether directors and director nominees have sufficient time and attention to devote to board duties, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board consider whether directors serve onemeritus for an excessive number of public company boards, a situation frequently referred to as “overboarding.”

Our Board believes that each of our directors has demonstrated the ability to devote sufficient time and attention to board duties and to otherwise fulfill the responsibilities required of directors. However, we understand that certain of our stockholders, and certain proxy advisory firms, may deem Michael Roth overboarded under their policies based on the number of public company boards on which he serves. In addition to serving as the Lead Independent Director of the Board,initial one-year term following Mr. Roth serves as chief executive officer and chairman of The Interpublic Group of Companies and asnon-executive chairman of Pitney Bowes, Inc. After careful consideration, the Board believes that Mr. Roth has dedicated, and will continue to dedicate, sufficient time to carry out his duties as a member of the Board and as Lead Independent Director effectively and believes that his service with other publicly traded companies does not, and will not, negatively impact his service on our Board for the following reasons:

Mr. Roth has served on our board for 16 years and has assured our Board that he is fully committed to continuing to dedicate the appropriate time to fulfill his duties as a member of the Board, as Lead Independent Director, chair

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of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and member of the Human Resources Committee.

Mr. Roth has served as the chief executive officer and chairman of The Interpublic Group of Companies since 2005 andRoth’s retirement as a director, of Pitney Bowes, Inc. since 1995. Mr. Roth has assured our Board that his ongoing commitments to The Interpublic Group of Companies and Pitney Bowes are not expected to exceed the demands that existed in past years and that his continued service to each of these companies will not detract from his service on our Board.
Mr. Roth has attended 100% of all Board and applicable committee meetings since 2013, the year of our REIT conversion.
Mr. Roth brings valuable experience and expertise to the Board, including in the areas of capital markets, corporate governance and crisis management.
Mr. Roth’s experienceeffective as a chief executive officer, chairman and member of the board of directors of other public companies provides Mr. Roth with insight and experience that enhances his value to our company.2021 Annual Meeting.

CEO Pay Ratio

The Dodd-Frank Act requires that we disclose the ratio of CEO pay in 20192020 to the median employee pay of all our employees, other than the CEO, calculated in accordance with Item 402(u) of SEC RegulationS-K. In making this calculation, we first identified the company’s median employee by examining the 2019 2020
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total cash compensation for all individuals, excluding our CEO, who were employed by us on December 31, 2019,2020, the last day of our payroll year. We included all employees, whether employed on a full-time, part-time or seasonal basis (for purposes of this calculation, a total of 1,132986 employees). We did not make any assumptions, adjustments or estimates with respect to total cash compensation, except that we annualized the compensation for all full- and part-time employees who were not employed by us for all of 2019.2020. We selected total cash compensation for all employees as our compensation measure because we do not widely distribute annual equity awards to employees. We then identified the company’s median employee based on total cash compensation, and we determined that such median employee served as a part-time serverticketing representative in our Entertainment business segment and averaged an approximately23-hour 36-hour work week during 2019.

2020.

As required by SEC rules, for purposes of calculating the pay ratio, pay for the median employee and for our CEO were determined using the methodology set forth in our20192020 Summary CompensationTable on page 4749 below. Using this methodology, we determined that a reasonable estimate of the 20192020 total compensation of our median employee was $22,693$19,135 and that the total compensation of our CEO was $6,181,359.

$4,443,270.

In addition to the pay ratio disclosure required by the Dodd-Frank Act, we believe that it is also important to take into consideration:

the nature of our overall employee base, which contains a small number of full-time employees dedicated to our hospitality REIT business segment and a largelarger number of full- and part-time employees working in our Entertainment business segment (with many of our part-time employees only working a few hours each week at various times to service the numerous concerts and other events at our entertainment venues); and
the fact that, unlike many chief executives, our CEO oversees two lines of business, a hospitality REIT and an entertainment operating company.

As a result, we believe that it is appropriate to also provide two additional supplemental calculations that reflect the pay ratio of the total compensation of our CEO to (1) the total compensation of the median of all
full-time employees, and (2) the total compensation of the median of the full-time employees of our REIT entity (comprising our Hospitality business segment).

Accordingly, we determined that the following were reasonable estimates of the pay ratio required to be disclosed by Item 402(a) of SEC RegulationS-K, as well as the supplemental pay ratios described above:

​

Dodd-Frank Act Pay Ratio Information


​​
​

​

CEO to Median Employee Pay Ratio (Calculated
(Calculated in Accordance with Item 402(u) of SEC RegulationS-K)

​​272:
232:1
​

​

Supplemental Pay Ratio Information(1)

​​
​

​

CEO to Median Employee Pay Ratio
(Full-Time Employees Only)(2)

​​136:
91:1
​

​

CEO to Median Employee Pay Ratio
(Full-Time REIT Employees Only)(3)

​​65:
41:1
​

(1)

The supplemental ratios listed above were calculated based on the total compensation paid to our CEO and to the median employees identified above using the

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methodology set forth in our20192020 Summary CompensationTable on page 4749 below.
(2)

For purposes of calculating this supplemental pay ratio, only full-time employees of the company as of December 31, 20192020 (a total of 572475 employees) were included in the determination of the median company employee.

(3)

For purposes of calculating this supplemental pay ratio, only full-time employees employed by our REIT entity (comprising our Hospitality business segment) as of December 31, 20192020 (a total of 9077 employees) were included in the determination of the median company employee.

In designing our CEO’s compensation in 2019,2020, our Human Resources Committee was mindful of the need to provide a market-competitive compensation package with a significant element of equity-based and performance-based compensation (not generally available to our employee base), which the committee believes is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders. Additionally, the committee monitors management’s determination of compensation at all levels of the company (including through pay surveys and other market assessments), based on each employee’s position, skill level and experience, and the committee believes that our compensation practices as a whole are fair and competitive with others in the marketplace.
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Compensation Clawback

In 2015 the SEC issued proposed rules regarding the adoption of “clawback” policies by publicly listed companies in accordance with the requirements of Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). When final SEC rules implementing these requirements have become effective, publicly listed companies will be required to adopt a “clawback” policy providing for the recovery of certain incentive-based compensation from the executive officers of the company in the event the company is required to restate its financials as a result of material noncompliance of the company with any financial reporting requirements under the securities laws.

In order to ensure full compliance with these SEC rules, we intend to adopt our own formal clawback policy applicable to our executive officers complying with such rules once these final rules have been

adopted by the SEC. In addition, Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires the recovery of incentive awards in certain circumstances. If we are required to restate our financials due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements as a result of misconduct, our CEO and CFO will be required under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to reimburse us for (1) any bonus or other incentive- or equity-based compensation received during the 12 months following the first public issuance of thenon-complying document, and (2) any profits realized from the sale of our securities during such 12 month period. Our omnibus incentive plan also provides that any award made to a participant under the plan will be subject to mandatory repayment by the participant to us to the extent required by (a) any award agreement, (b) any “clawback” or recoupment policy adopted by the company to comply with the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations, including final SEC rules adopted pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Act, or otherwise, or (c) any applicable laws which impose mandatory recoupment, under circumstances set forth in such applicable laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board as a whole has responsibility for oversight of the company’s enterprise risk management function, with reviews of certain areas being conducted by the relevant Board committees that report on their
deliberations to the Board. The oversight responsibility of the Board and its committees is made possible by a management report process that is designed to provide both visibility and transparency to the Board about the identification, assessment and management of critical risks and management’s risk mitigation strategies. In this regard, each committee meets in executive session with key management personnel and representatives of outside advisors (for example, our director of internal audit meets in executive session with the Audit Committee). The areas of focus of the Board and its committees include competitive, economic, operational, financial (accounting, credit, liquidity and tax), legal, compliance, information technology security programs (including cybersecurity), political and reputational risks.

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The Board and its committees oversee risks associated with their respective principal areas of focus, as outlined below:

​

Board/


Committee

​

​

Primary Areas


of Risk Oversight

​

​

Board of
Directors:

​​
Enterprise risk management, including strategic, financial and execution risks associated with the annual operating plan and the long-term plan; major litigation and regulatory exposures; acquisitions and divestitures; senior management succession planning; information technology security programs (including cybersecurity) and other current matters that may be material risks to the company.
​

Audit Committee:

​
Audit
Committee:
​​
Risks and exposures associated with financial matters, including financial reporting, tax, accounting, disclosure, internal control over financial reporting, financial policies, investment guidelines and credit and liquidity.
​

​

Nominating and CG Committee:

​​
Risks and exposures relating to corporate governance, and director succession planning.planning and ESG/corporate social responsibility issues.
​

Human Resources Committee:

​
Human
Resources
Committee:
​​
Risks and exposures associated with leadership assessment, management succession planning and compensation programs.
​

We believe that the Board’s role in risk oversight is facilitated by the leadership structure of the Board. In this regard, we believe that, by combining the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO, the Board gains a valuable perspective that combines the operational experience of a member of management with the
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oversight focus of a member of the Board. We also believe that the division of risk management-related roles among the company’s full Board, Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Human Resource Committee as noted above fosters an atmosphere of significant involvement in the oversight of risk at the Board level and complements our risk management policies.

The Board, in executive sessions ofnon-management directors (which are presided over by the company’s independentIndependent Lead Director), also considers and

discusses risk-related matters. This provides a forum for risk-related matters to be discussed without management or the Chairman of the Board and CEO present. The company’s independentIndependent Lead Director acts as a liaison between the company’s Chairman of the Board and CEO and the company’s independent directors to the extent that any risk-related matters discussed at these executive sessions require additional feedback or action.

In setting compensation, the Human Resources Committee also considers the risks to our stockholders that may be inherent in our compensation programs. We believe that our compensation programs are appropriately structured and provide for a suitable balance between long-term and short-term compensation and have an appropriate performance-based and “at risk” component. We also believe that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company.

Information Security
Given the importance of information security to our company, the Audit Committee receives regular reports from our chief financial officer, our chief information officer and our vice-president of internal audit regarding our program for managing our information security risks, including data privacy and protection risks faced by the company. Our information security risk mitigation efforts, which are overseen by the Audit Committee, include a regular information security training program for employees, the introduction of information security concepts as part of our new employee onboarding process and regular third party assessments of our information security program. We also maintain an insurance policy that provides coverage for security breaches.
Environmental, Social and Governance

Program

We are committed to the ongoing creation ofhave created an Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”)ESG program, as we believe such a program should beis an integral part of our operating strategy. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board will overseeoversees our ESG program efforts.

We also have a management-level ESG steering committee, which supports our commitment to ESG and other public policy matters.

The pillars of our ESG program are as follows:

•
Good Corporate Governance.As described more fully inCorporate Governance Highlights on page 6,7, we strive to maintain good corporate governance practices, which we believe are a key component in the creation of stockholder value.
•Environmental Sustainability. We also believe it is important to address climate and resource issues by measuring our progress in improving the environmental footprint of our hotel properties. Specifically, we are working with Marriott, the operator of our hotel properties, to establish baselines for our energy, water and waste usage for our hotel portfolio. We are also working with Marriott to implement new, and to expand existing, programs at our hotels to minimize risk and enhance value.
Environmental Sustainability. Our focus on sustainability is exemplified by our commitment to the following four principles:
Conservation, including through energy and water conservation and reduction of waste;
Preservation, including through preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the locations of our properties;
Personification, including putting people first by investing in them and facilitating a people-centric culture in our businesses; and
Innovation, including the pursuit of sustainable growth by enhancing the value of our brands and assets through investments, technology and environmental best practices.
We also believe it is important to address climate and resource issues by measuring our progress in improving the environmental footprint of our hotel properties. Specifically, we are working with Marriott, the operator of our hotel properties, to establish baselines for our energy, water and waste usage for our hotel portfolio. We also continue to work with Marriott to implement new, and to expand existing, programs at our hotels to minimize risk and enhance value.
Corporate Citizenship. We strive to be a good corporate citizen in the markets in which we operate through financial and volunteer support of worthy causes, as well as through direct community engagement. Our charitable foundation, which has a primary focus on youth,
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•Corporate Citizenship.We strive to be a good corporate citizen in the markets in which we operate through financial and volunteer support of worthy causes, as well as through direct community engagement. We also believe it is important to ensure the safety of our employees and guests, to uphold labor rights and take steps to prevent sexual harassment of our employees. Finally, we think it is important to respect and uphold fundamental human rights, and to work to eradicate modern slavery from the industries in which we operate and the supply chains of those industries.

education and the arts, supports many organizations in our community, including the PENCIL Foundation and YMCA of Middle Tennessee’s Camp Widjiwagan.

We also believe it is important to ensure the safety of our employees and guests, to uphold labor rights and take steps to prevent sexual harassment of our employees. Finally, we think it is important to respect and uphold fundamental human rights, and to work to eradicate modern slavery from the industries in which we operate and the supply chains of those industries.
Diversity and Inclusion. We have committed to transforming our approach to diversity and inclusion by building upon past successes and focusing on key areas for improvement. While our company has a strong track record of fair employment practices, we acknowledge there is more work to be done to create an inclusive experience for all employees and recruit more minority candidates to the business. In 2020, we carried out a deep examination of our diversity and inclusion practices and began instituting new initiatives to be a stronger community partner and agent for change. That work included a commitment from our Chairman and CEO Colin Reed, who shared the Company’s four-pronged promise to directly impact diversity and inclusion within the organization and in our communities as follows:
A commitment to educational partnerships that encourage minority candidates to pursue careers in the hospitality and entertainment industries while also creating direct paths to leadership roles.
A commitment to increasing efforts to identify and showcase diverse talent on our Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry and Ole Red stages, as well as to using our marketing platforms to amplify diverse artists’ contributions to country music.
A commitment to holding all levels of leadership accountable for efforts to foster an inclusive environment through specific annual performance goals related to training, leadership development and talent review processes.
A commitment to increasing our advocacy efforts for inclusive policies at the state, local and federal levels, including through actively lobbying against discriminatory legislation.
Workforce Composition and Minority Representation
We are committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO), and it is our policy to provide EEO to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex (i.e., pregnancy, gender identity, or sexual orientation), national origin, age, mental and/or physical disability, genetic information or military status. At December 31, 2020, we employed 995 people, including 476 full-time and 519 part-time and on-call employees. Fifty-five percent of our employees identify as female, and 45% identify as male. Women held 47% of leadership positions as of December 31, 2020.
In 2020, we began to enhance our recruitment initiatives to attract, employ and develop more minority candidates. In 2020, these efforts included establishing relationships with diverse Nashville-area community groups in preparation for future open positions and developing a protocol to ensure a diverse candidate pool is identified and interviewed for all senior open positions, director-level and above. We have also increased our presence and partnerships with local schools and universities to hire more diverse graduates at our venues and engage these graduates in career development programs.
In 2021 we plan to launch a management development and mentoring program for high-potential employees, with an emphasis on diverse participants. In addition, we intend to promote our diversity and inclusion mission more prominently across our career platforms.
We also intend to provide more information about our workforce in our 2020 ESG report, described below.
ESG Program Report
For more information about our ESG program, including our 2019 ESG report, providingwhich provides a detailed overview of our ESG efforts and progress, to date,and our ESG steering committee charter, please visit our website at:

https://rymanhospitalitypropertiesinc.gcs-web.com/rymanhospitalitypropertiesinc.gcs-
web.com/sustainability
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​
Please note that our website is provided as an inactive textual reference and the information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.

We expect to publish our 2020 ESG report, providing an update on our ESG efforts and progress to date, in the third quarter of 2021.
Restrictions on Hedging and Pledging of Company Stock

Our insider trading policy restricts our executive officers and directors from engaging in any transactions designed to hedge or otherwise offset any decrease in the fair market value of our equity securities. Our insider trading policy also prohibits executive officers and directors from pledging or otherwise encumbering a significant amount of equity securities (generally defined as the lesser of 0.50% of our outstanding equity securities or 10% of the equity securities owned by the individual) without prior approval of the Human Resources Committee.

Proxy Solicitation

We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies for the meeting. We have retained Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation and will pay them approximately $6,000. Our officers may also solicit proxies by mail, telephone,e-mail or facsimile transmission, but we will not reimburse them for their efforts. Upon request, we will reimburse brokers, dealers, banks and trustees, or their nominees, for

reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy materials.

Shareholder Outreach

We believe that our relationship with our stockholders is an important part of our corporate governance program. Our stockholder and investor outreach generally includes investor road shows, analyst meetings, investor days and investor conferences and meetings. We also communicate with our stockholders through our SEC filings (including our annual report and proxy statement), press releases and our website. In addition, our conference calls for quarterly earnings releases are available to anyone in real time and on an archived basis. During 20192020 we also reached out to our 2021 largest stockholders who have a policy of engaging with portfolio companies, representing approximately 58%54% of our outstanding shares, to engage in a dialogue regarding their areas of focus and concern.

The primary corporate governance issues raised by our stockholders during 20192020 were as follows:

Enhanced

Continued Focus on Executive Compensation Disclosures.Compensation.Several investors asked that we provide additional disclosure with respect to the rationale for the selection of our compensation peer groups anddecisions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, including with respect to the rationale for additional cash bonus awards made to our CEO and our NEOs.NEOs to the extent such awards are not paid based on our achievement of financial results pursuant to the terms of our annual short-term incentive compensation plan. Taking this feedback into account, we have included additional information about these topicsthis topic for 20192020 in theCompensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 30.

32.

Continued Focus on ESG Efforts, Including Additional Information on our Diversity and Inclusion Efforts. Several investors also askedcontinue to ask that we provide an enhanced level of reporting regarding our ESG policies and procedures.procedures, as well as additional information regarding our diversity and inclusion efforts. Taking this feedback into account, we have taken the actions described inEnvironmental, Social and Governanceon page25page 27 above.

We also expect to incorporate this feedback into our 2020 ESG report, which we expect to publish in the third quarter of 2021.

Communications with the Board of Directors

Stockholders, employees and others

Those interested in communicating with the Board (includingnon-management directors) may write to Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, One Gaylord Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37214. The Corporate Secretary reviews all such correspondence and regularly forwards to the Board a summary of all

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of our Corporate Secretary, deals with the functions of the Board or committees thereof or that he otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may review a log of all correspondence addressed to members of the Board and request copies of any such correspondence.

Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately

brought to the attention of our internal audit department and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee with respect to such matters. In addition, stockholders,Committee. Stockholders, employees and other interested parties may communicate directly with our independentIndependent Lead Director, individual independent directors or the independent directors as a group by email atboardofdirectors@rymanhp.com.

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Stock Ownership

The table below lists the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 25, 202026, 2021 (unless otherwise noted) by all directors, director nominees each of our NEOs, and the directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group. The table also lists all institutions and individuals known to hold more than 5% of our common stock, as obtained from SEC filings. The percentages shown are based on outstanding shares of common stock as of March 25, 2020.26, 2021. Unless otherwise noted, the address for each person listed is our principal office.

Beneficial Stock Ownership of Directors, Executive Officers and Large Stockholders Table

Name 

  Shares  

Owned(1)

  

Director
Deferred
  Restricted  

Stock
Units(2)

   

Stock

Options
Exercisable

   

Total

Shares

Owned

   % of Total
Outstanding(3)  		 

Colin Reed, NEO and Director

  1,406,545(4)   -            -            1,406,545    2.6% 

Rachna Bhasin, Director

  5,458(5)   -            -            5,458    *     

Alvin Bowles, Director

  2,539   -            -            2,539    *     

Fazal Merchant, Director

  1,910   2,539    -            4,449    *     

Patrick Moore, Director

  -           11,509    -            11,509    *     

Christine Pantoya, Director

  1,436(5)   -            -            1,436    *     

Robert Prather, Director

  3,960   26,376    -            30,336    *     

Michael Roth, Director

  38,680(5)   -            -            38,860    *     

Mark Fioravanti, NEO

  202,768   -            -            202,768    *     

Bennett Westbrook, NEO

  29,289   -            -            29,289    *     

Patrick Chaffin, NEO

  18,758   -            -            18,758    *     

Scott Lynn, NEO

  14,638   -            -            14,638    *     

All directors and executive officers (as a group)

  1,736,167   40,424    -            1,776,591    3.2% 

The Vanguard Group

  7,284,083(6)   -            -            7,284,083    13.3% 

BlackRock, Inc.

  5,012,708(7)   -            -            5,012,708    9.1% 

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

  3,245,998(8)   -            -            3,245,998    5.9% 

​
Name
​​
Shares
Owned(1)
​​
Director
Deferred
Restricted
Stock
Units(2)
​​
Stock
Options
Exercisable
​​
Total
Shares
Owned
​​
% of Total
Outstanding
​
​
Colin Reed, NEO and Director
​​
1,416,918(3)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,416,918
​​
2.6%
​
​
Rachna Bhasin, Director
​​
7,990(4)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
7,990
​​
*
​
​
Alvin Bowles, Director
​​
2,518(4)
​​
2,587
​​
—
​​
5,105
​​
*
​
​
Christian Brickman, Director Nominee
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
​—
​​
*
​
​
Fazal Merchant, Director
​​
​5,678(4)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
​5,678
​​
*
​
​
Patrick Moore, Director
​​
2,500(4)
​​
11,805
​​
—
​​
14,305
​​
*
​
​
Christine Pantoya, Director
​​
3,968(4)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
3,968
​​
*
​
​
Robert Prather, Director
​​
3,960
​​
29,567
​​
—
​​
33,527
​​
*
​
​
Michael Roth, Director
​​
41,212(4)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
41,212
​​
*
​
​
Mark Fioravanti, NEO
​​
214,706
​​
—
​​
—
​​
214,706
​​
*
​
​
Patrick Chaffin, NEO
​​
20,396
​​
—
​​
—
​​
20,396
​​
*
​
​
Scott Lynn, NEO
​​
​16,166
​​
—
​​
—
​​
​16,166
​​
*
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson, NEO
​​
12,081
​​
—
​​
—
​​
12,081
​​
*
​
​
All directors and executive officers
(as a group)
​​
​1,748,093
​​
43,959
​​
—
​​
​1,792,052
​​
3.3%
​
​
The Vanguard Group
​​
7,258,121(5)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
7,258,121
​​
13.2%
​
​
BlackRock, Inc.
​​
5,137,996(6)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
5,137,996
​​
9.3%
​
*

Less than one percent.

(1)

With respect to our NEOs, directors, director nominees and executive officers, this column includes shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of RSUs that will vest on or prior to May 25, 2020.26, 2021. For a listing of the RSUs held by NEOs, seeOutstanding Equity Awards at 20192020 Fiscal Year Endbelow. For a listing of the RSUs held bynon-employee directors, seeDirector Compensationbelow.

(2)

Represents RSUs awarded to directors which have vested but receipt has been deferred. Also includes RSUs issued in lieu of cash director fees to participating

directors. Directors may elect to defer receipt of RSUs awarded under our current and former omnibus incentive plans until either a specified date or the director’s retirement or resignation from the Board.

This column reflects shares issuable to each director at the end of the applicable deferral period.

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(3)​

In calculating the percentages of outstanding stock, each person’s RSUs that will vest on or prior to May 25, 2020 have been added to the total outstanding shares for such person’s calculation.

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(4)
(3)

Includes 626,930648,290 shares credited to Mr. Reed’s SERP, as defined inOther Compensation Information—Nonqualified Deferred Compensation below. Mr. Reed

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

does not have voting or investment power with respect to these shares, and his sole right is to receive these shares upon termination of employment in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement.
(5)
(4)

For Ms. Bhasin, Mr. Merchant, Mr. Moore, Ms. Pantoya and Mr. Roth, includes 1,2362,500 shares each issuable upon the vesting of RSUs on May 9, 2020.

13, 2021. For Mr. Bowles, includes 1,884 shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs on or prior to May 26, 2021.
(6)
(5)

Based on information in:in Amendment Number 5 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 31, 2019 by Vanguard Specialized Funds—Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund, which has sole voting power with respect to 2,208,837 shares; and Amendment Number 78 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2020 by The Vanguard Group, Inc., which has sole voting power with respect to 145,999 shares, shared voting power with respect to 54,886 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 7,136,592 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 147,131 shares. The address for the reporting persons is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.

10, 2021
by The Vanguard Group, which has sole voting power with respect to 0 shares, shared voting power with respect to 219,233 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 6,996,501 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 261,620 shares. The address for the reporting persons is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.
(7)
(6)

Based on information in Amendment No. 910 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 6, 20201, 2021 by BlackRock, Inc., which has sole voting power with respect to 4,834,8264,994,425 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 5,012,7085,137,996 shares. The address for the reporting person is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.

(8)

Based on information in Amendment No. 49 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 5, 2020 jointly by GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GBL”) and the following entities: GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”); GGCP Holdings LLC (“Holdings”); Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Funds”); GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“GAMCO”); Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“Associated Capital”); Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (“GC”); Gabelli Foundation, Inc. (“Foundation”);MJG-IV10005. Limited Partnership(“MJG-IV”); and Mario Gabelli. GGCP (which had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 16,000 shares of common stock) makes investments for its own account

and is the manager and member of Holdings, which is the controlling shareholder of GBL. GBL, a public company listed on the NYSE, is the parent company for a variety of companies engaged in the securities business, including those named below. GAMCO (which had sole voting power with respect to 2,123,198 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 2,248,098 shares of common stock), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GBL, is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Funds, a wholly owned subsidiary of GBL, is a limited liability company. Funds (which had sole voting power with respect to 22,000 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 946,100 shares of common stock) is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 which provides advisory services for registered investment companies. GC (which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Associated Capital, which had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 6,000 shares of common stock) is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 which provides advisory services for registered investment companies and which had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,800 shares of common stock. The Foundation (which had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 4,500 shares of common stock) is a private foundation. Mario Gabelli is the Chairman, a Trustee and Investment Manager of the Foundation. Mario Gabelli is the controlling stockholder, Chief Executive Officer and a director of GGCP and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GBL. Mario Gabelli is the Executive Chairman of AC and is also a member of Holdings. Mario Gabelli has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 22,500 shares of common stock. The above reporting persons do not admit that they constitute a group. The address for all of the above reporting persons is One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580.
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

Overview

Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, retain and motivate qualified, knowledgeable and talented executives who are capable of performing their responsibilities. In designing our executive compensation programs, our goals are to ensure that:

•A significant portion of the total compensation paid to each named executive officer, or NEO, is in the form of “at risk” pay in order tocreate proper incentives for our executives to achieve corporate and individual objectives and to bothmaximize stockholder value over the long-term and toalign pay with stockholders’ interests;
•A strongpay-for-performance philosophy synchronizes incentive payments with actual financial and business results relative to performance expectations;
•Our pay decisions aretransparent to all stakeholders and tethered tosoundgovernance measures; and
•Total compensation opportunity throughout our organization ismarket competitive to support recruitment and retention.

A significant portion of the total compensation paid to each named executive officer, or NEO, is in the form of “at risk” pay in order to create proper incentives for our executives to achieve corporate and individual objectives and to both maximize stockholder value over the long-term and to align pay with stockholders’ interests;
A strong pay-for-performance philosophy synchronizes incentive payments with actual financial and business results relative to performance expectations;
Our pay decisions are transparent to all stakeholders and tethered to sound governance measures; and
Total compensation opportunity throughout our organization is market competitive to support recruitment and retention.
Our corporate objectives are to continue to increase funds available for distribution to our stockholders and to create long-term stockholder value. Consistent with
these goals and objectives, the Human Resources Committee, which acts as our compensation committee, has developed and approved an executive compensation program providing for a range of compensation levels for our NEOs with the intent of rewarding strong performance and reducing compensation when our performance objectives are not achieved.

For purposes of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, our NEOs are:

Colin Reed, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive officer);
Mark Fioravanti, President & Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer);
Patrick Chaffin, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Hotels;
Scott Lynn, Executive Vice President & General Counsel;
Jennifer Hutcheson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Controller & Chief Accounting Officer; and
Bennett Westbrook, our former Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer (who resigned effective September 1, 2020).
Company Highlights—20192020 Financial and Operating Highlights

We believe that our

Our financial results in 2019 reflect2020 were significantly impacted by the continued overall strengthCOVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the closure of our Hospitality business segment, particularlybusinesses for a significant period of time during the first half of 2020. We were able to re-open most of our businesses in the second half of 2020, but our operations for the remainder of the year were materially impacted by governmental restrictions on group meetings sector in which we focus,and live events, as well as customer sentiment relating to the strategic investmentspandemic. During 2020 our total revenue decreased approximately 67% from 2019 to $524.5 million, and we have made in our hotel properties over the past several years, including our investment in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture, our Gaylord Texan rooms and meeting space expansion and our Gaylord Opryland SoundWaves water attraction. In addition, the growth in our Entertainment business segment in 2019 continuedexperienced:
a consolidated net loss of $460.8 million (as compared to reflect our strategic focus on expanding this business and the continued popularity of the country music genre and Nashville as a tourist destination, as well as the success of our Ole Red entertainment venues. Our 2019 financial and operating highlights include:

  Revenues

✓

Company Total Revenues—Our total revenues for 2019 were $1.6 billion, an increase of 25.8% from 2018(1). This represents the highest level of revenues in our history.

✓

Segment Revenues—We experienced revenue growth in both our Hospitality and Entertainment segments:

•

Hospitality—Our Same-store Hospitality business segment revenue in 2019 increased 5.9% from 2018 to $1.2 billion.

•

Entertainment—Entertainment business segment revenue in 2019 increased 24.4% from 2018 to $183.1 million.

  Net Income, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDAre

In 2019:

•

Our consolidated net income(2) decreased 51.5% from 2018 to $128.3 million;

Our consolidated net income availableof $128.3 million in 2019); and

consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding non-controlling interest in consolidated joint venture of ($44.3) million (as compared to common stockholders decreased 44.9% from 2018 to $145.8 million;

consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding non-controlling interest in consolidated joint venture of $479.4 million in 2019).
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•

Our consolidated Adjusted Funds from Operations, or AFFO, available to common stockholders(3)increased 18.2% from 2018 to $356.6 million; and

•

Our consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excludingnon-controlling interest(3)increased 23.3% from 2018 to $479.4 million.

  Dividends to Stockholders

✓

Increased Dividends—In 2019 we increased our annual cash dividend by 5.9% (as compared to 2018) to $3.60 per share, paying approximately $188.3 million in dividends to our stockholders (including the dividends paid in January 2020 to holders of record as of December 31, 2019).

(1)

Includes revenues from the Gaylord Rockies, which opened on a limited basis in December 2018 and fully opened during the first quarter of 2019. As a result of our purchase of an additional interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture as of December 31, 2018, we began consolidating the joint venture’s financial results in our financial statements beginning January 1, 2019.

(2)

2018 consolidated net income included aone-time gain of $131.4 million related to our acquisition of our increased ownership in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture recognized in the fourth quarter of 2018.

(3)

AFFO available to common stockholders and Adjusted EBITDAre, excludingnon-controlling interest arenon-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of thenon-GAAP financial measures used herein, a reconciliation of eachnon-GAAP financial measure to its most comparable GAAP financial measure, and an explanation of why we believe these measures present useful information to investors, see Appendix A.

Our efforts in 2020 principally were focused on efforts to stabilize our businesses and our company’s financial condition as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts included a significant focus on reducing the company’s monthly cash operating expenditures, as well as creating and implementing strategies for safely re-opening our businesses on a limited basis in light of the pandemic and with a further strategic focus in our hospitality business on rebooking cancelled group room nights in future years. We also suspended our quarterly dividend following payment of our first quarter 2020 dividend in a further effort to reduce our cash expenditures during 2020.
We believe that our efforts during 2020 will enable our company to successfully emerge from the pandemic as vaccines become widely available over the course of 2021 and the hospitality and entertainment sectors continue their recovery. We will continue to focus on our long-term strategic objectives of increasing funds available for distribution to our stockholders and creating long-term stockholder value.
Company Highlights—Total Stockholder Return

The following chart shows how a $100 investment in our common stock on December 31, 20142015 would have grown to $209.62$163.44 on December 31, 2019,2020, with dividends reinvested quarterly. The chart also compares the TSR of our common stock to the same investment in the S&P 500 Index and the FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index over the same period, with dividends reinvested quarterly.

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LOGO

*$100 invested on 12/31/14 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.

Fiscal year ending December 31.

Copyright© 2020 Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global. All rights reserved.

​

2020

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The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

   12/14   12/15   12/16   12/17   12/18   12/19 

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.

   100.00    102.94    133.00    153.05    154.49    209.62 

S&P 500

   100.00    101.38    113.51    138.29    132.23    173.86 

FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs

   100.00    103.20    111.99    117.84    112.39    141.61 

​
 
​​
12/15
​​
12/16
​​
12/17
​​
12/18
​​
12/19
​​
12/20
​
​
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.
​​
100.00
​​
129.20
​​
148.68
​​
150.08
​​
203.63
​​
163.44
​
​
S&P 500
​​
100.00
​​
111.96
​​
136.40
​​
130.42
​​
171.49
​​
203.04
​
​
FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs
​​
100.00
​​
108.52
​​
114.19
​​
108.91
​​
137.23
​​
126.25
​
Company Highlights—Compensation Practices

In designing our compensation programs, we are mindful of the risks to our stockholders that may be inherent in our compensation programs, and we attempt to utilize compensation practices that mitigate these risks. In designing our compensation programs, we also have considered feedback from our investors and other relevant third parties. Our compensation program includes the following compensation practices:

•

Pay for Performance—Performance—We tiepay to performance in a manner that we believe advances our stockholders’ interests by paying a significant portion of our NEOs’ total compensation opportunities in the form of variable compensation payable upon the performance of short- and long-term performance targets. As described below under20192020 Compensation Decisionson page 35, 56%37, 53.7% of our CEO’s total target compensation and 49%49.4% of our other NEOs’ target total compensation (on average) was performance-based in 2019.

2020.

•

Design of Our Short-Term Cash Incentive Compensation Program—Program—As described below underShort-Term Cash Incentive Compensationon page 36,39, our annual short-term cash incentive compensation plan is performance-based, and the plan does not have minimum payout levels (i.e., all of this compensation is “at risk”).

Compensation pursuant to our short-term cash incentive compensation plan (assuming achievement at the target level of performance) represented 26.6% of our CEO’s total target compensation, and 26.8% of our other NEOs’ target total compensation (on average), for 2020.

As described below under Short-Term Cash Incentive Compensation on page 39, in 2020 no adjustments were made to the annual short-term cash incentive compensation plan in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, and based on our financial performance no amounts were earned or paid under our short-term cash incentive compensation plan in 2020. Each active NEO other than Mr. Reed was awarded a modest discretionary cash bonus for 2020 in recognition of their efforts to stabilize our businesses and financial condition following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. Mr. Reed, our CEO, voluntarily agreed to forego a discretionary cash bonus award for 2020.
•

Design of Our Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Program—Program—As described below under2019 Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensationon page 3941,a significant portion of our NEOs’ long-term incentive compensation is in the form of performance-based RSUs which vest based on our achievement of TSR compared to the TSR of a designated peer group and other comparable companies. As described on page 4042 below, there is no minimum payout level associated with performance-based RSU awards (i.e., all of this compensation is “at risk”). As described on page 4042 below, there is also a cap on the total amount of compensation which may earned in connection with a performance-based RSU award.

Additionally, we believe as a general matter that “mid-stream” changes should not be made to previously granted performance-based awards. Accordingly, no changes were made in 2020 to previously-granted performance-based awards as a result of economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
•

Meaningful Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines for Executives and Directors—Directors—Our stock ownership guidelines require meaningful levels of stock ownership by our executives (including 5x base salary for our CEO) and directors. In addition, any officer or director who does not meet the applicable stock ownership guideline (regardless of any compliance grace period) must hold at least 50% of the net shares received in any RSU vesting. SeeStock Ownership and Retention Guidelines on page 4244 below.

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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
•

No “Single Trigger” Cash Payments Upon a Change of Control—Control—As described inPost-Termination Benefitson page 4245 below, theemployment and severance arrangements with our NEOs require a “double trigger” (requiring both a change of control and termination of employment) for cash severance payments following a change of control.

•

No Tax “Gross Ups” For Severance Payments—Payments—As described inPost-Termination Benefitson page 4245 below, we do not provide excise or other tax “gross up” payments in connection with any severance payment made to an NEO.

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

2019 Compensation Summary

The charts below illustrate the balance of the elements of target total compensation(3)(1) during 20192020 for Mr. Reed, our CEO, and the average of the other NEOs.

LOGO



As the charts above indicate, a significant portion of our NEOs’ target total compensation is performance-based and tied to stock performance, thus is aligned with the interests of our stockholders. Target total compensation for our CEO is weighted more toward long-term incentives than the other NEOs, as the Human Resources Committee wants to encourage our CEO, in particular, to focus on our long-term growth.

(3)
(1)

Percentage of total compensation as calculated above is based on the 20192020 base salary and the value of executive-level perquisites paid to the NEO which were not paid generally to all employees, the 20192020 short-term incentive compensation plan award (assuming achievement at the target level (such award was ultimately paid at 121.7%(no awards were payable to the NEOs based on 2020 performance pursuant to the terms of the target payout level for the NEOs, with an additional2020 short-term incentive compensation plan, although modest discretionary cash bonus awardawards were made to each active NEO other than Mr. Reed, as described below)), the grant date fair value of the performance-based RSU awards granted in February 20192020 to each NEO (assuming vesting at the target achievement level) and the grant date fair value of the annual time-based RSU awards granted in February 20192020 to each NEO (and in the case of Mr. Chaffin the grant date fair value of the promotional time-based RSU awards granted in May 2019).NEO. Each compensation element is outlined in more detail in the20192020 Summary Compensation Table set forth on page 4749 below.

Average target total compensation for the other NEOs (excluding Mr. Reed, our CEO) presented in this proxy statement does not include Bennett Westbrook, our former EVP & Chief Development Officer, who resigned effective September 1, 2020.
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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Our Compensation Program

The key elements of the compensation program for our executive officers are:

​
Compensation
Element
​​
Compensation
Element

Key


Characteristics

​

​

Why We Pay


This Element

​

​

Considerations in
Determining


the Amount of Pay

​

​

20192020


Decisions

​
​

Base Salary

​

​

• Fixed compensation.

•  
Payable in cash.


• Reviewed annually and adjusted when appropriate.

​

​

• To attract and retain qualified executives.


• Compensate for roles and responsibilities.

​

​

• Level of responsibility.


• Individual skills, experience and performance.

​Our​
Prior to the widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, our CEO received an 8.1%a 10% increase in base salary, and our other NEOs (on average) received a 9.5%12.9% increase in base salary, for 2020. Our NEOs voluntarily agreed not to accept these base salary increases for 2020.

In addition, our NEOs voluntarily agreed to forego a portion of their base salaries during 2019.2020, with these amounts being repaid to each active NEO in March 2021. See page 35.38.
​
​

Short-Term Cash Incentive Compensation

​

​

• Variable compensation.


• Payable in cash based on performance against annually established performance objectives.


• Reviewed annually and adjusted from year to year when appropriate.

​

​

• Motivate and reward executives.


• Incentivizes the executives to meet our short-term financial and operational objectives.

​

​

• Adjusted Funds from Operations, or AFFO, was the basis for the financial goal for the plan (and was the only goal for all NEOs except Mr. Reed, whose goals were based 75% on the financial goal and 25% on designated strategic objectives, as described below).

​​
Based on performance relative to the financial goal (and, in the case of our CEO, performance relative to designated strategic objectives), the committee approvedno amounts were earned or paid for 2020.

Each active NEO other than Mr. Reed was awarded a payout at 121.7% of the target payout for each NEO. Each NEO also received additionalmodest discretionary cash incentive compensationbonus in recognition of their contributionsefforts to stabilize our operatingbusinesses and financial performance.condition following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Reed voluntarily agreed to forego a cash bonus award for 2020. See page 36.40.
​

​

Long-Term Equity IncentiveEquityIncentive Compensation

​

​

• Variable compensation.


• Performance-basedPerformance- based RSUs vesting over a three-year performance period.


• Time-based RSUs vesting ratably over four years.

​

���

• Motivate and reward executives.


•  Aligns the interests of executives and stockholders and focuses the executives on long-term objectives over a multi-year period.


• Encourages retention through long-term vesting.

​

​

Performance-Based Awards


• RSUs vest based on TSR relative to designated peer groups over a3-year performance period.


• Awards pay out at a range from 0% to 150% of target with no shares earned for performance below 50% of financial target.


Time-Based Awards


RSUs which vest in 25% increments over 4 years.

​​
The mix of long-term equity incentive awards granted to NEOs in 20192020 was approximately 50% performance-based RSUs and 50% time-based RSUs (with the exception of Mr. Chaffin, who also received a promotional time-basedRSUs.

No changes were made to these, or any previously-granted, RSU award in May 2019).awards. See page 39.43.
​
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
​
Compensation
Element
​​
Key
Characteristics
​​
Why We Pay
This Element
​​
Considerations in
Determining
the Amount of Pay
​​
2020
Decisions
​
​

Other Benefits

​

​

• Fixed compensation.


• Participation in broad-based plans at same cost as other employees.


• Certain executive-level perquisites not paid generally to our other employees.

​

​

• Allow senior executives to participate in broad-based employee benefit programs.


• Provide competitive benefits to promote the health and well-being of our executive officers.

​

​

• Level of benefits provided to all employees.


• Benefits provided by other similarly-positioned companies.

​​
Our NEOs received only modest executive-level perquisites. See page 41.43.
​

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

20192020 Compensation Decisions

Our Human Resources Committee (which functions as our compensation committee) annually reviews our executive compensation program to determine how well actual compensation targets and levels meet our overall compensation philosophy and to compare our compensation programs to our peers. The committee also oversees our compensation programs.

Compensation Peer Group

For 2019,2020, the committee used a compensation peer group of the following 13 companies:

​

American Campus
Communities, Inc.

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
​

​

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
​

​

Chatham Lodging Trust

RLJ Lodging Trust
​

​

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.
​

​

Hersha Hospitality Trust

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.
​

​

Kilroy Realty Corp.

Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
​

​

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

​

The committee believes, based on Aon’s recommendation, that these companies are the most relevant peer group against which to review compensation for our NEOs, as such companies are all REITs with a focus on lodging, apartments or other real estate investments and have an implied market capitalization and/or total enterprise value within a range similar to the company. This peer group had total enterprise value ranging from approximately $1.5$1.2 billion to $20$19.1 billion as of December 31, 2019,2020, compared to the Company’scompany’s total enterprise value of $7.6approximately $6.3 billion as of December 31, 2019.2020. This peer group was identical to the peer group we used in 2018, except for the removal of LaSalle Hotel Properties (as a result of its merger with Pebblebrook Hotel Trust) and Chesapeake Lodging Trust (as a result of its merger with Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.), and the addition of Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

2019.

The committee annually determines whether our overall executive compensation program is consistent with our business strategy and promotes our compensation philosophy. In determining target total annual compensation for each NEO, the committee relies on its general experience and subjective considerations of various factors, including our strategic business goals, information with respect to the peer group set forth above, proprietary and publicly available compensation surveys and data with

respect to REITs and other public companies provided by Aon, and each executive officer’s position, experience, level of responsibility, individual job performance, contributions to our corporate performance, job tenure and future potential.

The committee does not set specific targets or utilize any formulaic benchmarks for overall compensation or for allocations between fixed and performance-based compensation, cash andnon-cash compensation or short-term and long-term compensation. In addition, the committee uses proprietary and publicly available compensation surveys and data with respect to REITs and other public companies provided by our compensation consultant, Aon, to obtain a general understanding of current compensation practices, including to confirm that the base salary and other elements of target total compensation opportunity for our executive officers is at a market-competitive level.

The committee does not specifically target or benchmark in any formulaic manner any element of compensation or the total compensation payable to NEOs based on these factors.
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
Base Salary

Base salary is designed to compensate our NEOs for their roles and responsibilities and to provide a secure level of guaranteed cash compensation. We have employment agreements with Mr. Reed and Mr. Fioravanti and(and Mr. Westbrook had an employment agreement prior to his resignation) that provide for a minimum base salary. We have severance agreements with Mr. Chaffin, and Mr. Lynn and Ms. Hutcheson that do not provide for any minimum base salary.

Each NEO’s base salary was set based on:

the executive’s roles and responsibilities; and
the executive’s skills, experience and performance.

In 2019,2020, base salary represented approximately 18%18.0% of our CEO’s total compensation package and (on average) approximately 27%28.5% of our other NEOs’ total compensation package (calculated in the manner described on page 33)35). The committee annually reviews the base salaries of each NEO and may make adjustments based on individual performance and changes in roles and responsibilities.

February 2020 Committee Decisions.At its February 21, 201920, 2020 meeting, which occurred prior to the widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the committee reviewed the existing base salaries and perquisites for

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

our NEOs. Specifically, the committee considered each NEO’s current base pay, taking into account base salary levels paid to persons holding similar positions at peer companies, as well as the previous adjustments made to each NEO’s base salary in 2018. 2019.

Based on its review, the committee determined that an 8.1%a 10% increase in Mr. Reed’s base salary was necessary to continue to maintain a market-competitive level of compensation for Mr. Reed, taking into account his experience level and his oversight of two lines of business, a hospitality REIT and an entertainment operating company.

The committee made modest increases toalso increased the base salaries of Messrs. Fioravanti and Westbrook. With respect to Mr. Chaffin and Mr. Lynn, the committee determined that a larger percentage adjustment to base salary was necessaryother NEOs, in order to maintain a market-competitive level of compensation for these executives.

executives, based on the review described above. The committee determined that a larger increase to Ms. Hutcheson’s base salary was warranted in connection with her expanded duties associated with her appointment as an Executive Vice President in early 2020.

Based on its review of the factors described above, the committee determined that the base salary amounts for the NEOs should be set at the following levels:

   

2019 Base
Salary

($)

   % Change
from 2018
Base
Salary

Colin Reed

   1,000,000   8.1%

Mark Fioravanti

   546,400   3.0%

Bennett Westbrook

   409,800   3.0%

Patrick Chaffin

   360,000   7.5%

Scott Lynn

   361,700   5.0%

Additionally, on

​
 
​​
2020
Base
Salary
($)
​​
% Change
from 2019
Base
Salary
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
1,100,000
​​
10.0%
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
600,000
​​
9.8%
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
475,000
​​
11.8%
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
400,000
​​
10.6%
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
340,000
​​
19.5%
​
​
Bennett Westbrook
​​
440,000
​​
7.4%
​
Voluntary NEO 2020 Salary Reductions. In March 2020, as the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic became apparent, the NEOs voluntarily elected to forego these merit increases to base salary for 2020. In addition, at that time Mr. Reed also voluntarily elected to forego 50% of his base salary for a to-be-determined length of time. In May 20, 2019 Mr. Chaffin was promoted2020, due to the position of EVP & Chief Operating Officercontinuing impact of the Company. In connection with this promotion andpandemic, Mr. Reed voluntarily agreed to forego 50% of his increased responsibilities with respect to our hospitality segment, Mr. Chaffin’s annual base salary was increased to $425,000, effective asthrough the end of 2020, and all of the dateNEOs voluntarily agreed to forego 25% of his promotion.their base salaries for the remainder of 2020, and other members of the Company’s management team also voluntarily agreed to forego a portion of their base salaries for the remainder of 2020.
At its February 24, 2021 meeting, the committee reviewed the amount of base salary actually received in 2020 by each active NEO, and the impact of the voluntary salary decisions described above. The committee also noted its decision to pay other members of management the amounts of base salary voluntarily foregone in 2020. The committee also reviewed the individual efforts of each executive during 2020, as described more fully below. As a result of this review, the committee elected to pay the following amounts to each active NEO, which represented the base salary amounts voluntarily foregone by the NEO during 2020:
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
​
​​
Base
Salary
Deferral
Payment
($)
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
415,385
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
82,000
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
63,462
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
54,173
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
52,308
​
​
Bennett Westbrook
​​
—(1)
​
(1)
Mr. Westbrook was not eligible to receive this amount as a result of his resignation, effective as of September 1, 2020.
These amounts are included in the Salary column for 2020 for each NEO in the 2020 Summary Compensation Table set forth on page 49 below.
Short-Term Cash Incentive Compensation

We provide annual cash incentive compensation designed to reward achievement of specific previously established short-term financial and strategic goals.

20192020 Performance Goals

For 20192020 the committee determined that the NEOs would have the opportunity to earn the following percentage of their base salary based on the achievement of the financial performance goals (and, in the case of Mr. Reed, designated strategic objectives) described below.

The 20192020 percentages of base salary at the threshold, target and stretch levels for each NEO were set at the following percentages (unchanged from 2018)2019):

   

Threshold

Level

   

Target

Level

  

    Stretch    

Level

 

Mr. Reed

   75%       150%   300%      

Mr. Fioravanti

   62.5%       125%   250%      

Mr. Westbrook

   50%       100%   200%      

Mr. Chaffin

   50%       100%   200%      

Mr. Lynn

   50%       100%   200%      

​
 
​​
Threshold
Level
​​
Target
Level
​​
Stretch
Level
​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
75%
​​
150%
​​
300%
​
​
Mr. Fioravanti
​​
62.5%
​​
125%
​​
250%
​
​
Mr. Chaffin
​​
50%
​​
100%
​​
200%
​
​
Mr. Lynn
​​
50%
​​
100%
​​
200%
​
​
Ms. Hutcheson
​​
37.5%
​​
75%
​​
150%
​
​
Mr. Westbrook
​​
50%
​​
100%
​​
200%
​
The percentage of salary awarded for performance falling between the threshold and target achievement levels and the target and stretch achievement levels was to be determined using straight-line interpolation.

In 2019,2020, assuming performance at the target level of achievement, short-term cash incentive compensation represented approximately 27%26.6% of our CEO’s total compensation package and (on average) approximately 29%26.8% of our other NEOs’ total compensation package (calculated in the manner described on page 33)35).

In 2019,2020, the performance targets, measured using Adjusted Funds From Operation Available to Common Shareholders and Unit Holders as reported (“AFFO”), excluding income tax expense or benefit (“Further Adjusted AFFO”), established by the committee were:

Threshold Performance Goal: Further Adjusted AFFO of $312.1$348.3 million.
Target Performance Goal: Further Adjusted AFFO of $346.7$387.0 million.
Stretch Performance Goal: Further Adjusted AFFO of $381.4$425.6 million.

The committee selected this performance metric because it is a measure of our operations without regard to specifiednon-cash items such as real estate depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on sale of assets and certain other items which we believe are

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

not indicative of the performance of our underlying hotel properties. Moreover, AFFO is one of the principal tools used by our management and the investment community in evaluating our financial performance as a REIT. These performance levels were set by the committee at the beginning of 20192020 after thorough discussion with management regarding our anticipated financial performance. These performance levels were set by the committee prior to the widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and thus these performance levels did not take into consideration any possible impacts of the pandemic. In choosing this goal, the committee considered the general economic climate expected in 2019,2020, the expected conditions in the hospitality industry and our expected financial performance, including our guidance for 2019,2020, as reflected in our earnings release issued in the first quarter of 2019.2020. The committee intended the target performance goal to be a challenging level of achievement. The committee attempted to set the threshold, target and stretch performance goals to ensure that the relative level of difficulty of achieving these performance levels would be generally consistent with prior years. For information regarding the manner in which AFFO is calculated from our financial statements, see Appendix A to this proxy statement.

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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
The awards to the NEOs (other than Mr. Reed) were based solely on our level of achievement of Further Adjusted AFFO. The award to Mr. Reed was based 75% on our achievement of Further Adjusted AFFO and 25% on our achievement of the strategic objectives, approved in advance by the committee, of achieving effective capital allocation and balance sheet management, specifically including maintaining leverage with a designated range, ensuring compliance with applicable debt covenants and managing interest rate risk associated with floating rate indebtedness.

When the committee established these targets at the beginning of 2019,2020, it made a determination that it would have the discretion to adjust Further Adjusted AFFO for the year to exclude losses or expense, or income or gain, related to certain unusual, infrequently occurring or other specified events as set forth in our omnibus incentive plan. In addition, under the terms of our omnibus incentive plan, the committee may exercise negative discretion in determining the final amounts of the short-term cash incentive awards payable at any given level of performance to ensure that such awards accurately reflect our actual performance. The committee also had the option of lowering the amount of, or not awarding, annual cash incentive compensation

otherwise payable to an executive under the plan for 20192020 if the executive did not attain a minimum-level annual performance rating under the company’s employee evaluation program, which is a prerequisite to receiving cash incentive compensation under the plan.

2019

2020 Short-Term Incentive Compensation Awards

In analyzing our results for purposes of determining the level of achievement under the short-term incentive compensation plan and determining the short-term incentive compensation which should be paid to our NEOs as a result of 2020 performance, the committee reviewed our operating and financial results for 2019.

2020. In performing its review,particular, the committee made note of the following financial and operating highlights:

Thenoted that our financial results of our Hospitality business segment, which the committee believed reflected the continued strength of that business, particularly the group meetings sector in which we focus, and the results of our investments in our existing hotels, including the rooms and meeting space expansion at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center and the SoundWaves water attraction at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
The successful grand opening and first year of operations of the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in 2019, which we believe was due in part to our service as the property’s asset manager prior to and following the hotel’s opening.
The successful execution of a new $800 million long-term credit facility for the Gaylord Rockies in July 2019 (which replaced the existing construction and mezzanine loans with respect to the property).
The continued growth in our existing Entertainment businesses, as well as the successful opening of the Ole Red Gatlinburg entertainment venue in March 2019.

The successful capital markets transactions which we undertook in 2019, including the issuance of $700 million in new senior notes due 2027, the public offering of $283 million of common stock (net of discounts, commissions and other offering expenses), the amendment and extension of our $1.5 billion bank credit facility, and the execution of a series of interest rate swaps with respect to $350 million of our floating rate indebtedness. As a result of these transactions, we extended the maturity date of

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

our bank credit facility, lowered the weighted average interest rate of all of our outstanding debt to 4.2%, and substantially improved both ourfixed-to-floating andsecured-to-unsecured debt ratios.

Our continued focus on returning capital to our stockholders, as evidenced2020 were significantly impacted by the 5.9% increase in the amount of our annual dividend in 2019 (as compared to 2018),COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the paymentclosure of approximately $188.3 millionour businesses for a significant period of time during the first half of 2020. The committee also noted that while we were able to re-open most of our businesses on a limited basis in dividendsthe second half of 2020, our operations for the remainder of the year were materially impacted by governmental restrictions on our common stock (includinggroup meetings and live events, as well as customer sentiment relating to the fourth quarter dividend paid in early 2020 to holders of record as of December 31, 2019).pandemic.

The committee determined that the company’s level of Further Adjusted AFFO achievement in 20192020 for purposes of our short-term incentive compensation plan was $361.8$(176.1) million, which using straight-line interpolation was equivalent to a payout level of 121.7% ofbelow the “target”“threshold” performance goal. There weregoal under the plan. The committee determined that no gains or losses related to unusual, infrequently occurring or other specified events set forth in our omnibus incentive plan which were(including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic) should be excluded by the committee in connection with our calculation of Further Adjusted AFFO (which were not included in the calculation of AFFO) for purposes of our short-term incentive compensation plan, except for approximately $1.1 million in losses associated with our Circle media joint venture, which were excluded byAFFO. As a result, the committee in calculating Further Adjusted AFFO since such losses had not been contemplated atdetermined that no amounts were earned or payable pursuant to the time the target was established and the formationterms of the joint venture was part of an important business strategy of the company’s entertainment business segment.

plan.

The committee also determined that Mr. Reed had met the individual strategic performance objectives described above, which combined with the AFFO achievement level described above resulted in a payout level equal to 121.7% of the “target” payout level for Mr. Reed.

The committee also determined that each active NEO other than Mr. Reed should receive an additional amount ofa modest discretionary cash incentive compensation,bonus, as listed in the table below, due to their contributions to the company’s completionhis or her efforts on behalf of the significant financial and operational objectives described above.

company in 2020. These efforts included:

with respect to Mr. Reed, his efforts in overseeing the company’s senior management team and his contributions to the company’s financial results, as well as his oversight of the growth initiatives in our Entertainment business segment;
with respect to Mr. Fioravanti, his leadership of the balance sheet and capital markets transactions undertaken by the company during 2019 as described above;
with respect to Mr. Westbrook, his oversight of2020, specifically including the successful construction and development activities undertaken byefforts to obtain waivers of applicable financial covenants under the Company;company’s bank credit facility, as well as the company’s efforts to significantly reduce its monthly operating cash deficits from our initial estimates over the course of 2020;
with respect to Mr. Chaffin, his efforts in effectively supervising the company’s relationship with the manager of its hotel properties in connection with the closure and his oversightreopening of our hospitality properties, the hotels’ rebooking efforts and the implementation of enhanced operating and safety protocols in light of the asset management function for Gaylord Rockies; andpandemic;
with respect to Mr. Lynn, his oversight of the company’s legal and compliance functions including the supervision of outside counsel in connection with the successful capital markets transactionsstrategic and developmentoperating activities we completed during 2019.described above; and

with respect to Ms. Hutcheson, her oversight of the company’s accounting and financial reporting functions in connection with the strategic and operating activities described above.
The committee also reviewed the annual performance rating of each NEO and determined that each NEO met the minimum level performance rating.
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
With respect to Mr. Reed, the Committee noted Mr. Reed’s significant efforts in overseeing the company’s lines of business in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, his leadership of our employees during this period, and his efforts in engaging Federal, state and local governmental officials and agencies with respect to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our businesses and our re-opening efforts. However, Mr. Reed voluntarily agreed to forego a discretionary cash bonus for 2020.
As a result, the committee approved the following short-term cash incentive compensation awards:

   

Calculated
Short-Term
Cash
Incentive
Compen-
sation

($)

  

Additional
Short-Term
Cash
Incentive
Compen-
sation

($)

  

Total
Short-Term
Cash
Incentive
Compen-
sation

($)(1)

 

Mr. Reed

   2,118,688   181,312   2,300,000 

Mr. Fioravanti

   974,226   125,774   1,100,000 

Mr. Westbrook

   584,536   40,464   625,000 

Mr. Chaffin

   566,908   58,092   625,000 

Mr. Lynn

   513,968   36,032   550,000 

(1)​

​​
Calculated
Short-Term
Cash
Incentive
Compensation
($)
​​
Discretionary
Short-Term
Cash
Incentive
Compensation(1)
($)
​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Mr. Fioravanti
​​
—
​​
200,000
​
​
Mr. Chaffin
​​
—
​​
100,000
​
​
Mr. Lynn
​​
—
​​
100,000
​
​
Ms. Hutcheson
​​
—
​​
75,000
​
​
Mr. Westbrook(2)
​​
—
​​
—
​
(1)
This amount is below the estimated threshold payout level for each NEO established under the short-term cash incentive plan for 2020. The estimated threshold, target and stretch payout levels for each NEO established under the short-term cash incentivethis plan for 20192020 are listed in20192020Grants of Plan-Based Awards below.

(2)

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

Mr. Westbrook was not eligible to receive an award due to his resignation on September 1, 2020.

2019 Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

Our long-term equity incentive compensation plan is designed to align the interests of our NEOs and stockholders and focus our NEOs on long-term objectives over a multi-year period. Long-term equity incentive awards are also intended to attract and retain our NEOs through long-term vesting.
In 2019,2020, long-term equity incentive compensation represented approximately 53%54.5% of our CEO’s total compensation package and (on average) approximately 42%43.2% of our other NEOs’ total compensation package (calculated in the manner described on page 33)35).

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Components

Our long-term equity incentive plan components are:

Performance-Based RSUs:

Vest over a three-year period based on our TSR over the award cycle, as compared to our peers.
Awards settled in stock, with cash dividends on RSUs being paid only upon RSUs that ultimately vest upon the achievement of performance goals.
Granted only to the NEOs and senior executives.

Time-Based RSUs:

Annual time-based RSU awards vest in equal amounts over four years, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. In certain cases, in connection with a promotional RSU grant or to aid in retention, the committee may designate that certain time-based RSU awards will vest in equal installments over two years, beginning on the third anniversary of the grant date.
Awards settled in stock, with dividends on RSUs held by our NEOs being paid in additional RSUs only upon RSUs that ultimately vest.
Granted to the NEOs, as well as to other eligible employees.

2019

2020 Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Awards

For 2019,2020, the committee discussed with Aon the most appropriate way to motivate and retain our executives. The committee believed it was important to continue to use RSU awards instead of stock options to better align the interests of our executives with our stockholders, to encourage executive retention and to

conform to compensation practices in the REIT industry.

As a result of these discussions, the committee decided to structure long-term equity incentive compensation awards in 20192020 as a combination of performance-based RSUs and time-based RSUs. The determination of the number of RSUs to award to each NEO was based on a number of factors including but not limited to corporate and individual performance, historical grants and competitive practices.
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
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As a result of the determinations discussed above, on February 21, 2019,20, 2020, the committee made the following long-term incentive compensation awards to the NEOs:

  

Performance-
Based RSU
Awards(1)

(#)

  

Annual
Time-
Based RSU
Awards(2)

(#)

 

Mr. Reed

  15,000   15,000 

Mr. Fioravanti

  5,000   5,000 

Mr. Westbrook

  2,500   2,500 

Mr. Chaffin(3)

  2,500   2,500 

Mr. Lynn

  2,500   2,500 

​
 
​​
Performance-
Based RSU
Awards(1)
(#)
​​
Annual
Time-
Based RSU
Awards(2)
(#)
​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
16,811
​​
18,571
​
​
Mr. Fioravanti
​​
8,000
​​
8,000
​
​
Mr. Chaffin
​​
3,500
​​
3,500
​
​
Mr. Lynn
​​
3,500
​​
3,500
​
​
Ms. Hutcheson
​​
1,750
​​
1,750
​
​
Mr. Westbrook(3)
​​
3,500
​​
3,500
​
(1)

Up to 150% of the performance-based RSUs listed above will vest on March 15, 20222023 based on our TSR performance over the three-year award cycle (January 1, 20192020 – December 31, 2021)2022) relative to the median of the TSR performance of the 20192020 Performance Peer Groups described below.

(2)

These RSUs vest ratably over four years, beginning on March 15, 2020.

2021.
(3)

Additionally,

Except as described in connectionSummary of Actual Payments Made in Connection with Mr. Chaffin’s promotion to the position of EVP & Chief Operating OfficerWestbrook’s Resignation, Mr. Westbrook forfeited these awards upon his resignation on May 20, 2019, Mr. Chaffin was awarded an additional 4,000 time-based RSUs which vest 50% on May 20, 2022 and 50% on May 20, 2023.

September 1, 2020.

2019

2020 Performance-Based RSU Awards (2019-2021(2020-2022 Performance Period)

The amount of the performance-based RSUs which will ultimately vest on March 15, 20222023 will be determined by comparing our TSR performance during the performance period (January 1, 20192020 – December 31, 2021)2022) relative to the median of the TSR performance of the following two peer groups (the “2019“2020 Performance Peer Groups”), weighted equally: (1) our 20192020 compensation peer group listed above;

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

and (2) the following companies within the FTSE NAREIT Lodging Resorts Index:

​

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

InnSuites Hospitality Trust
​

​

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
​

​

Braemar Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
​

​

Chatham Lodging Trust

RLJ Lodging Trust
​

​

Condor Hospitality Trust, Inc.

Sotherly Hotels, Inc.
​

​

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.
​

​

Hersha Hospitality Trust

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.
​

Hospitality Properties Trust

​
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

​

The members of the peer group listed above were selected from among the FTSE NAREIT Lodging
Resorts Index companies due to their relative enterprise value compared to the company and/or their relative TSR performance over a three year period.

This peer group was identical to the peer group we used in 2018,2019, except for the removal of LaSalle HotelHospitality Properties asTrust (as a result of its merger with Pebblebrook Hotel Trust. In addition, Ashford Hospitality Prime has been renamed Braemar Hotelsacquisition of a significant net lease service retail portfolio in 2019 and Resorts, Inc.

its resulting change in operating strategy).

Specifically, the awards will vest as follows:

​

Company TSR

Performance

​

​

% of Award


Vesting

​

​

Greater than or equal to 15 percentage points above the median TSR performance of the 20192020 Performance Peer Groups

​​
150%
​

​

Equal to the median TSR performance of the 20192020 Performance Peer Groups

​​
100%
​

​

15 percentage points below the median TSR performance of the 20192020 Performance Peer Groups

​​
50%
​

​

Greater than 15 percentage points below the median TSR performance of the 20192020 Performance Peer Groups

​​
0%
​

If the performance achieved falls in between the established performance goal levels, the percentage of the award earned by the NEO will be determined using straight-line interpolation and rounding to the nearest full share.

The awards also provide that if our TSR is negative, on an absolute basis, the committee may, in its discretion, reduce by 25% the number of awards ultimately vesting. In no event will the final value of the award exceed 500% of the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date of February 21,

2019.20, 2020. The committee believes that limiting the maximum value of the award ensures the NEOs are not disproportionally rewarded for performance.

The committeere-evaluates the 20192020 Performance Peer Groups for each fiscal year to take into account changes to the composition of the 20192020 Performance Peer Groups (i.e., corporate changes such as mergers or delistings), or to otherwise modify the terms of the award to take into account such other factors which the committee in its sole discretion has determined. The committee has not exercised this discretion in connection with the 20192020 performance-based RSU awards except to reflect certain corporate changes in the peer group companies.removal of Hospitality Properties Trust (as described above).
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
The committee believed the amount of these awards was appropriate given our compensation philosophy and objectives, specifically noting that achievement of greater than “target” level performance would have also resulted in higher than average TSR to our stockholders, as compared to our peers. In 2019,2020, performance-based RSUs represented approximately 29%27.1% of our CEO’s total compensation package and (on average) approximately 20%22.6% of our other NEOs’ total compensation package (calculated in the manner described on page 33)35).

2019

The committee reviewed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance-based RSU awards granted in 2020, as well as in previous years. Based in its review, the committee determined that no changes should be made to any outstanding performance-based RSUs, given the long-term nature of the awards. The committee believes as a general rule that no “mid-stream” adjustments should be made to the performance-based RSU awards due to the long-term nature of, and the other structural features of, these awards.
2020 Time-Based RSU Awards

The time-based RSUs granted to the NEOs reflected in the chart above vest ratably over four years, beginning on March 15, 2020.2021. The committee believed the amount of the time-based RSU awards made to our NEOs was appropriate given our compensation philosophy and objectives, including the need to retain our executives. In 2019,2020, time-based RSUs represented approximately 24%27.4% of our CEO’s total compensation package and (on average) approximately 22%20.6% of our other NEOs’ total compensation package (calculated in the manner described on page 33)35).

Vesting of 20172018 Performance-Based RSU Awards in March 2020 (2017-20192021 (2018-2020 Performance Period)

In February 20172018 we awarded performance-based RSUs to each NEO, which ultimately were to vest based on the company’s TSR performance over the3-year award cycle (2017-2019)(2018-2020), as compared to the TSR for the designated performance peer groups during the same performance period.

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

Specifically, the awards were to vest as follows:

​

Company TSR

Performance

​

​

% of Award


Vesting

​

​

Greater than or equal to 15 percentage points above the median TSR performance of the 20172018 Performance Peer Groups

​​
150%
​

​

Equal to the median TSR performance of the 20172018 Performance Peer Groups

​​
100%
​

​

15 percentage points below the median TSR performance of the 20172018 Performance Peer Groups

​​
50%
​

​

Greater than 15 percentage points below the median TSR performance of the 20172018 Performance Peer Groups

​​
0%
​

Our TSR over the performance period, calculated pursuant to the terms of the performance-based RSU agreements, was approximately 55.733.9 percentage points above the median TSR performance of the designated performance peer groups.

As a result, the 20172018 performance-based RSUs ultimately vested at the 150% level in March 20202021 as follows:

​
​​

20172018 Performance-
Based RSU Awards
Vesting in March 20202021


(#)

​

​

Colin Reed

​​28,217
25,235
​

​

Mark Fioravanti

​​8,720
8,040
​

Bennett Westbrook

​
Patrick Chaffin
​4,359​
3,383
​

Patrick Chaffin

​
Scott Lynn
​3,668​
3,480
​

Scott Lynn

​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​3,668​
—
​
​
Bennett Westbrook
​​
4,020
​

Benefits and Perquisites

Our benefit programs are based upon an assessment of competitive market factors and a determination of what is needed to attract and retain qualified executives. Our primary benefits for executives include participation in our broad-based plans at the same cost as other employees. These plans include a tax qualified 401(k) savings plan (with matching contributions up to four percent of a participant’s pay), health and dental plans and various disability and life insurance plans. We also provide a limited amount of executive-level perquisites to our NEOs and other designated senior executives, including executive-level life disability and life insurance plans and a supplemental deferred compensation plan, or SUDCOMP.

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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
Our directors, NEOs and other employees routinely use commercial air service for business travel, and we generally reimburse them only at the coach or business class rate.

We maintain a limited aircraft program to provide our executives with timely and cost-effective travel alternatives in connection with our business activities. We do not operate any aircraft, own or lease a hangar or employ pilots. Instead, we have purchased a fractional interest in an aircraft. We pay a fixed monthly fee, plus a variable charge for hours actually flown. Our directors, NEOs and other employees use this aircraft for selected business trips when commercial air service is unavailable or otherwise impractical, based on the availability and cost of commercial air service, the travel time involved, the number of employees traveling and the need for flexible travel arrangements. All travel under this program must be approved by our CEO.

Mr. Reed’s employment agreement provides that he is entitled to a limited amount of personal aircraft usage on an annual basis. We also make the aircraft available to our other executives for limited personal use, which is typically limited to permitting the executive’s spouse or other family member to accompany the executive on required business travel.
We believe allowing limited personal use of our aircraft program serves to reduce our executives’ personal travel time and to increase the time they can conduct company business on our behalf.

For more information about this perquisite, and amounts reported as income in 20192020 for each NEO, see theAll Other Compensation table on page 48.

50.

These executive-level perquisites represented approximately 2%0.9% of our CEO’s total compensation package and (on average) approximately 2%1.6% of our other NEOs’ total compensation package (calculated in the manner described on page 33)35).

When we recruited Mr. Reed to join our company in 2001, we agreed to pay Mr. Reed a retirement benefit pursuant to a CustomMid-Career Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, or SERP. This benefit, which is described inOther Compensation Information—Nonqualified Deferred Compensation below, was in the committee’s view essential to attracting Mr. Reed to employment with us and has also proved valuable in securing his extended

employment. The company has fully satisfied its funding obligations

under the SERP by previously paying, in total, $3.5 million to Mr. Reed’s SERP account (as described below), and the current balance in Mr. Reed’s SERP account in excess of such amount is attributable to investment gains and losses associated with the assets in the SERP account (currently shares of our common stock).

Other Compensation Information

Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines

The committee has adopted stock ownership guidelines for our senior executives. These guidelines are designed to encourage our executives to have a meaningful equity ownership in our company, thereby linking their interests with those of our stockholders. These guidelines provide that within five years of becoming a senior executive, each executive must own (by way of shares owned directly or indirectly (including through our 401(k) plan) and shares represented by unvested time-based RSUs, but not including unexercised stock options or performance-based RSUs) common stock with a value of either five times (5x) base salary for Mr. Reed, three times (3x) base salary for the NEOs, and two times (2x) base salary for other executives subject to these guidelines. The guidelines also provide that if an executive is not currently in compliance with this guideline (regardless of the compliance grace period), the executive must retain 50% of the net shares (after satisfying any tax obligations and any required payments upon exercise) received upon vesting of RSUs or the exercise of stock options.

As of January 31, 20202021 (the annual compliance date) all of the NEOs were in compliance with the guidelines, as follows:

​
​​
Required
Ownership as of
January 31,
2021(1)
​​
Shares
Owned
​
​
Colin Reed
Required Ownership as
of January 31, 2020(1)​		​
84,811
Shares
Owned​		​
1,436,564(2)
​

Colin Reed

​
Mark Fioravanti
​58,803​
27,756
​​1,386,699
222,886(2)(3)
​

Mark Fioravanti

​
Patrick Chaffin
​19,278​
21,974
​​193,850
28,436(3)
​

Bennett Westbrook

​
Scott Lynn
​14,459​
18,504
​​28,429
22,316(3)
​

Patrick Chaffin

​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​14,995​
15,729
​​24,846
16,965(3)

Scott Lynn

12,76216,558(3)​

(1)

The number of shares required to be owned by an NEO is an amount equal to (i) the product obtained by multiplying the NEO’s base salary times the applicable multiple (5x for Mr. Reed and 3x for the other NEOs)divided by (ii) the closing market price of our common stock on January 31, 2020 ($85.03).

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(2)​

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
multiple (5x for Mr. Reed and 3x for the other NEOs) divided by (ii) the closing market price of our common stock on January 29, 2021 ($64.85).
(2)
Includes 618,593648,290 shares credited to Mr. Reed’s SERP and 47,63546,680 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of time-based RSUs.

(3)

Includes the following number of shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of time-based RSUs: Mr. Fioravanti: 15,513; Mr. Westbrook: 7,775;17,118; Mr. Chaffin: 10,087; and11,878; Mr. Lynn: 6,929.

7,678; and Ms. Hutcheson: 6,779.

Post-Termination Benefits

The committee believes that severance and change of control benefits assist in attracting and retaining qualified executives. The committee believes these benefits have proven particularly important in providing for continuity of management during the period following our REIT conversion and transition-related efforts. The levels of payments and benefits upon termination were set to be at a market-competitive level based upon each executive’s experience and level in the organization.

Mr. Reed and Mr. Fioravanti andhave (and prior to his resignation Mr. Westbrook havehad) employment agreements that provide for cash severance payments and certain other benefits if termination occurs without “cause”“Cause” or if the executive leaves for “good reason”“Good Reason” (as defined in their employment agreement). These agreements also provide for cash compensation and certain other benefits in the event of termination following a “change“Change of control”Control” of the company (i.e., a “double trigger”). Mr. Chaffin, and Mr. Lynn and Ms. Hutcheson have severance agreements that provide for cash compensation and certain other benefits only in the event of termination following a “change“Change of control”Control” of the company (i.e., a “double trigger”).

In addition, no taxgross-ups are provided in connection with any severance payments to our NEOs. Information regarding these payments, including a definition of key terms and the amount of benefits that would have been received by our NEOs had termination occurred on December 31, 2019,2020, is found underPotential Payments on Termination or Change of Control on page 55.

58.

Tax Deductibility Considerations

The committee’s policy is to consider the tax treatment of compensation paid to our executive officers with appropriate rewards for their performance. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally
disallows public companies a tax deduction for their compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to their chief executive officers and certain of their other executive officers. Prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), signed into law on December 22, 2017, this limitation did not apply to “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m).

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

As the result of the TCJA, the exception to the deduction limit of Section 162(m) for “qualified performance-based compensation” is not applicable to compensation paid after January 1, 2018 unless paid pursuant to any written binding contract (such as certain long-term equity incentive compensation awards) which was in effect on November 2, 2017. In 2020 we amended Mr. Reed’s employment agreement to remove a provision that, due to an unanticipated change in the tax laws, could have resulted in an unintended significant delay in payment of certain annual and long-term compensation payable to Mr. Reed (including following the period of Mr. Reed’s employment) that is nondeductible by us. While the committee considers the tax treatment of compensation paid to our executive officers and the potentialnon-deductibility of compensation under Section 162(m), the committee also believes that the interests of our stockholders are best served if we retain discretion and flexibility in awarding compensation to our NEOs, even where the compensation paid under such programs may not be fully deductible (and the committee has approved and may continue to approve the payment of compensation that is outside of the deductibility limitations of Section 162(m)).

Because we qualify as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes, we expect to distribute at least 100% of our net taxable income each year and therefore will not pay Federal income tax on our REIT taxable income. As a result, based on the level of cash compensation paid to our executive officers, we do not expect that any loss of a Federal income tax deduction as a result of Section 162(m) would materially impact our income tax liability. The committee will continue to monitor the tax and other consequences of our executive compensation programs as part of its primary objective of ensuring that compensation paid to our executives is reasonable, performance-based and consistent with our goals.
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Equity Grant Practices

Our omnibus incentive plan allows the committee to grant various types of equity awards to any eligible employee, including the NEOs. Annual equity awards to executives are approved by the committee and occur on the date of our first quarterly committee meeting of each year. Consistent with the terms of our omnibus incentive plan, the committee has also delegated to the CEO the authority to make limited equity grants to new members of our management team, which are then ratified by the committee.
These awards are granted pursuant to a formula based on a specified dollar amount, with the number of shares for each RSU award determined by dividing the dollar amount by the closing market price of our

stock on the date immediately prior to the grant date. Annual RSU awards for directors are approved by the committee and are granted on the date the director is elected to the Board. These awards are granted pursuant to a formula based on a specified dollar amount, with the number of shares for each RSU grant determined by dividing the dollar amount by the closing market price of our stock on the date immediately prior to the grant date.

Role of the Human Resources Committee and Management

The committee awards compensation to our NEOs and other executives consistent with our philosophy that compensation paid to our executives be fair, reasonable and competitive. The committee establishes and monitors compliance with our compensation philosophy, and the committee also oversees the development and administration of our compensation programs. Our management is responsible for the administration of our compensation programs once approved by the committee.

The committee makes all compensation decisions with respect to our NEOs, which are ratified by our Board. Our CEO annually reviews the performance of, and provides compensation recommendations for, each NEO (other than the CEO). In the case of the CEO, the CEO provides the committee with a self-assessment of his performance. The committee then reviews these items and discusses and approves compensation for each NEO based on the considerations previously discussed.

For a complete description of the committee’s members and its responsibilities, as well as information regarding the authority of our CEO to make limited equity grants to new members of our management team, seeCommittees of the Boardon page 18.21. You may also view the committee’s charter on our website atwww.rymanhp.com (under “Corporate Governance” on the Investor Relations page).

Role of the Compensation Consultant

The committee has retained Aon as its outside compensation consultant since 2013. During 2019,2020, Aon regularly attended committee meetings and reported directly to the committee on matters relating

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

to compensation for our executives. During 20192020 the committee requested that Aon:

Analyze the compensation for our NEOs and other executives and assess how target and actual short-term incentive compensation aligned with our compensation philosophy and objectives.
Develop recommendations for the committee on the size and structure of long-term incentive compensation awards.
Assist the committee in the review of this proxy statement and this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Provide the committee with ongoing advice and counsel on market compensation practices, trends and legal and regulatory changes and their impact on our compensation programs.

Advise the committee on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s compensation programs.
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At our annual meeting in May 2019,2020, we held a stockholder advisory vote on the compensation of our NEOs, commonly referred to as a“say-on-pay” “say-on-pay” vote. In oursay-on-pay vote, approximately 91.9%95.5% of the stockholder votes, excluding brokernon-votes, were cast in favor of thesay-on-pay resolution. As the committee reviewed our compensation practices, it was mindful of the level of support our stockholders had previously expressed for our compensation programs, including our “pay for performance” philosophy and
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
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emphasis on variable compensation. The committee intends to continue to consider the outcome of future advisorysay-on-pay votes when making executive compensation decisions.

20202021 NEO Compensation

At its February 19, 202024, 2021 meeting, (which took place prior to the designation ofCOVID-19 as a pandemic), the committee reviewed and approved the compensation to be paid to the NEOs for 2020,2021, in light of our compensation philosophy.

philosophy and the recent developments discussed above.

Base Salary

Following a review of current compensation levels at the company and at peer companies, as well as the current economic and business environment facing the company, the committee determined that the followingno adjustments would be made to base salary were necessary to maintain a market-competitive level of compensation for the NEOs in 2020:

   

2020 Base
Salary

($)

   % Increase
from 2019
Base Salary		 

Colin Reed

   1,100,000    10.0% 

Mark Fioravanti

   600,000    9.8% 

Bennett Westbrook

   440,000    7.4% 

Patrick Chaffin

   475,000    11.8% 

Scott Lynn

   400,000    10.6% 

In March 2020 the NEOs voluntarily elected to defer these increases to2021, and base salary as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic and its related impact on our business operations for ato-be-determined period of time during theCOVID-19 pandemic. In addition, in March 2020 Mr. Reed also elected to reduce his base salary by 50% for ato-be-determined period of time during theCOVID-19 pandemic.

each NEO would remain at:

​
​​
2021 Base
Salary
($)
​​
% Increase
from 2020
Base Salary
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
1,100,000
​​
—
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
600,000
​​
—
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
475,000
​​
—
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
400,000
​​
—
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
340,000
​​
—
​
Short-Term Cash Incentive Compensation

The committee also established criteria for short-term cash incentive compensation pursuant to our omnibus incentive plan. The committee determined that each NEO will have the opportunity to earn the followinga percentage of his or her base salary based in part on the achievement of designated financial goals established under the incentive compensation plan, based onincluding Further Adjusted AFFO, (and,and in the case of Mr. Reed,part on designated strategic objectives)and operational objectives established by the committee designed to enable the company to continue its recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following potential award opportunities (as a percentage of base salary) apply to each NEO, at the following threshold, target and stretch levels:

   

Threshold

Level

  

Target

Level

   Stretch
Level

Colin Reed

     75%   150%       300%    

Mark Fioravanti

  62.5%   125%       250%    

Bennett Westbrook

      50%   100%       200%    

Patrick Chaffin

      50%   100%       200%    

Scott Lynn

      50%   100%       200%    

levels, as follows:

​
 
​​
Threshold
Level
​​
Target
Level
​​
Stretch
Level
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
75%
​​
150%
​​
300%
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
62.5%
​​
125%
​​
250%
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
50%
​​
100%
​​
200%
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
50%
​​
100%
​​
200%
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
37.5%
​​
75%
​​
150%
​
These percentages were unchanged from 2019.

2020.

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

In choosing the Further Adjusted AFFO “target” performance goal for 20202021 at its February 19, 202024, 2021 meeting, the committee considered the general economic climate then expected in 2020,2021, the expected conditions in the hospitality industryand entertainment industries and our expected financial performance, includingtaking into account the anticipated ongoing negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our guidance for 2020, as reflected in our earnings release issued in the first quarter of 2020.business and financial results. In setting these goals, the committee attempted to set performance goals to ensure that the relative level of difficulty of achieving these levels was consistent with prior years.

years, taking into account the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In establishing these targets for 2020,2021, the committee made a determination that it will have the discretion to adjust AFFO for the year to exclude losses or expense, or income or gain, related to certain unusual, infrequently occurring or other specified events as set forth in our omnibus incentive plan. In addition, under the terms of our omnibus incentive plan, the committee may exercise negative discretion in determining the final amounts of the short-term cash incentive awards payable at any given level of performance to ensure that such awards accurately reflect our actual performance.
The committee also has retained the discretion to lower the amount of, or not award, annual cash incentive compensation otherwise payable to an executive under the plan for 20202021 if the executive does not attain a minimum-level annual performance rating under the company’s employee evaluation program,

which is a prerequisite to receiving cash incentive compensation under the plan.

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At this time, the committee has made no decisions with respect to the impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic upon the company’s short-term cash incentive compensation program for 2020.

​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

The committee also made the following long-term equity incentive compensation awards to the NEOs:

   

Performance-
Based RSU
Awards(1)

(#)

   

Time-
Based RSU
Awards(2)

(#)

 

Colin Reed

   16,811    18,571 

Mark Fioravanti

   8,000    8,000 

Bennett Westbrook

   3,500    3,500 

Patrick Chaffin

   3,500    3,500 

Scott Lynn

   3,500    3,500 

​
 
​​
Time-Based
RSU
Awards(1)
(#)
​​
Performance-
Based RSU
Awards(2)
(#)
​​
Long-Term
Stockholder
Value Creation
Program
RSU Awards(3)
(#)
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
22,355
​​
23,158
​​
47,059
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
9,000
​​
9,000
​​
15,882
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
4,000
​​
4,000
​​
8,382
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
3,500
​​
3,500
​​
7,059
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
2,500
​​
2,500
​​
4,500
​
(1)

The time-based RSUs vest ratably over four years, beginning March 15, 2022.

(2)
Up to 150% of the performance-based RSUs listed above will vest on March 15, 20232024 based on our TSR performance over the three-year award cycle (January 1, 20202021 – December 31, 2022)2023) relative to the median of the TSR performance of thea designated performance peer groups for such awards.

group.
(2)
(3)

The time-basedUp to 100% of the Long-Term Stockholder Value Creation Program RSUs listed above will vest ratably over four years, beginningon March 15, 2021.

2024 based on the achievement of designated stock price targets during a three-year performance period (March 1, 2021 – March 1, 2024). These awards are part of a broad-based grant to the company’s management-level employees designed to further incentivize these employees in connection with the company’s recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

Human Resources Committee Report

The following report of the Human Resources Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed incorporated by reference into any other filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this report herein.

The Human Resources Committee (which functions as our compensation committee), comprised of independent directors, reviewed and discussed the above Compensation Discussion and Analysis with the company’s management. Based on its review and these discussions, the Human Resources Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in these proxy materials.

Human Resources Committee:

Patrick Moore, Chairman


Robert Prather


Michael Roth
48

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Executive Compensation

The Summary Compensation Table below shows compensation information about our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 20192020 other than our principal executive officer and principal financial officer.officer, as well as Mr. Westbrook, an executive officer who resigned effective September 1, 2020 and who is included in the chart below as an NEO as a result of the compensation received by him during 2020. As required by SEC rules, the compensation amounts listed below includenon-cash items such as the grant date fair value of equity awards (some of which are performance-based and may or may not ultimately be earned).

20192020 Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal
Position

(a)

 

Year

(b)

 

Salary(1)

($)

(c)

  

Bonus(2)

($)

(d)

  

Stock

Awards(3)

($)

(e)

  

Option

Awards

($)

(f)

 

Non-Equity

Incentive

Plan

Compen-

sation(4)

($)

(g)

  

Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqual-
ified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings
($)

(h)

 

All Other
Compen-
sation(5)

($)

(i)

  

Total

($)

(j)

 

Colin Reed

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

 2019  982,857   181,312   2,819,700  -  2,118,688  -  89,051   6,191,608 
 2018  925,165   149,963   2,478,521  -  1,350,037  -  89,014   4,992,700 
 2017  907,830   250,000   2,565,253  -  1,998,831  -  103,104   5,825,018 

Mark Fioravanti

President & Chief Financial Officer

 2019  542,851   125,774   939,900  -  974,226  -  41,339   2,624,090 
 2018  527,049   44,635   789,659  -  635,265  -  42,293   2,038,901 
 2017  511,676   -   792,722  -  937,480  -  39,857   2,281,735 

Bennett Westbrook

EVP & Chief Development Officer

 2019  407,172   40,464   469,950  -  584,536  -  34,551   1,536,673 
 2018  395,296   28,841   394,829  -  381,159  -  33,722   1,233,847 
 2017  383,792   -   396,293  -  562,488  -  31,318   1,373,891 

Patrick Chaffin

EVP & Chief Operating Officer

 2019  393,055   58,092   811,510  -  566,908  -  30,740   1,860,305 
 2018  332,632   49,284   332,211  -  320,716  -  19,109   1,053,952 
 2017  319,368   -   333,475  -  468,426  -  19,624   1,140,893 

Scott Lynn

EVP & General Counsel

 2019  357,863   36,032   469,950  -  513,968  -  17,630   1,395,443 
 2018  340,132   26,868   341,837  -  328,132  -  17,405   1,054,374 
 2017  319,368   -   333,475  -  468,426  -  21,401   1,142,670 

​
Name and Principal
Position
(a)
​​
Year
(b)
​​
Salary(1)
($)
(c)
​​
Bonus(2)
($)
(d)
​​
Stock
Awards(3)
($)
(e)
​​
Option
Awards
($)
(f)
​​
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation(4)
($)
(g)
​​
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqual-
ified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings
($)
(h)
​​
All Other
Compen-
sation(7)
($)
(i)
​​
Total
($)
(j)
​
​
Colin Reed
Chairman & Chief
Executive Officer
​​
2020
​​
1,079,012
​​
—
​​
3,312,847
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
51,411
​​
4,443,270
​
​
2019
​​
982,857
​​
181,312
​​
2,819,700
​​
—
​​
2,118,688
​​
—
​​
89,051
​​
6,191,608
​
​
2018
​​
925,165
​​
149,963
​​
2,478,521
​​
—
​​
1,350,037
​​
—
​​
89,014
​​
4,992,700
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
President & Chief
Financial Officer
​​
2020
​​
572,949
​​
200,000
​​
1,501,520
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
34,606
​​
2,309,075
​
​
2019
​​
542,851
​​
125,774
​​
939,900
​​
—
​​
974,226
​​
—
​​
41,339
​​
2,624,090
​
​
2018
​​
527,049
​​
44,635
​​
789,659
​​
—
​​
635,265
​​
—
​​
42,293
​​
2,038,901
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
EVP & Chief Operating
Officer - Hotels
​​
2020
​​
448,931
​​
100,000
​​
656,915
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
28,716
​​
1,234,562
​
​
2019
​​
393,055
​​
58,092
​​
811,510
​​
—
​​
566,908
​​
—
​​
30,740
​​
1,860,305
​
​
2018
​​
332,632
​​
49,284
​​
332,211
​​
—
​​
320,716
​​
—
​​
19,109
​​
1,053,952
​
​
Scott Lynn
EVP & General Counsel
​​
2020
​​
380,409
​​
100,000
​​
656,915
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
15,778
​​
1,153,102
​
​
2019
​​
357,863
​​
36,032
​​
469,950
​​
—
​​
513,968
​​
—
​​
17,630
​​
1,395,443
​
​
2018
​​
340,132
​​
26,868
​​
341,837
​​
—
​​
328,132
​​
—
​​
17,405
​​
1,054,374
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson(5)
EVP, Corporate Controller
& Chief Accounting Officer
​​
2020
​​
332,748
​​
75,000
​​
328,458
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
20,140
​​
756,346
​
​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Bennett Westbrook(6)
Former EVP & Chief
Development Officer
​​
2020
​​
264,904
​​
—
​​
656,915
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,080,481
​​
2,002,300
​
​
2019
​​
407,172
​​
40,464
​​
469,950
​​
—
​​
584,536
​​
—
​​
34,551
​​
1,536,673
​
​
2018
​​
395,296
​​
28,841
​​
394,829
​​
—
​​
381,159
​​
—
​​
33,722
​​
1,233,847
​
(1)

Amounts shown are not reduced to reflect the NEO’s contributions to our 401(k) plan or elections to defer receipt of salary under our SUDCOMP plan. Amounts shown areinclude the amounts actually paid to the NEO during the year and reflect, to the extent applicable, any changes in the base salary during the year.

Amounts also include the payment of the following amounts in March 2021, which represent the base salary voluntarily foregone by each active NEO during 2020: Mr. Reed: $415,385; Mr. Fioravanti: $82,000; Mr. Chaffin: $63,462; Mr. Lynn: $54,173; and Ms. Hutcheson: $52,308.
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(2)​

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
(2)
Represents an additionala discretionary cash bonus award paid to the NEO in recognition of their contributions to the company’s operating and financial performance for the applicable fiscal year as described in theCompensation Discussion and Analysis above. Cash incentive

compensation paid to each NEO pursuant to our short-termshort—term cash incentive compensation plan is reflected in the column above entitledNon-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.
(3)

Represents anon-cash amount equal to the grant date fair value of the time-based RSU awards and performance-based RSU awards granted to the NEO, determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, disregarding for this purpose estimated forfeitures.

See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for the three years ended December 31, 2019,2020, included in

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2020,26, 2021, for the assumptions made in determining grant date fair value. The maximum dollar value of the performance-based RSU awards granted in 20192020 (based on the grant-date fair value and assuming vesting at the stretch (150% performance level) are as
follows: Mr. Reed: $2,290,725;$2,475,000; Mr. Fioravanti: $763,575; Mr. Westbrook: $381,788;$1,177,500; Mr. Chaffin: $381,788; and$515,288; Mr. Lynn: $381,788.$515,288; and Ms. Hutcheson $257,645. Except as described in Summary of Actual Payments Made in Connection with Mr. Westbrook’s Resignation, Mr. Westbrook forfeited these awards upon his resignation.
(4)

Represents amounts paid under our short-term cash incentive compensation plan.

plan for achievement of designated financial targets (and in the case of our CEO, designated strategic objectives).
(5)

Compensation for Ms. Hutcheson is provided only for 2020 because Ms. Hutcheson was not an NEO for 2019 or 2018.

(6)
Mr. Westbrook resigned from the Company, effective as of September 1, 2020.
(7)
The table below lists the components of theAll Other Compensation amount for each NEO listed above:

Name  

Company

Match to

401(k)

Plan

($)(a)

   

Company

Match to

SUDCOMP
Plan

($)(b)

   

Group
Term
Life

($)(c)

   

Executive
LTD

($)(d)

   

Other

($)(e)

   

Total

($)

 

Colin Reed

   11,200    32,485    25,655    3,629    16,082    89,051     

Mark Fioravanti

   11,200    17,709    7,920    3,918    592    41,339     

Bennett Westbrook

   11,200    13,252    4,360    3,139    2,600    34,551     

Patrick Chaffin

   11,200    13,159    3,129    2,660    592    30,740     

Scott Lynn

   11,200    -      3,105    2,733    592    17,630     

​
Name
​​
Company
Match to
401(k)
Plan
($)(a)
​​
Company
Match to
SUDCOMP
Plan
($)(b)
​​
Group
Term
Life
($)(c)
​​
Executive
LTD
($)(d)
​​
Other
($)(e)
​​
Total
($)
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
11,400
​​
20,780
​​
15,135
​​
2,359
​​
1,737
​​
51,411
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
11,400
​​
15,511
​​
5,148
​​
2,547
​​
—
​​
34,606
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
11,400
​​
12,166
​​
2,256
​​
1,729
​​
1,165
​​
28,716
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
11,400
​​
—
​​
2,018
​​
1,777
​​
583
​​
15,778
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
11,400
​​
5,443
​​
1,472
​​
1,825
​​
—
​​
20,140
​
​
Bennett Westbrook
​​
11,400
​​
7,736
​​
2,834
​​
1,530
​​
1,056,981
​​
1,080,481
​
(a)

We make matching contributions to the 401(k) plan accounts of the NEOs as described inCompensation Discussion and Analysis above.

(b)

We make matching contributions to the SUDCOMP accounts of the NEOs as described inNonqualified Deferred Compensation below. Does not include company matching amounts for SUDCOMP deferrals with respect to 20182019 short-term cash incentive plan payments made in 2019.

2020.
(c)

Represents the cost associated with the executive group term life insurance not made available generally to other employees.

(d)

Represents the cost associated with the executive long term disability insurance not made available generally to other employees.

(e)

Represents, for Mr. Reed, Mr. Fioravanti,$1,140 for personal use of aircraft and $597 for physical examination fees. Represents, for Mr. Chaffin and Mr. Lynn, personal usageuse of aircraft. Represents, for Mr. Westbrook, $3,000 for physical examination fees.fees and $1,053,981 paid in connection with Mr. Westbrook’s resignation, as outlined in Summary of Actual Payments Made in Connection with Mr. Westbrook’s Resignation. For purposes of reporting the value of personal usage of aircraft in this table, we use the incremental cost of such personal usage, calculated by estimating the direct variable operating cost of the aircraft on a per mile basis. These costs include the cost of fuel, maintenance, landing and parking fees, crew travel expenses and supplies. For trips by NEOs that involved mixed personal and business usage, we include the incremental cost of such personal usage (i.e., the excess of the cost of the actual trip over the cost of a hypothetical trip without the personal usage). NEOs do not receive taxgross-ups for any imputed income related to personal use of aircraft.

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

20192020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The table below shows information about (1) the threshold, target and stretch (i.e., maximum) level of annual cash incentive awards for our NEOs for performance during 2019,2020, and (2) RSU awards granted to our NEOs during 20192020 under our long-term equity incentive compensation plan.

20192020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

     Estimated Future Payouts
UnderNon-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)		  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(2)		  

All Other
Stock
Awards:

Number of
Shares of

Stock or
Units(3)

(#)(i)

  

Grant Date

Fair Value

of Stock
Awards(4)

($)(j)

 

Name

(a)

 

Grant
Date

(b)

  

Threshold

($)(c)

  

Target

($)(d)

  

Maximum

($)(e)

  

Threshold

(#)(f)

  

Target

(#)(g)

  

Maximum

(#)(h)

 

Colin Reed

      737,019   1,474,038   2,948,077   -   -   -   -   - 
  2/21/19   -   -   -   7,500   15,000   22,500   -   1,527,150 
   2/21/19   -   -   -   -   -   -   15,000   1,292,550 

Mark Fioravanti

   339,199   678,399   1,356,798      -   - 
  2/21/19   -   -   -   2.500   5,000   7,500   -   509,050 
   2/21/19   -   -   -   -   -   -   5,000   430,850 

Bennett Westbrook

   203,520   407,039   814,079   -   -   -   -   - 
  2/21/19   -   -   -   1,250   2,500   3,750   -   254,525 
   2/21/19   -   -   -   -   -   -   2,500   215,425 

Patrick Chaffin

   196,462   392,923   785,846   -   -   -   -   - 
  2/21/19   -   -   -   1,250   2,500   3,750   -   254,525 
  2/21/19   -   -   -   -   -   -   2,500   215,425 
   5/20/19   -   -   -   -   -   -   4,000   341,560 

Scott Lynn

   178,865   357,731   715,462   -   -   -   -   - 
  2/21/19   -   -   -   1,250   2,500   3,750   -   254,525 
   2/21/19   -   -   -   -   -   -   2,500   215,425 

​
 
​​
 
​​
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
​​
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(2)
​​
All Other Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or Units(3)
(#)(i)
​​
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
Awards(4)
($)(j)
​
​
Name
(a)
​​
Grant
Date
(b)
​​
Threshold
($)(c)
​​
Target
($)(d)
​​
Maximum
($)(e)
​​
Threshold
(#)(f)
​​
Target
(#)(g)
​​
Maximum
(#)(h)
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
​​
807,692
​​
1,615,385
​​
3,230,769
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
8,406
​​
16,811
​​
25,217
​​
—
​​
1,650,000
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
18,571
​​
1,662,847
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
​​
367,269
​​
734,538
​​
1,469,077
​​
​​
​​
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
4,000
​​
8,000
​​
12,000
​​
—
​​
785,200
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
8,000
​​
716,320
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
​​
231,731
​​
463,462
​​
926,923
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,750
​​
3,500
​​
5,250
​​
—
​​
343,525
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
3,500
​​
313,390
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
​​
195,581
​​
391,162
​​
782,323
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,750
​​
3,500
​​
5,250
​​
—
​​
343,525
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
3,500
​​
313,390
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
​​
122,706
​​
245,412
​​
490,824
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
875
​​
1,750
​​
2,625
​​
—
​​
171,763
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,750
​​
156,695
​
​
Bennett Westbrook(5)
​​
​​
216,515
​​
433,031
​​
866,062
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,750
​​
3,500
​​
5,250
​​
—
​​
343,525
​
​
​​
2/20/20
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
3,500
​​
313,390
​
(1)

Represents threshold, target and stretch performance goal achievement payout levels established under our annual short-term cash incentive plan for 20192020 performance. SeeNo awards were earned in 2020 based on theNon-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the2019 Summary Compensation Table above for the amount actually paid to each NEO for 2019 company’s financial performance.

(2)

Consists of performance-based RSUs awarded under our long-term equity incentive compensation plan. Each RSU is equivalent to one share of our common stock on the date of grant. The RSUs are earned for achieving specified calculated TSR targets over a three-year performance period beginning January 1, 20192020 and ending December 31, 2021.2022. SeeCompensation Discussion and Analysis—20192020 Compensation Decisions—Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation for a discussion of the terms of these RSUs.
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​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
(3)

Consists of time-based RSUs awarded under our long-term equity incentive compensation plan. Each RSU is equivalent to one share of common stock on the date of grant. Except with respect to the May 20, 2019 RSU grant, to Mr. Chaffin (which vests 50% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date), the RSUs reflected in the chart abovewill vest 25% on each of the first through fourth anniversaries of the grant date.

ratably over four years.
(4)

Grant date fair value of the RSU awards to the NEOs is determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, disregarding for this purpose estimated forfeitures. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for the three years ended December 31, 2019,2020, included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2020,26, 2021, for the assumptions made in determining grant date fair value.

(5)
Except as described in Summary of Actual Payments Made in Connection with Mr. Westbrook’s Resignation, these awards were forfeited by Mr. Westbrook upon his resignation from the Company effective September 1, 2020.
52

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Outstanding Equity Awards at 20192020 Fiscal Year End

The table below shows information about the outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2019.

2020.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 20192020 Fiscal Year End Table

  Option Awards Stock Awards

Name

(a)

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable

(#)(b)

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable

(#)(c)

 

Option
Exercise
Price

($)(d)

 

Option
Expiration

Date

(e)

 

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested(1)

(#)(f)

 

Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested(2)

($)(g)

 

Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:

Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested(3)

(#)(h)

 

Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:

Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested(2)

($)(i)

Colin Reed

 -             -             -         -         47,148 4,085,846 - -
  -             -             -         -         - - 60,040 5,203,066

Mark Fioravanti

 -             -             -         -         15,356 1,330,751 - -
  -             -             -         -         - - 19,080 1,653,473

Bennett Westbrook

 -             -             -         -         8,714 755,155 - -
  -             -             -         -         - - 9,539 826,650

Patrick Chaffin

 -             -             -         -         10,893 943,987 - -
  -             -             -         -         - - 8,423 729,937

Scott Lynn

 -             -             -         -         6,860 594,488 - -
  -             -             -         -         - - 8,488 735,570

​
 
​​
Option Awards
​​
Stock Awards
​
​
Name
(a)
​​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)(b)
​​
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)(c)
​​
Option
Exercise
Price
($)(d)
​​
Option
Expiration
Date
(e)
​​
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested(1)
(#)(f)
​​
Market Value
of Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested(2)
($)(g)
​​
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested(3)
(#)(h)
​​
Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested(2)
($)(i)
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
46,680
​​
3,163,037
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
57,046
​​
3,865,437
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
17,118
​​
1,159,916
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
21,040
​​
1,425,670
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
11,878
​​
804,853
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
9,383
​​
635,792
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
7,678
​​
520,261
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
9,480
​​
642,365
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
6,779
​​
459,345
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,750
​​
118,580
​
​
Bennett Westbrook
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
4,020
​​
272,395
​

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

(1)

The following table provides information as of December 31, 20192020 with respect to the vesting of each NEO’s outstanding time-based RSUs (including additional RSUs accrued with respect to dividends paid):

​
Grant
Date
​​
Vesting
Date
​​
Colin
Reed
​​
Mark
Fioravanti
​​
Patrick
Chaffin
​​
Scott
Lynn
​​
Jennifer
Hutcheson
​​
Bennett
Westbrook
​
​
2/22/2017
​​
3/15/2021
​​
5,536
​​
1,703
​​
707
​​
707
​​
1,095
​​
—
​
​
2/21/2018
​​
3/15/2021
​​
5,020
​​
1,601
​​
674
​​
694
​​
842
​​
—
​
​
2/21/2019
​​
3/15/2021
​​
4,019
​​
1,343
​​
672
​​
672
​​
741
​​
—
​
​
2/20/2020
​​
3/15/2021
​​
4,767
​​
2,053
​​
898
​​
898
​​
450
​​
—
​
​
2/21/2018
​​
3/15/2022
​​
5,005
​​
1,589
​​
661
​​
680
​​
831
​​
—
​
​
2/21/2019
​​
3/15/2022
​​
4,019
​​
1,343
​​
672
​​
672
​​
741
​​
—
​
53

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Grant

Date

  Vesting
Date		   

Colin

Reed

   Mark
Fioravanti		   Bennett
Westbrook		   Patrick
Chaffin		   

Scott

Lynn

 

2/24/2016

   3/15/2020    6,502    2,291    1,016    908    908 

2/22/2017

   3/15/2020    5,319 ��  1,640    818    687    687 

2/21/2018

   3/15/2020    4,836    1,540    769    647    665 

2/21/2019

   3/15/2020    3,875    1,292    646    646    646 

6/27/2016

   6/27/2020    -    -    1,172    -    - 

2/22/2017

   3/15/2021    5,319    1,639    818    687    687 

2/21/2018

   3/15/2021    4,836    1,540    769    647    665 

2/21/2019

   3/15/2021    3,875    1,292    646    646    646 

2/21/2018

   3/15/2022    4,836    1,540    769    646    665 

2/21/2019

   3/15/2022    3,875    1,291    646    646    646 

5/20/2019

   5/20/2022    -    -    -    2,044    - 

2/21/2019

   3/15/2023    3,875    1,291    645    645    645 

5/20/2019

   5/20/2023    -    -    -    2,044    - 

(2)​

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
​
Grant
Date
​​
Vesting
Date
​​
Colin
Reed
​​
Mark
Fioravanti
​​
Patrick
Chaffin
​​
Scott
Lynn
​​
Jennifer
Hutcheson
​​
Bennett
Westbrook
​
​
2/20/2020
​​
3/15/2022
​​
4,767
​​
2,053
​​
898
​​
898
​​
449
​​
—
​
​
5/20/2019
​​
5/20/2022
​​
—
​​
—
​​
2,120
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/21/2019
​​
3/15/2023
​​
4,018
​​
1,328
​​
661
​​
661
​​
733
​​
—
​
​
2/20/2020
​​
3/15/2023
​​
4,767
​​
2,053
​​
898
​​
898
​​
450
​​
—
​
​
5/20/2019
​​
5/20/2023
​​
—
​​
—
​​
2,119
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/20/2020
​​
2/20/2024
​​
4,762
​​
2,052
​​
898
​​
898
​​
447
​​
—
​
(2)
Market value was determined based on the December 31, 20192020 NYSE closing price of our common stock ($86.66)67.76).

(3)

The following table provides information with respect to the vesting of the performance-based RSUs granted to each NEO:

Grant

Date

  

Vesting

Date

   

Colin

Reed

  Mark
Fioravanti		   Bennett
Westbrook		   Patrick
Chaffin		   

Scott  

Lynn  

 

2/22/2017(a)

   3/15/2020   28,217   8,720    4,359    3,668    3,668 

2/21/2018(b)

   3/15/2021   16,823   5,360    2,680    2,255    2,320 

2/21/2019(b)

   3/15/2022   15,000   5,000    2,500    2,500    2,500 

​
Grant
Date
​​
Vesting
Date
​​
Colin
Reed
​​
Mark
Fioravanti
​​
Patrick
Chaffin
​​
Scott
Lynn
​​
Jennifer
Hutcheson
​​
Bennett
Westbrook(c)
​
​
2/22/2018(a)
​​
3/15/2021
​​
25,235
​​
8,040
​​
3,383
​​
3,480
​​
—
​​
4,020
​
​
2/21/2019(b)
​​
3/15/2022
​​
15,000
​​
5,000
​​
2,500
​​
2,500
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
2/20/2020(b)
​​
3/15/2023
​​
16,811
​​
8,000
​​
3,500
​​
3,500
​​
1,750
​​
—
​
(a)

The number of shares listed above with respect to the February 22, 20172018 performance-based RSU grant assume vesting at the stretch (150%) performance level. The RSUs ultimately vested at this payout level based on our achievement of TSR over the applicable performance period, as determined by the Human Resources Committee. SeeCompensation Discussion and Analysis—20192020 Compensation Decisions—Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation for a discussion of the terms of these RSUs.

(b)

The number of RSUs listed above with respect to the February 21, 20182019 grant assume vesting at the target (100%) performance level, and the number of RSUs listed above with respect to the February 21, 201920, 2020 grant

assume vesting at the target (100%) performance level, in each case taking into account performance to date with respect to the performance metrics under the award agreement. Each RSU is equivalent to one share of our common stock on the date of grant. The RSUs are earned for achieving specified calculated TSR targets over a three-year performance period (a period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 for the February 21, 2018 awards; and a period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 for the February 21, 2019 awards; and a period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 for the February 20, 2020 awards). SeeCompensation Discussion and Analysis—20192020 Compensation Decisions—Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation for a discussion of the terms of these RSUs.
(c)
Represents the number of shares awarded to Mr. Westbrook pursuant to his employment agreement. See Summary of Actual Payments Made in Connection with Mr. Westbrook’s Resignation below.
54

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

20192020 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The table below shows information about the exercise of stock options by the NEOs and the vesting of the NEOs’ RSU awards in 2019.

2020.

20192020 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

   Option Awards  Stock Awards 

Name

(a)

  

 

Number of
Shares

Acquired
Upon
Exercise

(#)(b)

  

Value Realized
Upon

Exercise

($)(c)

  

Number
of Shares
Acquired
on
Vesting

(#)(d)

   

Value
Realized
on
Vesting(1)

($)(e)

 

Colin Reed

  -    -     57,324    4,745,854 

Mark Fioravanti

  -    -     25,051    2,073,972 

Bennett Westbrook

  -    -     10,208    840,067 

Patrick Chaffin

  -    -     8,549    707,772 

Scott Lynn

  -    -     8,520    705,371 

​
 
​​
Option Awards
​​
Stock Awards
​
​
Name
(a)
​​
Number of
Shares
Acquired
Upon
Exercise
(#)(b)
​​
Value Realized
Upon
Exercise
($)(c)
​​
Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Vesting
(#)(d)
​​
Value
Realized
on
Vesting(1)
($)(e)
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
—
​​
—
​​
48,946
​​
1,847,712
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
—
​​
—
​​
15,554
​​
587,164
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
—
​​
—
​​
6,598
​​
249,075
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
—
​​
—
​​
6,615
​​
249,716
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
—
​​
—
​​
3,494
​​
131,899
​
​
Bennett Westbrook
​​
—
​​
—
​​
12,079
​​
450,084
​
(1)

Equal to the number of shares of common stock issued upon vesting of RSUs multiplied by the closing market

price of our common stock on the NYSE on the day prior to the vesting date.
55

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Other Compensation Information

Pension Benefits

No NEOs participate in our frozen defined benefit plan.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Supplemental Deferred Compensation

Our supplemental deferred compensation plan, or SUDCOMP, is a nonqualified plan that allows eligible participants, including NEOs (whose ability to contribute amounts to our 401(k) plan may be limited by IRS regulations), to defer up to 40% of their base salary, less amounts deferred under our 401(k) plan, and up to 100% of their short-term cash incentive compensation. We contribute one dollar for each dollar contributed by the participant, up to four percent of the participant’s contributions (less matching amounts under our 401(k) plan).

Participants elect hypothetical investment options mirroring the funds in our 401(k) plan, with the exception of company stock. Participants can change their investment selections on a daily basis in the same manner as the 401(k) plan. Deferred amounts are credited with earnings or losses based on the rate of return of the investment options selected by the participant. When participants elect to defer amounts into the SUDCOMP, they also select when the amounts will be distributed to them. Distributions may either be made in a specific year (whether or not employment has then ended) or at a time that begins at or after termination of employment. Distributions can be made in a lump sum or up to 15 annual installments. However, after a participant’s employment ends, his or her account balance is automatically distributed in a lump sum (without regard to his or her election) if the balance is $10,000 or less.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

When we recruited Mr. Reed to join us in 2001, we agreed to establish a supplemental executive retirement plan, or SERP, for Mr. Reed with an initial retirement benefit of $2.5 million. We believed at the time (and continue to believe) that the SERP was a material factor in Mr. Reed’s agreement to give up benefits at his former employer and to begin working

for us. We believe that the SERP benefit was

necessary to attract and retain a highly qualified executive such as Mr. Reed. Mr. Reed’s April 23, 2001 employment agreement with us established the SERP, which fully vested on April 23, 2005.

In 2004, as part of an amendment to Mr. Reed’s employment agreement extending his employment term, we agreed to adjust the initial SERP benefit for hypothetical investment earnings or losses, based on the performance of one or more mutual funds selected by Mr. Reed. At that time, we also agreed to pay Mr. Reed an additional retirement benefit under the SERP of $1.0 million, as adjusted beginning April 23, 2005 for hypothetical investment earnings or losses, based on the performance of one or more mutual funds selected by Mr. Reed. This additional SERP benefit fully vested on May 1, 2010. Mr. Reed is entitled to receive all of his SERP benefit upon any termination of employment. Mr. Reed has elected to receive his SERP benefits, as adjusted, in the form of one lump sum payment.

On February 4, 2008, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Reed which did not modify the terms of the SERP. On December 18, 2008, we amended Mr. Reed’s employment agreement to allow him to make an irrevocable election to invest his SERP benefit in our common stock. We established an independent rabbi trust and transferred cash in an amount equal to the then-current balance of the SERP benefit, and the independent trustee of the rabbi trust purchased shares of our common stock in the open market.

Mr. Reed is now only entitled to a distribution of our stock and any accrued cash dividends held by the rabbi trust in satisfaction of his SERP benefit. We believe that the ownership of shares of common stock by the rabbi trust and the distribution of those shares and any accrued cash dividends to Mr. Reed in satisfaction of his SERP benefit meets requirements

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

necessary so that we will not recognize any increase or decrease in expense as a result of subsequent changes in the

56

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​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
value of our common stock. The terms of the rabbi trust provide that, to the extent that the

shares owned by the rabbi trust are entitled to vote on any matter, the rabbi trustee will be entitled to vote such shares.

In 2020 we amended the SERP to remove a provision that, due to
an unanticipated change in the tax laws, could have resulted in an unintended significant delay in payment of the SERP benefit to Mr. Reed upon the termination of Mr. Reed’s employment.

20192020 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

The table below shows each NEO’s salary deferrals, company matching obligations, earnings and account balances in the SUDCOMP (and, in the case of Mr. Reed, his SERP), as of December 31, 2019.

Name

(a)

  

Plan

(b)

  

Executive
Contributions
in Last FY(1)

($)(c)

   

Registrant

Contributions
in Last FY

($)(d)

   

Aggregate
Earnings
(Losses) in
Last FY(2)

($)(e)

  

Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
in Last FY

($)(f)

   

Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE(3)

($)(g)

 

Colin Reed

   SUDCOMP   280,432    32,485    2,670,784   -    23,061,874 

Colin Reed

   SERP(4)   -    -    14,102,937(5)   -    53,615,957(6) 

Mark Fioravanti

   SUDCOMP   23,597    17,709    339,687   -    1,600,441 

Bennett Westbrook

   SUDCOMP   52,421    13,252    221,868   -    1,195,984 

Patrick Chaffin

   SUDCOMP   22,136    13,159    54,843   -    307,708 

Scott Lynn

   SUDCOMP   -    -    53,891   -    280,840 

2020.
​
Name
(a)
​​
Plan
(b)
​​
Executive
Contributions
in Last FY(1)
($)(c)
​​
Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(d)
​​
Aggregate
Earnings
(Losses) in
Last FY(2)
($)(e)
​​
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions in
Last FY
($)(f)
​​
Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE(3)
($)(g)
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
SUDCOMP
​​
208,672
​​
20,779
​​
637,944
​​
—
​​
23,929,269
​
​
Colin Reed
​​
SERP(4)
​​
—
​​
—
​​
(9,677,528)(5)
​​
—
​​
43,938,429(6)
​
​
Mark Fioravanti
​​
SUDCOMP
​​
24,765
​​
​17,301
​​
278,526
​​
—
​​
1,996,646
​
​
Patrick Chaffin
​​
SUDCOMP
​​
22,205
​​
12,166
​​
48,941
​​
—
​​
391,020
​
​
Scott Lynn
​​
SUDCOMP
​​
—
​​
—
​​
(40,131)
​​
—
​​
240,709
​
​
Jennifer Hutcheson
​​
SUDCOMP
​​
12,977
​​
5,443
​​
10,246
​​
—
​​
115,716
​
​
Bennett Westbrook
​​
SUDCOMP
​​
37,544
​​
7,736
​​
250,791
​​
—
​​
1,492,054
​
(1)

Amounts in this column are reported as compensation in the20192020 Summary Compensation Table above. Amounts in this column do not include deferrals of cash incentive compensation amounts with respect to the 20182019 fiscal year paid in 20192020 (in the case of Mr. Fioravanti, $25,411)$38,969) or company matching amounts with respect to such deferral (in the case of Mr. Fioravanti, $18,146)$36,453).

(2)

None of the amounts in this column are included as compensation in the20192020 Summary Compensation Table above because above-market or preferential earnings are not available.

(3)

Of the amounts listed in this column with respect to the SUDCOMP, the following amounts have been reported as compensation in the20192020 Summary Compensation Table above or previous years (or would have been reported if the NEO had been included in our proxy statement in those years): Mr. Reed: $9,083,749;$9,292,421; Mr. Fioravanti: $552,498; Mr. Westbrook: $472,054;$616,232; Mr. Chaffin: $111,547;$133,752; Mr. Lynn: $166,834; Ms. Hutcheson: $60,590; and Mr. Lynn: $131,180.Westbrook $509,598. With respect to Mr. Reed’s SERP, no amounts have been reported as compensation in theSummary Compensation Table for 20192020 or previous years.

(4)

We have summarized the SERP benefit using the disclosure format prescribed by the SEC for

nonqualified deferred compensation (under Item 402(i) of SEC RegulationS-K) rather than pension benefits due to the fact that this SERP benefit more closely resembles a “defined contribution” award than a “defined benefit” award. This determination was based on the fact that the value of the SERP benefit in 20192020 was based solely on the amounts previously contributed.
(5)

Represents the change in market value of our common stock from December 31, 20182019 to December 31, 2019,2020, plus the reinvestment of cash dividends received on the shares of common stock held in the SERP. This amount has not been reported as compensation in theSummary Compensation Table for 20192020 or previous years since above-market or preferential returns are not available with respect to the SERP.

(6)

Represents the value of both the initial SERP benefit and the additional SERP benefit as of December 31, 2019,2020, which is calculated by multiplying the 618,593648,290 shares of our common stock held by the rabbi trust on such date by the December 31, 20192020 NYSE closing price of our common stock ($86.66)67.76), plus accrued cash.

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2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Potential Payments on Termination or Change of Control

Employment and Severance Agreements

Mr. Reed, Mr. Fioravanti andeach have (and Mr. Westbrook each havehad, prior to his resignation) employment agreements with us, originally entered into in February 2008, with an initialtwo-year term and automatically renewingtwo-year terms (unless either party provides notice ofnon-renewal). Mr. Reed’s employment agreement was amended in December 2008 and September 2010. Mr. Fioravanti’s employment agreement was amended in February 2010 and September 2010. Mr. Westbrook’s employment agreement was amended in September 2010. In November 2012, Mr. Reed’s Mr. Fioravanti’s and Mr. Westbrook’sFioravanti’s employment agreements were amended in connection with our REIT restructuring. Mr. Fioravanti’s employment agreement was amended in March 2015. Mr. Westbrook’sReed’s employment agreement was also amended in July 2016.December 2020. Mr. Reed’s Mr. Fioravanti’s and Mr. Westbrook’sFioravanti’s employment agreements, together with each of their equity incentive award agreements and the terms of our incentive and other benefit plans, provide for cash payments and other benefits in connection with their termination of employment in various circumstances, including in the event of a Change of Control (as

defined below). Payment of these amounts generally is conditioned upon compliance with the other provisions of the agreement, which include confidentiality obligations and nonsolicitation and noncompetition provisions.

Mr. Chaffin, and Mr. Lynn and Ms. Hutcheson each have restated severance agreements with us, entered into in February 2018, (replacing severance agreements entered into in October 2010with a two-year term with respect to Mr. Chaffin and February 2013, respectively),Mr. Lynn and a one-year term with aone-year termrespect to Ms. Hutcheson, and with automatic renewals of one year following the initial termsame length (unless either party provides notice
ofnon-renewal). The severance agreements provide for cash payments and other benefits only in connection with Mr. Chaffin’s, and Mr. Lynn’s and Ms. Hutcheson’s termination of employment in the event of a Change of Control. Payment of these amounts generally is conditioned upon compliance with the other provisions of the severance agreement, which include confidentiality obligations. In addition, Mr. Chaffin’s, and Mr. Lynn’s and Ms. Hutcheson’s equity incentive award agreements, and the terms of our incentive and other benefit plans, provide for other benefits in connection with their termination of employment in various circumstances, including in the event of a Change of Control.

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

Description of Potential Payments on Termination or Change of Control

The discussion below outlines our obligations to our NEOs (other than Mr. Westbrook) upon a termination or Change of Control. Except as otherwise noted, the discussion applies to each NEO.

NEO (other than Mr. Westbrook). The payments made to Mr. Westbrook in connection with his resignation, effective as of September 1, 2020, are set forth below.

Payments Made on Any Termination of Employment

Regardless of the manner in which an NEO’s employment with us is terminated, the NEO would be entitled to receive amounts which have been earned by the NEO pursuant to the terms of our incentive and other benefit plans(1).

Payments Made on Termination With Cause or Resignation Without Good Reason

Mr. Reed’s, Mr. Fioravanti’s and Mr. Westbrook’s employment agreements each provide that if the executive is terminated for Cause(2)or if he resigned without Good Reason(3) he would not be entitled to receive any payments (other than as listed underPayments Made on Any Termination of Employment).

(1)

These amounts consist of: (1) accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination; (2) any unpaid portion of any annual short-term cash incentive compensation bonus for prior calendar years; (3) accrued but unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed employment-related expenses and other benefits owed to the NEO under our general employee benefit plans or policies; (4) all vested 401(k) plan and SUDCOMP account balances; and (5) in the case of Mr. Reed, his SERP benefit.

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(2)​

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
Payments Made on Termination With Cause or Resignation Without Good Reason
Mr. Reed’s and Mr. Fioravanti’s employment agreements each provide that if the executive is terminated for Cause(2) or if he resigned without Good Reason(3) he would not be entitled to receive any payments (other than as listed under Payments Made on Any Termination of Employment).
Payments Made on Death or Disability
Mr. Reed’s and Mr. Fioravanti’s employment agreements, together with their equity incentive award agreements and the terms of our incentive and other benefit plans, provide for the following payments and other benefits (in addition to payments under our disability or life insurance plans) if the executive dies or becomes “permanently disabled” (defined as a physical or mental incapacity rendering him unable to perform job duties for 90 consecutive days or for a total of 180 days in any 12 month period):
​
•
​​
all amounts under Payments Made on Any Termination of Employment above;
​
​
•
​​
a pro rata portion of his annual short-term cash incentive compensation in the year of termination;
​
​
•
​​
the immediate vesting of all time-based RSUs;
​
​
•
​​
for all performance-based RSUs, a pro rata (based on length of service during the performance period) portion of the awards actually vesting to the extent of satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria;
​
​
•
​​
the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock option awards (with an exercise period ending on the option expiration date); and
​
​
•
​​
in the case of Mr. Reed, continuation of health care coverage at employee rates for Mr. Reed and his spouse until the earlier of their election to terminate coverage (or their non-payment of premiums), their death or until we stop providing health care coverage to our employees.
​
In the event of Mr. Chaffin’s, Mr. Lynn’s or Ms. Hutcheson’s death or permanent disability, the executive would be entitled, under the terms of his or her equity incentive award agreements and the terms of our incentive and other benefit plans, to the following (in addition to payments under our disability or life insurance plans):
​
•
​​
all amounts under Payments Made on Any Termination of Employment above;
​
​
•
​​
the immediate vesting of all time-based RSUs;
​
​
•
​​
for all performance-based RSUs, a pro rata (based on length of service during the performance period) portion of the awards actually vesting to the extent of satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria; and
​
​
•
​​
the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock option awards (with an exercise period ending on the option expiration date).
​
(2)
Under Mr. Reed’s Mr. Fioravanti’s and Mr. Westbrook’sFioravanti’s employment agreements, the term “Cause” is defined as: fraud, self-dealing, embezzlement or dishonesty in the course of employment, or any conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; a failure to comply with any valid or legal company directive, or any material uncured breach of obligations under the employment agreement; or the executive’s failure to adequately perform his responsibilities, as demonstrated by objective and verifiable evidence showing that the business operations under his control have been materially harmed as a result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(3)

Under Mr. Reed’s Mr. Fioravanti’s and Mr. Westbrook’sFioravanti’s employment agreements, the term “Good Reason” is defined as: any adverse change in the executive’s position or title (whether or not approved by our Board), any assignment over the executive’s reasonable objection to any duties materially inconsistent with his current status or a substantial adverse alteration in the nature of his responsibilities; a reduction in the executive’s annual base salary; a failure to pay any portion of the executive’s current compensation, or a failure to continue in effect any material compensatory plan (or equivalent) in which the executive may participate; permanent relocation of the executive’s principal place of employment to a location other than our corporate headquarters; a failure to provide, or a material reduction of, any insurance, retirement savings plan or other employee benefits package substantially similar to those enjoyed by other senior executives in which the executive is entitled to participate; or a material uncured breach of the company’s obligations under the executive’s employment agreement (or the company’s failure to renew it).

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Payments Made on Death or Disability

Mr. Reed’s, Mr. Fioravanti’s and Mr. Westbrook’s employment agreements, together with their equity incentive award agreements and the terms of our incentive and other benefit plans, provide for the following payments and other benefits (in addition to payments under our disability or life insurance plans) if the executive dies or becomes “permanently disabled” (defined as a physical or mental incapacity rendering him unable to perform job duties for 90 consecutive days or for a total of 180 days in any 12 month period):

•   all amounts underPayments Made on Any Termination of Employment above;

•   a pro rata portion of his annual short-term cash incentive compensation in the year of termination;

•   the immediate vesting of all time-based RSUs;

•   for all performance-based RSUs, a pro rata (based on length of service during the performance period) portion of the awards actually vesting to the extent of satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria;

•   the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock option awards (with an exercise period ending on the option expiration date); and

•   in the case of Mr. Reed, continuation of health care coverage at employee rates for Mr. Reed and his spouse until the earlier of their election to terminate coverage (or theirnon-payment of premiums), their death or until we stop providing health care coverage to our employees.

In the event of Mr. Chaffin’s or Mr. Lynn’s death or permanent disability, the executive would be entitled, under the terms of his equity incentive award agreements and the terms of our incentive and other benefit plans, to the following (in addition to payments under our disability or life insurance plans):

•   all amounts underPayments Made on Any Termination of Employment above;

•   the immediate vesting of all time-based RSUs;

•   for all performance-based RSUs, a pro rata (based on length of service during the performance period) portion of the awards actually vesting to the extent of satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria; and

•   the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock option awards (with an exercise period ending on the option expiration date).

Payments Made on Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason (Other Than Following a Change of Control)

Mr. Reed’s Mr. Fioravanti’s and Mr. Westbrook’sFioravanti’s employment agreements, together with their equity incentive award agreements and the terms of our incentive and other benefit plans, provide for the following payments and other benefits if the executive is terminated without Cause (or resigned for Good Reason), other than following a Change of Control:

​

•
​​
all amounts underPayments Made on Any Termination of Employment above;

​

​

•
​​
the following severance payment:

​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
Mr. Fioravanti &
Mr. Westbrook
​
​

2x base salary plus 2x last year’s annual short-term cash incentive compensation

​​
1x base salary plus 1x last year’s annual short-term cash incentive compensation
​
​

•
​​
in the case of Mr. Fioravanti, and Mr. Westbrook, a pro rata portion of his annual cash bonus in the year of termination;

​

​

•
​​
immediate vesting of RSUs as follows (in the case of performance-based RSUs, to the extent of the satisfaction of applicable performance criteria):

​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
Mr. Fioravanti &
Mr. Westbrook
​
​

all awards scheduled to vest within 2 years of termination

​​
all awards scheduled to vest within 1 year of termination
​
​

•
​​
the accelerated vesting of the following stock option awards:

​
​
Mr. Reed
​

​

Mr. Fioravanti &

Mr. Westbrook

​
​

all unvested stock options scheduled to vest within 2 years of termination

​​
all unvested stock options scheduled to vest within 1 year of termination
​

​

Mr. Reed would have 2 years from termination to exercise the awards, while Mr. Fioravanti and Mr. Westbrook would have 1 year from termination to exercise the awards; and

​
​

•
​​
in the case of Mr. Reed, continuation of health care coverage at employee rates for Mr. Reed and his spouse until the earlier of their election to terminate coverage (or theirnon-payment of premiums), their death or until we stop providing health care coverage to our employees.

​

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

Payments Made on Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Following a Change of Control

Mr. Reed’s Mr. Fioravanti’s and Mr. Westbrook’sFioravanti’s employment agreements (and Mr. Chaffin’s, and Mr. Lynn’s and Ms. Hutcheson’s severance agreements), together with their equity incentive award agreements and the terms of our incentive and other benefit plans, provide for payments and other benefits in the event of a termination in a designated period(3)(4) following a “ChangeChange of Control”.Control. With respect to the employment agreements with Mr. Reed Mr. Fioravanti and Mr. WestbrookFioravanti (and the severance agreements with Mr. Chaffin, Mr. Lynn and Mr. Lynn)Ms. Hutcheson), a “Change of Control” is deemed to occur if:

any person, other than us, our benefit plan or our designated affiliates, becomes the beneficial owner of 35% or more of our outstanding voting stock;
a majority of the incumbent members of our Board cease to serve on our Board without the consent of the incumbent Board;
following a merger, tender or exchange offer, other business combination or contested election, the holders of our stock prior to the transaction hold less than a majority of the combined voting power of the combined entity; or
we sell all or substantially all of our assets.
(4)
For Mr. Reed, Mr. Fioravanti and Ms. Hutcheson, this period is one year. For Mr. Chaffin and Mr. Lynn, this period is two years
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​
2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
If any of our NEOs were terminated without Cause(4)(5) (or resigned for Good Reason(5)(6)) following a Change of Control within the designated period, the executive would be entitled to receive:

​
•
​

•   ​

all amounts underPayments Made on Any Termination of Employment above;

​

​

•
​​
the following severance payment:

​

​

Mr. Reed & Mr. Fioravanti

& Mr. Westbrook

​

​

Mr. Chaffin &


Mr. Lynn

​
​

3x base salary plus 3x highest short-term cash incentive compensation in

last 3 years

​​
2x base salary plus 2x last year’s annual short-term cash incentive compensation
​

​

Ms. Hutcheson
​​
​
​
1x base salary plus 1x last year’s annual short-term cash incentive compensation
​​
​
​
•
​​
immediate vesting of all RSUs, with performance-basedperformance- based RSUs vesting at the target level;

​

​

•
​​
the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock option awards. Each NEO would have 2 years from termination to exercise the awards;

​

​

•
​​
continuation of health care coverage at employee rates: for Mr. Reed and his spouse, until the earlier of their election to terminate such coverage (ornon-payment of premiums), their death or until we stop providing health care coverage to our employees; for Mr. Fioravanti, and Mr. Westbrook, for 3 years from termination; and for Mr. Chaffin and Mr. Lynn, for 2 years from the Change of Control; and

for Ms. Hutcheson, for 1 year from the Change of Control;
​

​

•
​​
in the case of Mr. Fioravanti, and Mr. Westbrook, executive physical examination fees for 3 years.

​

In addition, under the terms of our omnibus incentive plansplan and the award agreements issued thereunder, in the event of a Change of Control(6)(7), irrespective of any termination of employment, all outstanding RSU awards held by our NEOs and other employees would vest immediately, with performance-based RSUs vesting at target level, and all outstanding stock option awards held by our NEOs and other employees would automatically accelerate and become exercisable.

(3)
(5)

For Mr. Reed, Mr. Fioravanti and Mr. Westbrook, this period is one year. For Mr. Chaffin and Mr. Lynn, this period is two years.

(4)

The severance agreements for Mr. Chaffin, and Mr. Lynn and Ms. Hutcheson provide that the executive may be terminated for Cause if hethe executive was terminated for gross misconduct.

(5)
(6)

The severance agreements for Mr. Chaffin, and Mr. Lynn and Ms. Hutcheson provide that the executive may terminate his or her employment for Good Reason following a Change of Control if: histhe executive’s salary is reduced, there is a material reduction in histhe executive’s benefits or there is a material change in histhe executive’s status, working conditions or management responsibilities; or hethe executive is required to relocate hishis/her residence more than 100 miles from our corporate headquarters.

(6)
(7)

Under our 2016 and 2006 omnibus incentive plans,plan, a “Change of Control” is deemed to occur if: (i) any person (subject to certain exceptions) becomes the beneficial owner of 35% or more of the combined voting power of our then outstanding voting securities; (ii) two-thirds of the incumbent members of our Board cease to serve on our Board without the consent of the incumbent Board; (iii) following the consummation of a merger, consolidation or reorganization, (a) the holders of our voting securities immediately prior to the transaction hold less than a majority of the combined voting power of the resulting entity in substantially the same proportion as their ownership prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, (b) the individuals who were members of the incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such transaction constitute less than two-thirds of the members of the board of directors of the resulting entity, and (c) no person (subject to certain exceptions) has beneficial ownership of 35% or more of the resulting entity’s then outstanding voting securities; (iv) we completely liquidate or dissolve the company; or (v) we sell substantially all of our assets to any person, other than a transfer to a subsidiary of the company.

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2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Summary of Potential Payments on Termination or Change of Control

The following tables estimate the value of the potential payments on termination or change of control of the company for the NEOs (other than Mr. Westbrook) as of December 31, 2019.2020.
​
Benefits and Payments Upon Termination
​​
Termination
for Cause or
Resignation
Without
Good
Reason
($)
​​
Retirement
($)
​​
Death or
Disability
($)
​​
Termination
Without Cause
or Resignation
for Good
Reason
($)
​​
Termination
Without Cause
or Resignation
for Good
Reason Upon
a Change of
Control(10)
($)
​
​
Cash Severance
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
6,437,376(1)
​​
9,656,064(2)
​
​
Mr. Fioravanti
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,574,226(3)
​​
4,722,678(2)
​
​
Mr. Chaffin
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
2,083,816(1)
​
​
Mr. Lynn
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,827,936(1)
​
​
Ms. Hutcheson
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
546,174(3)
​
​
Non-Equity Incentive Compensation
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Mr. Fioravanti
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Mr. Chaffin
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Mr. Lynn
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Ms. Hutcheson
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​��
—
​
​
Performance-Based RSU Accelerated Vesting(4)
​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
—
​​
—
​​
3,295,440
​​
2,156,326
​​
3,295,440
​
​
Mr. Fioravanti
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,244,074
​​
363,194
​​
1,244,074
​
​
Mr. Chaffin
​​
—
​​
—
​​
559,359
​​
—
​​
559,359
​
​
Mr. Lynn
​​
—
​​
—
​​
563,763
​​
—
​​
563,763
​
​
Ms. Hutcheson
​​
—
​​
—
​​
118,580
​​
—
​​
118,580
​
​
Time-Based RSU Accelerated Vesting(5)
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
—
​​
—
​​
3,163,037
​​
2,245,092
​​
3,163,037
​
​
Mr. Fioravanti
​​
—
​​
—
​​
1,159,916
​​
453,992
​​
1,159,916
​
​
Mr. Chaffin
​​
—
​​
—
​​
804,853
​​
—
​​
804,853
​
​
Mr. Lynn
​​
—
​​
—
​​
520,261
​​
—
​​
520,261
​
​
Ms. Hutcheson
​​
—
​​
—
​​
459,345
​​
—
​​
459,345
​
​
Other Benefits and Perquisites
​​
​​
​​
​​
​​
​
​
Mr. Reed
​​
—
​​
—
​​
212,535(6)
​​
212,535(6)
​​
212,535(6)
​
​
Mr. Fioravanti
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
38,496(7)
​
​
Mr. Chaffin
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
30,824(8)
​
​
Mr. Lynn
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
39,132(8)
​
​
Ms. Hutcheson
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
15,412(9)
​
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Benefits and Payments

Upon Termination

 

Termination
for Cause or
Resignation
Without
Good
Reason

($)

  

Retirement

($)

  

Death or
Disability

($)

  

Termination
Without
Cause or
Resignation
for Good
Reason

($)

  

Termination
Without Cause
or Resignation
for Good
Reason Upon
a Change of
Control(10)

($)

 

Cash Severance

     

Mr. Reed

  -   -   -   4,700,074(1)   9,356,064(2) 

Mr. Fioravanti

  -   -   -   1,181,665(3)   4,561,878(2) 

Mr. Westbrook

  -   -   -   790,959(3)   2,983,008(2) 

Mr. Chaffin

  -   -   -   -   1,491,432(1) 

Mr. Lynn

  -   -   -   -   1,379,664(1) 

Non-Equity Incentive Compensation(4)

     

Mr. Reed

  -   -   2,118,688   -   - 

Mr. Fioravanti

  -   -   974,226   974,226   - 

Mr. Westbrook

  -   -   584,536   584,536   - 

Mr. Chaffin

  -   -   -   -   - 

Mr. Lynn

  -   -   -   -   - 

Performance-Based RSU Accelerated Vesting(5)

 

    

Mr. Reed

  -   -   3,035,440   3,088,042   4,387,942 

Mr. Fioravanti

  -   -   957,940   503,755   1,401,552 

Mr. Westbrook

  -   -   478,970   251,834   700,732 

Mr. Chaffin

  -   -   414,495   -   623,952 

Mr. Lynn

  -   -   418,221   -   629,585 

Time-Based RSU Accelerated Vesting(6)

 

    

Mr. Reed

  -   -   4,085,846   2,995,143   4,085,846 

Mr. Fioravanti

  -   -   1,330,751   586,082   1,330,751 

Mr. Westbrook

  -   -   755,155   383,124   755,155 

Mr. Chaffin

  -   -   943,987   -   943,987 

Mr. Lynn

  -   -   594,488   -   594,488 

Other Benefits and Perquisites

     

Mr. Reed

  -   -   205,170(7)   205,170(7)   205,170(7) 

Mr. Fioravanti

  -   -   -   -   39,192(8) 

Mr. Westbrook

  -   -   -   -   65,664(8) 

Mr. Chaffin

  -   -   -   -   37,776(9) 

Mr. Lynn

  -   -   -   -   37,776(9) 

​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

(1)

Amount equal to two times base salary in effect at December 31, 2019,2020, plus two times short-term cash incentive compensation for the 20182019 fiscal year.

(2)

Amount equal to three times base salary in effect at December 31, 2019,2020, plus three times short-term cash incentive compensation for the 2019 fiscal year (the highest short-term cash incentive compensation for the last three fiscal years).

(3)

Amount equal to one times base salary in effect at December 31, 2019,2020, plus one times short-term cash incentive compensation for the 20182019 fiscal year.

(4)

Reflects the short-term cash incentive compensation for the 2019 fiscal year.

(5)

Calculated by multiplying the number of shares of common stock to be issued on the vesting of such award(s) by the December 31, 20192020 NYSE closing price of our common stock ($86.66)67.76), assuming vesting at the target (100%) performance level. The 20172018 performance-based RSUs ultimately vested in March 2020 at the 150%stretch (150%) payout level based on our achievement of TSR over the applicable performance period, as determined by the Human Resources Committee. The number of shares of common stock to be issued upon vesting of the remaining performance-

basedperformance-based RSUs will ultimately be based upon the actual achievement of the performance goals stated in the applicable award agreement.
(6)
(5)

Calculated by multiplying the number of shares of common stock to be issued on the vesting of such award(s) by the December 31, 20192020 NYSE closing price of our common stock ($86.66)67.76).

(7)
(6)

Represents health insurance coverage for Mr. Reed and his spouse for a period of 15 years (assuming a life expectancy of 8788 years for Mr. Reed and assuming an annual cost of $13,678,$14,169, which was the cost of such benefit in 2019)2020).

(8)
(7)

Represents health insurance coverage and physical examination fees for a period of three years.

(9)
(8)

Represents health insurance coverage for a period of two years.

(10)
(9)

Represents health insurance coverage for a period of one year.

(10)
The awards underlying the amounts set forth under the headings “Performance-Based RSU Accelerated Vesting” and “Time-Based RSU Accelerated Vesting” will automatically vest, with performance-based RSU awards vesting at target level, upon a Change of Control (as defined in the applicable omnibus incentive plan and the award agreements issued thereunder), irrespective of whether or not the NEO is terminated in connection with a Change of Control.

Summary of Actual Payments Made in Connection with Mr. Westbrook’s Resignation
Mr. Westbrook resigned from the company, effective as of September 1, 2020. The table below shows the incremental benefits paid to him as a result of his resignation, which were the amounts payable to Mr. Westbrook upon a termination without cause under his employment agreement.
​
Cash Severance
​​
$1,024,536(1)
​
​
Non-Equity Incentive Compensation
​​
—
​
​
Performance-Based RSU Accelerated Vesting
​​
$272,395(2)
​
​
Time-Based RSU Accelerated Vesting
​​
$122,837(3)
​
​
Other Benefits and Perquisites
​​
$29,445(4)
​
(1)
Amount equal to one times base salary in effect at September 1, 2020, plus one times short-term cash incentive compensation for the 2019 fiscal year.
(2)
Calculated by multiplying the number of shares of common stock issued on the vesting of the 2018 performance-based RSU awards (which vested at the stretch (150%) performance level on March 15, 2021) by the December 31, 2020 NYSE closing price of our common stock ($67.76). On March 15, 2021, 4,020 shares of common stock were issued to Mr. Westbrook upon the vesting of this RSU award. Upon his resignation Mr. Westbrook forfeited the 2019 performance-based RSU awards (2,500 RSUs) and 2020 performance-based RSU awards (3,500 RSUs) which had been previously granted to him.
(3)
Calculated by multiplying the number of shares of common stock issued on the vesting of 3,219 time-based RSU awards on September 1, 2020 (which represents 847 RSUs granted on February 22, 2017, 802 RSUs granted on February 22, 2018, 672 RSUs granted on February 21, 2019, and 898 RSUs granted on February 20, 2020, all of which were scheduled to vest within one year of Mr. Westbrook’s resignation) by the August 31, 2020 NYSE closing price of our common stock ($38.16). Mr. Westbrook forfeited all remaining time-based RSUs which had previously been granted to him (a total of 4,815 RSUs).
(4)
Consists of $19,957 in continuing health care benefits (in the form of a COBRA supplement) and $9,488 in accrued and unpaid vacation pay.
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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Director Compensation

Cash Compensation

Eachnon-employee director receivedwas scheduled to receive the following annual cash compensation in 2019:

2020:
​
Compensation Item
​​
Amount ($)
​

Compensation

Item

​

Amount

($)

Annual Retainer (Independent Directors)

​​
65,000
​

​

Lead Independent Director

​​
30,000
​

​

Audit Committee Chairman

​​
25,000
​

​

Human Resources Committee Chairman

​​
20,000
​

​

Nominating and CG Committee Chairman

​​
15,000
​

​

Audit Committee Members

​​
10,000
​

​

Human Resources Committee Members

​​
10,000
​

​

Nominating and CG Committee Members

​​
7,500
​

No changes were made to the scheduled level of cash compensation received by ournon-employee directors in 20192020 as set forth above compared to 2018. The2019. This level of annual cash compensation, paid tonon-employee directors, which was recommended by the Human Resources Committee and approved by the full Board of Directors, was determined based on, among other factors, peer group and general market information provided to the Human Resources Committee by Aon.

As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s 2020 financial results, the Board unanimously elected to voluntarily reduce their annual cash compensation by 25% for the period from June 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020.
Directors may elect to defer their cash compensation in the form of RSUs, the receipt of which will be deferred until either a specified date or the director’s retirement or resignation from the Board. In 2019, two directors elected to defer cash compensation pursuant to this deferred compensation plan.

All directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending meetings. Mr. Reed does not receive cash compensation for his service as a director.

Equity-Based Compensation

During 20192020 eachnon-employee director received,was entitled to receive, as of the date of the first board meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders, an annual grant of RSUs having a fixed dollar value of $95,000 (based upon the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date)., which was unchanged from 2019. The level of annual equity-based compensation paid tonon-employee directors, which was recommended by the Human Resources Committee and approved by the full Board of Directors, was determined based on, among other factors, peer group and general market information provided to the Human Resources Committee by Aon.

The

As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board voluntarily agreed to an approximate 30% reduction in the number of RSUs to which each non-employee director was otherwise entitled to receive for 2020. Accordingly, each non-employee director received an annual grant of 2,500 RSUs for 2020.
RSUs granted to directors vest fully on the first anniversary of the date of grant and are settled in shares of our common stock on such date, unless receipt of such shares is deferred by the director. Until shares of common stock are issued in conversion of the RSUs, the director does not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to such RSUs, other than the right to receive additional RSUs equal to any dividends paid on our common stock. No changes were made to the level of equity-based compensation received by ournon-employee directors in 2019 as set forth above compared to 2018.

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

We have adopted stock ownership guidelines for ournon-employee directors, which require directors to hold a minimum of 6,000 shares of our common stock, with a five-year time period to comply. Shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of RSUs are credited toward this requirement. If anon-employee director is not currently in compliance with these guidelines (regardless of the applicable grace period for compliance) thenon-employee director must retain 50% of the net shares (after satisfying any tax obligations and any required payments upon exercise) received upon vesting of RSUs or the exercise of stock options. As of January 31, 20202021 (the annual compliance date), after taking into account the applicable grace
period, all of

ournon-employee directors then serving in office met this requirement, as follows:

   

Required
Ownership

(#)

   

Shares
Owned(1)

(#)

 

Rachna Bhasin

   6,000    5,458 

Alvin Bowles

   6,000    2,539 

Fazal Merchant

   6,000    4,449 

Patrick Moore

   6,000    11,509 

Christine Pantoya

   6,000    1,436 

Robert Prather

   6,000    30,336 

Michael Roth

   6,000    38,680 

​
 
​​
Required
Ownership
(#)
​​
Shares
Owned(1)
(#)
​
​
Rachna Bhasin
​​
6,000
​​
7,990
​
​
Alvin Bowles
​​
6,000
​​
5,105
​
​
Fazal Merchant
​​
6,000
​​
7,015
​
​
Patrick Moore
​​
6,000
​​
14,305
​
​
Christine Pantoya
​​
6,000
​​
3,968
​
​
Robert Prather
​​
6,000
​​
33,527
​
​
Michael Roth
​​
6,000
​​
41,212
​
(1)

Includes the following shares represented by RSUs held by each director: Ms. Bhasin 1,236;2,500; Mr. Bowles: 2,539;4,471; Mr. Merchant: 2,539;2,500; Mr. Moore: 11,509;14,305; Ms. Pantoya: 1,236;2,500; Mr. Prather: 26,376;29,567; and Mr. Roth: 1,236.

2,500.
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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

20192020 Non-Employee Director Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the annual compensation for 20192020 for ournon-employee directors who served as directors in 2019.

Name

(a)

  

Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash(1)

($)(b)

   

Stock
Awards(2)

($)(c)

   

Option
Awards

($)(d)

  

Non-Equity
Incentive

Plan
Compen-
sation

($)(e)

  

Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings(3)

($)(f)

  

All Other
Compen-
sation

($)(g)

  

Total    

($)(h)    

 

Michael Bender(4)

   69,375    -   -  -  -  -   69,375   

Rachna Bhasin

   73,750    100,021   -  -  -  -   173,771   

Alvin Bowles

   75,000    100,021   -  -  -  -   175,021   

Ellen Levine(4)

   61,875    -   -  -  -  -   61,875   

Fazal Merchant

   75,000    100,021   -  -  -  -   175,021   

Patrick Moore

   95,000    100,021   -  -  -  -   195,021   

Christine Pantoya

   56,250    100,021   -  -  -  -   156,271   

Robert Prather

   92,500    100,021   -  -  -  -   192,521   

Michael Roth

   120,000    100,021   -  -  -  -   220,021   

2020.
​
Name
(a)
​​
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash(1)
($)(b)
​​
Stock
Awards(2)
($)(c)
​​
Option
Awards
($)(d)
​​
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation
($)(e)
​​
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings(3)
($)(f)
​​
All Other
Compen-
sation
($)(g)
​​
Total
($)(h)
​
​
Rachna Bhasin
​​
64,375
​​
66,900
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
131,275
​
​
Alvin Bowles
​​
66,875
​​
66,900
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
133,775
​
​
Fazal Merchant
​​
66,875
​​
66,900
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
133,775
​
​
Patrick Moore
​​
84,375
​​
66,900
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
151,275
​
​
Christine Pantoya
​​
66,875
​​
66,900
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
133,775
​
​
Robert Prather
​​
91,875
​​
66,900
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
158,775
​
​
Michael Roth
​​
111,875
​​
66,900
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​​
178,775
​
(1)

The amount listed above represents cash compensation paid to the director or amounts which have been deferred by the director, as described above. Compensation for service on the Board and its committees is payable quarterly in arrears. Due to the timing of payments, and changes in committee assignments in 2019, these amounts may not correspond to the amounts listed above underCash Compensation.

(2)

Represents the grant date fair value of the annual grant of 1,1982,500 RSUs to thenon-employee directors then serving as directors on May 9, 2019,13, 2020, determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for the three years ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the SEC on February 25, 202026, 2021 for the assumptions made in determining grant date fair value. As of December 31, 2019,2020, thenon-employee directors then serving as directors held the following RSUs (consisting of annual RSU grants, including RSUs previously deferred, and

RSUs granted pursuant to the directors deferred compensation plan, as adjusted for dividends paid on our common stock:stock):

​
Non-Employee
Director
​​
RSUs
(#)
​

Non-Employee

Director

​
Rachna Bhasin

RSUs            

(#)            

​		​
2,500
​

Rachna Bhasin

​
Alvin Bowles
​1,224            ​
4,471
​

Alvin Bowles

​
Fazal Merchant
​2,514            ​
3,768
​

Fazal Merchant

​
Patrick Moore
​4,408            ​
14,305
​

Patrick Moore

​
Christine Pantoya
​11,399            ​
2,500
​

Christine Pantoya

​
Robert Prather
​1,224            ​
29,567
​

Robert Prather

​		26,111            

Michael Roth

​​1,224            
2,500
​

(3)

During 2019 two2020 no directors elected to defer annual cash compensation pursuant to the directors deferred compensation plan described above. No amount iswould have been reported in this column due to the fact that above-market or preferential earnings were not available under the plan.

(4)

Mr. Bender and Ms. Levine did not stand forre-election at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

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​

2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Certain Transactions



During 20192020 there were no related person transactions that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of RegulationS-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Our policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of related person transactions (including those required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of SEC RegulationS-K) are referenced in our Code of Business Conduct and Audit Committee charter and are as follows: Possible related person transactions are first screened by the company’s legal department

for

for

materiality and then sent to the Audit Committee of the Board (or, if otherwise determined by the Board, another committee of the Board) for review, discussion with the company’s management and independent registered public accounting firm and approval. In its discretion, the Audit Committee (or other committee) may also consult with our legal department or external legal counsel. Audit Committee (or other committee) review and approval of related person transactions would be evidenced in the minutes of the applicable Audit Committee (or other committee) meeting.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

December 31, 20192020 Equity Compensation Plan Information Table

The table below includes information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2019:

Plan category  Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights		  Weighted
average
exercise price
of outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights		  Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans		 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   349,967(1)   -(1)   1,318,650 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   -   -   - 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total:

   349,967(1)   -(1)   1,318,650 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

2020:
​
Plan category
​​
Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
​​
Weighted
average
exercise price
of outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
​​
Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future
issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
​
​
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
​​
359,903(1)

​

​
—(1)
​​
1,177,482
​
​
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
​​
—
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Total:
​​
359,903(1)
​​
—(1)
​​
1,177,482
​
(1)
Consists of: 239,288247,934 shares issuable upon the vesting of time-based RSUs, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $70.32$73.32 per share; 110,070and 111,969 shares issuable upon the vesting of performance-based RSUs, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $80.34$89.68 per share (valuing the 20172018 performance-based RSUs at the stretch (150%) level and the remaining performance-based RSUs outstanding at the target (100%) level); and 609 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options (with a weighted-average exercise price of $16.47 per share).

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2020

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 

​

Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP

The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. The committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, who will audit our consolidated financial statements for 20202021 and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020.2021. This appointment has been submitted for your ratification.

The committee and the Board believe that the continued retention of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders. In making this determination, the committee and the Board have taken into account Ernst & Young LLP’s significant institutional knowledge of our business, operations, accounting policies and financial systems, and internal controls framework, as well as Ernst & Young LLP’s technical expertise (including with respect to REITs), efficiency of services, quality of communications with the committee and management and independence. In addition, in accordance with applicable rules on partner rotation, Ernst & Young LLP rotates its lead audit engagement partner not less than every five years. The committee is involved in considering the selection of Ernst & Young LLP’s primary engagement partner when there is a rotation.

If you do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, the committee will reconsider their appointment. Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2002. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the 2020 Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to speak and respond to your questions.

Fee Information

We paid the following amounts as audit, audit-related, tax and other services fees to Ernst & Young LLP for the years ended December 31, 20192020 and 2018:

Description of

Services

  

2019 Fees

($)

   

2018 Fees

($)

 

Audit Fees

   1,825,834        1,791,074     

Audit-Related Fees

   199,000        152,310     

Tax Fees

   293,211        606,858     

All Other Fees

   -    - 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total:

   2,318,045        2,550,242     

2019:

​
Description of
Services
​​
2020 Fees
($)
​​
2019 Fees
($)
​
​
Audit Fees
​​
1,378,975
​​
1,825,834
​
​
Audit-Related Fees
​​
211,000
​​
199,000
​
​
Tax Fees
​​
199,935
​​
293,211
​
​
All Other Fees
​​
—
​​
—
​
​
Total:
​​
1,789,910
​​
2,318,045
​
Audit and Audit-Related Services

The fees for audit services during 20192020 and 20182019 include fees associated with the audit of our consolidated financial statements, including the audit of internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, issuances of comfort letters and assistance with documents filed with the SEC and reviews of our 20192020 and 20182019 quarterly financial statements. The fees for audit-related services during 2020 and 2019 represent fees related to a stand-alone audit of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture (of which we paid our pro rata share). The fees for audit-related services during 2018 related to a stand-alone audit of the Gaylord Rockies joint venture (of which we owned 62.1% at December 31, 2019) and a stand-alone audit of our Entertainment business segment. Ernst & Young LLP did not provide professional services during 2020 or 2019 or2018 related to financial information systems design and implementation.

Tax Services

In 2020, approximately 48% of fees for tax services related to general tax compliance matters, tax advice and planning, and tax assistance with respect to our REIT compliance efforts. The remaining 52% of fees in 2020 were for non-recurring tax services related primarily to tax advice and planning with respect to a legal entity restructuring and the transaction in which we increased our ownership interest in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture. In 2019, approximately 21% of fees for tax services related to general tax compliance matters, tax advice and planning, and tax assistance with respect to our REIT compliance efforts. The
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2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
remaining 79% of fees fornon-recurring tax services in 2019 related primarily to tax advice and planning relatingwith respect to a legal entity

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

restructuring and a debt restructuring. In 2018, approximately 10% of fees for tax services related to general tax compliance matters, tax advice and planning, and tax assistance, including with respect to our REIT compliance efforts. The remaining 90% of fees fornon-recurring tax services in 2018 related primarily to tax advice and planning relating to an intracompany entity restructuring and the transaction in which we increased our ownership in the Gaylord Rockies joint venture and the REIT structuring and compliance analysis associated with such joint venture.

We expect that, due to our REIT status and the nature of our assets (including the Gaylord Rockies joint venture project), tax services fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP in a given year may be higher than those tax services fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP than in years when we were operating as a taxable operating company. However, we believe that the selectionengagement of Ernst & Young LLP to provide these REIT-related services, and the amount of fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP in 20192020 and 20182019 to provide these services, was appropriate and in the best interests of the company and our stockholders given Ernst & Young LLP’s expertise and historical knowledge of

our company and its organizational structure. We believe this expertise is critical to our ongoing REIT compliance efforts.

Audit CommitteePre-Approval Policy

All audit, audit-related, tax and other services werepre-approved by the committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by Ernst & Young LLP was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. The committee’spre-approval policy provides forpre-approval of audit, audit-related, tax and other services specifically described by the committee on an annual basis, and individual engagements anticipated to exceedpre-established thresholds must be separately approved. The policy also requires specific approval by the committee if total fees for audit-related and tax services would exceed total fees for audit services in any fiscal year. The policy authorizes the committee to delegate to one or more of its memberspre-approval authority with respect to permitted services.

Audit Committee Report



The following report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this report by reference therein.

The committee operates under a written charter originally adopted by the Board on February 4, 2004, as amended, which can be found on our website atwww.rymanhp.comunder “Corporate Governance” on the Investor Relations page. The charter is also available in print to any stockholder who requests it by making a written request addressed to:

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.


Attn: Corporate Secretary


One Gaylord Drive


Nashville, Tennessee 37214

All members of the committee meet the SEC and NYSE definitions of independence and financial literacy for audit committee members. In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Prather and Mr. Merchant are “audit committee financial experts” for purposes of SEC rules. During the fall of 20192020 the committee conducted its annual self-evaluation in order to assess its effectiveness, and at its December 20192020 meeting the committee members discussed the results of its self-evaluation process.

The committee reviews the financial information provided to stockholders and others, oversees the performance of the internal audit function and the system of internal control over financial reporting which management and the Board have established, oversees compliance with legal and regulatory requirements by the company and its employees relating to the preparation of financial information and reviews the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance.

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As part of its oversight of our financial statements, the committee has:

reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020, and the financial statements for the three years ended December 31, 2019,2020, with management and Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm;
discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC; and
received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Ernst & Young LLP’s communications with the committee on independence, and has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence.

The committee also has considered whether the provision by Ernst & Young LLP ofnon-audit services described underOur Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm above is compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young LLP’s independence.

The committee’s review and discussion of the audited financial statements with management included a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements, and the adequacy and

effectiveness of the company’s financial reporting procedures, disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, including management’s assessment and report on internal control over financial reporting. In addressing the quality of management’s accounting judgments, members of the committee asked for management’s representations that our audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. In performing these functions, the committee acts in an oversight capacity. In its oversight role, the committee relies on the work and assurances of management, which has the primary responsibility for financial statements and reports, and of Ernst & Young LLP, which in its report expresses an opinion on the conformity of our annual financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

In reliance on these reviews and discussions and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm, the committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020, for filing with the SEC.

Audit Committee:

Robert Prather, Chairman


Alvin Bowles


Fazal Merchant


Christine Pantoya

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Submitting Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 20212022 Annual Meeting

Stockholder Proposals

If you would like to submit a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 20212022 annual meeting under SEC Rule14a-8, your proposal must be in writing and be received by us at our principal executive offices prior to the close of business on December 9, 20208, 2021 and otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule14a-8.

If you want to bring business before the 20212022 annual meeting which is not the subject of a proposal

submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement under Rule14a-8 (excluding director nominations, which are discussed below underNominations of Board Candidates), our Bylaws require that you deliver a notice in proper written form (and provide all information required by our Bylaws) to our Secretary by February 12, 2021,2022, but not before January 13, 20212022 (or, if the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days of May 13, 2021,2022, the notice must be received not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th

2020 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT    

day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs). If the presiding officer at an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in our Bylaws, then the presiding officer will declare to the meeting that your business was not properly brought before the meeting, and your business will not be transacted at that meeting.

Nominations of Board Candidates

If you wish to nominate an individual to serve as a director, our Bylaws require that you deliver timely notice of the nomination in proper written form, as provided by our Bylaws. The notice must include
certain biographical information regarding the proposed nominee, a completed written questionnaire with respect to each proposed nominee setting forth the background and qualifications of such proposed nominee (which questionnaire will be provided by the Secretary upon written request), the proposed nominee’s written consent to nomination and the additional information as set forth in our Bylaws.

For a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary to be timely under our Bylaws, it must be delivered to or

mailed and received at our principal executive offices: (a) in the case of a nomination to be voted on at an annual meeting, by February 12, 2021,2022, but not before January 13, 20212022 (or, if the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days of May 13, 2021,2022, the notice must be received not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs); and (b) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. If the presiding officer at a meeting determines that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with the procedures set forth in our Bylaws, then the presiding officer will declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

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Discretionary Voting of Proxies on Other Matters

We do not intend to bring any proposals to the 2020 Annual Meeting other than Proposals 1, 2 and 3. As noted above, our Bylaws require stockholders to give advance notice of any proposal intended to be presented at an annual meeting. The deadline for this notice has passed, and we did not receive any such notice made in compliance with our Bylaws. If any other matter properly comes before our stockholders for a vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card intend to vote the shares represented by them in accordance with their best judgment.

Instructions for Attending the Annual Meeting Virtually
We intend to conduct the Annual Meeting both in-person and online via live webcast. However, we may impose additional procedures or limitations on in-person meeting attendees, or we may decide to hold the meeting entirely online (i.e., a virtual-only meeting), depending on public health recommendations or guidelines in effect at the time of the Annual Meeting. We will issue a press release announcing any changes to the Annual Meeting, and we will also announce any changes on our proxy website, located at http://ir.rymanhp.com/proxy. We encourage you to check this website in advance if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person.
To participate in the Annual Meeting virtually, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RHP2021 and enter the control number included on your proxy materials. You may begin to log into the meeting platform beginning at 10:45 a.m. eastern time on May 13, 2021. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. eastern time.
The virtual meeting platform is fully supported across browsers (Internet Explorer, Chrome and Safari) and devices (including computers, tablets and cell phones) running the most updated version of applicable software. Participants should ensure that they have a reliable WiFi connection whenever they intend to participate in the Annual Meeting. Participants should allow time to log in and ensure that they can hear streaming audio prior to the start of the meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual meeting log-in page.
If you wish to submit a question prior to the Annual Meeting, you may do so beginning at 9:00 a.m. eastern time on April 12, 2021, until 11:59 p.m. eastern time on April 19, 2021, by logging into www.proxyvote.com and entering your control number included on your proxy materials. Once past the login screen, click on “Question for Management”, type in your question and click “Submit”. In addition, www.proxyvote.com will re-open for questions beginning at 8:30 a.m. eastern time on May 10, 2021 until 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 12, 2021. If you would like to submit your question during the Annual Meeting, log into the virtual meeting platform at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RHP2021, type your question into the “Ask a Question” field and click “Submit”.
Questions pertinent to meeting matters will be answered during the question and answer period immediately following the formal business portion of the Annual Meeting. In order to give as many shareholders as possible the opportunity to ask questions, each stockholder will be limited to one question. Questions regarding personal matters, such as employment or service-related issues, or other matters not deemed pertinent to meeting matters or otherwise suitable for discussion at the meeting (in the discretion of the presiding officer at the meeting) will not be answered. Any questions suitable for discussion at the meeting that cannot be answered during the Annual Meeting due to time constraints will be posted online and answered at http://ir.rymanhp.com/proxy. The questions and answers will be available as soon as practical after the Annual Meeting and will remain available until two weeks after posting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,



Scott J. Lynn, Secretary


Nashville, Tennessee


April 8, 20207, 2021
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Appendix A


Reconciliation ofNon-GAAP Financial
Measures to GAAP Measures

Reconciliation of FFO(1) Available to Common Shareholders

and Unit Holders

and Adjusted FFO Available to Common Shareholders

and Unit Holders

to Net Income


(in thousands, except per share data)

  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,		 
  2019     2018 

  Net income

 $    128,294        $264,670      

Noncontrolling interest

 $17,500         -             
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Net income available to common shareholders

 $145,794        $264,670      

Depreciation & amortization

  213,690         120,876      

Adjustments for noncontrolling interest

  (34,538)        -             

Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures

  -                (130,524)     
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

  FFO available to common shareholders

 $324,946        $    255,022      

Right-of-use asset amortization

  157         -             

Non-cash lease expense

  4,910         5,291      

Pension settlement charge

  1,904         1,559      

Impairment charges

  -                23,783      

Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures

  -                (2,702)     

(Gain) loss on other assets

  (4)        80      

Write-off of deferred financing costs

  3,079         1,956      

Amortization ofdeferred financing costs

  7,662         5,632      

Amortization ofdebt premiums

  (66)        -             

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  494         -             

Adjustments for noncontrolling interest

  (1,282)        -             

Transaction costs on completed acquisitions

  417         993      

Deferred tax expense

  14,414         10,190      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders

 $356,631        $301,804      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures(2)

  (73,909)        (68,792)     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders (ex. maintenance capital)

 $282,722        $233,012      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Basic net income per share

  $ 2.82         $ 5.16      

  Fully diluted net income per share

  $ 2.81         $ 5.14      

  FFO available to common stockholders per basic share

  $ 6.30         $ 4.97      

  Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders per basic share

  $ 6.91         $ 5.88      

  FFO available to common stockholders per diluted share

  $ 6.25         $ 4.95      

  Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders per diluted share

  $ 6.86         $ 5.86      

​
 
​​
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
​
​
 
​​
2020
​​
2019
​
​
Net income (loss)
​​
$(460,821)
​​
$128,294
​
​
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture
​​
42,474
​​
17,500
​
​
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders and unit holders
​​
$(418,347)
​​
$145,794
​
​
Depreciation & amortization
​​
214,933
​​
213,690
​
​
Adjustments for noncontrolling interest
​​
(33,213)
​​
(34,538)
​
​
Pro rata adjustments from joint ventures
​​
50
​​
—
​
​
FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders
​​
$(236,577)
​​
$324,946
​
​
Right-of-use asset amortization
​​
149
​​
157
​
​
Non-cash lease expense
​​
4,474
​​
4,910
​
​
Pension settlement charge
​​
1,740
​​
1,904
​
​
Credit loss on held-to-maturity securities
​​
32,784
​​
—
​
​
​Gain on other assets
​​
(1,161)
​​
(4)
​
​
Write-off of deferred financing costs
​​
281
​​
3,079
​
​
Amortization of deferred financing costs
​​
7,948
​​
7,662
​
​
Amortization of debt premiums
​​
(267)
​​
(66)
​
​
Loss on extinguishment of debt
​​
—
​​
494
​
​
Adjustments for noncontrolling interest
​​
(932)
​​
(1,282)
​
​
Transaction costs on acquisitions
​​
15,437
​​
417
​
​
Deferred tax expense
​​
26,526
​​
14,414
​
​
Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders
​​
$(149,598)
​​
$356,631
​
​
Capital expenditures(2)
​​
(17,341)
​​
(73,909)
​
​
Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders (ex. maintenance capital)
​​
$(166,939)
​​
$282,722
​
​
Basic net income (loss) per share
​​
$(7.59)
​​
$2.82
​
​
​Diluted net income (loss) per share
​​
$(7.59)
​​
$2.81
​
​
FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders per basic share/unit
​​
$(4.29)
​​
$6.30
​
​
Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders per basic share/unit
​​
$(2.71)
​​
$6.91
​
​
FFO available to common shareholders per diluted share/unit
​​
$(4.29)
​​
$6.25
​
​
Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders per diluted share/unit
​​
$(2.71)
​​
$6.86
​
(1)

We calculate FFO, which definition is clarified by NAREITthe National Associaiton of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”) in its December 2018 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) excluding depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts), gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from a change in control, impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciated real estate held by the entity, income (loss) from consolidated joint ventures attributable to noncontrolling interest, and pro rata adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures. The clarifications did not change our calculation of FFO available to common stockholders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders for any historical period. To calculate Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders,shareholders and unit holders, we then exclude, to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented, impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above, write-offs of deferred financing costs,non-cashpresented: ground lease expense,right-of-use asset amortization, amortization of debt discounts or premiums and amortization of deferred financing costs, pension settlement charges, additional pro rata adjustments from joint ventures, (gains) losses on other assets, transaction costs on acquisitions, deferred income tax expense (benefit), and (gains) losses on extinguishment of debt. FFO available to common stockholders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders exclude the ownership portion of Gaylord Rockies joint venture not controlled or owned by the company. We believe that the presentation of AFFO available to common stockholders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders provides useful information to investors regarding the performance of our ongoing operations because it is a measure of our operations without regard to specifiednon-cash items such as real estate depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on sale of assets and certain other items which we believe are not indicative of the performance of our underlying hotel properties. We believe that these items are more representative of our asset base than our ongoing operations. We also use FFO available to common stockholders and Adjusted FFO available to common stockholders as measures in determining our results after taking into account the impact of our capital structure.

right-of-use asset amortization;
impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above;
write-offs of deferred financing costs;
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(2)​

2021 NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT 
​
amortization of debt discounts or premiums and amortization of deferred financing costs;
(gains) losses on extinguishment of debt;
non-cash lease expense;
credit loss on held-to-maturity securities;
pension settlement charges;
additional pro rata adjustments from joint ventures;
(gains) losses on other assets;
transaction costs on acquisitions;
deferred income tax expense (benefit); and
any other adjustments we have identified herein.
To calculate adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders (excluding maintenance capex), we then exclude FF&E reserve for managed properties and maintenance capital expenditures for non-managed properties. FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders, Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders and Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders (excluding maintenance capex) exclude the ownership portion of Gaylord Rockies joint venture not controlled or owned by the Company.
Beginning in the first quarter 2020 with the Company’s adoption of ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” our definition of Adjusted FFO available to common shareholders and unit holders includes an adjustment for credit loss on held-to-maturity securities; such charges in previous quarters were included in impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition. The 2020 presentation has been used for the 2019 period. Beginning in the third quarter of 2020, we refer to unit holders in these measures, reflecting outstanding OP units issued to noncontrolling interests for the first time during third quarter 2020.
We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding the performance of our ongoing operations because each presents a measure of our operations without regard to specified non-cash items such as real estate depreciation and amortization, gain or loss on sale of assets and certain other items which we believe are not indicative of the performance of our underlying hotel properties. We believe that these items are more representative of our asset base than our ongoing operations. We also use these non-GAAP financial measures as measures in determining our results after taking into account the impact of our capital structure.
(2)
Represents furniture, fixtures and equipment reserve for managed properties and maintenance capital expenditures fornon-managed properties.

Note that beginning in March 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, contributions to the FF&E reserve for managed properties have been temporarily suspended.
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Reconciliation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAreEBITDAre(1) to Net Income


(in thousands)

  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,		 
  2019     2018 

Consolidated

   

Revenue

 $    1,604,566        $    1,275,118      

Net income

 $128,294        $264,670      

Interest expense, net

  119,851         64,492      

Provision for income taxes

  18,475         11,745      

Depreciation and amortization

  213,847         120,876      

Loss on disposal of assets

  1         116      

Pro rata EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures

  (11)        1,198      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDAre

  480,457         463,097      

Preopening costs

  3,122         4,869      

Non-cash ground lease expense

  4,910         5,291      

Equity-based compensation expense

  7,833         7,656      

Pension settlement charge

  1,904         1,559      

Impairment charges

  -                23,783      

Interest income on Gaylord National & Gaylord Rockies bonds

  10,272         10,128      

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  494         -             

Transaction costs on completed acquisitions

  417         993      

Pro rata adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures

  1,121         (128,598)     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAre

 $510,530        $388,778      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAre of noncontrolling interest

  (31,138)        -             
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest

 $479,392        $388,778      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

​
 
​​
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
​
​
 
​​
2020
​​
2019
​
​
Consolidated
​​
​​
​
​
Revenue
​​
$524,475
​​
$1,604,566
​
​
Net income (loss)
​​
$(460,821)
​​
$128,294
​
​
Interest expense, net
​​
108,479
​​
119,851
​
​
Provision for income taxes
​​
27,084
​​
18,475
​
​
Depreciation and amortization
​​
215,082
​​
213,847
​
​
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
​​
(1,154)
​​
1
​
​
Pro rata EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures
​​
48
​​
(11)
​
​
EBITDAre
​​
(111,282)
​​
480,457
​
​
Preopening costs
​​
1,665
​​
3,122
​
​
Non-cash lease expense
​​
4,474
​​
4,910
​
​
Equity-based compensation expense
​​
8,732
​​
7,833
​
​
Pension settlement charge
​​
1,740
​​
1,904
​
​
Credit loss on held-to-maturity securities
​​
32,784
​​
—
​
​
Interest income on Gaylord National & Gaylord Rockies bonds
​​
6,171
​​
10,272
​
​
Loss on extinguishment of debt
​​
—
​​
494
​
​
Transaction costs of acquisitions
​​
15,437
​​
417
​
​
Pro rata adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures
​​
—
​​
1,121
​
​
Adjusted EBITDAre
​​
$(40,279)
​​
$510,530
​
​
Adjusted EBITDAre of noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture
​​
(3,989)
​​
(31,138)
​
​
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture
​​
$(44,268)
​​
$479,392
​
(1)

We calculate EBITDAre, which is defined by NAREIT in its September 2017 white paper as net income (calculated in accordance with GAAP) plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, gains or losses on the disposition of depreciated property (including gains or losses on change in control), impairment write-downs of depreciated property and of investments in unconsolidated affiliates caused by a decrease in the value of depreciated property or the affiliate, and adjustments to reflect the entity’s share of EBITDAre of unconsolidated affiliates. Adjusted EBITDAre is then calculated as EBITDAre, plus, to the extent the following adjustments occurred during the periods presented: preopening costs;non-cash ground lease expense; equity-based compensation expense; impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above; any transaction costs of acquisitions; interest income on bonds; pension settlement charges; pro rata Adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures; (gains) losses on the extinguishment of debt; and any other adjustments we may identify. We then exclude noncontrolling interests in joint ventures to calculate Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest. We make additional adjustments to EBITDAre when evaluating our performance because we believe that presenting Adjusted EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest, and adjustments for certain additional items provide useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics, and that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of net income, is beneficial to an investor’s complete understanding of our operating performance.

preopening costs;

non-cash lease expense;
equity-based compensation expense;
impairment charges that do not meet the NAREIT definition above;
credit losses on held-to-maturity securities;
any transaction costs of acquisitions;
interest income on bonds;
loss on extinguishment of debt;
pension settlement charges;

RYMAN HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES, INC.

ONE GAYLORD DRIVE

NASHVILLE, TN 37214

pro rata Adjusted EBITDAre from unconsolidated joint ventures; and

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VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com or scanany other adjustments we have identified herein.

We then exclude the QR Barcode above

Usepro rata share of Adjusted EBITDAre related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated joint ventures to calculate Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture.

We use EBITDAre, Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture to evaluate our operating performance. We believe that the Internetpresentation of these non-GAAP measures provides useful information to transmit your voting instructionsinvestors regarding our operating performance and for electronic deliverydebt leverage metrics, and that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when combined with the primary GAAP presentation of net income, is beneficial to an investor’s complete understanding of our operating performance. We make additional adjustments to EBITDAre when evaluating our performance because we believe that presenting Adjusted EBITDAre and Adjusted EBITDAre, excluding noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint venture provides useful information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 12, 2020 (for sharesto investors regarding our operating performance and debt leverage metrics. Beginning in the Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan, the voting deadline is 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 11, 2020). Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 12,first quarter 2020 (for shares inwith the Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan,adoption of ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” our definition of Adjusted EBITDAre includes an adjustment for credit loss on held-to-maturity securities; such charges in previous quarters were included in impairment charges that do not meet the voting deadline is 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 11, 2020). Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then followNAREIT definition. The 2020 presentation has been used for the instructions.2019 period.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

E57216-P17395                     KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS   

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DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY   

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

RYMAN HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES, INC.

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:

1.

Election of Directors

Nominees:

ForAgainstAbstainThe Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3.

For

Against

Abstain

1a.   Rachna Bhasin

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2.

To approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s executive compensation.

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1b.  Alvin Bowles Jr.

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3.

To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2020.

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1c.   Fazal Merchant

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1d.  Patrick Moore

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NOTE: Such other business as may properly come

1e.   Christine Pantoya

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before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

1f.   Robert Prather, Jr.

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1g.  Colin Reed

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1h.  Michael Roth

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Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

Date

Signature (Joint Owners)

Date


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

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E57217-P17395 

RYMAN HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES, INC.

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

May 13, 2020 10:00 A.M.

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Colin Reed, Michael Roth and Scott Lynn, and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of RYMAN HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES, INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 A.M., Central Time on May 13, 2020, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. In their discretion the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

As a result of evolving conditions regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we may decide to hold the Annual Meeting of Stockholders remotely, or (if the Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held remotely) hold the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in a different location or impose additional procedures or limitations on attendees of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in light of public health and travel considerations. We plan to announce any such updates on our proxy website (http://ir.rymanhp.com/proxy), and would also plan to issue a press release in the event that we elect to hold the Annual Meeting of Stockholders solely by means of remote communication, and we encourage you to check this website prior to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders if you plan to attend.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. This proxy also provides voting instructions for shares held by Lincoln Financial Group, the Trustee for the Company’s 401(k) Savings Plan, and directs such Trustee to vote, as indicated on the reverse side of this card, any shares allocated to the account in this plan. The Trustee will vote these shares as you direct. The Trustee will vote allocated shares of the Company’s stock for which proxies are not received in direct proportion to voting by allocated shares for which proxies are received. This card should be voted by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 11, 2020, for the Trustee to vote the plan shares.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side