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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of February 10,
2006, by and between GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
having its corporate headquarters at One Gaylord Drive, Nashville, Tennessee
37214 (the "Company") and John P. Caparella, a resident of Orlando, Florida
("Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive as Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of its Gaylord Hotels division, and
Executive desires to serve in such capacity pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    AGREEMENT

         1. EMPLOYMENT; TERM. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and
Executive hereby agrees to employment with the Company upon the terms and
conditions contained in this Agreement. The term of Executive's employment
hereunder shall commence as of the date hereof (the "Effective Date") and shall
continue for a period of three (3) years from and after the Effective Date (the
"Initial Period"). For purposes of this Agreement, a "Contract Year" shall mean
a one year period commencing on the Effective Date or any anniversary thereof.
This Agreement shall automatically renew for one (1) year terms (each referred
to as an "Extension Period")(the Initial Period and each Extension Period
collectively referred to as the "Employment Period") unless either party
notifies the other party in writing at least ninety (90) days prior to the
expiration of the Initial Period or any Extension Period.

         2. DUTIES; TITLE.

         (a) Description of Duties.

                  (i) During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve the
         Company as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
         Gaylord Hotels and report directly to the Chairman and Chief Executive
         Officer ("CEO") of the Company. Executive shall supervise the Company's
         Gaylord Hotels business and perform such other duties as the President
         and Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall reasonably determine.

                  (ii) Executive shall faithfully perform the duties required of
         his office. Executive shall devote all of his business time and effort
         to the performance of his duties to the Company. Executive shall not,
         during the Employment Period, be engaged in any other business activity
         pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage if such activity
         interferes with Executive's duties and responsibilities hereunder.

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         (b) Company Policies. Executive shall be subject to and shall comply
with all codes of conduct, personnel policies and procedures applicable to
senior executives of the Company, including, without limitation, policies
regarding sexual harassment, conflicts of interest and insider trading.

         3. CASH COMPENSATION.

         (a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to
Executive an annual salary of $350,000 (the "Base Salary"). The Company shall
evaluate Executive for base salary increases annually based on performance.

         (b) Annual Cash Bonus. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
eligible for an annual cash bonus of up to a target of 55% of Executive's Base
Salary (the "Year-End Bonus") to be paid to him in each calendar year with the
determination of the Year-End Bonus, if any, to be based on the achievement of
certain goals and Company performance criteria as established by the CEO and
approved by the Board's Human Resources Committee. The Year-End Bonus for each
calendar year shall be paid to Executive on or before February 28th of the
immediately succeeding year.

         (c) Withholding. The Base Salary and each Year-End Bonus shall be
subject to applicable withholding and shall be payable in accordance with the
Company's payroll practices.

         4. BENEFITS; EXPENSES; ETC.

         (a) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Company shall reimburse
Executive, in accordance with the Company's policies and procedures, for all
reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in connection with the performance of
his duties for the Company.

         (b) Vehicle Allowance. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to receive from the Company a vehicle allowance of $800 per month.

         (c) Vacation. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled
to three (3) weeks vacation during each Contract Year.

         (d) Company Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to participate in and enjoy the benefits of (i) the Company Health
Insurance Plan, (ii) the Company 401(k) Savings Plan, (iii) the Company
Supplemental Deferred Compensation ("SUDCOMP") Plan, and (iv) any health, life,
disability, retirement, pension, group insurance, or other similar plan or plans
which may be in effect or instituted by the Company for the benefit of
executives generally, upon such terms as may be therein provided. A summary of
such benefits as in effect on the date hereof has been provided to Executive,
the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.

         5. TERMINATION. Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated
prior to the expiration of the Employment Period as follows:

         (a) Termination by Death. Upon the death of Executive, Executive's
employment shall automatically terminate as of the date of death.

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         (b) Termination by Company for Permanent Disability. At the option of
the Company, Executive's employment may be terminated by written notice to
Executive or his personal representative in the event of the Permanent
Disability of Executive. As used herein, the term "Permanent Disability" shall
mean a physical or mental incapacity or disability which renders Executive
unable substantially to render the services required hereunder for a period of
ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred eighty (180) days during any twelve
(12) month period as determined in good faith by the Company.

         (c) Termination by Company for Cause. At the option of the Company,
Executive's employment may be terminated by written notice to Executive upon the
occurrence of any one or more of the following events (each, a "Cause"):

                  (i) any action by Executive constituting fraud, self-dealing,
         embezzlement, or dishonesty in the course of his employment hereunder;

                  (ii) any conviction of Executive of a crime involving moral
         turpitude;

                  (iii) failure of Executive after written reasonable notice
         promptly to comply with any material, valid and legal directive of the
         CEO;

                  (iv) a material breach by Executive of any of his obligations
         under this Agreement and failure to cure such breach within ten (10)
         days of his receipt of written notice thereof from the Company(or, if
         such material breach is not capable of being cured within ten (10)
         days, Executive shall fail to commence such cure within ten (10) days
         and diligently prosecute such cure); or

                  (v) a failure by Executive to perform adequately his
         responsibilities under this Agreement as demonstrated by objective and
         verifiable evidence showing that the business operations under
         Executive's control have been materially harmed as a result of
         Executive's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

         (d) Termination by Executive for Good Reason. At the option of
Executive, Executive may terminate his employment by written notice to Company
given within a reasonable time after the occurrence of the following
circumstances ("Good Reason"), unless the Company cures the same within thirty
(30) days of such notice:

                  (i) Any reduction by Company of his Base Salary (excluding a
         reduction of up to 5% of his Base Salary provided such reduction is
         made on a Company-wide basis);

                  (ii) Company's requiring Executive to be based anywhere other
         than Orlando, Florida except for required travel on the Company's
         business; or

                  (iii) A material breach by the Company of any of its
         obligations under this Agreement.

         (e) Termination by Company Without Cause or by Executive Without Good
Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the Company other than
for Permanent

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Disability or Cause upon written notice to Executive at any time ("Without
Cause") or by Executive other than for Good Reason upon written notice to the
Company at any time ("Without Good Reason").

         6. EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

         (a) Effect Generally. If Executive's employment is terminated prior to
the third anniversary of the Effective Date, the Company shall not have any
liability or obligation to Executive other than as specifically set forth in
Section 5, Section 6 and Section 7 hereof. Upon the termination of Executive's
employment for any reason, he shall, upon the request of the Company, resign
from all corporate offices held by Executive.

         (b) Effect of Termination by Death. Upon the termination of Executive's
employment as a result of death, Executive's estate shall be entitled to receive
an amount equal to: (i) accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of
termination; (ii) a pro rata portion of Executive's Year-End Bonus, if any, for
the year in which termination occurs; (iii) any unpaid portion of the Year-End
Bonus for prior calendar years, accrued and unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed
expenses incurred pursuant to Section 4(a) or (b) and any other benefits owed to
Executive pursuant to any written employee benefit plan or policy of the
Company, excluding benefits payable to any plan beneficiary pursuant to a
contractual beneficiary designation by Executive; (iv) Executive's vested stock
options as of the date of death, the vesting and exercise of which is governed
by the Omnibus Plan; and (v) all of Executive's stock options and restricted
stock, which pursuant to the Omnibus Plan are accelerated as of the termination
date and are exercisable until the expiration of the applicable stock option
term.

         (c) Effect of Termination for Permanent Disability. Upon the
termination of Executive's employment hereunder as a result of Permanent
Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to: (i)
accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination; (ii) a pro rata
portion of Executive's Year-End Bonus, if any, for the year in which termination
occurs; (iii) any unpaid portion of the Year-End Bonus for prior calendar years,
long-term disability benefits available to executives of the Company, accrued
and unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed expenses incurred pursuant to Section 4(a)
or (b) and any other benefits owed to Executive pursuant to any written employee
benefit plan or policy of the Company; (iv) Executive's vested stock options as
of the date of termination, the vesting of which is governed by the Omnibus
Plan; and (v) all of Executive's stock options and restricted stock, which
pursuant to the Omnibus Plan are accelerated as of the termination date and are
exercisable until the expiration of the applicable stock option term. Payments
to Executive hereunder shall be reduced by any payments received by Executive
under any worker's compensation or similar law.

         (d) Effect of Termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive
Without Good Reason. Upon the termination of Executive's employment by the
Company for Cause or by Executive Without Good Reason, Executive shall be
entitled to receive an amount equal to: (i) accrued but unpaid Base Salary
through the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid Year-End Bonus for prior
calendar years, accrued but unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed expenses incurred

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pursuant to Section 4(a) or (b) and any other benefits owed to Executive
pursuant to any written employee benefit plan or policy of the Company; and
(iii) the portion of any restricted stock grant that is free from restrictions
as of the termination date. All stock options, to the extent not theretofore
exercised, shall terminate on the date of termination of employment under this
Section 6(d). Executive shall also forfeit any right to a Year-End Bonus for the
calendar year in which Executive's termination occurs.

         (e) Effect of Termination by the Company Without Cause or by Executive
for Good Reason. Upon the termination of Executive's employment hereunder by the
Company Without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, Executive shall be
entitled to: (i) an amount equal to Executive's Base Salary over a 12 month
period, payable in installments as normal payroll over the 12 months following
the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid portion of the Year-End Bonus for prior
calendar years and a prorated portion of any bonus the Executive may earn as a
Year-End Bonus for the current year, provided the Executive has been employed
for more than six months in the current year; (iii) accrued and unpaid vacation
pay, unreimbursed expenses incurred pursuant to Section 4(a) or (b) and any
other benefits owed to Executive pursuant to any written employee benefit plan
or policy of the Company; (iv) the portion of any restricted stock or restricted
stock unit grant that is free from restrictions as of the date of termination
and the acceleration and immediate release of all restrictions from all shares
of any restricted stock or restricted stock unit grant that are subject to
restrictions as of the date of termination and scheduled to vest during the 12
month period following the date of termination; (v) the vested portion of
Executive's stock options, and the acceleration and immediate vesting of
Executive's unvested stock options that are scheduled to vest during the 12
month period following the date of termination; and (vi) continued coverage
during the 12 month period following the date of termination under the Company's
employee medical and life insurance plans. Executive shall have one (1) year
from the date of such termination Without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason
to exercise all vested stock options.

         7. CHANGE OF CONTROL.

                  (a) Definition. A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have
         taken place if:

                      (i) any person or entity, including a "group" as defined
         in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, other than
         the Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, or any employee benefit
         plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries becomes the beneficial
         owner of Company securities having 35% or more of the combined voting
         power of the then outstanding securities of the Company that may be
         cast for the election of directors of the Company (other than as a
         result of the issuance of securities initiated by the Company in the
         ordinary course of business);

                      (ii) individuals who, as of the date of this Amendment,
         were members of the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason
         to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided
         that any individual who becomes a director after such date whose
         election or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders was
         approved by two-thirds of the members of the Incumbent Board (other
         than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial
         assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
         "election contest" relating to the election of the

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         directors of the Company (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), "tender offer" (as such term is
         used in Section 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or a
         proposed transaction described in clause (iii) below) shall be deemed
         to be members of the Incumbent Board;

                      (iii) as the result of, or in connection with, any cash
         tender or exchange offer, merger or other business combination, sale of
         assets or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing
         transactions, the holders of all the Company's securities entitled to
         vote generally in the election of directors of the Company immediately
         prior to such transaction constitute, following such transaction, less
         than a majority of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding
         securities of the Company or any successor corporation or entity
         entitled to vote generally in the election of the directors of the
         Company or such other corporation or entity after such transactions; or

                      (iiiv) the Company sells all or substantially all of the
         assets of the Company.

                  (b) Effect of Change of Control. In the event that within one
         (1) year following a Change of Control, the Company terminates
         Executive Without Cause or Executive terminates employment for Good
         Reason (and for purposes of the definition of "Good Reason" as used in
         this paragraph 7(b), the following two circumstances shall also
         constitute Good Reason in addition to the three circumstances described
         in Section 5(d): (i) any adverse change by Company in the Executive's
         position or title in effect immediately prior to such Change of
         Control, whether or not any such change has been approved by a majority
         of the members of the Board; and (ii) the assignment to Executive, over
         his reasonable objection, of any duties materially inconsistent with
         his status immediately prior to such Change of Control or a substantial
         adverse alteration in the nature of his responsibilities), Executive
         shall be entitled to: (i) the payment of three (3) times Executive's
         Base Salary for the year in which such termination shall occur; (ii)
         the payment of three (3) times Executive's Annual Bonus for the
         preceding year; (iii) any unpaid portion of any Annual Bonus for prior
         calendar years, accrued and unpaid vacation pay, unreimbursed expenses
         incurred pursuant to Section 4(a) or (b) and any other benefits owed to
         Executive pursuant to any written employee benefit plan or policy of
         the Company; (iv) the portion of restricted stock that is free from
         restrictions as of the date of termination and the acceleration and
         immediate release of all restrictions from all restricted stock grants
         that are subject to restrictions as of the date of termination; and (v)
         the vested portion of Executive's Stock Options and the acceleration
         and immediate vesting of any unvested portion of Executive's Stock
         Options. Executive shall have two (2) years from the date of such
         termination to exercise all vested Stock Options.

         7A. EXCISE TAX REIMBURSEMENT. In connection with or arising out of a
Change in Control of the Company, in the event Executive shall be subject to the
tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the "Excise Tax") in respect of any
payment or distribution by the Company or any other person or entity to or for
Executive's benefit, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, or whether prior to or
following any termination of Executive other than Termination for Cause or By
Executive without Good Reason (a "Payment"), the Company shall pay to Executive
an additional amount.

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The additional amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") shall be equal to the Excise Tax,
together with any federal, state and local income tax, employment tax and any
other taxes associated with this payment such that Executive incurs no
out-of-pocket expenses associated with the Excise Tax. Provided, however,
nothing in this Section shall obligate the Company to pay Executive for any
federal, state or local income taxes imposed upon Executive by virtue of a
Payment. For purposes of determining whether any of the Payments will be subject
to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax the following will apply:

                  (a) Determination of Parachute Payments. Any payments or
         benefits received or to be received by Executive in connection with a
         Change in Control of the Company or his termination of employment other
         than by the Company for Cause or by Executive Without Good Reason shall
         be treated as "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section
         280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "excess parachute payments" within the
         meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) shall be treated as subject to the Excise
         Tax, unless in the opinion of tax counsel selected by the Company's
         independent auditors and acceptable to Executive such other payments or
         benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments, or
         such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent
         reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within the
         meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code, or are otherwise not subject
         to the Excise Tax; and

                  (b) Valuation of Benefits and Determination of Tax Rates. The
         value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall
         be determined by the Company's independent auditors in accordance with
         proposed, temporary or final regulations under Section 280G(d)(3) and
         (4) of the Code or, in the absence of such regulations, in accordance
         with the principles of Section 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. For
         purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, Executive
         shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal
         rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
         Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the
         highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of
         Executive's residence on the date of termination of his employment, net
         of the applicable reduction in federal income taxes which could be
         obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.

                  (c) Repayment of Gross-Up by Executive and Possible Additional
         Gross-Up by Company. In the event that the amount of Excise Tax
         attributable to Payments is subsequently determined to be less than the
         amount taken into account hereunder at the time of termination of
         Executive's employment, he shall repay to the Company at the time that
         the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined the
         portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction
         (including the portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to the
         Excise Tax, employment tax and federal (and state and local) income tax
         imposed on the Gross-Up Payment being repaid by Executive if such
         repayment results in a reduction in Excise Tax and/or a federal (and
         state and local) income tax deduction) plus interest on the amount of
         such repayment at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the
         Code. In the event that the Excise Tax attributable to Payments is
         determined to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the
         time of the termination of Executive's employment (including by reason
         of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at
         the time of the Gross-Up

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         Payment), the Company shall make an additional gross-up payment in
         respect of such excess (plus any interest and/or penalties payable by
         Executive with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of
         such excess is finally determined.

         8. EXECUTIVE COVENANTS.

         (a) General. Executive and the Company understand and agree that the
purpose of the provisions of this Section 8 is to protect legitimate business
interests of the Company, as more fully described below, and is not intended to
impair or infringe upon Executive's right to work, earn a living, or acquire and
possess property from the fruits of his labor. Executive hereby acknowledges
that the post-employment restrictions set forth in this Section 8 are reasonable
and that they do not, and will not, unduly impair his ability to earn a living
after the termination of his employment with the Company. Therefore, subject to
the limitations of reasonableness imposed by law upon restrictions set forth
herein, Executive shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in this
Section 8.

         (b) Definitions. The following capitalized terms used in this Section 8
shall have the meanings assigned to them below, which definitions shall apply to
both the singular and the plural forms of such terms:

         "Confidential Information" means any confidential or proprietary
information possessed by the Company, including, without limitation, any
confidential "know-how," customer lists, details of client and consultant
contracts, current and anticipated customer requirements, pricing policies,
price lists, market studies, business plans, operational methods, marketing
plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, computer software
programs (including object code and source code), data and documentation, data
base technologies, systems, structures and architectures, inventions and ideas,
past, current and planned research and development, compilations, devices,
methods, techniques, processes, financial information and data, business
acquisition plans, new personnel acquisition plans and any other information
that would constitute a trade secret under the common law or statutory law of
the State of Tennessee.

         "Person" means any individual or any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, association or other entity or enterprise.

         "Protected Employees" means employees of the Company or its affiliated
companies who are employed by the Company or its affiliated companies at any
time within six (6) months prior to the date of termination of Executive for any
reason whatsoever or any earlier date (during the Restricted Period) of an
alleged breach of the Restrictive Covenants by Executive.

         "Restricted Period" means the period of Executive's employment by the
Company plus a period extending one (1) year from the date of termination of
employment; provided, however, the Restricted Period shall be extended for a
period equal to the time during which Executive is in breach of his obligations
to the Company under this Section 8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, the Restricted Period for purposes of the
Non-Competition covenant set forth below in Section 8(c)(ii) will extend for one
(1) year from the date of termination of employment only in the event of a
termination of Executive's employment

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either (i) by the Company pursuant to Sections 5 (c), or (ii) by the Executive
pursuant to Section 5(e).

         "Restrictive Covenants" means the restrictive covenants contained in
Section 8(c) hereof:

         (c) Restrictive Covenants.

                  (i) Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential
         Information. Executive understands and agrees that the Confidential
         Information constitutes a valuable asset of the Company and its
         affiliated entities, and may not be converted to Executive's own use or
         converted by Executive for the use of any other Person. Accordingly,
         Executive hereby agrees that Executive shall not, directly or
         indirectly, at any time during the Restricted Period or thereafter,
         reveal, divulge or disclose to any Person not expressly authorized by
         the Company any Confidential Information, and Executive shall not, at
         any time during the Restricted Period or thereafter, directly or
         indirectly, use or make use of any Confidential Information in
         connection with any business activity other than that of the Company.
         The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended
         to, and does not, alter either the Company's rights or Executive's
         obligations under any state or federal statutory or common law
         including, without limitation, any state or federal statutory or common
         law regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices.

                  (ii) Non-Competition. Executive shall not, during the
         Restricted Period, directly or indirectly, for himself or on behalf of
         or in conjunction with any other Person: (x) engage, as an officer,
         director, shareholder, owner, partner, joint venturer or in a
         managerial capacity whether as an employee, independent contractor,
         consultant or advisor, or as sales representative, in any hotel
         business and/or meeting and convention center business in direct
         competition with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, within
         seventy-five (75) miles of the locations in which the Company or any of
         the Company's subsidiaries owns or operates any hotel and/or meeting
         and convention center (the "Territory"), or (y) call upon any Person
         which is at that time, or which has been, within one (1) year prior to
         that time, a customer of the Company (including the subsidiaries
         thereof) within the Territory for the purpose of providing
         noncommercial property management, rental or sales services to property
         owners and/or renters in direct competition with the Company or any
         subsidiary of the Company within the Territory. The foregoing shall not
         be deemed to prohibit Executive from acquiring as an investment not
         more than two percent (2%) of the capital stock of a competing business
         whose stock is traded on a national securities exchange or
         over-the-counter.

                  (iii) Non-solicitation of Protected Employees. Executive
         understands and agrees that the relationship between the Company and
         each of its Protected Employees constitutes a valuable asset of the
         Company and may not be converted to Executive's own use or converted by
         Executive for the use of any other Person. Accordingly, Executive
         hereby agrees that during the Employment Period plus a period extending
         an additional twenty-four (24) months from the date of termination of
         employment, Executive shall not directly or indirectly on Executive's
         own behalf or on behalf of any

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         Person solicit any Protected Employee to terminate his or her
         employment with the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
         "solicit" shall expressly exclude Persons responding to generic trade
         journal and periodical advertisements.

                  (iv) Non-interference with Company Opportunities. Executive
         understands and agrees that all business opportunities with which he is
         involved during his employment with the Company constitute valuable
         assets of the Company and its affiliated entities, and may not be
         converted to Executive's own use or converted by Executive for the use
         of any other Person. Accordingly, Executive hereby agrees that during
         the Restricted Period or thereafter, Executive shall not directly or
         indirectly on Executive's own behalf or on behalf of any Person,
         interfere with, solicit, pursue, or in any way make use of any such
         business opportunities.

                  (v) Company Property. All records, designs, patents, business
         plans, financial statements, manuals, memoranda, lists and other
         property delivered to or compiled by Executive by or on behalf of the
         Company or its representatives, vendors or customers which pertain to
         the business of the Company shall be and remain in the property of the
         Company and be subject at all times to its discretion and control.
         Likewise, all correspondence, reports, records, charts, advertising
         materials and other similar data pertaining to the business, activities
         or future plans of the Company which is collected by Executive shall be
         delivered promptly to the Company without request by it upon
         termination of Executive's employment.

         (d) Exceptions from Disclosure Restrictions. Anything herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, Executive shall not be restricted from disclosing or
using Confidential Information that:

                  (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than
         as a result of an unauthorized disclosure by Executive or his agent;

                  (ii) becomes available to Executive in a manner that is not in
         contravention of applicable law from a source (other than the Company
         or its affiliated entities or one of its or their officers, employees,
         agents or representatives) that is not known by Executive, after
         reasonable investigation, to be bound by a confidential relationship
         with the Company or its affiliated entities or by a confidentiality or
         other similar agreement; or

                  (iii) is required to be disclosed by law, court order or other
         legal process; provided, however, that in the event disclosure is
         required by law, court order or legal process, Executive shall provide
         the Company with prompt notice of such requirement so that the Company
         may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such required
         disclosure by Executive.

         (e) Enforcement of the Restrictive Covenants.

                  (i) Rights and Remedies upon Breach. In the event Executive
         breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions of
         the Restrictive Covenants, the Company shall have the right and remedy
         to enjoin, preliminarily and permanently,

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         Executive from violating or threatening to violate the Restrictive
         Covenants and to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced
         by any court of competent jurisdiction, it being agreed that any breach
         or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause
         irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages would not
         provide an adequate remedy to the Company. The rights referred to
         herein shall be independent of any others and severally enforceable,
         and shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and
         remedies available to the Company at law or in equity.

                  (ii) Severability of Covenant. Executive acknowledges and
         agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable and valid in all
         respects. If any court determines that any Restrictive Covenant, or any
         part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the
         Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given
         full effect, without regard to the invalid portions.

         9. COOPERATION IN FUTURE MATTERS. Executive hereby agrees that, for a
period of three (3) years following the date of his termination, he shall
cooperate with the Company's reasonable requests relating to matters that
pertain to Executive's employment by the Company, including, without limitation,
providing information or limited consultation as to such matters, participating
in legal proceedings, investigations or audits on behalf of the Company, or
otherwise making himself reasonably available to the Company for other related
purposes. Any such cooperation shall be performed at times scheduled taking into
consideration Executive's other commitments, and Executive shall be compensated
(except for cooperation in connection with legal proceedings) at a reasonable
hourly or per diem rate to be agreed by the parties to the extent such
cooperation is required on more than an occasional and limited basis. Executive
shall also be reimbursed for all reasonable out of pocket expenses. Executive
shall not be required to perform such cooperation to the extent it conflicts
with any requirements of exclusivity of service for another employer or
otherwise, nor in any manner that in the good faith belief of Executive would
conflict with his rights under or ability to enforce this Agreement or in the
event of a termination by the Company pursuant to Section 5(e) above.

         10. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall indemnify Executive and hold him
harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, claims, damages,
obligations or liabilities (including actual attorneys' fees and expenses)
arising out of any acts or failures to act by the Company, its directors,
employees or agents, that occurred prior to the Effective Date, or arising out
of or relating to any acts, or omissions to act, made by Executive on behalf of
or in the course of performing services for the Company to the fullest extent
permitted by the Bylaws of the Company, or, if greater, as permitted by
applicable law, as the same shall be in effect from time to time. If any claim,
action, suit or proceeding is brought, or any claim relating thereto is made,
against Executive with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the
Company pursuant to this Section, Executive shall notify the Company in writing
thereof, and the Company shall have the right to participate in, and to the
extent that it shall wish, in its discretion, assume and control the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to Executive.

         11. EXECUTIVE'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Executive represents
and warrants that he is free to enter into this Agreement and, as of the
Effective Date, that he is not subject to any conflicting obligation or any
disability which shall prevent or hinder Executive's execution of this Agreement
or the performance of his obligations hereunder; that no

                                       11
<PAGE>

lawsuits or claims are pending or, to Executive's knowledge, threatened against
Executive; and that he has never been subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, or
similar proceedings, has never been convicted of a felony or a crime involving
moral turpitude, and has never been subject to an investigation or proceeding by
or before the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities
commission. The Company shall have the authority to conduct an independent
investigation into the background of Executive and Executive agrees to fully
cooperate in any such investigation. The Company shall notify Executive if it
intends to conduct such an investigation.

         12. NOTICES. Any and all notices or other communications required or
permitted to be given under any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or
mailed by first class registered mail, return receipt requested, or by
commercial courier or delivery service, or by facsimile or electronic mail,
addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth below (or at such other
address as any party may specify by notice to all other parties given as
aforesaid):

         (a)  if to the Company, to:         Gaylord Entertainment Company
                                             One Gaylord Drive
                                             Nashville, Tennessee 37214
                                             Attn:  President
                                             Facsimile: (615) 316-6000

         (b)  if to Executive, to:           John P. Caparella

                                             -----------------------

                                             -----------------------

and/or to such other persons and addresses as any party shall have specified in
writing to the other by notice as aforesaid.

         13. MISCELLANEOUS.

         (a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be
modified, amended, or terminated except by a written agreement signed by all of
the parties hereto. This Agreement supersedes Executive's previous July 15, 2003
Employment Agreement with the Company in its entirety. Nothing contained in this
Agreement shall be construed to impose any obligation on the Company to renew
this Agreement and neither the continuation of employment nor any other conduct
shall be deemed to imply a continuing obligation upon the expiration of this
Agreement.

         (b) Assignment; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall not be assignable
by Executive, but it shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of,
his heirs, executors, administrators, and legal representatives. This Agreement
shall be binding upon the Company and inure to the benefit of the Company and
its respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement may only be
assigned by the Company to an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common
control with the Company; provided, however, that no such assignment shall
relieve the Company of any of its obligations hereunder.

                                       12
<PAGE>

         (c) Waiver. No waiver of any breach or default hereunder shall be
considered valid unless in writing, and no such waiver shall be deemed a waiver
of any subsequent breach or default of the same or similar nature.

         (d) Enforceability. Subject to the terms of Section 8(e) hereof, if any
provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision and shall not
in any manner affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other severable
provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any
such invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein, unless the
invalidity or unenforceability of such provision substantially impairs the
benefits of the remaining portions of this Agreement.

         (e) Headings. The section headings contained herein are for the
purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the
contents of the sections.

         (f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, all of which taken together shall be deemed one original.

         (g) Confidentiality of Agreement. The parties agree that the terms of
this Agreement as they relate to compensation, benefits, and termination shall,
unless otherwise required by law (including, in the Company's reasonable
judgment, as required by federal and state securities laws), be kept
confidential; provided, however, that any party hereto shall be permitted to
disclose this Agreement or the terms hereof with any of its legal, accounting,
or financial advisors provided that such party ensures that the recipient shall
comply with the provisions of this Section 13(g).

         (h) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract
under the laws of the State of Florida and for all purposes shall be construed
and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of said state.

         (i) No Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement shall not confer any
rights or remedies upon any person or entity other than the parties hereto and
their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators, legal
representatives, and permitted assigns.

         (j) Dispute Resolution. Any controversy or claim between or among the
parties hereto, including but not limited to those arising out of or relating to
this Agreement or any related agreements or instruments, including any claim
based on or arising from an alleged tort, shall be determined by appropriate
state or federal courts located in Osceola County, Florida.

                                       13
<PAGE>

         (k) IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Employment
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

                                        GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY

                                        By: /s/ Carter R. Todd
                                            ------------------
                                        Name: Carter R. Todd
                                        Title: Senior Vice President, General
                                               Counsel and Secretary

                                        EXECUTIVE:

                                        /s/ John P. Caparella
                                        ----------------------
                                        John P. Caparella

                                       14<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

CONFIDENTIAL

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of the 10th day of February, 2006, by and between Jay D. Sevigny, a resident of
Franklin, Tennessee ("Employee"), and Gaylord Entertainment Company, a Delaware
corporation having its corporate headquarters at One Gaylord Drive, Nashville,
Tennessee 37214 (the "Company").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, Employee is currently employed by the Company as Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gaylord Hotels;

         WHEREAS, Employee and the Company are parties to that certain
Employment Agreement dated as of July 15, 2003 (the "2003 Employment
Agreement"), as amended;

         WHEREAS, Employee wishes to resign as Executive Vice President of the
Company and Chief Operating Officer of Gaylord Hotels, but desires to remain
employed by the Company as Industry Relations Advisor on the terms set forth in
this Agreement;

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain Employee as Industry Relations
Advisor for the Company going forward on the terms outlined herein; and

         WHEREAS, Employee and the Company desire to resolve fully and finally
all issues that may arise out of the cessation of Employee's employment as
Executive Vice President of the Company and Chief Operating Officer of Gaylord
Hotels.

                                    AGREEMENT

         In consideration of the premises and mutual promises herein contained,
it is agreed as follows:

         1. EMPLOYEE'S DUTIES. Employee and the Company agree that Employee's
duties as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Gaylord
Hotels shall be substantially complete by February 10, 2006, and Employee's
employment as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Gaylord Hotels will end on February 10, 2006.

         2. PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. Employee and the Company are parties
to a previous employment agreement dated July 15, 2003, and amended November 4,
2005 (the "2003 Employment Agreement"). Employee and the Company agree that the
2003 Employment Agreement is terminated, but both parties acknowledge that
paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 shall survive

<PAGE>
CONFIDENTIAL

the termination of the 2003 Employment Agreement and the termination of
employment referenced therein is February 15, 2007.

         3. COMPENSATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AS INDUSTRY RELATIONS ADVISOR. The
Company and Employee agree that the Company will employ Employee as Industry
Relations Advisor from February 10, 2006 until February 15, 2007 (the
"Employment Period") pursuant to the following terms:

              (a) As compensation for the performance by Employee of his
obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall pay to Employee the amount
of $385,000, less applicable withholdings, taxes and deductions, with said
amount to be paid in equal installments over the course of the Employment Period
in accordance with the Company's normal and usual payroll schedule and
practices. The first of such payments shall be made on the Company's normal
payroll date following the Effective Date.

              (b) The Company shall continue to provide Employee with a vehicle
allowance of $800 per month, less applicable withholdings, taxes and deductions,
during the Employment Period to be paid along with the payment set forth in
Paragraph 3(a), less applicable withholdings, taxes, and deductions beginning on
the first payroll date following the Effective Date.

              (c) The Company shall pay to Employee any bonus he may have earned
as a year-end bonus for 2005 pursuant to Paragraph 3(b) of the 2003 Employment
Agreement. The year-end bonus, if any, shall be paid to Employee on or before
February 28, 2006. Employee will not be eligible for a bonus for 2006.

         4. RETENTION PAYMENT. In exchange for Employee's remaining as an
employee of the Company through February 15, 2007, the Company agrees to pay
Employee a lump sum payment of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000)
(the "Retention Payment"), less applicable taxes and withholdings, on February
15, 2007.

         5. DUTIES AS INDUSTRY RELATIONS ADVISOR. During the Employment Period,
Employee will make himself available to consult with the Company with respect to
its Hotel operations, and other matters as the Company may reasonably request.
During the Employment Period, Employee agrees that he will be available to
consult with and provide advice to the Company as needed. To the extent
requested by the Company, Employee will assist in the training and education of
the new Chief Operating Officer of Gaylord Hotels in order to ensure a smooth
transition. Employee acknowledges that during the Employment Period he will not
have the authority to bind the Company to agreements without the express written
consent of the Company, and that during such time, he will report to and take
instruction from the Company's Chief Executive Officer.

                                       2
<PAGE>
CONFIDENTIAL

         6. BENEFITS. As an employee, and during the Employment Period, the
Company shall provide Employee with the same employee benefits that he was
receiving as an employee of the Company immediately prior to the date hereof,
including without limitation, medical and dental coverage, and retirement
savings, based upon his current elections under the Company's plans. Any changes
made to these plans during the Employment Period shall apply equally to
Employee. As of February 15, 2007, the end of the Employment Period, the Company
represents:

              (a) Employee shall be eligible for continuation of health
insurance benefits pursuant to COBRA for eighteen (18) months. Information
regarding COBRA will be provided to Employee at the time of termination.

              (b) The Company will pay to Employee the vested amount currently
held in his account under the Company's Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan
within ninety (90) days after the end of the Employment Period or according to
Employee's payout election then in effect.

              (c) At the end of the Employment Period the Company will pay
Employee his accrued benefit in the Company's Retirement Plan and Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan pursuant to which he is entitled to benefits as
provided in those respective plans.

              (d) At the end of the Employment Period and with respect to the
Company's 401(k) Plan Employee may leave his account in the 401(k) Plan or may
elect to "roll" his account to another qualified plan or take a taxable
distribution. Vesting of Employee 401(k) Plan matching contributions and
earnings vesting will be determined as provided by the Plan.

         7. STOCK OPTIONS. As of the date of this Agreement, Employee has
131,875 Company stock options vested pursuant to the Company's 1997 Omnibus
Stock Option and Incentive Plan (as amended). Additional stock options will vest
as follows: 2,500 options will vest as of February 11, 2006; 3,125 options will
vest as of January 1, 2007; 7,500 options will vest as of February 5, 2007;
8,125 options will vest as of February 6, 2007; and 3,750 options will vest as
of February 9, 2007. Accordingly, at the successful completion of the Employment
Period on February 15, 2007, Employee will have 156,875 vested stock options.
Each of these options must be exercised within ninety (90) days of the end of
the Employment Period. Employee and the Company agree that all other stock
options, restricted stock, PARSUP units or other stock awards granted to
Employee by the Company and not previously vested or exercised are hereby
terminated.

         8. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. In order to facilitate an orderly
transition to a new Chief Operating Officer of Gaylord Hotels, as soon as
practicable following the date of this Agreement, Employee agrees to return to
the Company all files, memoranda, documents, records, copies of the foregoing,
and any other property of the Company or its affiliates in Employee's
possession, except Employee may (a) retain (i) records pertaining to any stock
options or other compensation retained by his, (ii) insurance records, (iii)
records reasonably required for federal income tax purposes, and (iv) personal
information (contacts and calendared events) stored in his computer; and (b)
remove from his former office any items of personal property (but the Company
will have a right to have a representative designated by it present during such
times).

                                       3
<PAGE>
CONFIDENTIAL

         9. COMPANY POLICIES. Employee shall be subject to and shall comply with
all codes of conduct, personnel policies and procedures applicable to senior
executives of the Company, including, without limitation, policies regarding
sexual harassment, conflicts of interest and insider trading. In addition,
Employee will refrain from making to others any disparaging or other negative
comments or statements with respect to the Company or persons employed by or
associated with it. Company will also refrain from making disparaging or
negative comments or statements about Employee.

         10. PURSUIT OF RELEASED CLAIMS. Employee represents that he has not
filed any complaints or charges against the Company with any local, state or
federal agency or Court related to Employee's employment with or separation from
the Company and, so long as the Company makes the payments and provides Employee
the benefits provided for in this Agreement, Employee will not do so at any time
hereafter; and if any such agency or Court assumes jurisdiction of any such
complaint or charge against the Company on behalf of Employee, Employee will
request such agency or Court to withdraw from the matter.

         11. RELEASE BY EMPLOYEE.

              (a) As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this
Agreement, Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases the Company
and each of the Company's subsidiaries and affiliates, and their past and
present officers, directors, employees, agents, administrators, successors and
assigns (collectively "Releasees"), or any of them, from any and all claims,
liabilities, causes of action and expenses (including attorney's fees and costs
actually incurred), of any nature whatsoever pertaining to his employment with
or separation from the Company, known or unknown (hereafter referred to as
"Claim" or "Claims"), which Employee now has, owns or holds, or claims to have,
own or hold, or which Employee at any time hereafter may have, own or hold, or
claim to have, own or hold, against each or any of the Releasees; provided that
nothing herein shall prevent or limit Employee's right to enforce the terms of
this Agreement nor to claim damages for its breach.

              (b) This waiver also includes a release of any rights or claims
Employee may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which
prohibits age discrimination in employment; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964 and the Tennessee Human Rights Act, which prohibit discrimination in
employment based on race, color, national origin, religion or sex; the Equal Pay
Act, which prohibits paying men and women unequal pay for equal work; the
Americans With Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of
disability; 42 U.S.C. Sections 1981 and 1985; the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974; or any other federal, state or local laws or regulations
prohibiting employment discrimination. This also includes a release by Employee
of any claims for wrongful discharge or any claims by the Company for wrongfully
resigning employment. Because of this release, Employee understands that,
subject to the exception in the last sentence of this paragraph and subject to
the right of either party to initiate proceedings to enforce or recover damages
for breach of this Agreement, Employee is giving up any right he may have to sue
the Company for matters related to Employee's employment with or separation of
employment from the Company. This waiver and release does not include, however,
the release of any rights or claims that Employee may have under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act which arise after the date Employee signs this
Agreement.

                                       4
<PAGE>
CONFIDENTIAL

         12. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT; REVIEW PERIOD; REVOCATION. EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES
AND UNDERSTANDS THAT:

              (a) He has been advised by the Company to consult with legal
counsel of his choice prior to executing this Agreement and the general release
provided for, and has had an opportunity to consult with and be advised by legal
counsel of his choice, fully understands the terms of this Agreement, and enters
into this Agreement freely and voluntarily and intending to be bound;

              (a) He has been given a period of twenty-one (21) days to review
and consider the terms of this Agreement prior to executing it and that he may
use as much of that such twenty-one (21) day period as he desires, and that any
changes to this Agreement, whether material or not, made after it was originally
presented to him will not restart the running of the twenty-one (21) day
consideration period; and

              (a) Upon execution, Employee will have seven (7) days to revoke
this Agreement by sending written notice to the Company at One Gaylord Drive,
Nashville, TN 37214. This Agreement shall become effective and enforceable
against the Company on the eighth day following the expiration of this seven (7)
day revocation period, provided that the Employee does not revoke it (the
"Effective Date").

         13. NOTICE. All notices required to be given by this Agreement shall be
in writing and may be delivered personally (which notice shall be deemed to have
been received upon delivery to the addressee at the address appearing below), or
by Federal Express or other nationally recognized overnight courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery (which notice shall be deemed to have been received on the
date of delivery to the addressee at the address appearing below). The term
"Business Day" as used herein shall mean every day except Saturdays, Sundays,
and national holidays. Notice must be in writing and must be delivered to the
addressee at the address appearing below and/or to such other persons and
addresses as any party shall have specified in writing to the other by notice as
aforesaid.

         Notice to the Company:

                  Gaylord Entertainment Company
                  One Gaylord Drive
                  Nashville, Tennessee  37214
                  Attention: General Counsel

         Notice to Employee:

                  Jay D. Sevigny

                  ---------------------

                  ---------------------

                                       5
<PAGE>
CONFIDENTIAL

         14. CONFIDENTIALITY. Both parties represent and agree they will keep
the terms (but not the existence) of this Agreement completely confidential, and
that neither party will hereafter disclose any information concerning the terms
of this Agreement to anyone, including, but by no means limited to, the public,
press and media representatives, investors, and any past, present or prospective
employee or applicant for employment of the Company; provided that:

                  (a) Employee may disclose information regarding this Agreement
to his immediate family, financial and tax advisors, and legal counsel, but
Employee shall be responsible for any disclosure made by such persons in
violation hereof, and, further, Employee may disclose the requirements set forth
in Section 10 hereof to any prospective employer or other person with whom
Employee proposes to conduct business;

                  (b) The Company may disclose information as is necessary for
the administration of the Agreement; and

                  (c) Either party may take any action authorized hereby or by
law to enforce this Agreement or to recover damages for its breach, and no
disclosure incidental thereto or made as a result of legal process (such as, for
example, responses to interrogatories, subpoenas or other legal process) shall
be deemed a violation hereof.

         15. ATTORNEYS' FEES. In the event that any dispute or litigation arises
between the parties regarding this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to recover from the other party, and shall be awarded judgment against
such other party, for reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses incurred by the
prevailing party in such dispute or litigation.

         16. BINDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee
and the Company and upon their respective heirs, administrators,
representatives, executors, successors and assigns, and shall inure to the
benefit of the Company and its agents and affiliates, and to their heirs,
administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns.

         17. CHOICE OF LAW; CONSTRUCTION; VENUE. This Agreement is made and
entered into in the State of Tennessee and shall, in all respects, be
interpreted, enforced and governed under the laws of said State. The language of
all parts of this Agreement shall, in all cases, be construed as a whole,
according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any of the
parties. Any action to enforce the Agreement shall be heard in the courts of
Davidson County, Tennessee.

                                       6
<PAGE>
CONFIDENTIAL

         18. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire
agreement between the parties hereto and fully supersedes any and all prior
agreements or understandings between the parties hereto pertaining to the
subject matter hereof except as set forth in paragraph 2 hereof. Any amendment,
waiver, or modification of this Agreement shall be effective only if in writing
and signed by both the parties. If any part of this Agreement is found to be
invalid, the parties agree that the remainder of the Agreement shall remain
effective and enforceable.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and the Company have executed this
Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

                                       GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY

                                       By:      /s/ Colin V. Reed
                                                -----------------
                                       Title:   Chief Executive Officer

                                       JAY D. SEVIGNY

                                          /s/ Jay D. Sevigny
                                          ------------------------
                                       Jay D. Sevigny

                                       7

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