Go West Creative Named Operating Partner and Event Producer
Cumberland Hospitality Group to Lead On-Water Operations and Concessions
Excel Sports Management to Serve as Executive Producer
NASHVILLE, April 7, 2026 — World Bass Enterprises (WBE) today announced local
Nashville companies Go West Creative and Cumberland Hospitality Group (CHG) as
key operating and production partners for “The Champions” tournament. Scheduled for
October in Nashville, the tournament is the first-ever world bass fishing championship
and will feature the largest purse in the sport’s history.
Alongside Go West Creative and CHG, Excel Sports Management will serve as
Executive Producer for the tournament, leading strategy and commercial sales.
“The Champions” will bring together the top 25 anglers from both The Progressive
Bassmaster Elite Series and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour for the first time to
compete for a record-setting purse of $3.25 million, including a $1.25 million payout to
the winning angler.
The five-day event, with three days of competition, will be held on Old Hickory Lake at
Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville, Tenn., from Oct. 28 – Nov. 1. The championship
tournament will feature one of the most talented fields of anglers ever assembled in the
sport, alongside family-friendly fan experiences, live music, and community engagement
events designed to celebrate the sport of bass fishing and welcome visitors from across
the country to the Nashville region.
“We’re excited to partner with local experts Go West Creative and CHG,” said World
Bass Enterprises Founder and CEO Brian Bird. “Their deep Nashville roots, combined
with Excel Sports Management’s experience across the biggest sporting events, will
make ‘The Champions’ a truly world-class and unforgettable event.”
Go West Creative
As the Operating Partner and Event Producer for “The Champions,” Go West will lead
creative, event production, operations, entertainment, and fan experience in
collaboration with WBE and its partners.
Headquartered in Nashville, Go West is a creative agency and production partner
serving clients across the country and around the world in sports, entertainment, brand
marketing, and live experiences. The agency delivers high-impact work for major league
sports, entertainment, and media properties, as well as national brands across retail,
QSR, wellness, spirits, and other consumer categories, integrating strategy, storytelling,
and execution to produce experiences at scale.
“Brian and the WBE team have placed tremendous trust in Go West Creative to bring
this championship to life, and we’re grateful for their partnership,” said Eileen Valois,
President and CEO of Go West Creative and Co-Executive Producer of “The
Champions.” “We’re committed to delivering a breakthrough inaugural event for anglers
and fans, while showcasing the very best of Nashville, a city we call home and that holds
special meaning for our team.”
The Gaylord Opryland Resort will serve as the Host Hotel for “The Champions,” with
marquee events produced by Go West including the angler welcome experience, media
day, opening ceremonies, and the Champions Dinner, alongside a three-day outdoor
lifestyle expo.
Cumberland Hospitality Group (CHG)
CHG, also headquartered in Nashville, will serve as a key operational partner supporting
“The Champions.” The company will oversee tournament operations on the water,
including boat and angler logistics, as well as manage food and beverage operations at
Sanders Ferry Park, serving fans and guests throughout the event.
A Nashville staple for decades, CHG is a leader in hospitality, serving the Music Valley
and downtown Nashville communities through dining, live music venues, waterfront
partnerships, liquor retail, and fine catering.
“As a Nashville native and local small business owner, having an event like ‘The
Champions’ here is exciting, and the Cumberland Hospitality Group team and I are fired
up to see it come to life,” said CHG Founder and CEO Barrett Hobbs.
Additional details regarding “The Champions,” including programming, fan
experiences, and event activities, will be announced in the coming months. For more
information, fans can visit worldbassenterprises.com.
###
ABOUT WORLD BASS ENTERPRISES:
Established in 2026, World Bass Enterprises serves as the founder and host
organization for “The Champions” tournament, the annual world bass fishing
championship where the top 50 anglers in the world across The Progressive Bassmaster
Elite Series and Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour compete for record-setting prize
pools and The Champion’s Cup.
For more information visit worldbassenterprises.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
FINN Partners
WBE@finnpartners.com