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Reno Tahoe USA
DELIVERS VALUE ! In a time when value is everything, there are so few
destinations that actually deliver. In the case of Reno Tahoe USA, the value you get is real. Whether it’s negotiating for a great group rate with the owner of the hotel, or working hand-in-hand with the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority for a comprehensive package at one of its conference venues, you’ll find true value in Reno Tahoe USA. In fact, you could save up to 30% compared to other meeting destinations. That savings, combined with its outstanding resort offerings—nine propertiess boast between 800 and 2,000 rooms—and efficient airline connections, makes Reno Tahoe USA a shining player in the resort meetings market. And the support you receive is equally stellar. For example, the Reno-Sparks CVA staff has received the Gold Service Award for 17 consecutive years from Meetings & Conventions magazine’s readers, and is a 10-time winner of Successful Meetings magazine’s Pinnacle Award. That’s a huge feat Produced by Northstar Meetings Group in a competitive marketplace. Custom Media Department If you don’t know much about 100 Lighting Way, 2nd Floor, Reno Tahoe USA, this report Secaucus, NJ 07094 (201) 902-2000 will introduce you to the region’s Reno Tahoe USA: More than you know Lesley Krautheim, Group Managing Editor many advantages. And if you’re Alison Golub, Editor and better tthan han you think ...................... 4 already familiar with what Reno Janice Hill Perez, Senior Editor How can Reno Tahoe USA make Sarah Veit, Associate Editor has to offer, these pages will bring Tessa Sestina, Art Director you look good? ........................................ ........................................6 you up to date. Either way, you Adam Schaffer, Production Specialist Gina Russo, Production Specialist Five top misperceptions have a lot to gain from booking Marianne Chmielewski, about Reno Tahoe USA ............................. .............................8 Group Production Manager your group in “The Biggest Little Michael Ardizzone, Contributing Writer Unique meetings venues .......................... 11 City in the World.”
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Reno-Sparks convention facilities ........... 12 3 Meeting resorts ....................................... 14
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Reno Tahoe USA:
MORE THAN YOU KNOW…AND better THAN YOU THINK With all it has to offer, the Reno meetings product deserves to be a top option among meeting planners. So, why choose Reno Tahoe USA? Consider these points: •
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•
Accountability.
The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) sells and operates most of the area’s major group facilities in the Reno-Sparks area. That gives the RSCVA control and accountability over the success of your event. “We have a unique model. The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority owns or manages the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, the Reno Events Center, the National Bowling Stadium and Wildcreek Golf Course, so you don’t have to deal with a ‘middle man’ in Reno,” says the RSCVA’s CEO Christopher Baum.
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Proven value.
While many destinations talk about value, Reno Tahoe USA brings it. Meeting planners will find that its prices are up to 30% lower and the “small-town” service is greater, and that translates into higher value for your budgeted dollars. “Reno Tahoe offers incredible value for meetings and conventions by extending second-tier pricing for first-tier-quality hotels and facilities,” says Baum. “Where else can you find coffee for under $40 a gallon?”
Negotiability. The destination boasts nine resorts with more than 800 rooms. And if you’re looking for a deal—and who isn’t— you’ll get it, because many of the top resorts are independently owned. So, you can negotiate the best rates directly with the property because they’re not locked in by national hotel chain formulas. That’s a rarity among U.S. destinations of this size.
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So how does that work with the RSCVA? “The same team that sells the facilities manages and negotiates prices and concessions at the facilities, which gives us much greater flexibility to extend the best possible package to associations, corporations and special events,” says Baum.
Event expertise. The RSCVA
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has earned a reputation for accommodating meetings of many kinds and making them a success. “The RSCVA is definitely meeting savvy. Our sales team alone has over 250 years of hospitality experience among them, and with nine hotels offering between 800 and 2,000 rooms and suites—and dozens of smaller properties as well—we had better know a thing or two about hosting everything from VIP board meetings to top-tier citywide conventions and complex special events that draw over 500,000 attendees (each) here every summer,” according to John Leinen, Vice President of Sales.
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How
Variety of resorts.
Reno Tahoe USA has an excellent mix of first- and second-tier properties to choose from, especially considering that it’s a mid-size destination with an area population of 420,000. Additionally, its wide array of recreational options are strictly world-class.
Ease of access. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport offers direct service to 18 major cities in the U.S. and is only 10 minutes away from the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and 20,000 hotel rooms. Complimentary shuttles are available to and from the airport from most properties. As Baum says, “It’s the best airport setup I’ve seen.” Given all these strengths, RSCVA’s Leinen says, “No other destination in North America has the unique combination we have here.” In fact, because of its many advantages, the area is fast gaining national recognition and many large corporations, including Apple, General Motors, Patagonia, Urban Outfitters, Barnes and Noble, and many others have built major facilities in the area.
CAN RENO TAHOE USA MAKE YOU LOOK good? Happy attendees make better meetings, and d all that makes for successful, happy meetingg planners. So how can booking your meetingg in Reno Tahoe USA make you look good? •
It gives you more bang for your budget. Thanks to local ownership of many resorts, Reno’s pricing will help you stay on or under budget, and that will always make you look good. “I always tell meeting planners to book us now, because we can’t keep charging rates this low forever,” says Leinen.
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For many, it’s a “new” destination. Many of your attendees may be coming for the first time. Reno Tahoe USA will be new to them, and that will make for an exciting experience. Do you really think your group is looking forward to traveling somewhere— anywhere—for the 20th time? You can help sell your attendees with this perspective: “Reno-Tahoe is one of the last, great, ‘undiscovered’ meeting destinations in North America. It offers amazing facilities, dramatic Western settings and incredible value in a mild, high desert locale, and it’s just a four-hour drive from San Francisco,” says Baum.
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The RSCVA has many original team-building ideas. The RSCVA can help you craft ideas for original team-building activities that keep things exciting. And the RSCVA covers the details down to the little things, like a fully customized meetings app that they provide to qualified customers...for free. And that’s not all, according to the RSCVA’s Baum, “Reno, Sparks and North Lake Tahoe are especially well suited, as a four season destination resort, to offer unique team-building ideas. How about navigating kayaks through the rapids in the Truckee River, right downtown? A race through the desert in high performance dune buggies? Scaling the world’s tallest outdoor climbing wall over Virginia Street in downtown Reno? A stand-up paddleboard race in beautiful Lake Tahoe? The list goes on and on….”
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It provides many options for pre- and post-event activities. In Reno Tahoe USA, you won’t find the “same old, same old.” Lake Tahoe is a world unto itself and provides countless activities—both on water and on land. A visit to Virginia City is a one-of-a-kind outing that will bring your group back to the Wild West. You may even see free-roaming wild horses on the drive over! (Northern Nevada has the most in the country.)
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FIVE TOP MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT RENO For various reasons, Reno Tahoe USA is sometimes overlooked. That may be because planners have an image in their minds that doesn’t match the real Reno. Here are some misperceptions that planners have expressed, and the realities that counter them. Use these points when selling your group on Reno as a destination. 1) It’s too hot. Well, no. Reno Tahoe USA is hot with activities, but the weather is much more temperate than southern Nevada. The city sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which means that the summer is warm, but not oppressive, and a perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. 2) It’s just a mini-Vegas. If you think that, take a closer look. Reno Tahoe USA doesn’t have Celine Dion, but it does have adventures in store and spectacular mountains, lakes, golf and water sports. Nevada is a huge state (it’s the seventh largest, bigger than New York and Alabama put together), so in fact Reno is much closer to San Francisco (four hours by car) than Las Vegas (about eight hours by car). Reno and Las Vegas may be in the same state, but they’re nothing like each other. 3) All they have is gaming. For your groups who want gaming, Reno has it, but it’s only one feature among many that will appeal to meeting-goers. In addition to the area’s many varied and popular events—from ballooning to classical orchestras to desert racing—the adventures are limitless. 4) It’s hard to get to. Reno Tahoe USA is actually ideally situated: it’s a day’s drive from the entire Western U.S., and there are non-stop flights from 18 U.S. cities. The airport is only 10 minutes away from the convention center and 20,000 hotel rooms. Free shuttles from the airport to many properties make it easy to move your group into town. Expanding on the level of air service, Baum says, “We’re served by Southwest, Delta, American, United, US Airways, Alaska and many other airlines.” 5) No one goes there. The RSCVA booked 149 definite meetings in 2012 (with individual hotels directly booking hundreds more). The area attracts approximately 4.3 million visitors a year, and more and more people are discovering the location. Likewise, an increasing number of mega-corporations are beginning to recognize its many outstanding attributes and are relocating to the area. You can see for yourself, as the RSCVA’s Leinen says, “We’re always willing to fly qualified prospects out for a look at this terrific meetings destination.” APRIL 2013
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PLANNING A
big
event?
Why not make it even bigger? Make your next BIG event even BIGGER at the Silver Legacy. We’ve got enough flexible space to house just about any event you can think up. Plus, we’re right next door to the Reno Events Center and the Reno Ballroom, giving you even more room to spread out (and offer up to vendors and exhibitors). Mix in 1,700 rooms, award-winning restaurants, great service, big name entertainment, and your event will be nothing less than a big success. 155,000 SQUARE FEET OF MEETING & EXHIBITION SPACE ADJACENT TO RENO EVENTS CENTER & THE RENO BALLROOM 1,700 GUEST ROOMS & SUITES • BIG NAME ENTERTAINMENT SIX RESTAURANTS • 24-HOUR GAMING & NIGHTLIFE
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UNIQUE MEETINGS VENUES Reno Tahoe USA offers an endless list of venues to choose from. How about a subterranean magic theater? Or an historic estate with sweeping views of Lake Tahoe? The RSCVA can assist you with finding the indoor and outdoor locations that will make your meeting productive, memorable and fun.
BOWLING ANYONE? To encourage some friendly competition, suggest a few frames at the National Bowling Stadium. It claims to be the only facility of its kind in the world where groups of 50 to 2,000 can gather and bowl. The stadium includes 88 championship lanes, the world’s longest video screen and stadium seating for over 600.
CAR FARE. How often can you take a picture of your group around a million dollar car? With more than 200 vintage and collectible automobiles, and a “Top 5” national ranking, the National Automobile Museum is a unique choice for meetings, receptions, dinners, luncheons and theme events, for groups from 50 to 1,200. Plus, there is a 157-seat theater with a 19’ x 11’ high-def screen.
DRAMATIC BALLROOM. The Downtown Reno Ballroom is the newest and largest ballroom in downtown Reno and offers 32,700 square feet of luxurious and versatile entertainment and meeting space to accommodate groups of more than 1,900 for an elaborate dinner and 2,900 for a general session.
ART APPRECIATION. For groups ranging from 30 to 500 who have an artistic or cultural affinity, the Nevada Museum of Art is a logical choice. The museum features unparalleled views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, a lecture hall, a theater and elegant reception rooms. The museum is Nevada’s only accredited art museum and features an array of traveling and local exhibitions, including modern, classic and Impressionist painting and sculptures.
MEETINGS MAGIC. The Truckee River Arts District is also home to the Magic Underground, located under the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts. Perfect for a quick bite or a cocktail reception, the venue lets your attendees mix their post-meeting with magic. The mysterious events take place in an intimate space—a subterranean 200-seat theater that includes a full bar and museum.
OLD WEST ADVENTURE. For a bit of the Old West, the Wilbur D. May Center combines a museum, an arboretum and the Great Basin Adventure—an experience that can bring out the “kid” in even the toughest CEO. Your group can pet animals, ride a pony, pan for gold, ride an old fashioned log flume or explore the discovery room. With several one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor spaces, the property is flexible enough to host meetings from a small group of friends to companies with 200 employees.
SPECTACULAR SETTING. For a background with jaw-dropping beauty, consider Incline Village/Crystal Bay, set along Lake Tahoe’s north shore. Located only 40 minutes from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, you’ll appreciate the first-class hotel rooms, world-class golf courses and outdoor recreation in addition to its stunning setting.
MEETINGS MASTERPIECE. If you’re looking for an intimate,
PARK IT. The Sand Harbor State Park in Incline Village is a
sophisticated venue for small to medium groups, consider Sierra Arts in the heart of Reno’s trendy Truckee River Arts District. The large gallery room, where attendees can mingle among the permanent and rotating exhibits, accommodates receptions of up to 120 people.
Lake Tahoe location with sandy beaches, a boat launch, picnic area, restaurant-like concession stand and covered pavilion for 100 to 150 people. You can use the park in many ways to create an unforgettable experience for your group. With the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people, the theater includes a 68’ by 35’ stage area.
AMAZING DISCOVERIES IN STORE. Still a new facility, the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum opened in September 2011. The 64,000-square-foot museum is located in Reno’s former City Hall. In addition to flex spaces for cocktails, meetings and events, the museum has a number of programming spaces, including the World’s only Spark!Lab Smithsonian located outside the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The staff can help you plan interesting, educational activities tailored to your group’s needs. APRIL 2013
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LAKE VIEWS. Thunderbird Lake Tahoe is a historic Lake Tahoe estate that is home to a 50-foot waterfall, a great place to set your group photo. Built in the late 1930s, the lodge offers 5,400 square feet of meeting space in six rooms, including an outdoor patio with direct views of Lake Tahoe. The main lodge features a Lakeside Ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows with lake views. The lodge can accommodate groups of approximately 300.
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Reno-Sparks
CONVENTION FACILITIES The RSCVA owns and/or operates the convention center, the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, the Reno Events Center, the National Bowling Stadium and Wildcreek Golf Course. For meetings, post-meeting cocktails, competitions, bonding challenges…the options represented here are endless. Here then, is a quick look at the RSCVA’s meetings venues and how you can utilize them to meet your needs.
Reno-Sparks Convention Center For large gatherings, the 500,000-square-foot Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC) boasts five contiguous exhibit halls with 381,000 square feet of space, located all on one level. The drive-in doors are highlighted by a 39’ wide by 32’ high hangar door,
big enough for an airplane, if that’s on your agenda, and other oversized equipment. The Mt. Rose Ballroom has 30,000 square feet of columnfree space for formal dining, ning, general sessions, seminars, and/or d/ exhibits. hibi It’s divisible into seven meeting rooms. Fifty-three meeting rooms, accommodating groups from 50 to more than 3,000, fill out the Convention Center. The central registration lobby provides 17,500 square feet of flexible space, while a second registration area means that multiple events can be accommodated simultaneously.
Reno Events Center The Reno Events Center is a multipurpose arena that’s versatile enough to host events from rock concerts to basketball games. Its flexible 7,500-seat capacity and its downtown location make it a popular
MEET THE RSCVA The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) was established in 1959 and acts as a sales and marketing organization for the county to promote convention and tourism business. Unlike most other convention and visitor bureaus, the RSCVA owns and operates several facilities. The vision of the RSCVA is to be a premier, year-round, western destination for leisure and group/convention travelers. Their award-winning staff prides itself on its unique ability to accommodate groups of varied types and interests. RSCVA’s customer service is second to none; they’re determined to compete with better-known meetings venues. The RSCVA has received many accolades from past meetings planners who have held events of all types and sizes. Your direct RSCVA contact: John Leinen, Vice President – Sales; (775) 827-7704; jleinen@RenoTahoeUSA.com, www.MeetRenoTahoe.com
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group choice. There’s 56,000 square feet of dedicated exhibit space on the first floor, plus a 14,000-square-foot prefunction concourse.
National Bowling Stadium The National Bowling Stadium is the only facility of its kind in the world. The Los Angeles Times called it the “Taj Mahal of Tenpins.” For starters, how many bowling lanes greet visitors with a four-story lobby? The stadium boasts 88 championship lanes and the longest video screen in the world—ideal for your groups to project video images and other team-building programs. The open and versatile design of many areas of the National Bowling Stadium allows it to be
DRIVING DISTANCES BETWEEN RENO-SPARKS AND MAJOR WESTERN U.S. CITIES Bend, OR ................................................ 393
transformed to suit any event. The Stadium Club can host your group, or act as a pre-event lounge, and features a full-service bar, large-screen TV, pool table and a spectacular view of the downtown corridor. The newest addition to the National Bowling Stadium is the Kingpin Club by Brunswick—10 bowling lanes set in an intimate stadium club atmosphere with its own bar and lounging area. This area is ideal for VIP bowling parties of up to 280 people.
Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center Hold your meeting at a rodeo venue? Yes! Where else could you plan your own private rodeo or have a steer decorating contest? The Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center (RSLEC) is set a few minutes from downtown Reno and 10 minutes from the airport. The building features two indoor and two outdoor arenas and a 20,000-square-foot exhibition hall. The main arena has seating for 6,200 people. The facility’s 20,000-square-foot exhibition hall has a 100-by-200-foot cement floor. Although the RSLEC hosts many equestrian and rodeo events, it also hosts college sports, motocross and monster truck competitions.
Boise, ID ..................................................424 Las Vegas, NV .........................................450 Salt Lake City, UT ...................................519 Los Angeles, CA .....................................520 Portland, OR ...........................................580 San Diego, CA .........................................650 Seattle, WA .............................................752 Phoenix, AZ ............................................891
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DID YOU KNOW? RENO-SPARKS… • is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area. • sits in a high desert valley at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. • is widely known as “The Biggest Little City in the World.” • was a stopover along the First Transcontinental Railroad.
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Meeting
The following listings provide only a brief rundown of some of the
RESORTS
top meeting resorts in the Reno-Sparks area. Contact the RSCVA at 1-800-443-1482 for more information.
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
What’s special? A cinema; 50-lane bowling; outdoor thrill rides; aqua golf driving range; the largest casino north of Las Vegas. What else? Grand Ballroom and Grand Salon alone offer 39,846 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Meeting & convention space: 50,000 sq. ft. Rooms: 824 What’s special? Directly connected to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center; holds AAA FourDiamond rating. What’s new? Recent $100 million expansion. Doubled convention space with a Grand Ballroom and eight meeting rooms, an Executive Boardroom and a new Business Center. What else? Spa Atlantis won the 2012 SpaFinder’s Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Hotel Casino Spa.”
Harrah’s Reno Meeting & convention space: 24,000 sq. ft. Rooms: 928 What’s special? The 324-seat Sammy’s Showroom is famous because Sammy Davis Jr. made his first appearance there. What else? 14,000-square-foot convention center; 16 breakout rooms.
Circus Circus Reno Meeting & convention space: over 28,000 sq. ft. Rooms: 1,572 What’s special? 8,126-square-foot Mandalay Ballroom can be divided into two rooms, and six breakout rooms surround it. What else? Part of the Tri-Property Complex (with Silver Legacy and Eldorado Resorts) with over 4,200 rooms and 110,000 sq. ft. of combined meeting space.
Eldorado Hotel Casino Meeting & convention space: Over 12,000 sq. ft. Rooms: 814 What’s special? Family owned and operated; Broadway-style productions held in the Eldorado Showroom. What else? Named “Best Rooms and Suites” by Casino Player magazine.
Grand Sierra Resort & Casino Meeting & convention space: 200,000 sq. ft. Rooms: Nearly 2,000 What’s new? Currently undergoing a $50 million renovation. Enhancements in 2013 include indoor pool and nightclub, spa and health club. APRIL 2013
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Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino Meeting & convention space: Over 50,000 sq. ft. Rooms: 422 What’s new? Recent $20 million renovation of its guestrooms, Sierra Café and the Spa Terrace Conference Center. What’s special? AAA Four-Diamond rating; 5,000-sq.-ft. seasonal outdoor pavilion and private beach. What else? Spa Terrace Conference Center ideal for small to mid-sized events.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget Meeting & convention space: 110,000 sq. ft., including the new Executive Conference Center. Rooms: 1,600 What’s special? The Poolside Terrace features floor-to-ceiling windows. Resort’s two 29-story towers present views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. What else? Convention complex features two ballrooms, a trade show pavilion and 23 breakout rooms.
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Meeting & convention space: 106,000 sq. ft. Rooms: 1,623 What’s special? AAA Four Diamond rating. Heating is provided from geothermal energy produced on the property. What else? 43,000-square-foot Spa & Salon Toscana and fitness center.
Sands Regency Casino Hotel Meeting & convention space: Regency and Dynasty Towers; Regency Ballroom is 4,784 sq. ft. Rooms: 833 What’s special? Meetings facilities also designed for budget-conscious groups. What else? Complimentary health club and Jacuzzi.
Siena Hotel Spa Casino Meeting & convention space: 11,000 sq. ft. Rooms: 214 What’s special? Reno’s boutique resort; Siena ballroom at 7,000 sq. ft., with theater seating for up to 700. What else? Terrazza and River View Patio for cocktails and receptions.
Silver Legacy Resort Casino Meeting & convention space: 50,000 sq. ft., including 19,360 sq.-ft. Grande Exposition Hall. Rooms: 1,711 What’s special? 120-ft. automated antique mining rig set under dome with laser light shows. What else? Variety of combinable breakout rooms. Adjacent to the Reno Events Center.
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always something
unconventional Atlantis is an award-winning conference facility. State-of-the-art technology in each meeting room gives you complete control. Atlantis offers professional expertise and resources to make your next event or conference a big success. BOOK YOUR NEXT MEETING OR CONVENTION WITH CONFIDENCE
50,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space | Reno’s only resort connected to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center via Sky Bridge Eight award-winning restaurants | Top ten spa in the world* Reno’s only Concierge Hotel Tower
Stay. Dine. Spa. Play. In Four Diamond luxury.
Please call for our FAM specials Contact Toni Koster | Director of Sales tkoster@atlantiscasino.com | 800.994.5900
every player’s paradise.
SM
*Winner of SpaFinder’s Readers’ Choice award, Best Casino Hotel Spa. 3800 S. Virginia Street | Reno NV 89502 | 800.723.6500 | atlantiscasino.com/smeet |