When it comes to planning and executing a meeting, big or small, in Reno-Tahoe we are committed to keeping it simple by offering great facilities, proactive planning and a close relationship with our hotel partners.

Last week we shared information about the 1,600-room John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Sparks. To the many past and potential customers who shared comments, thank you!

Another great option for meetings attendees is the Peppermill Reno Hotel Casino.

The Peppermill is a Reno standard with a new twist. The resort recently went through a full renovation of the old and added an all-suite tower with 600 rooms. In addition, the property added a 62,000 GSF pillarless ballroom bringing its total space to 102,000 square feet. Meeting planners rave about the flexible space at the Peppermill with a variety of available configurations. This beautifully designed property and customer service-oriented staff stand ready to serve groups up to 3,000 people.

Following are some additional highlights:

• 1,635 deluxe rooms
• 12 unique restaurants
• Complimentary self/valet parking
• Complimentary airport shuttle (less than 3 miles from the airport)
• Brand new 30,000-square-foot Spa Toscana
• Beautiful outdoor pool area open year-round
• State of the art fitness center
• Edge Nightclub
• 1 mile from Meadowood Mall
• Walking distance to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center

I could certainly go on and on about this property and the value meeting planners find when booking it; instead, check it out yourself at www.peppermillreno.com.

(This is the second in an occasional series profiling Reno-Tahoe properties’ meeting and convention amenities)

- Tanna McTee, RSCVA National Sales Manager

One of the benefits of meeting in Reno-Tahoe is access to more than 1 million square feet of flexible meeting space, coupled with nearly 20,000 conveniently located hotel rooms. Here, in addition to a large-scale convention center (as well as other regional convention spaces) dozens of hotel and casino properties offer their own high-quality rooms. One such property is John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Sparks.

John Ascuaga’s promise and commitment to service for the last 50 years is best described by this statement: “I am committed to providing the premier meeting and convention complex in the country,” says owner John Ascuaga. “We tailor our facilities to fit your group’s needs. Your meeting will be a success. You have my word.”

This family-owned property exceeds expectations; with over 110,000 GSF of meeting space featuring a trade show pavilion and 23 breakout rooms it is a great fit for meetings from 30-3,000 people.

Some additional highlights found at the Nugget:

• 1,600 Deluxe Guest Rooms (including a recent full tower remodel)
• Eight award-winning restaurants from fine dining to home-style fare
• Complimentary self and valet parking
• Complimentary airport shuttle (less than 3 miles from Reno-Tahoe International Airport)
• Complimentary year-round indoor pool and fitness center
• Full service salon and spa
• Situated on Victorian Square with a variety of additional restaurants, shopping and recreational activities
• Located less than 1 mile from Sparks Marina recreation area
• Located 1 mile from the Legends at Sparks Marina destination shopping center, home to Scheels, the World’s Largest All Sports Store (nearly 300,000 square feet)
  This is just a sample of what you can expect at the Nugget and it is available at a surprising value – for more information visit www.janugget.com.

(This is the first in an occasional series profiling Reno-Tahoe properties’ meeting and convention amenities)

- Tanna McTee, RSCVA National Sales Manager

A new pedestrian walkway connecting the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa has elevated the amenities available to convention exhibitors and attendees in Reno-Tahoe.

The Atlantis Sky Bridge offers convenient, all-weather access between the two facilities as well as opportunities for exhibitors to use the new space to attract attention in a high-visibility traffic area. Since the project was completed this year, it has already seen significant use by conventioneers looking to grab a bite at one of the resort’s many restaurants, visit the gaming floor or stop in to their hotel rooms.

The project was conceived as a partnership between the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority and the Atlantis, and was fast-tracked for construction. Panoramic windows on either side of the walkway offer a stunning view of the Sierra Nevada to the West and the desert mountains to the East.

The project adds significant meeting capabilities to the already 500,000 square feet available at the convention center, with the hotel’s meeting rooms, as well as after-hours restaurants and nightclubs. A wide walkway area is a great place to set up tables, displays and information kiosks.

- Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority staff

Preparations are complete, and the party is underway as the 2009 Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Expo takes over the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and a large outdoor showcase area at the adjoining Atlantis Casino Resorts Spa. HPBExpo is one of Tradeshow Week’s Top 200 North American Shows.

More than 6,000 HPBExpo attendees and exhibitors in the hearth, patio and barbecue industries are expected to attend Thursday-Saturday from all points of the globe, including Japan, China, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Switzerland.

The show uses most of the 500,000-plus square feet of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, which has been fitted with gas and exhaust lines to accommodate the convention. When all is said and done, attendees and exhibitors will have booked approximately 12,000 room nights (20,000 rooms are available in the region), many in deluxe hotel-casinos. Dozens of properties are within walking distance or a short drive to the convention center.

To kick of the week of activities, attendees were greeted at Reno-Tahoe International Airport on March 18 with live music, concierge service and barbecued tri-tip courtesy of Washoe Flats steakhouse.

To read about the hearth, patio and barbecue’s leading trade show, visit them online at HPBExpo.com. To learn more about meetings and conventions in Reno-Tahoe, log on to MeetRenoTahoe.com.

- Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority Staff

Many are not aware of the possibilities in Reno-Tahoe when it comes to pulling off the perfect meeting or convention.

We at the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority have heard meeting planners and executive directors from various organizations tell us about perceptions; how they have thought of our area as a small town with casinos and maybe a few hotel rooms with limited meeting space.

This perception could not be further from the truth; in fact Reno-Tahoe boasts the following meeting capabilities and activities for delegates:

• 20,000 hotel rooms with peak blocks up to 8,000 in as few as five hotels
• An international airport with one-stop access from most worldwide hubs and affordable rates with major airlines (Southwest, Delta, American, United…to name a few)
• Over 1 million GSF of meeting space including a 565,000 GSF Convention Center and a major convention hotel with 200,000 GSF
• All major convention hotels in Reno proper are within 5 miles of the airport and offer complimentary shuttle transportation
• Lake Tahoe is 45 minutes from the airport with very reasonable shuttle costs
• The Truckee River runs through the middle of downtown Reno and through Sparks, and features two kayak parks, a performing arts amphitheater, nightclubs, restaurants, shopping, casinos and much more
• The Legends at Sparks Marina destination retail center includes shopping and recreation, while visitors can also take advantage of beach activities, fishing, scuba diving and much more
• Mountain views from just about every room in town
• A thriving arts and culture scene; one legacy event, Artown, includes more than 300 events during the month of July
• Twenty-four hour nightlife, including music, nightclubs, casino action and live performance art
• Affordable food and beverage – about 35 percent lower – offering affordability from a cost standpoint
• A new Triple A baseball team the Reno Aces begins its first season in April in a brand new 10,000-seat baseball stadium in the heart of downtown Reno

This is a sample of what you can expect to find in our community and we look forward to providing you a full proposal to showcase what we have to offer. Those same meeting planners and executive directors selected Reno-Tahoe when they took the time to visit our destination…we hope you will be next!

- Tanna McTee, RSCVA National Sales Manager