Meeting planning can be a little like herding cats – it’s a special calling for those individuals who have the perfect balance of patience, attention to detail … and humor.

The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority has launched a new promotion that we hope will inspire meeting planners to consider Reno-Tahoe for their meetings, and get a chuckle or two in the process.

The “Meeting Planners’ Recession Survival Guide” offers meeting planners a big incentive – as much as $10,000 if we can’t meet or beat competing cities’ rental fees at our public facilities (some of the best facilities in the meetings industry, we are proud to say) – while poking fun at the sometimes “challenging” role that meeting planners play. Check out our Web site at www.PlannerSurvival.com to see some fun pictures and quips (like “Meeting planners who choose other venues are often subject to ridicule,” or “Next year, no open bar for the engineers”), along with information about Reno-Tahoe as a meetings and conventions destination.

For those of you who have already gotten turned on to Twitter (and for the rest, it’s just a matter of time), we have launched a complimentary Twitter account at Twitter.com/PlannerSurvival. Follow us and we promise to give you a laugh or two during your workweek – at least we will try.

For complete information Reno-Tahoe’s facilities, transportation and other visitor amenities, we also invite you to visit our Web site at VisitRenoTahoe.com, or follow our general visitor Twitter stream at Twitter.com/RenoTahoe.

We know planning a meeting is a sometimes-scary proposition … and we’re here to help.

The world’s brightest young minds from more than 50 countries gathered this week in Reno-Tahoe to showcase the future of science, math and engineering.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, 2009, brought more than 1,600 young scientists, their families and friends to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for the world’s largest science, math and engineering competition. With more than $4 million in prize money at stake, these young geniuses pulled out all the stops, showing off everything from advanced robots to homegrown biology studies.

The Intel ISEF is the world’s only international science fair representing all life sciences for high-school level students. These students push the boundaries of science research and are poised to lead the world into the next generation of discovery, growth and prosperity. On the Web

Downtown Reno is the bustling epicenter of our region, featuring thousands of conveniently located rooms, modern facilities and after-hours amenities like a Triple A baseball park (home of the Reno Aces), a Riverwalk region, and countless cafes, restaurants and nightclubs.

In the heart of downtown Reno, the 928-room Harrah’s Reno offers a tradition of service steeped in history. Bill Harrah opened the original Harrah’s Club in 1946 and to this day Harrah’s boasts a loyal customer base due to years of service and an impeccable reputation.

Harrah’s is perfect for groups needing 24,000 GSF of flexible meeting space, using the Downtown Reno Events Center/Downtown Ballroom or as an overflow property for citywide groups. Harrah’s is the closest hotel to the brand new Aces’ stadium and the city’s entertainment district, and within a few blocks of the Truckee River, arts district, National Automobile Museum (Bill Harrah’s Collection) and much more. Meeting planners who select Harrah’s will find a dedicated staff ready to meet their needs with impeccable service.

Harrah’s Reno highlights:

• 928 deluxe rooms
• Seven unique restaurants and cafes
• Complimentary self/valet parking
• Complimentary airport shuttle (less than 3 miles from the airport)
• Close proximity to a variety of outdoor and indoor venues
• Heart of downtown Reno with plenty of cultural and recreational offerings
• Sammy’s Showroom with nightly entertainment

Harrah’s provides quality, value and service in a downtown setting; do not hesitate to consider this gem when looking at Reno for your next meeting. I am ready to help you with proposals from any of our quality properties. Please call or e-mail to discuss your RFP to tmctee@rscva.com or (775) 827-7798.

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

- Tanna McTee, RSCVA National Sales Manager