Reno-Tahoe announced this week it will bring a unique event to Reno in 2011 when the American International Choral Festival comes to the Sierra. In conjunction with the event, a partnership has been created with a regional arts festival. The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority is also providing marketing support (including the press event pictured here) to help make the festival a success.

More information:

This event is part of a worldwide series of choral events produced by INTERKULTUR and marks the second time the event will take place in the United States.
Based on participation at other events, INTERKULTUR anticipates the event will draw approximately 3,000 singers to the destination with half of the choirs competing representing Asia, Europe and other regions of the world.

The RSCVA estimates the festival will generate approximately 6,000 room nights.

“We are extremely pleased to have been selected as the host city for the American International Choral Festival – Reno Tahoe 2011,” said RSCVA President and CEO Ellen Oppenheim. “The event will provide Reno exposure in international markets while giving local residents another great cultural event.”

In addition to choral competitions, the event is designed to expose international visitors to the destination and its world-class amenities.  Competitions will take place at the University of Nevada, Reno campus while public concerts for local residents and visitors will take place in the downtown corridor.

The RSCVA is collaborating with Artown to host the Festival due to the rich arts and culture nature of the event. Artown’s mission is to strengthen Reno’s arts industry, foster its civic identity and enhance its national image, thereby creating a climate for the cultural and economic rebirth of the region.

Kids and young adults from all over the world poured into Reno-Tahoe for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair last month, and took home more than ribbons and kudos.

The fair, a gathering of the who’s who among young aspiring scientists, was held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on May 10-16, where everything from environment exhibits to homemade robots were on display, while thousands of young people, parents, teachers and chaperones all took part in the excitement. The Reno-Tahoe community welcomed the young geniuses with open arms and worked hard to make their visit memorable. Check out this video to get a sense of the excitement surrounding the event:

We eagerly anticipate the opening of the Legends at Sparks Marina on June 18.  This destination retail center adds dozens of shops and restaurants – from flagship stores to independent retailers – and another great resource for hosting Reno-Tahoe meetings.

Phase 1 of the Legends at Sparks Marina will add to the already successful operation of Scheels, the World’s Largest All Sports Store (265,000 GSF of space including an indoor Ferris Wheel).

This project is a great location for planners to create unique opening receptions, dinners, off-site functions and activities. The beautiful landscape creates a fun environment with waterfalls, plazas, firepits and history all within a 15-minute bus ride of major convention hotels.

The concept of Legends is to provide a comfortable, unique environment for shoppers; a place where people come to experience the setting and possibly pick up a few necessities while they are enjoying themselves.  Why the name “Legends” you ask? The developer has incorporated Northern Nevada legends in the design; you will find a statue of Mark Twain, sculptures depicting the area, a water feature celebrating the Pony Express, depictions of the Reno Air Races and much more.

In addition to the fun atmosphere, guests will enjoy quality shopping with more than 50 percent of the development accommodating outlet shopping (Saks Off 5th, Banana Republic, Bose, Guess, Lane Bryant, etc.) and when guests are ready to rest their feet they can enjoy a meal or their favorite cold/hot beverage – there are plenty of dining establishments to meet a variety of tastes and budgets.  Whet your whistle at the Cadillac Ranch and try your hand at pool, bowling or the electronic bull; enjoy great music and food at Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen or grab a sandwich at Subway and slip outside to watch the sunset …

In future phases the Legends at Sparks Marina will offer a 13-screen movie complex featuring IMAX, more restaurants, family activities and expanded opportunities for our region’s guests.

The dedicated sales staff at the Reno-Sparks Convention Visitors Authority is ready to help book your meeting in Reno and show you how the Legends at Sparks Marina will provide an affordable option for various elements of your event.

Please call or e-mail to discuss your meeting to rnichols@rscva.com or (775) 827-7798.

- Robyn Nichols, RSCVA National Sales Manager

Whether you are looking for a great resort experience, a place to experience it all from fine dining, gaming and nice accommodations, or the perfect location for just about any size meeting, the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno fits the bill.

The nearly 2,000-room casino-resort is a favorite among meeting planners who want to keep their large meetings under one roof. With 200,000 GSF of meeting space, movie theaters, bowling center, grand theater, driving range, virtual golf and shopping on property, guests will never have to leave. The Grand Sierra is perfect for mid-size groups requiring large room blocks and meeting space. The property in within 2 miles of the airport and situated on a parcel of land that provides outdoor exhibit space and thrill rides. This property recently underwent a $90 million dollar renovation adding new amenities and a fresh look to an already great property.

Following are some additional highlights:

• 1,993 deluxe guest rooms
• Nine unique dining establishments including Charlie Palmer Steak
• Complimentary self/valet parking
• Complimentary airport shuttle (less than 2 miles from the airport)
• Close proximity to a variety of outdoor and indoor venues
• Property offers everything from shopping to bowling
• Night club and country western dance hall

The Grand Sierra Resort offers quality, value and service for large and small convention groups; do not hesitate to consider this location 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 sixth in an occasional series profiling Reno-Tahoe properties’ meeting and convention amenities)

- Tanna McTee, RSCVA National Sales Manager

ShareThis