Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is proud of being chosen, once again, by the readers of Smart Meetings magazine as the winner of a 2010 Platinum Choice Award! This award is one of only one hundred given out each year. Atlantis was chosen from a field of hotels found within thirteen Western United States, Western Canada and all of Mexico, because of exceptional service, amenities, ambiance, technology and overall meeting satisfaction. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno has been the recipient of this prestigious award five years in a row!

Atlantis currently offers 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting, ballroom and convention space with new technologies catering to your every need. Atlantis’ meeting space exudes a cosmopolitan flair with a relaxing atmosphere of rich, warm colors and contemporary décor. State-of-the-art audio/video technologies including touch-screen total-room control, iPod docking stations to personalize any event and recessed equipment in every room means you never have to pack your projector again!

Atlantis’ new sky bridge connects its meeting space to the 500,000 sq. ft. Reno-Sparks Convention Center! The new bridge, a joint effort with the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, spans 650-feet and will keep you in the comfort of Atlantis’ inviting atmosphere. The bridge is 20-feet wide, on the inside, and is equipped with Janus Digital Displays.

With eight new break-out meeting rooms, a new Grand Foyer for pre function events, a registration counter and copious Janus Digital Displays, your event is sure to be a success. Our exquisite executive board room is perfect for private meetings with high-tech needs. Seating up to 24, the executive boardroom has a 103” Display, along with additional 65” TV’s, a custom built-in conference table with multiple touch-screen programmable launch pads, media plug-ins, document camera, hand-held total-room control and a private butler’s pantry with dedicated service area.

Voted Reno’s Best Special Events, for parties of 12 to 1,200, let our professional catering staff take care of all of the details. For more information on meeting packages or to schedule a site, call Atlantis Sales at (800) 994-5900 for details.

 Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is located on the strip at the corner of South Virginia and Peckham Lane, in the heart of Reno’s new shopping and dining district. Atlantis offers a variety of exceptional dining choices, world-class casino action, live entertainment, complimentary valet service and acres of free self-parking. Visit www.AtlantisCasino.com for information on events, tournaments, dining specials, online reservations and more. For more information call (775) 825-4700 or toll-free at (800) 723-6500.

Atlantis General Manager & Executive Vice President, Darlyne Sullivan was presented with the Industry Pride of the Year Award, at the International Women in Gaming Awards in London, England on Friday, September 24^th! The Industry Pride of the Year Award nominees were chosen from the entire field of nominees for seven awards, recognizing women as role models in the gaming industry.

Twenty-five women earned nominations for each of the seven awards, though only 56 were named as finalists. Darlyne was one of eight finalists for the Leader of the Year Award, but said she was surprised, and humbled, when she heard her name called as the recipient of the most prestigious award of the evening.

“I was stunned. But, I immediately thought about the team of 1,800 people back at Atlantis. This is not about me, it’s about the entire team here who made this possible. This is their award,” she said.

Darlyne was the only woman working in the United States to be awarded. The Women in Gaming Awards was created to highlight exceptional women in gaming, who offer proof that the industry provides exciting career opportunities for females throughout the world.

According to WiG, the Industry Pride Award is selected by the judges, from the finalists of seven categories, and goes to one exceptional woman whose vision, innovative approach and success make her an outstanding role model that will inspire more women to choose a career in Land based Gaming or I gaming industry.

See the complete list of winners here: http://www.gaming-awards.com/wigwinners2010.html

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is located on the strip at the corner of South Virginia and Peckham Lane, in the heart of Reno’s new shopping and dining district. Atlantis offers eight award-winning restaurants, world-class casino action, live entertainment, complimentary valet service and acres of free self-parking. Visit www.AtlantisCasino.com for information on events, tournaments, dining specials, online reservations and more. For more information call (775) 825-4700 or toll-free at (800) 723-6500.

-Ben McDonald

In an effort to help promote energy efficiency, Silver Legacy Resort Casino has made plans to switch the lighting on the world’s largest indoor mining rig into a new LED system.

This month, the old can and wash lights used to illuminate the dome above the mining rig will come down.  The lights generate 792,000 watts of power, while the new LED system will produce only 5,400 watts of power—a huge energy savings.

In addition to using less power, the new LED lighting system will not emit heat, which will help lower the cost of climate control in the casino.  Lifetime for the new LED lights is also approximately one hundred times greater than the old system.

It’s just another example of Reno Tahoe’s investment in green energy. No wonder we made the list of greenest U.S. cities.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino is making a statement with the final phase of a $15 million dollar renovation project.  As part of a commitment to reinvest in the overall property, Silver Legacy will begin to completely transform each of the guest rooms and suites into fresh new spaces with modern comforts July 2010.   

With soothing elements and a new status of comfort and luxury in mind, each of the new guest rooms and suites are designed to provide the perfect oasis for relaxation and modern amenities for functionality.  This fresh new makeover harnesses classic contemporary style with rich furniture finishes, sleek lighting and posh carpet and fabric textures in bold silver, red, brown and black shades.  Splashes of sophisticated décor will add to the warm, welcoming feeling each room will exude. 

“The new rooms are stunning,” says Gary Carano, general manager of Silver Legacy.  “This entire renovation project is a testament to our long-standing guest service reputation. We’re committed to reinvesting in the property and our guests comfort and enjoyment.  Giving our guests an amazing experience is the bottom line”. 

Other elements of comfort include new amenities and modern conveniences, such as easy-access outlets at our ergonomically designed desks and frameless mirrored closets.  New 32” LCD televisions provide a stunning focal point to each guest room, while 37” LCD televisions add sleek style to each spa suite. 

In addition to the haute new look, Silver Legacy is also providing a luxurious new feel with fine linens.  New bedding ensembles include triple sheeting, plush pillows, elegant damask throws and beautiful bolsters for high end comfort.  

In all, Silver Legacy will give 1,549 guest rooms and 143 spa suites a new look during this renovation.  The 10 penthouse suites were previously upgraded to reflect a classic style. 

Quick Facts about Silver Legacy Resort Casino Renovations

Here are a few quick facts on the transformation:

 -       Total Remodeled Guest Rooms: 1,549

 -       Total Remodeled Spa Suites: 143

 -       Total Cost of Project: $15 Million

 -       10 Penthouse Suites previously remodeled in classic style

 Hotel Facts:

 -       Top Name Entertainment and Nightlife: See national headliners in the Grande Exposition Hall—Bars, clubs and lounges including Aura Ultra Lounge, Rum Bullions Island Bar, Drinx Lounge, Silver Baron Lounge and Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club

 -       On Site Amenities Include: Health Spa, Pool, Concierge Services, LuLu Hair Salon, Executive Business Center, Parking and Shuttle Service, Hertz Rental Car, Shoe Shine

 -       Boutique Shopping: Harley-Davidson, Bijoux Turner, Tradewinds Casualwear, The Boutique, Carriage House, Ami Jewelers

 -       Dining Options Include: Sterling’s Seafood Steakhouse, Fairchild’s Oyster Bar, Flavor’s! The Buffet, Café Sedona, Fresh Express Food Court, Sips Coffee and Tea, Room Service

 -       Facilities Include: 50,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, outstanding catering services, wedding reception packages

 -       Largest Working Indoor Mining Rig simulating the silver mining process of Nevada’s Comstock era, 120 ft. tall in the center of the property under the world’s largest composite dome

 For more information on Silver Legacy Resort Casino and this renovation project, please visit us online or call 775.789.0490.

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