The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) is pleased to welcome the 2010 Wild Sheep Foundation’s Annual Sheep Show to Reno Tahoe USA.

“The Wild Sheep Foundation has strong roots in our destination and we are thrilled to officially open this year’s exhibition and show,” said RSCVA President and CEO Ellen Oppenheim. “We look forward to kicking off this long-term partnership and fulfilling it to mutual benefit for many years to come.”

The Wild Sheep Foundation recently signed an agreement to bring its convention and international sporting expo, “Sheep Show,” to Reno for six years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

“We are looking forward to a great week in Reno Tahoe,” said Gray N. Thornton, Wild Sheep Foundation president and CEO. “This year we are expecting increased attendance from last year. We welcome Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe enthusiasts to visit this years show. The event is open to the public and the cost to attend is $15.”

The Wild Sheep Foundation estimates its event will generate 5,000 hotel room nights annually. The organization also estimates that more than 5,000 participants will attend the show. The hotel partners for the January 30 – February 8, 2010 convention are the Silver Legacy Resort Casino and the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. The 2010 event marks the 15th time the group has visited Reno. It is the first time the group will utilize the Reno-Sparks Convention Center because the group has grown in size.

“We selected Reno Tahoe because the destination is focused on hospitality and understands the conservation market,” said Thornton. “The combined support of the RSCVA and the many fine hotel properties makes Reno the ideal place for the Wild Sheep Foundation Convention and International Sporting Expo. We are very pleased to come home to Reno.”

Hours of the show are:
Thurs. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Show is open to the public. Membership in the Wild Sheep Foundation is not required.
Day Pass $15 per person
Membership special is $45

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