Throughout the Reno-Tahoe area there are myriad choices for meeting planners looking for excellent spaces coupled with first-class lodging. In downtown Reno, a shining example of the “best of all worlds” for meetings is the Silver Legacy Resort Casino.

Located in the heart of downtown Reno among several resorts and an entertainment and shopping corridor, the Silver Legacy offers 1,720 luxury rooms. When combined with the other hotels in the tri-property complex (Circus Circus Reno and the Eldorado Hotel Casino) the number of available rooms jumps to 4,200.

With over 90,000 GSF of meeting space and a convenient location to 56,000 GSF of exhibit space at the Reno Events Center, the Silver Legacy is a favorite among meeting planners. Small and mid-size convention groups enjoy the opportunity to take over the downtown community and find themselves the “big event” in town.

The Silver Legacy can comfortably handle groups up to 3,000 people and offers an experiences services staff for any meeting planner’s needs.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino highlights:

• 1,720 Deluxe Rooms
• 28 unique restaurants (within the tri-properties complex)
• Complimentary self- and valet parking
• Complimentary airport shuttle (less than 5 miles from the airport)
• Walking distance to the Truckee River Arts District (three blocks)
• Walking distance to outdoor recreation, entertainment and museums
• Walking distance to the brand new Reno Aces Triple A baseball park
• Regularly scheduled A-list entertainment and an on-site comedy club

I could say more; however, a past customer best describes the service at Silver Legacy: “In all my years of association meeting planning, I have yet to run across a staff as efficient, courteous and professional as that of the Silver Legacy.” – The Rental Industry Association

I look forward to working with you to get proposals from our quality properties. Please call or e-mail me to discuss your RFP to tmctee@rscva.com or (775) 827-7798.

(This is the third 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

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