Reno-Tahoe

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

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