Reno-Tahoe

26th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo
March 4-7, 2010 Reno-Sparks Convention Center

The Expo Hall at the Elk Camp is a great way to spend time with family and friends, as you experience a wilderness adventure as you enter our extensive hall filled with nearly 400 exhibits. Roam through fantastic exhibits of custom rifles, hunting accessories, outdoor gear and unique handcrafted art. You can even scout out the hunt of your dreams.

The World Record Elk display is definitely something you won’t want to pass by. This is your chance to see some of the world’s biggest bulls.

World Elk Calling Championships will be held on Saturday, March 6th with preliminaries on Friday, March 5th. When the world’s best callers get together, things get exciting, so come experience this incredible competition and choose your own favorite, or grab your tube to squeal, grunt and bellow with the best.

If your interested in learning more about everything elk, stop by the Spike Camp Hunting Seminars, and learn how to hone your hunting skills as some of America’s best known outdoor enthusiasts share their latest tips on bow hunting, horse packing, marksmanship, calling wildlife, cooking and more!

Don’t miss out on the Interactive Area, which includes everything from a Kids Camp to the Archery Range to the LaserShot Shooting System, this addition to the Exhibit Hall has something to entice everyone. The Reno Fly Shop will provide fly casting instructions for the entire family. And on Friday and Saturday, you can lean how to pack your horse or mule at the Packing Clinic.

General Admission tickets may be purchased in the lobby during show hours.
General Admission
Members Non-members
Daily Individual Pass $10 $12
Daily Family Pass $20 $25
Kids 5 and under FREE FREE

Exhibit Hall Hours
Thursday, March 4, 2010 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 5, 2010 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 6, 2010 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 7, 2010 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

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

When they are not in meetings, The Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe communities have plenty to do for convention delegates. Following are some highlights of some of the great attractions in our community:

National Automobile Museum

More than 200 antique, vintage, classic and special interest vehicles in authentic street scenes; roam in a fun setting and enjoy four-wheeled icons, like the 1953 Corvette convertible once owned by John Wayne.

Nevada State Historical Society

Nevada’s oldest museum – artifacts here describe Nevada’s native people, first explorers, the discovery of silver and gold and the emergence of ranching and gaming industries.

Nevada Museum of Art

This is Northern Nevada’s center for the visual arts and the centerpiece of the Truckee River Arts District. The Nevada Museum of Art showcases diverse creations on four levels. Exhibits include regional artists and national shows such as “Andy Warhol’s Dream America.” Additionally, groups can use this beautiful backdrop to host opening receptions, small dinner parties or meetings.

National Bowling Stadium

Known as the “Taj Mahal of Tenpins,” the National Bowling Stadium features 80 lanes, a 10,000 GSF concourse and professional staff.  This amazing facility has hosted social events up to 2,000 guests including dinner, music and an evening of fun.

Reno Events Center

This facility is used for everything from tradeshows to rodeos and acts as Reno’s premier concert venue.  Enjoy performances from popular artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, Journey and Rob Thomas.

Reno Livestock Event Center

Take in one of the featured equine and rodeo events or consider hosting one of your own. Many groups have used the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center for special events. We have Destination Management Companies who will help to arrange a rodeo just for you!

Shopping

The new Legends at Sparks Marina opened in August and has become a favorite of visitors. This beautifully landscaped project showcases water features, fireplaces and statues of the area’s legends.  Additionally, you will find the 248,000 GSF Scheels All Sports Store, Saks Off 5th, Nike Outlet and much more.  The Summit Sierra Mall is a beautiful lifestyles mall with featuring Dillard’s, Orvis and 70 other stores.  The Summit has redefined the art of high-end shopping.  Looking for something a little more eclectic or boutique shopping? Enjoy the Riverwalk in downtown Reno where unique shops can be found; a few steps farther and you will be on California Avenue featuring a fun mix of stores from the Kaliforia Jean Bar to Planet Blue.  These are just a few of the fun locations our guests will enjoy if shopping is what they are looking for!

Dining

In the Reno area you will find the chain restaurants you are familiar with PF Chang’s, Outback Steakhouse and Red Lobster. However, look a little closer and you will find some fun, unique and offbeat dining opportunities.  Enjoy something from the menu at the Stonehouse Cafe. El Adobe, features fantastic margaritas and traditional Mexican fare in a fun atmosphere. Francis’ Asian Bistro includes sushi and Asian Fusion meals. Dine outside for a spectacular view of Reno. The list could go on and on there are one-of-a-kind restaurants in all local casino properties and many more hidden gems around Reno.  During your convention we provide attendees with a dining guide and maps to help them easily find the tasty delights in and around the Reno area.

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.

Not only is Reno the perfect place to hold your government meeting (or any meeting for that matter), it is also an affordable option.

We are thankful the government is more interested in return on investment and ensuring that quality meetings at an affordable location are the most important issue at hand.

Please see the attached letter authored by Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) addressing the idea that affordability and function are the two most important issues for government (and again, all) meetings. You can have a fun, exciting and attractive destination with reasonable contract conditions, affordable rates, amazing views and quality facilities.

Give us a call or send an email and let us prepare a proposals designed to meet all of your needs – tmctee@rscva.com or (775) 827-7798.

- Tanna McTee, RSCVA National Sales Manager

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

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Meeting in Reno-Tahoe has gotten a lot easier with the addition of the new Sky Bridge connection the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa with the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

The 1,000-room property boasts Reno’s only concierge hotel tower and has recently undergone a meeting space transformation as well as a room renovation.

The Atlantis added meeting space bringing the total to 47,000 GSF and in January 2009 and unveiled the fully enclosed Sky Bridge connecting to the 565,000 GSF Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The high-tech Executive Boardroom has quickly become a jewel of the new meeting space and when paired with the 14,261 GSF Ballroom and flexible breakout space it is the perfect size for meetings from 10-500 people. When paired with the Reno-Sparks Convention Center the possibilities are endless.

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa highlights:

• 1,000 Deluxe Rooms
• 10 award-winning restaurants
• Complimentary self/valet parking
• Complimentary airport shuttle (less than 3 miles from the airport)
• Close proximity to a plethora of dining and shopping opportunities
• 3 miles to the Truckee River Arts District
• Featuring the new Spa at Atlantis … you have to see it to believe it, and then experience it!

The Atlantis has been very successful with small- to mid-size corporate and association business. Customers have been overjoyed with the new additions and amenities calling them a welcome addition to Reno.

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

(This is the fourth in an occasional series profiling Reno-Tahoe properties’ meeting and convention amenities)

- Tanna McTee, RSCVA National Sales Manager

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