Vietnam Veterans of America will hold its 15^th biennial National Convention August 17-20 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Some eight hundred delegates from VVA chapters across the country are expected to join hundreds of other Vietnam veterans and guests in Reno. The delegates will set the organization’s course for the next two years, hear from an array of speakers, attend information sessions, and take part in special events. That includes the Awards Banquet, which honors Vietnam veterans and others in the arts, on Saturday evening, August 20.

“We have come a long way since our humble beginnings in 1978,” VVA President John Rowan said. “VVA today is a highly effective force on the national, state and local levels, acting on behalf of Vietnam veterans, their families, and all veterans. We’re proud of our accomplishments over the last 33 years, and we’ll celebrate the past as we work for the future in Reno.”

Richard Pimentel, the disabled Vietnam veteran who is one of the nation’s foremost disability rights advocates, will give the Keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday morning, August 17. Other special guests scheduled to take part in the Convention include Vietnam veteran Homer Hickam, the author of the acclaimed memoir Rocket Boys and many other books, and the actress, comedienne, and singer Vicki Lawrence, who entertained the troops in Vietnam. Hickam and Lawrence will receive VVA Excellence in the Arts Awards at the Convention’s culminating event, the Saturday Night Awards Banquet.

For more information visit http://www.vva.org/

Richard Pimentel, a disabled Vietnam veteran and one of the nation’s foremost disability rights advocates, is a brilliantly inspiring and moving speaker. He will give the Keynote Speech on August 17 at the Opening Ceremonies of VVA’s 15th National Convention. His remarkable life story was the subject of the Hollywood film, Music Within.

Pimentel suffered severe hearing loss after a Viet Cong rocket attack in 1968 and now strongly leads the advocates responsible for the congressional passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act.

The Convention will be held August 17-20 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. Eight-hundred delegates from VVA chapters across the country are expected to join hundreds of other Vietnam veterans and guests in Reno.

Other special guests scheduled to take part in the Convention include Vietnam veteran Homer Hickam, the author of the acclaimed memoir Rocket Boys, and the actress, comedienne and singer, Vicki Lawrence, who entertained the troops in Vietnam. Hickam and Lawrence will receive VVA Excellence in the Arts Awards at the Convention’s culminating event, the Saturday Night Awards Banquet.

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.

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