Friday, January 10, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Teamwork considered key to LV convention business

Strong cooperation between the business community and the organization charged with promoting tourism in Southern Nevada has made Las Vegas one of the nation's top convention destinations, officials said Wednesday during the American Gaming Summit.

"In order to become a successful convention destination, you have to be in full partnership with the resort community or major industry in (a) particular destination," said Manny Cortez, president and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "They provide the infrastructure that allows us to sell the destination."

Cortez said conventions and trade shows generated about 15 percent of local tourism revenue last year, a figure he hopes will increase to 20 percent to 25 percent once new hotel rooms and convention centers come on line at resorts such as Mandalay Bay, The Venetian and Le Reve.

Such growth wouldn't be possible without local hotel-casino operators, retailers, restaurants and transportation companies working together for the market's common good, said Cortez, who spoke at the Rio.

Convention business had an estimated nongaming economic impact of $4.85 billion in 2001, the convention authority said.

Patti Shock, chairwoman of the tourism and convention department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Harrah College of Hotel Administration, said local businesses help make the city more attractive to convention planners by typically offering low-cost hotel rooms, regular air service and an exciting atmosphere.

While Las Vegas is poised to grow as a convention market, two other cities with a heavy gaming presence are facing different challenges.

Jeff Beckelman, who lured conventioneers to The Venetian's Sands Expo and Convention Center before he left to became executive director of the Reno-Sparks Convention Authority nearly two years ago, said Reno is fighting to stave off competition from Indian casinos, a poor economy and "an image that it's tired and old." The Northern Nevada city hopes hosting small-scale conventions will help fill its hotel rooms until its leisure travel market can recover.

Atlantic City's casinos have traditionally been reluctant to set aside rooms for conventions and trade shows, particularly during busy summer and weekend periods, said Jeffrey Vasser, executive director of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.

These days, however, the once-reluctant host is banking on conventions to enhance its image as a well-rounded destination, Vasser said.