INTEL: Room taxes up in fiscal ’14, data show

In a preliminary report, room tax is up 4.8 percent to $34.4 million for fiscal year 2014 year-to-date.

The figure represents room tax collected in June and July and is calculated by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

In fiscal year 2013, actual room tax totaled $203 million, slightly less than the budgeted amount, $210 million. Totals are based on hotel activity from June through May each year.

Room tax is the primary revenue stream for the travel authority.

Las Vegas’ own sports nutrition brand is at it again.

Xyience recently released three new sports nutrition products, and they’re not energy drinks. The company is expanding its line again with an Advanced Protein Complex, Pre-Workout Booster and Thermogenic Fat Burner.

“At Xyience, our research team is constantly using the latest scientific research to develop formulas that meet the stringent performance needs of some of the world’s most elite athletes, while still appealing to a broad range of fitness enthusiasts,” said Tom Gourley, supplement division sales manager.

The brand’s flagship product is Xenergy, the official energy drink of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

If you’ve ever wanted to get into the rare-book game, now’s your chance.

Bauman Rare Books inside the Grand Canal Shoppes is hosting free introductions on what makes a book rare and how they’re authenticated and valued. Experts also will give collecting tips.

The classes take place at 4 p.m. each Friday and Saturday in September.

Bauman Rare Books has three locations nationwide, in New York City, Philadelphia and Las Vegas.

Hey entrepreneurs, Pack Expo is almost here.

The trade show features packaging and processing methods and materials from 1,600 exhibiting companies. If you need to figure out how to package your product, this is the place. There’s an education component, too, that focuses on topics from technology and food safety.

The show runs from Sept. 23 to 25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and costs $60 to attend. Admission for spouses is free.

Electric cars were recently unleashed on the Orlando, Fla., tourism industry.

Earlier this month, Drive Electric Orlando rolled out its initiative to get tourists driving electric cars. The Nissan Leaf vehicles are offered through Enterprise Rent-A-Car at its Orlando International Airport location. There are more than 300 electric charging stations throughout Orlando to support this program.

The city is one of Las Vegas’ biggest competitors, as it gets about 57 million visitors each year.

“Orlando’s visitors now have an opportunity to try out an exciting technology while saving time, saving money and making a difference,” said Robbie Diamond, president and CEO of the Electrification Coalition, which is leading the Drive Electric Orlando effort. “We see this program as Orlando’s newest and smartest ride, a program that lets visitors see all that Orlando has to offer while leaving the gas pump behind.”

Several hotel partners, including The Peabody Orlando and Renaissance Orlando, offer free recharging for Drive Electric Orlando participants along with valet parking service. The Orange County Convention Center also offers several free charging stations for meeting attendees.

Contact reporter Laura Carroll at 702-380-4588 or lcarroll@reviewjournal.com. Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.