During its May 24th meeting, the RSCVA Board of Directors unanimously approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2018–2019, which begins July 1st. Included are significant investments for needed capital improvements, and increased funding for marketing and supporting new air service. Funding for the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) increased to $4 million to support necessary facilities maintenance and improvements at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. As part of next fiscal year’s budget, increased funding will be earmarked for promotional programs to help launch and support new air service to Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Another $830,000 is being added to advertising and marketing campaigns in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the target markets of Seattle and the Los Angeles basin. May proved to be another successful month for our convention sales efforts, as the RSCVA sales department reported it has reached 114% of its annual goal for future booked group room nights, now at 260,000. Over the last 18 months, new regional sales offices have opened in Chicago, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Sacramento. This expansion of the sales department has been instrumental in driving recent convention sales growth, helping to surpass our annual goal with one full month remaining in the fiscal year to further sales achievements. Reno Tahoe experiences typically 500,000–550,000 net convention room nights consumed in any given year—with over half usually generated through RSCVA efforts. Other news from around the RSCVA and our great destination appears below. We hope you and your family enjoy your summer, and thanks for your continued engagement with the RSCVA.
NATIONAL BOWLING STADIUM HOSTING 2018 USBC WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2018 United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships continues at the National Bowling Stadium through Saturday, June 30th, increasing our region’s exposure as a top sports event destination.
USBC Executive Director, Chad Murphy, has reported 4,460 team registrations forecasted during this event, an 18% increase over their 2015 turnout in Reno, then with 3,760 teams. The event is expected to attract more than 17,000 bowlers, friends and family members to the Reno Tahoe area.
DRAFT LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM APPROVED FOR 2019 SESSION
The Draft Legislative Platform for the 2019 Legislative Session has been unanimously approved by the RSCVA Board of Directors. Some of the RSCVA’s priorities for the 80th Nevada Legislative Session are focused on maintaining, growing, and enhancing the region’s tourism and hospitality industry. In conjunction with the RSCVA’s existing efforts, this includes the possible expansion of convention facilities to meet future demand and the growing expectations of the destination’s convention customers, improving transportation infrastructure in and out of the area, and opposing efforts to divert existing room tax revenues away from the promotion of the region.
SMG BEGINS OPERATIONS
SMG is now managing day-to-day operations of four public facilities, including the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, National Bowling Stadium and the Reno Events Center. Being the world’s largest professional operator of convention centers, athletic stadiums, theaters and entertainment venues, SMG will be a welcomed addition to the tourism landscape of northern Nevada and the Truckee Meadows.
SMG’s food service division, SAVOR will soon begin operations of all aspects of concession, banquet and food service at the previously named facilities, bringing new menus, tastes and quality to our facility offerings and to the palates of our guests.
RENO-SPARKS CONVENTION CENTER REMODEL
Over 30,000 square yards of new carpet is being installed now at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. It has been 18 years since the carpet has been replaced at the 39th largest convention center in the country and it is long overdue for replacement. New, fresh paint schemes and signage round out this extensive project, scheduled to be completed well in time for the arrival of Interbike in September.
In the capital improvement plan for next fiscal year is new LED trade show lighting for the entire 382,000 square foot exhibit hall(s). New lighting will greatly improve the brightness of our facility and, at the same time, save on energy costs, as the modern fixtures are very efficient.
CHINA READY
As part of our China Tourism Initiative, we are preparing our destination here in northern Nevada to begin welcoming Chinese visitors. Why is this market segment important? Last year, 122 million Chinese citizens traveled abroad globally. 200 million are expected to do so by 2020.
From China, over 49,000 nonstop airline seats disembark on America’s west coast in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles—every week! Many of these visitors want to see the wide-open spaces of Nevada.
To prepare our hospitality community for this new market segment, we are conducting a “China-ready” workshop on July 10th at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center beginning at 8:30 a.m. Topics to be covered include China market update, payment methods and solutions for the Chinese customer and vendor, signage, translation, and how to welcome, serve and market to the Chinese visitor.
Guest speakers include representatives from China UnionPay, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Jeenie Translation Services App, PHG Consulting, and others.
If you’re interested in attending, contact Executive Director of Tourism Sales Art Jimenez at ajimenez@renotahoeusa.com.