The Governor’s Tourism Conference is broken. Can anybody fix it?
Tourism leaders were on the verge of staging the 25th annual event developed by then-Gov. Richard Bryan.
But when the financial walls began crumbling last year, it was decided that it didn’t make sense to stage such a costly event.
When Dann Lewis was hired this year to direct the Nevada Tourism Commission, one of the first things he did was review how to resurrect the state’s premiere tourism event. But he came to the same conclusion that others had last year: It was too expensive a proposition to bring back for 2009. “Appalled” was how Lewis described the way he felt about the event’s cost-to-benefits ratio.
Yet it’s also appalling that Nevada’s most important industry would be without a statewide gathering. Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, who heads the Tourism Commission, lobbied for some kind of “conference lite” that would be less expensive.
In the short time Lewis had to analyze the feasibility of such a plan, it was decided to pack it in for the second straight year as many are seeking solutions to difficult operational problems.
The conference has always been an opportunity for rural attractions’ representatives to network with one another and the big-city movers and shakers. The networking is likely to continue with the commission’s popular “Rural Roundup” programs that specifically target issues exclusive to small-town attractions.
But there still needs to be a statewide gathering.
As one who has attended several conferences, here’s one man’s opinion on some of the things that can be done to get an annual conference back on track:
Shorten it: Past conferences have run 2 1/2 days. Cutting the time from two nights in a hotel to one would cut that expense in half. At previous conferences one night was an “on your own” format that would allow people to explore the host venue on their own. Certainly, those who want to explore a place could do so before or after the show.
Broaden the organizational responsibilities: The Nevada Tourism Commission isn’t the only organization involved in the industry. Other groups can provide excellent resources. In addition to the major convention and visitors authorities that operate in the state, private grass-roots groups exist such as Save Nevada Tourism that organized when lawmakers were considering consolidating the Tourism Commission with the Economic Development Commission. A representative from various tourism stakeholders would assure the best possible program for a conference could be developed.
End the parties: Yes, cocktail gatherings are networking opportunities for some. But many view them as extravagances that shouldn’t be government-sponsored. If such a gathering is completely underwritten by a sponsor, this could be less of a problem, but the industry still must be conscious of its public image.
End the awards: Recognition is great, but it’s really not necessary at a gathering such as this. Cut the expense of developing awards and a dinner for the honorees. There are many other things more worthy of the money.
Don’t invite the inspirational speakers: Many “experts” and motivational speakers have been a part of past agendas. Some theories espoused by these so-called experts are right out of texts available at any good bookstore. If people want to read about them, great. Buy the book. But don’t waste time inviting people of this ilk to a Nevada soapbox.
Develop interactive panels: One of the best sessions I attended included a panel moderated by my pal, Mitch Fox, host of Vegas PBS’ “Nevada Week in Review.” There’s no shortage of issues within the tourism industry, and panels on them would enable industry leaders to exchange ideas and understand other viewpoints and strategies. Wouldn’t it be great for Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson to square off on the same stage to address gaming and tourism strategies?
Keep the top-notch, relevant speakers coming: Some critics have complained that the same old speakers are on the agenda every year, and people are growing tired of them. But if speakers are relevant and have new material, why not invite them to make a presentation? One frequent speaker has been Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. Because that industry is constantly changing, it’s important to have someone on top of those changes available as a speaker.
Conduct a commission meeting: In past conferences the Tourism Commission met before the opening of the event. If that meeting is incorporated into the conference, it would assure greater participation by industry representatives and let them meet commissioners. The agenda could include matters particularly relevant to those attending.
Change the name: The conference has had a great history and most of the state’s chief executives have been active participants. But with last and this years’ cancellations the event needs new blood, and Gov. Jim Gibbons hasn’t shown much enthusiasm. In fact, he led the charge for the failed bid to merge tourism with economic development, a plan leaders in both areas opposed. Legislators, however, saw the wisdom in keeping them separate and foiled Gibbons’ plans.
Southwest adding flights
After several months of slight declines and standing pat, McCarran International Airport will get some new flights from Southwest Airlines, which announced schedule changes for March heading into the spring and summer travel seasons.
Southwest will add 67 round-trip flights systemwide and eliminate 10 beginning March 14. Las Vegas gets six of the additions and loses none. All of the additions are to cities already served.
New round trips will include one each to Albuquerque for six total; Chicago’s Midway Airport (nine total); Indianapolis (three); Omaha, Neb. (three); Seattle (three); and St. Louis (four).
Chicago Midway fared best, getting 21 new round trips and losing none. Baltimore got 18 of the additions and lost none.
Philadelphia and Houston’s Hobby Airport fared the worst with a net loss of two round-trip flights each.
Hurting Reno-Tahoe International Airport picked up an additional round trip to Boise. Reno received its first nonstop service to and from Denver last month.
The new schedule is available for ticket purchases, and the current posted schedule runs through May 7.
Special event
What event on Las Vegas’ lengthy calendar of activities had the greatest economic effect on the city in the past year?
It wasn’t December’s National Finals Rodeo, the Super Bowl of professional bull and bronc riding and steer wrestling. And it wasn’t February’s NASCAR race, routinely the sporting event with the largest attendance in Nevada.
Neither had the horsepower to pass the U.S. Bowling Congress Open Championship, which brought 212,550 people to Las Vegas and left behind an estimated $120.4 million.
Pat Christenson, who gave Las Vegas Events’ quarterly statistical wrap-up at last week’s Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s board meeting, said even organizers were surprised by the turnout at Cashman Center.
The congress built a bowling alley at one of Cashman’s meeting halls, and bowlers arrived from across the country between February and July to roll competitively. Christenson said Las Vegas Events is putting in its bid to host the premiere event of amateur bowling in 2013 and 2014.
Christenson also said he has high hopes for the Las Vegas Rock ’N’ Roll Marathon on Dec. 6. The event has new management, and sponsors are expecting more than 20,000 runners, which would make it the largest marathon ever staged in Las Vegas.
Retirement plan navigator
A Web-based tool particularly helpful to small businesses is now online.
The Internal Revenue Service has created the IRS Retirement Plan Navigator, a form that helps guide users toward finding which tax-favored pension plan best suits their needs.
The site is at retirementplans.irs.gov and the navigator provides side-by-side comparisons of pension plans and their requirements. It outlines how to choose, maintain and correct a plan.
The IRS says although the site is geared toward small-business owners, it could also be helpful to midsized companies.
Richard N. Velotta covers tourism, technology and small business for In Business Las Vegas and its sister publication, the Las Vegas Sun. He can be reached at 259-4061 or at rick.velotta@lasvegassun.com.
A couple of good ideas here about the Governor's Conference and a couple of duds.
The good: shorten the event, eliminate insprational speakers (what did Deepak Chopra add? What did he even say?) and develop interactive panels.
The duds: conduct a Commission meeting (pure chloroform if your pet project isn't on the agenda), end the parties. END THE PARTIES!!?? They'd never get away with this, and not just because parties are the venue of choice for the hospitality industry but because they are the prime reason many attend -- not just for the booze and the canapes, but for the opportunity to schmooze, lobby and pitch their fellow attendees.
Another suggestion: add a Nevada Travel trade show for the general public to generate revenue for the event itself and to increase awareness of the travel and recreation opportunities around the state.
The Governor's Conference was compelling when they had Weidner speak on the panel with the other Vegas hoteliers. This was a panel that did not require money to make happen and it was the star powered discussion that provided insight into the back stories that everyone needed to understand. Sorry but hearing about how RENO is marketing is a joke. The big issue is that instead of spending money on so called gurus - how about getting the one thing that all hoteliers want to have with a trade show - BUYERS. If there is no one to buy your product, why attend especially if held in Reno. The Commission has become less and less relevant under the LT Governor. Can anyone name the leader of the organization? NO.
Pay for Buyers to show up like major events do and then we are talking. Have discussions that BUYERS want to be a part of then you have attendance. I could put this event on in a minute, but having a Commission who does not understand how to reach the key people who help this State go - mainly the travel buyers, meeting planners and convention planners -they will never hold a succesful conference.
Give the event to some one else to run and then you would see an event worth attending. Right now with budgets cut, hard to make a case for this event having any real merit.