Tahoe-Reno entities collaborate to bring meetings to region
By Bill O’Driscoll, Reno Gazette-Journal
Nineteen area hotels, events centers and tourism agencies are pooling marketing resources to bring in corporate meeting planners for free in hopes of landing their business.
Dubbed “Come see. Fly free,” the campaign will provide round-trip transportation, lodging, meals and a customized site inspection to one person per company planning a convention or other business meeting.
“This program will make the very important site-selection process much easier, affordable and comprehensive for meeting planners nationwide,” said John Leinen, vice president of convention sales at the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.
The RSCVA has committed $30,000 to the program, spokesman Ben McDonald said, but he did not divulge the total pool, saying it includes “proprietary” marketing money from co-op members, some of which are private businesses.
But if the outlay for a visit results in a meeting or convention booked, he said, then the host hotel will pay back the co-op, created several years ago, for the costs incurred.
Tahoe-Reno Co-op Members
Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority
North Lake Tahoe Resort Association
Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Circus Circus Reno
Eldorado Hotel-Casino
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
Harrah’s Reno
Hyatt Lake Tahoe
John Ascuaga’s Nugget
National Bowling Stadium
Peppermill Resort Casino Spa
Reno Ballroom
Reno Events Center
Reno-Sparks Convention Center
Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center
Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Silver Legacy Resort Casino