Reno Captures the Elks
-- Tradeshow Week, 6/9/2008
The Elks must like Reno, Nev. The city will host the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks' 2013 and 2017 Elks Natl. Conventions which, with its anticipated combined 40,000 room nights and $25.5 million in economic impact, will be the largest events ever held in the Reno-Lake Tahoe area, according to Mary Paoli, Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority communications manager.
The Elks held successful national conventions in Reno in 2002 and 2005, according to Dwayne Rumney, Elks Natl. Convention Commission chairman. In addition, the RSCVA recently signed a contract with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to host its annual convention and exposition at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in 2016. The foundation, previously contracted to host its 2010 and 2013 conventions in Reno, has held 10 of its past 24 annual conventions in Reno, most recently in February. Combined, the three upcoming Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation conventions are expected to create an economic impact of $11.4 million.
Paoli said the national Elks conventions typically draw about 9,000 attendees to an event that includes a 90,000 net square foot tradeshow.
According to the RSCVA, direct spending on local transportation, accommodations, dining, entertainment, gaming and retail is expected to produce an economic impact of $12 million in 2013 and $13.5 million in 2017. The Order of Elks will host meetings and functions at the Reno-Sparks CC, and plans to negotiate room blocks and convention space with up to seven hotel-casinos in Reno and Sparks.
Held each July, the Elks conventions will take place in Anaheim in 2008; Portland, Ore., in 2009; Orlando in 2010; Phoenix in 2011; and Austin, Texas in 2012.
RSCVA President and CEO Ellen Oppenheim said that one out of every six visitors to Washoe Country comes for a meeting, tradeshow or convention.
