Reno Ropes in Three Large Association Shows
-- Tradeshow Week, 11/2/2009
Nevada's Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority announced it will host not one, not two, but three significant events starting in 2012, and, in at least one case, five more years after that.
The large conventions now set to take place in “The Biggest Little City in the World” will be the Wild Sheep Foundation's The Sheep Show, Feb. 7-9, 2013; the Northern California Volleyball Assn.'s Junior Volleyball Spring Tournament, Apr. 17-19 and Apr. 23-25, 2012; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Annual VFW Natl. Convention, July 21-26, 2012.
According to RSCVA, the events are expected to generate approximately 76,615 room nights in the city and attract nearly 115,000 visitors between 2012 and 2017.
Ellen Oppenheim, the bureau's president and CEO, said she thinks the Reno-Tahoe area will offer something for everyone at the meetings. “During these challenging economic times, it is significant that the RSCVA has landed these three pieces of repeat convention business,” she added. “We are excited to welcome these visitors to the destination and are working very hard to create the best possible experience for them.”
In the past, the city hosted various events for these associations, but two of the new contracts are for longer periods than previously expected.
The Wild Sheep Foundation's convention, which attracts around 5,000 attendees and previously was held in Reno 14 times, already was committed next year through 2012. Now, it will take place there through 2015. “Having a group book business for this length of time is extraordinary,” Oppenheim said.
Gray N. Thornton, WSF's president and CEO, said he chose to have the convention in Reno-Tahoe because of the city's focus on hospitality and its understanding of the conservation market. “The combined support of the RSCVA and the many hotel properties makes Reno the ideal place for The (Sheep Show)” he added. “We are very pleased to come home to Reno.”
The NCVA already was under contract in Reno for April 2011, but will bring its 15,000-participant tournament to Reno for six consecutive years after that.
As for the VFW, in 2006, it previously hosted its national convention, which typically attracts 10,000 attendees to the region.
