Meeting News - May 19, 2008 - (Page 26)

Destination Insider: Reno-Lake Tahoe Event Report Reno Shines with a Trio of Venues in Tow With the debut of the new $25-million, 28,000-sf Reno Ballroom in January, Michele Godwin, marketing director for the California Tow Truck Association, believes she has found the right formula for even more success with the Western States Tow Show. The event has been held at various locations in Reno every May for the past nine years, attracting 2,000 tow truck company owners, managers, and drivers, many of whom bring along their families. “Our goal is for people to stay within [the Reno Ballroom] and not go back to the hotel, where they can get distracted,” said Godwin. “What we have done is schedule our morning meetings at the Reno Ballroom and then have a concession area for lunch right there (VIPs have their lunch in the executive boardroom at National Bowling Stadium). Then, everyone simply moves across the street to the Events Center for the afternoon trade show. This setup supports us in maintaining the attention of attendees and provides all the facilities we need.” The three-day show, with educational seminars and social functions, now has an effective informal complex, according to Godwin. The Reno Ballroom sits on one corner, with the Reno Events Center and National Bowling Stadium on adjacent corners. A half-block away are the hotels: the 1,720-room Silver Legacy Resort Casino, 817-room Eldorado Hotel Casino, and 1,572-room Circus Circus Reno. Streets are closed off for a few blocks around the facilities for the duration of the trade show, serving as exhibit space for the tow trucks. The blocked-off area holds a drivers competition and a recovery demonstration (of a flipped-over gas tanker truck), followed by a barbecue dinner. Grand Sierra Resort wants to brighten up meetings with its updated convention space. marks the completion of the $90-million first phase of a multi-year, $300-million project. Also included was a renovation that reconfigured the top 11 floors of the hotel into 825 condominium/guest suites with leather and suede upholstery, flat-panel TVs, and marble and granite surfaces. New additions to the restaurant and bar lineup include Charlie Palmer Steak, Fin Fish, Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante, the non-smoking Reserve wine bar, Nikki Beach Poolside late-night club, and All City Live nightclub. New Owner to Expand Homewood Resort JMA Ventures, the new owner of Homewood Mountain Resort, recently announced that it will add a pedestrian village, mid-mountain lodge, gondola, and underground parking over the next few years. The village, to be located at the northern end of Lake Tahoe, will have a 50-room boutique hotel, spa, rink, swimming pool, and amphitheater. H —Section written by Heidi Waldrop Bay Following a new 600-room tower, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno continues revamp. continued from page 24 The two resorts have also signed a contract with Edgewood Golf Course next door to provide waterfront function space for special events. raised Peppermill’s convention space to 102,000 sf. Peppermill’s expansion continues with plans to open a Tuscan garden, with cabanas, Jacuzzis, and three pools, in July. The garden will also serve as an outdoor setting for private events. Three new facilities will open in the fall: a three-story spa/salon, a new nightclub, and a Caribbean steakhouse. Renovations have also begun on the resort’s existing accommodations, with plans to complete the project floor by floor over the next year. One Down, More to Come at Peppermill: $400M 1st Phase Brings 600-Room Tower The first phase of a $400-million expansion and renovation at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino was completed in December, and more upgrades and new amenities are expected to come on line in phases over the next year. The centerpiece of the first phase is a new Tuscan-themed tower, which includes 600 suites that bring the total room count to 1,635, and a 62,000sf ballroom. The clear-span Tuscany Ballroom has 26 MeetingNews May 19, 2008 Grand Sierra’s First-Phase Transformation Reaps Convention Space, F&B Advances The 1,995-room Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno finishes a $3.5-million update to its 200,000sf of convention space this month. The project continued from page 20 opened at Northstar-at-Tahoe Village on Tahoe’s North Shore, will teach groups of up to 30 the art of “sushiology” in a private, classroom-style setting. Back of the House Culinary Adventures, a cooking school that opened in downtown Reno last February, offers private classes for up to 12 people, including a teambuilding event based on the popular Hell’s Kitchen television show. The venue can also host a reception for up to 50. www.meetingnews.com Photo: Reno-Tahoe http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - May 19th, 2008

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