Tourism conference called off for second straight year

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The annual conference, which was tentatively set for Las Vegas in December, brought together the big stars and bit players of Nevada's tourism industry.

Nevada Commission on Tourism budget cuts were the reason for this year's cancellation, said Bethany Drysdale, public relations specialist for the NCOT.

Last year's convention, scheduled for the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, was cancelled less than a week before its opening because it was to be held at the same time the Legislature was to meet in a special session to deal with the state's budget crisis.

"When all of the budgets were decided for the biennium, the tourism budget was basically cut in half," Drysdale said. "So we had to get rid of everything that was not absolutely essential in promoting tourism and bringing visitors to the state ..."

The conference will return in 2010 in some form, said Krolicki, who is also the chairman of the NCOT.

"We are currently revisiting what makes the most sense for an annual, everyone-invited type of conference," Krolicki said. "We have been advised to do that. Some of our (NCOT) commissioners are with large gaming companies in this state and nation and we will have that (new concept for conference) unveiled hopefully early next year."

NCOT saved more than $235,000 by cancelling last year's conference in Reno and expected to save more than that this year by not going to Las Vegas. The 2007 conference, held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, had a budget of more than $322,000.

"The conference has not paid for itself in the past," Krolicki said. "It was my opinion and the opinion of others that having a conference that costs six figures was not feasible given the serious economic climate. We need to watch every precious penny."

Nevada gaming, a major draw for statewide tourism, has seen its revenues decline for 20 consecutive months. Washoe County's gaming win has decline for 26 consecutive months.

There are no plans to cancel the annual Rural Roundup, an NCOT sponsored conference for the gaming industry outside of Reno and Las Vegas, Krolicki said.

"One of the key tourism missions we have is with rural Nevada, so that (Rural Roundup) will continue to happen," Krolocki said.

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