Reno on a roll

It was once a divorce capital and then a second-string Vegas. But today, Reno, Nevada is showing a strong hand with upgraded hotels, an active arts district and popular new nightspots that are helping make it attractive not only for leisure travelers but also for meeting and convention-goers.

For the later, the city is counting on its natural setting among mountains, lakes and high desert to attract more convention-goers who want to get away after a work day behind closed doors in the city.

“With the advent of Native American gaming, especially in California, older gaming destinations like Las Vegas and Reno have had to reinvent themselves and put an emphasis on something more than casinos,” Knud Syendsen, vice president of sales and marketing for the Reno/Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, told Meetings West. He added:

“In our case, we realized that we have this great outdoor playground all around us, with plenty of things to do year-round. And there’s plenty to do after-hours, as Reno has always been an entertainment hub.”

The area is going after meetings like never before, he said. The convention center was recently expanded to 565,000 square feet.

“We intend to grow our national business, while still remaining a favorite destination for groups from California and the Pacific Northwest,” Svendsen said.

At the same time, tourism officials say Reno will remain an affordable destination.

The city’s centerpiece has long been the Truckee River Whitewater Park, where rafters and kayakers can tackle the rapids without leaving town. Lining both banks of the river is the rapidly evolving Truckee River Arts District, where an increasing array of art galleries, restaurant and nightclubs have appeared in recent years.

Among the changes taking place in Reno is the $450 million redevelopment of the former Reno Hilton, which was renamed the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino following its purchase last year by Grand Sierra Resort Corp.

“Reno is reinventing itself by becoming much more than a gaming destination and is capitalizing on all the things there are to do here,” said Richard Langlois, executive vice president of sales and marketing for the 145-acre property. “We’re doing the same thing at the resort—just on a smaller scale.”

The Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa has embarked on a $50 million expansion. Scheduled for completion next year, it will include a pedestrian skywalk connecting the property to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The resort is also adding 27,000 square feet of meeting space, doubling its current amount.

Report by David Wilkening