This edition of the RSCVA Executive Update is intended to provide highlights of the August 24th RSCVA Board of Directors meeting, as well as other relevant news from the past month. Celebrating a record year in tourism, the RSCVA continues to build on that momentum, booking the largest trade show ever to convene in Reno Tahoe. Interbike, the 66th-largest trade show held in the USA begins a five-year consecutive September schedule of conventions in Reno, Sparks and North Lake Tahoe, drawing 23,000 people annually.
In addition, the RSCVA has launched two new websites. VisitRenoTahoe.com is all-new, with a focus on Reno Tahoe’s reinvented brand, logo and messaging. This site is geared toward the consumer, and highlights hotels, dining, entertainment and meeting amenities throughout the destination. Also launched within the last month, RSCVA.com houses information that would not prove useful to the average traveler, including public meetings information, the RSCVA budget and general hotel statistics.
August was a very exciting month for us at the RSCVA! We are thankful for the support of the Reno Tahoe community, and all those who allow us to continue serving this great destination to the best of our abilities.
INTERBIKE MAKES IT OFFICIAL
Earlier this month, representatives from Emerald Expositions held a telephonic press conference to announce that Interbike Marketweek would be moving to Reno Tahoe for 2018 through 2022. After spending more than 15 years in Las Vegas, Interbike opened the bidding process to test the feasibility of a move out of southern Nevada. Numerous cities bid for the business, but our destination’s growth, vitality and outdoor recreation sealed the deal for northern Nevada.
“Bringing Interbike to northern Nevada is a huge win for the region, but also for the state,” said RSCVA Board Chair Bob Lucey. “The largest trade show of its kind in the country, Interbike isn’t just staying in Nevada, it’s also growing here. This single event will have an immediate impact on the local economy, but it also will have a ripple effect throughout the national trade show community, letting other event producers know that Reno Tahoe is eager and able to bring their business here as well.”
Interbike Marketweek is bringing a new consumer demonstration event to the region, and for the first time, will also hold a kick-off festival in downtown Reno. Representing roughly 21,000 room nights each year, Interbike carries an annual estimated economic impact of more than $21 million.
A NEW RECORD FOR WASHOE COUNTY ROOM TAX
The RSCVA Board unanimously, and proudly, approved the end-of-year finance reports for Fiscal Year 2016-2017. For the 12 months ending June 2017, Washoe County Taxable Room Revenues of more than $347 million were the highest ever recorded by the RSCVA, up 9.6% from the previous fiscal year, which was also record-setting. Fiscal Year 2016-2017 also realized a 2.3% increase in Cash Occupied Rooms, which closed at more than 3.6 million for the year. Average Daily Rates (ADR) continue to be a major driver of increases to Taxable Room Revenues; ADR was up 7.2% year-over-year, closing at a record $96.29.
UPDATE ON WILDCREEK GOLF COURSE
At the August 24th RSCVA Board of Directors meeting, the Washoe County School District (WCSD) gave a presentation related to its progress on determining whether a high school can be built on the property. The school district is confident that Wildcreek sits in an ideal location since open land is scarce near growing, urban areas of Reno and Sparks. If approved, it would be the first high school built using voter-approved WC-1 funding and would replace Procter R. Hug High School, which would convert into a career and technical academy. The school district aims to present its completed due diligence report in November.