Nevada Governor's Conference on Tourism
Will Reflect Nevada's Attitude Toward Visitors: 'All About You'
RENO, NV, DECEMBER 5, 2006. "All About You" is the theme of the 2006 Governor's Conference on Tourism opening Monday, Dec. 11 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino in downtown Reno. The conference will host several hundred tourism industry delegates and will feature provocative speakers and special performances by famed country singer Lee Greenwood.
"This year's conference will zero in on the individual and the tactics we all need for success; that's why it's 'All About You," Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt said. "We think the delegates will find the program relevant to their own businesses." Hunt chairs the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT), which produces the annual conference, Nevada's premier statewide tourism industry gathering.
The conference begins with registration and an NCOT commission meeting, during which the agency will award nearly $738,000 in grants to help rural communities market their tourism attractions. Delegates will gather in the evening for a welcome reception. A lineup of stimulating conference speakers Tuesday and Wednesday will highlight leadership, motivation and strategies geared to the individual.
At a Tuesday evening reception for delegates, Greenwood will pay tribute to America's military serving in Iraq and around the world by singing his famous hit, "God Bless the USA." As he sings, a presentation will feature pictures of men and women who have served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Greenwood, a former Nevada resident who performed in Las Vegas before heading to Nashville and attaining country star status, will perform his new song about Nevada at the conference's closing luncheon Wednesday.
During the Tuesday reception, NCOT will present 43 Tourism Development Awards to Nevada businesses that have contributed to the state's tourism industry with new, expanded or improved ventures in 2006.
Opening the conference will be welcoming remarks by the lieutenant governor and Lt. Gov.-elect Brian Krolicki, the current state treasurer, who will become NCOT's chair after taking office next month. Retired Air Force Gen. Lance Lord, who until April directed the U.S. Air Force Space Command and missile development and operation, will deliver the keynote address on "Framework for Success - All About You." Following General Lord, Reno Mayor Bob Cashell will describe the city's new developments and bright future. Speaking at lunch will be former Southwest Airlines CEO Howard Putnam, who led the airline to success and now heads an aircraft interior company he co-founded.
In breakout sessions Tuesday afternoon, General Lord will speak about leadership, Debra Nelson, vice president of corporate diversity, communications and community affairs for MGM Mirage, will address
the benefits of workplace diversity, a program she directs for the hotel corporation, and Katy Brown, founder of the Internet consulting and Web development firm, Visionary Consulting, will discuss how to effectively market one's business using online tools and resources and how to optimize a Web site.
A panel discussion about marketing Nevada as a choice tourism destination Wednesday morning will feature Bruce Bommarito, who until Dec. 2 was NCOT's director and now is vice president for international planning for the Travel Industry Association in Washington, D.C.; Ellen Oppenheim, president and CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority; and Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Oppenheim and Ralenkotter both serve as NCOT commissioners. Larry Friedman, NCOT's interim director, will moderate the panel.
Wednesday's keynote address will feature Guy Kawasaki, a venture capitalist, computer industry entrepreneur and author of "How to Drive Your Competition Crazy" and other books. Midmorning breakout sessions will offer travel journalist and screenwriter Steve Jermanok, motivational speaker, author and mountain climber Jennifer Webb and media company CEO David LaPlante of the marketing and interactive communications company Twelve Horses.
The conference will conclude after lunch and Greenwood's special performance of the song he wrote about Nevada.
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