Meet in style in Northwest Nevada. Historical significance meets glamour at that area’s venues and attractions. And don’t forget to bring your appetite to sample a wide variety of cuisines.
Reno/Tahoe/Sparks
Chris Baum, CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, said of the Reno, Tahoe and Sparks area that many people underestimate the region because they have not had a chance to visit.
“People are surprised by how beautiful it is, how mild the temperatures are and how inexpensive it is,” Baum said.
At the junction of the northwest and southwest, the area is characterized by a diverse landscape: Snow-capped mountains with pine forests and skiing can be found there, as well as the desert and a dry lake perfect for off-road racing. The mild climate and more than 100 days of sunshine provide opportunities for year-round fun indoors and out, and Lake Tahoe was ranked “America’s Best Lake” by USA Today in 2012.
The area is also one of spectacular value for those who would like to hold meetings or conferences in the area. Booking conferences and lodging, as well as dining, is significantly less expensive, Baum said, yet provide high quality.
Reno/Tahoe
Reno boasts nine hotels with between 800 and 2,000 rooms each. Visitors can choose from a number of meeting facilities, rustic and modern, contemporary and unique.
The Grand Sierra has 200,000 square feet of meeting space; the Reno-Sparks Convention Center has 500,000 square feet of space, including a ballroom and exhibit halls; and the Reno Events Center can seat 7,000 people.
The National Bowling Stadium hosts meetings and events; the stadium has 78 lanes on one floor and a total of 88 lanes, for a friendly postmeeting game. Thunderbird Lodge, the historic home of George Whittell Jr., sits on Lake Tahoe and has a banquet facility. The lodge is also a museum and offers tours of the house and grounds, including of an underground tunnel leading to the Boathouse, where the famous wooden Thunderbird speedboat is housed.
The Peppermill Hotel Casino is heated by geothermal energy, and all its hot water is 100 percent natural. It has 106,000 square feet of meeting space with ballrooms, boardrooms and a variety of facilities. The Atlantis Resort is connected to the Convention Center and has 80 rooms. The Grand Sierra on the Truckee River has 2,000 guest rooms and 2,000 square feet of meeting space, but offers an intimate feel and is ideal for board meetings and smaller conferences. The Tri-Property Complex has 4,000 guest rooms in total and is adjacent to the event center and ballroom.
Baum noted that the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority has direct access to many of the places used for meetings and events and, therefore, can work directly with visitors to set up facilities.
Many of the hotels offer steakhouses and seafood restaurants. Baum said that sushi is a great dining experience in Reno and that being near to San Francisco means visitors have the opportunity to sample from seasoned Asian chefs.
“Sushi fans say it’s the best place in the world because all the sushi restaurants offer all you can eat,” Baum said.
Outdoor events and festivals are the primary entertainment in the area. During Hot August Nights, thousands of classic cars can be seen; other events are the National Champion Air Races and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Skiing, golfing and kayaking are activities that are enjoyed by many active visitors.
