If you are looking for a first-class convention center that charges 30% less than the big-name centers, the Reno-Sparks Convention Center is exactly what you’ve been searching for!

With over half a million square feet of meeting space, no convention is too small or too large; this majestic convention center can handle anything.

The Reno-Sparks Convention Center is located at 4590 South Virginia Street, Reno, NV  89502.

After hours, your conference attendees have their choice of many fascinating spots.

As far as the convention center facilities, here is what the Reno-Sparks Convention Center website has to say:

Captivating, modern and competitive, the Reno-Sparks Convention Center is no ordinary stage. For technological amenities and extensive capacity, this state-of-the-art facility is built to order for progressive business.  The center can accommodate a full spectrum of events that include shows on Tradeshow Week’s Top 200 list.  And it is presented at a value you can’t match anywhere else.

The Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC) features five (5) contiguous exhibit halls with 381,000 sq. ft. of space. Each hall offers drive-in access, nineteen (19) freight doors, eight (8) of which are drive-in. The drive-in doors are highlighted by a 39’ wide by 32’ high hangar door, providing  access for oversized equipment, vehicles and aircraft. Other features include electrical, water, gas and air distribution systems.

You can follow the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on Twitter,  Facebook,  Flickr, and YouTube.

Oh, and speaking of the convention center’s YouTube site, after you’ve watched a few videos of people doing their various “things” at the center, your mind will be completely made up:  your next converence, convention, trade show, retreat, reunion, etc, will definitely have to be at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center!

One of the things that I was unaware of until I saw it was the fact that conventions centers and trade show facilities actually need to be upgraded or made better, and as a result are Under construction.  The Pardon Our Dust signs need to be put out and the facility is given an upgrade or a facelift.  This was the case when I was out in Hawaii as well.  In fact one of the things I really wanted to do was visit the Prince.  Not the Prince like the Cinderella guy but the beautiful Princeville Resort.  The problem with visiting the resort was, closed for renovation.  Wow.  I can’t even imagine the amount of money that is being lost to being closed.  Yes, this is a perfect time to be closed for renovations as the economy is down and the visitor rates are down anyway, but this is a setback for a large number of people out there.

The other facility I visited was the Sheraton and I have a more in depth look at the Sheraton on Oahu and will be providing a full on review of that center.  They had the construction going on at the same time as guests and events were occurring.  I was interested in what construction was being done on Princeville but was unable to get out to see them.  I guess I am just going to have to go back and see it after the fact. 

I saw the final result of what happened with the Peppermill in Reno and they did a great job, and I was in the midst of seeing what was going on with the Sheraton.  Each facility is upgrading to newer and better but they have to take a hit in revenue until they get to that next level.  Construction costs are probably high enough but the revenue missed for having that construction take place is even higher. Granted Princeville’s meeting facilities only have room for about 500 people but I’m sure those facilities are often booked months in advance.  make sure you ask about any construction going on when planning your event.  You may not like the idea of a jackhammer going on during your wedding vows.

Tags: Princeville Resort, Hawaii, Reno, Peppermill, Construction, Conventions, Meetings

Apparently in some cases size does matter.  Sorry, I couldn’t resist that opening line.  Now to deal with all the crazy searches that will produce–but I digress.  I was actually reading a piece put together in the Las Vegas Business Press written by Ben Spillman, called "Small, nimble conventions thrive as behemoths struggle."  The idea is that the bigger conventions being held in Las Vegas are hurting as much as anyone else in the business, and smaller conventions and trade shows are seeing some benefits that the big guys are not.  The article talks about some of the larger shows, like the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Show which were held this last year in Vegas.

"[NAB]…one of the largest and longest-running in town, saw its attendance fall more than 19 percent from 2008 to 2009, falling from 103,938 to 83,842.

Attendance in 2009 was the lowest in at least 13 years and down more than 27 percent from a peak of 115,293 in 2000.

The Consumer Electronics Show, the largest annual convention in Las Vegas, was down 22 percent in 2009 to about 110,000."

Those are some pretty scary numbers.  I am sure that we can all run and hide and say the sky is falling with thoughts of these shows beginning to decline but the interesting part of the piece I found most interesting is the facts that come out about smaller shows:

"Some small shows, like the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, are doing just fine. The cemetery show, held during the same time as the broadcasters’ event, enjoyed record attendance of about 1,400.

Small show operators who might have been overlooked during the boom time are now benefiting from the lower costs of space, hotel rooms and airfare that make Las Vegas a great venue.

Exhibitors are also enjoying that lighter attendance means a higher percentage of attendees are dedicated buyers, not sightseers. That means small exhibitors and small shows don’t have to dedicate personnel to accommodate attendees who aren’t serious about making deals."

It goes to show that the bad news is not bad for everyone.

Tags: Las Vegas, Ben Spillman, Conventions, Trade Shows, Consumer Electronics Show, National Association of Broadcasters, NAB, CES

I have been on the road recently and I have been thinking about the number of places I have seen that had workout facilities.  I was just in Reno and staying at the Reno Peppermill, a write up I have yet to produce of my review of that facility, and they had a great looking workout room with all the latest in technology and equipment.  It just so happens that it was right outside the restaurant I was eating at after that extra dessert. 

There are many hotels with state of the art facilities and I will be soon headed to Hawaii, and yes we guys worry about what we look like in a swimming suit, and am thinking about getting that extra inch or two trimmed down.  There are some great places to stay that have the ability for us to get up in the morning or allows us the nice jog on the treadmill.  I think I may start asking for this feature more.  Do you workout on the road?  What is your favorite place to stay and exercise.  I need to look into this more and report. In the meantime, I think I need to find where I have stored those running shoes.  But first?  Perhaps a little more ice cream with that brownie for an after dinner treat!

Tags: Exercise, Reno, Health and Fitness, Travel

I had an opportunity to come to Reno this weekend and as it was my second chance at coming to this city to speak at an event I thought I would do a post today with some info on the city.  I will let you know more about my travel here and where I stayed since I just recently did a review of that location.

Reno is called the Biggest Little City in the World. I found it to be a nice alternative to my own town in Denver.  I felt right at home with the mountains nearby and the weather was nearly identical to what I had left behind.  They describe the city in their site as:

With a population of over 211,000*, Reno is the largest city in Northern Nevada. It is located in the southern part of Washoe County, nestled on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in an area called the Truckee Meadows.

It is a great alternative to the more well known city of Las Vegas.  They have some great amenities and much to do as a part of their city and it should be added to your short list for places to stay and play.