http://kunr-assets.trinityannex.com/audios/257_12-07-10_TOURISM_CONFERENCE.mp3
Right now, hundreds of big names in Nevada's tourism industry are in Reno for the Governor's Conference on Tourism. Recovery is a more than fitting focus. After all, the governor's conference on tourism hasn't happened the last couple of years. It was one of the many casualties of state budget cuts. Now this meeting of the minds of tourism and gambling is back, but with a little less grandeur. Krolicki: "It is not a hosted bar tonight, so that's another reality check for everyone." That's Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki, who heads the Nevada Commission on Tourism. And oh my, are the fat times ever over. Aside from the lack of an open bar, the conference has been shortened to just two days, only one of which has a lunch provided, and they're paying no speaker fees. The important stuff, like networking and sharing ideas within the industry will still be going on. And this year's conference will actually make money for the Commission on Tourism. A report to that commission from did yield some bright spots. John Packer, a paid researcher says Nevada's making gains on its brand. Packer: "You own value, which is obviously incredible to own in this environment, hotel and meal costs..." But I you think that means the Vegas strip is going to go back to being a 50-cent hot dog kind of place, the Lt. Governor says think again. Krolicki: "He wasn't talking cheap, he was talking value, so you can stay at some of the finest hotels in this world at great value." While there's a lot of talk about diversifying Nevada's economy and bringing in new industry, the tourism sector is determined to be part of the picture when it comes to Nevada's recovery. And this week in Reno, all the talk is going to be about what that will look like.