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twitterMayor: Reno’s proposed new slogan ‘embarrasses’ city
Friday, Oct. 2, 2009 | 9:49 a.m.
Tourism is big business in Nevada and the catchy slogans used to market hubs like Reno and Las Vegas can help lure visitors. Las Vegas recently revived its signature campaign, “What happens here,” which sold the city for years.
To the north, however, a proposed slogan has been a hot topic of debate. A push to bill Reno as “West of Center” prompted fierce criticism from city officials.
“It embarrasses me," Mayor Bob Cashell said during a meeting last week. "It embarrasses the city of Reno. I don't like that."
The Reno tourism agency has gone back to the drawing board after the new slogan wasn’t well received. It was supposed to replace the current Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority slogan calling the Reno-Tahoe area "America's Adventure Place," which has been used since 2002.
Cashell wasn’t the only one to offer criticism. Glenn Carano, marketing director of the Silver Legacy in downtown Reno, said it gave him "a little heartburn," adding, "I don't know what it means."
Bill Hughes, marketing director of the Peppermill, agreed.
"When I heard the line, I didn't get it," Hughes said. "I'm not sure, but the final result may not be exactly what we wanted."
While the board dumped the slogan, it voted unanimously to keep and move forward with the rest of the campaign, which is geared toward potential visitors who have never been to Reno or who last visited a long time ago.
So far, the campaign has cost the RSCVA more than $111,000. The total marketing and advertising campaign, which is expected to begin next year, will need about $5 million to start, officials said.
Rather than going for something shiny and new, in Las Vegas, tourism leaders are dusting off an old standard: “What happens here, stays here,” marking a return to the message that sold the city in the best of times. The slogan is making a comeback after a series of less memorable pitches — advertisements saying "Vegas right now" and "Crazy times call for crazy fun."
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"Sinking fast in the West" seems a more appropriate motto for Reno, considering the popularity of Thunder Valley Indian casino located off Interstate 80 just east of Sacramento, CA. Thunder Valley is now in the process of completing their hotel and a venue for entertainment. The resort has made reaching gambling much easier & quicker from the San Francisco Bay area. Only two hours vs 4-5 hours to Reno. Plus, Reno is not a very nice town to visit.
Mayor Cashell is absolutely correct...and, he has been around Reno gaming and tourism for many, many years. He is a true salesman, and had always been a booster of the area. What Reno needs is a stronger effort by their convention authority to bring in regional and smaller national tradeshows and conventions. Las Vegas used to say they were not interested in conventions, and now that is all the operators can say is that Vegas needs business travel, tradeshows, and conventions. Reno has a lot to offer...they need to portray it and work on the air service as well. Years ago, when MGM was in Reno, they enjoyed great convention business, bowling conferences, tradeshows, etc. Now they have only one citywide...Safari Convention, and Mr. Carano should know they might loose that one as well. Group business, group travel, junkets...that will be the answer for Reno; even though in reality, it is 'off center'...has always been!
Much rather visit Reno than Las Vegas.
No porn shoved in your face by illegals, plenty of trees and grass, people smile, FREE white-water park right in downtown, four seasons to enjoy, less traffic, Lake Tahoe water out of the tap, plethora of mountain bike trails, proximity to the Sierra Nevada Mtns., and real neighborhoods.
Vegas is just another LA, but on Mars.
straight off of www.soberpursuit.com (2007):
Reno Substance Abuse Statistics
Statistics have shown that their are approximately 10,146 marijuana users, 4,443 people abusing prescription drugs, 1,662 cocaine addicts, 754 people using hallucinogens, 423 people that use inhalants, and 94 heroin addicts who live in Reno, Nevada.
It is estimated that 301 people will be killed by tobacco, 58 people will die from alcohol, 11 lives will be lost to illicit drug use, and there will be 11 deaths due to intoxicated driving this year in Reno.
There will also be close to 1,280 people arrested for drug charges and around 971 DUIs in Reno this year.
___
Personally, I have stayed in Reno previously. Aside from stepping around the vomit on the sidewalk and the food server with dialated pupils who took 45 minutes to serve my bacon and eggs in the coffee shop, I had certainly enjoyed the weather.
I have a few suggested slogans for Dear Old Reno, none printable.
Why would anyone want to go to Reno for business travel or for a convention when they can come to Vegas or a host of other cities with a lot more to offer? Hot August Nights and the Reno Air Show are about the only things worth making a trip up there for. Entertainers that perform there are usually has-beens from decades past. It simply is not a very nice town to look at anymore.
Good. Let gaming continue to die in Reno and take the cheap jobs for uneducated masses with it. I could care less if another tourist ever "graces" our city again. And keep redeveloping the downtown for the locals.
Vegas is the gaming capital. Let the developers build and build in your city. I'm thinking a mini-Dubi and maybe a mini-Moscow would be great. Expand, build, and grow some more.
Reno is not a nice town. The people are snobbish, especially if they find out you are from the southern part of the state. The politics is like any town in Mississippi. I would rather stay in Sparks. The the new motto should be: Stay in Sparks; at least isn't Reno.
How's this for a slogan?
Reno: like Vegas, but smaller.
or
What happens in Vegas, doesn't happen in Reno.
The Reno city fathers have paid out $111,000 for a new slogan? I'll bill them a mere $110,000 for these two gems. Total.
"Just say NO to Reno."
(I get the t-shirt royalties.)
Reno should go back to the slogan "Biggest Little Town In the World"
Reno You Gamble-Nature Babysits...
Reno.. Its no Vegas
Reno could recycle another old favorite:
Reno: You aren't really in Hell but it's so close you can see Sparks!
How about "Reno..We speak English here"