Richard N. Velotta

Senior Business Reporter

Rick has been editing and writing about business for 19 years at the Sun and its business-to-business weekly, Vegas Inc. His specialties: tourism, gaming and aviation industries. His assignments have taken him to Tokyo, Beijing, Taipei, Macau and Singapore and he has visited all 50 states.

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Learning about fans of the Electric Daisy Carnival will help Las Vegas court them long-term: Monday, June 4, 2012; The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority prides itself on being research driven, knowing the habits of tourists and business travelers who spend money when they come to Southern Nevada for business or pleasure. But the LVCVA has little information on fans of the Electric Daisy Carnival, the electronic music festival that in the two years since moving to Las Vegas has become one of the largest and most successful special events on the local calendar.
Sandoval, Krolicki 'discover Nevada' with Valley of Fire tour: Monday, June 4, 2012; Ramona Arnold will have a great story to tell her children and grandchildren when she looks back at her honeymoon in the American Southwest. Nevada’s highest-ranking elected officials served as her personal park ambassadors.
New Goodwill store opens in western Las Vegas Valley: Saturday, June 2, 2012; Thrift store fans jammed Goodwill of Southern Nevada’s newest retail store and donation center Friday. Some sought bargains on secondhand items, while others donated “gently used goods” to de-clutter their homes and help others.
Railroad bridge work closing stretch of Interstate 15: Friday, June 1, 2012; One of the city’s main routes to McCarran International Airport will be blocked this weekend with the closure of southbound Interstate 15 between Russell Road and Interstate 215.
Economy starting to see recovery, albeit a slow one: UNLV analyst says full potential won't be reached until 2017 despite growth in tourism, gaming; Thursday, May 31, 2012; Southern Nevada’s economy is continuing its slow crawl out of the recession, with tourism and gaming leading the way and real estate and unemployment continuing to be a drag on sustained growth.
Allegiant expands penetration into Hawaii: Thursday, May 31, 2012; Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air is continuing to grow its flight schedule to Hawaii, announcing plans Wednesday for nonstop trips between Monterey, Calif., and Honolulu.
UNLV analyst: Southern Nevada won't fully recover until 2017: Wednesday, May 30, 2012; Southern Nevada’s economy is continuing its slow crawl out of the recession, a new UNLV report says, with tourism and gaming leading the way and real estate and unemployment continuing to be a drag on sustained growth. Stephen Brown, director of UNLV’s Center for Business & Economic Research, said at a midyear economic outlook presentation that the economy wouldn't return to its full potential until 2017, giving credence to those who theorized that the Great Recession would be a lost decade.
Make no bones about it: Time has come for Fossil Beds National Monument: Monday, May 28, 2012; It’s time for lawmakers to act on establishing Fossil Beds National Monument in North Las Vegas.
Fuel surcharge boosts cab companies' profits: Wednesday, May 23, 2012; Southern Nevada taxis made fewer trips but made more money in April, the Nevada Taxicab Authority reported.
Southwest Airlines unveils plan to build $100 million airport expansion in Houston: Wednesday, May 23, 2012; Southwest Airlines has revealed a key piece of its international flight strategy, announcing plans to build a five-gate facility at Houston’s Hobby Airport. An agreement with the city would enable Southwest to fly to Mexico, the Caribbean and cities in Central and South America.
Extra cabs OK'd for Electric Daisy Carnival visitors: Tuesday, May 22, 2012; When tens of thousands of visitors arrive in Las Vegas for June’s Electric Daisy Carnival, the taxi industry should be ready.
Virgin Atlantic, British airways to do battle over Las Vegas: Monday, May 21, 2012; The storied rivalry between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways will have a new battleground — Las Vegas.
Stargazers in Tonopah get front-row seats for solar eclipse: Monday, May 21, 2012; It was cosmic happenstance that the center line along the path of Sunday’s annular eclipse was just north of the place USA Today has dubbed the “No. 1 stargazing destination in America.”
Travel business rebounding as agents adapt to tech-savvy generation: Monday, May 21, 2012; The Internet has become a game-changer for the travel industry. But it was also a job-killer. Thousands of travel agency professionals lost their jobs, and small mom-and-pop agencies either were absorbed by giant travel companies or disappeared.
Medical tourism could thrive if Las Vegas excelled at specialty care and treatments, panel says: Wednesday, May 16, 2012; Building on the quality of health care in Southern Nevada is the most important element in developing a thriving medical tourism industry, an all-star panel of doctors agreed in a symposium designed to advance the concept.
State panel approves grants for food manufacturers: Tuesday, May 15, 2012; Two Southern Nevada snack food manufacturing companies will receive federal training grants in connection with their respective plant expansions that will provide more than 100 new jobs.
Sun Country Airlines' proposal denied for flights from D.C. to Las Vegas: Tuesday, May 15, 2012; The U.S. Department of Transportation has rejected a proposal by Sun Country Airlines to offer daily nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Allegiant Air adds routes to Hawaii: Tuesday, May 15, 2012; Allegiant Air, which last month announced plans to offer nonstop flights between McCarran International Airport and Honolulu beginning June 29, has filled out its Hawaii schedule with routes beginning next fall from Santa Maria and Stockton, Calif., Bellingham, Wash., and Eugene, Ore.
Cybersecurity at issue as Gaming Policy Committee discusses Internet gambling: Monday, May 14, 2012; With the state about a month away from granting its first online gambling license, two experts told members of the Gaming Policy Committee on Monday that regulators have to stay vigilant in their efforts to keep the online gaming environment secure.
SkyBridge Alternatives conference, set to return next year, gives coveted industry presence in Las Vegas: Monday, May 14, 2012; Former Mayor Oscar Goodman was in his element last week, taking the stage at a major financial services industry conference, martini in hand and showgirls on each arm.
ESPN, LVCVA sending three people on golf vacation: Monday, May 14, 2012; ESPN and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority begin a new television and digital promotion for Las Vegas today which includes a contest that will send three people to play golf with “SportsCenter” anchor Jay Harris.
Sandoval reaches out internationally to woo business for Nevada: Friday, May 11, 2012; Gov. Brian Sandoval cemented the foundation for the international component of Nevada’s economic development plan Friday, hosting the consuls general of 38 countries and a Canadian province with which the state hopes to build long-term business relationships.
German airline makes a splash at McCarran airport: Thursday, May 10, 2012; Germany's second-largest airline began nonstop flights between Dusseldorf, Germany, and McCarran International Airport on Thursday, providing a new low-fare option for travel to Europe and an alternative routing for the estimated 60,000 German tourists who fly to Las Vegas each year.
Visitor volume continues steady climb, latest numbers show: Thursday, May 10, 2012; Las Vegas visitor volume continued to climb in March despite a drop in convention attendance, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported Thursday.
Legalized Internet gaming would help casinos, trade chief says: Wednesday, May 9, 2012; The approval of online gaming wouldn’t negatively impact land-based casinos, the head of the industry’s largest association says. Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, said if anything, the approval of Internet gambling would expand existing operations, because younger players more comfortable with online transactions would start gambling online and eventually find their way to local casinos.
Stalled overhaul of Las Vegas Convention Center to be restarted: Tuesday, May 8, 2012; The multimillion-dollar overhaul of the Las Vegas Convention Center that was torpedoed when the economy tanked is on again, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board of directors was told Tuesday.
LVCVA boss rewarded for reaching goals: Raise, bonus still make his earnings lower than national average; Tuesday, May 8, 2012; Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter is in line for a 4 percent pay increase and a performance bonus of nearly $80,000.
Valley of Fire emerges as Southern Nevada's top tourist attraction in poll: Tuesday, May 8, 2012; Thousands of people have confirmed what many Southern Nevada residents have known all along — that Valley of Fire State Park is one of the state’s tourism treasures.
Wynn expects Cotai Strip resort to be 'irresistible to our guests': Monday, May 7, 2012; A 9.8 percent increase in revenue from Macau helped offset an 8.1 percent decline in Las Vegas, causing Wynn Resorts Ltd. to report lower profits in the first quarter of 2012. Maybe that’s why CEO Steve Wynn chose to whet the appetites of analysts with a few new details about his planned new resort on Macau’s Cotai Strip during this afternoon’s conference call on earnings.
McCarran scores high in magazine's reader survey: Monday, May 7, 2012; Travel + Leisure magazine asked its readers to weigh in on the nation’s best airports based on seven categories: flight timeliness, design, amenities, food and drink, check-in and security, service, and transportation and location. Not surprisingly, McCarran International Airport fared well.
3 international airlines ready to begin nonstop flights to Las Vegas: Friday, May 4, 2012; The “international” in McCarran International Airport will be highlighted three times in the next two months, beginning with next week’s inaugural arrival of nonstop flights on Air Berlin from Dusseldorf, Germany.
Las Vegas remains top dog in network's rankings of trade show sites: Friday, May 4, 2012; Las Vegas maintained its grip on the unofficial title of top convention and meetings host in the United States in 2011 as home to 55 of the nation’s top 250 trade shows.
Jai alai regulations are seen as useless in Nevada: Thursday, May 3, 2012; When Gov. Brian Sandoval ordered state agencies to find regulations that are in need of updating or no longer relevant, it didn't take long for the state Gaming Control Board to zero in on repealing a regulation for a game that hasn't been played in the state in more than 30 years.
Gaming Commission to consider candidate for executive secretary post: Wednesday, May 2, 2012; The state’s two gaming regulatory boards are close to getting a new executive secretary. Sally Elloyan, who has served in several capacities within the Gaming Control Board as well as in the industry, was recommended Wednesday for the position in a unanimous Control Board vote.
For a day, anyway, gambling likely to return to Moulin Rouge site: Wednesday, May 2, 2012; Gambling is expected to return to the site of the historic Moulin Rouge Casino — at least for a day.
$20 million in renovations planned for the Riviera: Wednesday, May 2, 2012; Riviera Holdings Corp. will invest $20 million to $30 million to refurbish the Riviera on the Strip. The proceeds from the sale of Riviera’s property in Black Hawk, Colo., will be reinvested in the Las Vegas property, the company said.
Major changes in economic development efforts under way in Nevada: Wednesday, May 2, 2012; The Governor’s Office of Economic Development took another step toward the makeover of how the state attracts, expands and retains companies on Tuesday when state officials opened requests for proposals to form newly minted regional development authorities.
Michelle Obama rallies campaign supporters during stop in Las Vegas: Tuesday, May 1, 2012; First Lady Michelle Obama energized campaign workers in Las Vegas on Tuesday with a pep rally appearance for the president that hearkened to the grass-roots efforts that got him elected in 2008. Addressing about 300 workers at the Springs Preserve, near where she spoke earlier at a private fundraiser, she thanked volunteers for their efforts but reminded them that they needed to continue their work if they’re going to be successful in returning her husband to the White House.
Spirit Airlines sees revenue grow as network of routes expanded: Tuesday, May 1, 2012; Spirit Airlines, the fastest-growing commercial air carrier at McCarran International Airport in 2011, produced earnings in line with analysts’ expectations for the first quarter this year.
Tired of airline fees? Here are a few tips to get around them: Monday, April 30, 2012; In their earnings conference call last week, Allegiant Air executives fielded an interesting question from analysts. Would the company consider initiating a fee for passengers to have a seat that reclines when the airline initiates its six-hour flights between Las Vegas and Honolulu? The executives said no, they wouldn’t, because none of the seats on the airline’s Boeing 757 jets recline.
Gaming Control Board appoints 3 new division chiefs: Friday, April 27, 2012; The Gaming Control Board has appointed three division chiefs to replace retiring and resigning staff members.
Traffic up at Las Vegas’ McCarran airport for March, 1st quarter: Thursday, April 26, 2012; Passenger traffic continued to rise at McCarran International Airport in March, with international arrivals and performances by airlines known for charging high ancillary fees bumping totals 2.5 percent higher than last year.
Earnings up 26.5 percent at Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel: Wednesday, April 25, 2012; With two key revenue streams still on the horizon, the parent company of Allegiant Air on Wednesday reported a 23.1 percent increase in revenue and a 26.5 percent increase in earnings for the quarter that ended March 31.
Maverick Aviation expands its fleet of tour aircraft: Wednesday, April 25, 2012; The Maverick Aviation Group says it has added three planes ideally suited to Grand Canyon air-tour flights to its fleet at Henderson Executive Airport.
Influential slot machine designer dies in accident: Wednesday, April 25, 2012; The designer of some of the most successful slot machine games in history — Blazing 7s and the Black and White slot series — has died in a traffic accident in Las Vegas. Robert Phillip Manz, who had a 23-year career with the predecessor companies of Bally Technologies, was 65.
American-US Airways merger could lead to higher ticket prices: Tuesday, April 24, 2012; Airline analysts are growing more confident that American Airlines and US Airways will merge — a move that probably wouldn’t have a big impact on Las Vegas’ flight schedules but could force ticket prices to go up.
Bally Technologies CEO talks hot games, Internet poker, expansion plans and new jobs: Tuesday, April 24, 2012; Richard Haddrill, CEO of Bally Technologies, has been giving his passport a workout.
Southwest making loyalty program interchangeable with AirTran: Monday, April 23, 2012; Members of Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards loyalty program got a new benefit today — the ability to use their points on AirTran flights.
State shirking duty to help gambling addicts: Monday, April 23, 2012; One of the things I didn’t report in the series of stories I wrote about the recent Nevada State Conference on Problem Gambling was that all of the speakers appeared on their own dime. The Nevada Council on Problem Gambling’s reason for not cutting expense checks to presenters isn’t that it’s cheap. The organization can’t afford it — it’s a nonprofit that operates on donations and memberships.
Las Vegas Strip snubbed in voting for Nevada tourism gems: Friday, April 20, 2012; Quick, name places in Southern Nevada that tourists love. The Strip, obviously, and Hoover Dam and its sidekick, the new O’Callaghan-Tillman Bridge, right?