Meeting-site selection firm to visit region

Meeting procurement and site selection company HelmsBriscoe will hold its Annual Business Conference across several Reno-Sparks properties at the end of January, and the exposure the group will give to Greater Reno Tahoe is expected to provide a significant bump in the regional convention business, says John Leinen, vice president of convention and tourism sales with the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.

HelmsBriscoe, which brings its Annual Business Convention back to Reno after a nearly 20-year absence, is one of the world's largest meeting planning companies, Leinen says. Exposing more than 1,800 of the company's associates to northern Nevada provides a vital education on the amenities Greater Reno Tahoe offers.

In the past five years, HelmsBriscoe has generated $5.4 million in revenue to the area, Leinen says.

"This is phenomenally important. With the exposure and opportunities that this will bring to the destination, we are looking to bring a lot of additional business here. They will be getting exposure to our core properties and the host hotels. The things they touch, see, feel and experience will really help us sell the destination to their customers.

"They represent a significant amount of purchasing power," Leinen adds. "This is a phenomenal opportunity to showcase Reno Tahoe's beauty, amenities and meetings facilities to an important and influential group business resource."

HelmsBriscoe convention attendees will be staying at John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino. They will attend events at Grand Sierra Resort and the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, as well as a trade fair at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.