Women bikers coming to Carson City

July 26-29 is going to be an exciting time for the Capital City as we welcome more than 1,500 women motorcyclists from across the country and the world to their annual conference in Carson City.

Tigra Tsujikawa, the conference director, said her selection committee chose Nevada's capital over larger destinations, including Reno, because she was so impressed by our friendliness and willingness to help her make her conference a success.

"We are so excited to come to Carson City because it is so centrally located for rides to Tahoe and Virginia City as well as off-road trails," Tsujikawa said. "The community is really what won us over, and we can't wait to get there."

The AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference is the premier event for women who love to ride. The conference will combine inspirational speakers, great roads, demo rides, product showcases and a wellness fair. Its primary goal is to provide an opportunity for the women to get together and network and share their interest in motorcycling.

This conference is unique in several ways, as it has encompassed many aspects of the community to host a large conference without a convention center. The Carson High School staff has been invaluable in offering their facility for many of the seminars, demonstrations and the heath fair.

The women will begin their conference with a parade from the host hotel, Gold Dust West, to the Capitol Building at 4 p.m. July 26. After their opening ceremonies, the women will have the rest of the afternoon and evening to enjoy all Carson City has to offer.

Virginia City is hosting a street party for them on July 27.

The Pony Express Pavilion in Carson City will be used for their banquet on July 28.

Jonathan Boulware, chairman of the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau Events Committee, encouraged local businesses to welcome these motorcyclists.

"The AMA event represents a wonderful opportunity for our business community to market to the participants of this conference while they are here and to potentially develop long-term relationships with our guests who are visiting our community for the first time," he said. "The downtown community has the unique opportunity of having up to 500 guests during the opening ceremonies at the Capitol Building."

Ms. Tsujikawa has offered to include any special offers or discounts for the participants on their ride instruction sheet that will be given to all the participants as they leave the Gold Dust West to parade downtown to the Capitol.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau will also have "Carson City welcomes the AMA" buttons available for any interested businesses that would like them for their staff to wear during the conference.

If you are interested in participating, contact the Carson City CVB at 687-7410, or email Candace@visitcarsoncity.com.

• Candace Duncan is executive director of the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau.