Welcome

Governor Steve Sisolak
Lieutenant Governor Kate Marshall
Senator Jacky Rosen
Director Brenda Scolari

The Creative Catalyst – How to Create Better Travel Marketing Programs by Asking and Answering Better Marketing Questions

Speaker: Matthew Seltzer
Marketing might be the act of bringing together buyers and sellers, but how exactly do you create real marketing strategies that actually move those buyers to action? This exciting session will cover a proven process to do exactly that, fueled by the powers of being inquisitive and constantly curious. Through fun stories, examples and ideas, you’ll come away with a renewed thinking toward marketing, along with the building blocks necessary to help travel industry businesses build strong and innovative marketing plans for the future.

Break

Destination Development for Rural Tourism

Speakers: Matthew Landkamer and Marcia Hurd
Destination development is about more than creating a great destination. It is a responsible approach to stewarding the future of place through strategic planning and development, community engagement and activation, and marketing and branding efforts that honor a community’s way of life and drive economic prosperity. Learn how Travel Nevada and Coraggio Group partnered with Lincoln County Authority on Tourism to co-create a destination development plan that sets a ten-year direction for county tourism partners to catalyze visitation, develop experiences and infrastructure, and expand and support their destination.

Break

Turning Industry Trends into Marketing Advantages

Speaker: Brian London
A review of the most important developments impacting future demand (economics, demographics, lifestyles, regulation, technology, geopolitics) and four internal marketing strategies that Destination Organizations deploy based on those developments.  At the end of the session those in attendance will be able to predict the future, re-allocate resources, and justify past marketing decisions. 

Lunch

A Tour Operator Explains: What Makes Tour-Takers Want to Visit Rural Nevada Destinations?

Speaker: Mark Hoffmann
For over 40 years, Mark Hoffmann of Sports Leisure Vacations has been bringing tour groups into the Silver State. Some communities score high with his tour travelers, some miss the mark. What if you knew some of the REAL secrets of getting on the “tour operator” list? Hwy 50, aliens in the desert, a town famous for an old prize fight; hotels, old bars and graveyards where ghosts hang out. And that only scratches the surface. Travelers are looking for off-the-beaten-track experiences. But the smaller the community, the bigger the challenge(s). Like how to feed 20-30 people, public restrooms that are clean, finding a guide who can make the town /region come to life, and meeting the person with the unique hobby or passion. Don’t have a big budget to work with? No problem. Mark will explain how you can use the Travel Nevada team and clever marketing to get your message out there without needing big $$$.

Break

Workshop: How To Succeed in the Social Space

Speakers: Geri Brown and Sal DeFillipo
Whether you’re promoting a saloon in Beatty, a military museum in Hawthorne, or a cool ghost town, a strong social media presence can help you attract visitors and customers. The social media team for Nevada Silver Trails is here to answer questions that relate specifically to the unique needs of your brand and the message you are trying to get out.

Break

Zoom Social Hour