Repeat Afternoon Concurrent Sessions

Eureka Casino, in front Grand Canyon

Registration will be closed from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm.

Welcoming remarks

Lt. Governor Stavros Anthony and City of Mesquite Mayor Allan Litman

Welcome to Mesquite and the first in-person Rural Roundup since 2019!

Travel Nevada update

Brenda Scolari, Director of Tourism & Cultural Affairs

Hear updates on the State of the Tourism Industry including state projects on the horizon and what’s next for Travel Nevada.  

Keynote Speaker: How to Tell a Great Story, Just Like Mark Twain

Michael P. Branch

Everyone has a story to tell, but what makes a story memorable? Learn about the power of storytelling from noted humorist, writer, and UNR professor Michael P. Branch, who has published ten books and more than 300 essays (but is still a lot of fun despite all that). Mike’s books include On the Trail of the Jackalope (his latest), and his trilogy about raising a family in rural Nevada: Raising Wild, Rants from the Hill, and How to Cuss in Western.   

See descriptions below. Each session is 50 minutes and will repeat at 11:00 am, allowing attendees to select two sessions.

The Stories That Stick: Using Integrated Marketing to Tell Your Story

Carl Ribaudo, SMG Consulting 

Integrated marketing makes your campaigns work harder for you, so you don’t have to. Understanding when to use paid, earned, owned and social, and at what levels, is part art and science. Learn trade secrets from expert marketer and strategist Carl Ribaudo from SMG Consulting. Travel Nevada’s Abby Ortiz will highlight Travel Nevada co-op opportunities available. 

How To Leverage the Travel Trade to Help Tell Your Story

Panel Discussion with moderator Robert Graff, Travel Nevada; Meg McDaniel, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority; Tom Wilkinson, Vegas4Locals.com; Suzanne Harberg Free Spirit Vacations; Jennifer Gachui, HelmsBriscoe

A lot has happened since the pandemic. Get up to speed on the travel trade’s recovery – what changes you need to know about and how to navigate successfully in this ‘new world’ environment. Come learn about Travel Nevada programs that help you connect with the travel trade.    

Effective Storytelling: Using Research To Tell Your Story to Stakeholders

Rich Bryant, Zartico

Unless you apply your data and insights to actual outcomes for your community, you’re just looking at bar charts and pie graphs. Destinations now have the opportunity to utilize real time insights from events, movement and spend for the betterment of the community, the improved experience for the visitor and transformation of the organization. If these tools are available, which DMOs are using them the best?

The Territories Tell Their Story 

Hear from each territory representative in this fast-paced gameshow session during lunch. 

Enjoy dessert while networking with our sponsors and partners. 

See descriptions below. Each session is 50 minutes and will repeat at 3:00 pm, allowing attendees to select two sessions. In-room snacks will be provided between sessions.

How To Tell Your Sustainable Recreation Story 

Matthew Weintraub and Nikhil Narkhede, Nevada’s Division of Outdoor Recreation (NDOR) 

Responsible recreation ensures our outdoor spaces are protected and available for the next generation of Nevadans. But what exactly does responsible recreation mean in Nevada? Come find out and how you can tap into funds available from Nevada’s Department of Outdoor Recreation to help with your outdoor recreation projects.  

Resources to Tell Your Story: How to Engage Partners and Access Funding 

Panel discussion with moderator Cortney Bloomer, Travel Nevada; Shari Davis, Governor’s Office of Economic Development; Anthony Manfredi, Nevada Arts Council; Miles Gurtler, Bureau of Land Management; Fred Steinmann, UNR’s University Center for Economic Development 

Moderated by Travel Nevada’s Destination Development Manager, this panel discussion features an expert panel of partners who not only made up the first 3D Project Selection Committee, but who also have a deep love for rural Nevada. Representing diverse State and Federal agencies, the collective knowledge of the speakers is a deep well for anyone interested in looking at community and economic development through a tourism lens. Not only will participants learn about a wide network of resources available to rural Nevada communities, they will also get to hear first-hand about effective strategies, programs, and partnerships that might spark an idea for implementation in their own communities.   

Creating amazing location stories on a micro-budget 

Kelly Schwarze, Emmy-award-winning filmmaker and Danette Tull, Nevada Film Office

When we think about video production, or moviemaking, images of expensive equipment comes to mind. Although this is still true for many productions, technology has leveled the playing field for those looking to tell inspiring stories on a budget. What stories can you tell about your business or community?

Working with Your Communities: A Resident Sentiment Story

Brian London, Founder, Destination Marketing Today

As tourism professionals, it's important to understand and work effectively with local communities in order to create sustainable and successful destinations. This session will explore resident sentiment towards tourism and provide practical insights and strategies for building stronger relationships with your community. You'll learn how to identify and address community concerns, engage residents in the tourism planning process, and create partnerships that benefit both visitors and locals. Whether you're a tourism marketer, planner, or manager, this session will provide valuable tools and techniques for working collaboratively with your community.

Sponsored by: Fahlgren Mortine and Noble Studios

Remember and recognize our Nevada story-makers as we acknowledge excellence in the tourism industry.

Featuring Gailmarie Pahmeier, Nevada Poet Laureate