Even though the Reno Convention center wont provide any more room for the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market than its current location, there may be other reasons to re-locate to the city. Reno Mayor, Bob Cashell, recently inaugurated the $1.5 million Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield.
The park provides eleven drop-pools covering a total of 2,600 feet, or a half a mile through downtown Reno. The river is surrounded by a grassy park with an amphitheater and facilities for concerts, and festivals. A local Reno paper compared the previous state of the river to an L.A. storm drain; the new park is a vast improvement to say the least.
Many cities throughout Nevada that once based their economies on the draw of gambling are re-thinking this plan and now boast recreation opportunities. The state has also launched a new TV ad campaign which highlights outdoor recreation instead of gambling.
Whether or not this new focus on outdoor recreation will sway VNU to choose the Silver State has yet to be determined, but many in the industry believe the decision is leaning towards either Vegas or Reno.
>>> While some are pulling for a Reno show due to its close proximity to NorCal businesses, BOSS doesnt think that a Whitewater Park can negate the fact that Nevada is home to the Yucca Mountain Nuke Dump. Are we just jumping from the frying pan into the fire?
