Las Vegas leaders meet with officials in Washington

WASHINGTON -- Seeking a stronger voice on federal policies that affect travel and tourism, Las Vegas convention officials are in Washington this week for meetings with congressional leaders.

Mayor Oscar Goodman headed a delegation that included representatives of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, several resorts and other members of the board of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The coalition also included Patricia Mulroy, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority; Jacob Snow, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission; and University of Nevada, Las Vegas President David Ashley, according to a roster of participants.

Besides tourism, the Nevadans were focusing on the region's needs for additional airport and highway funding. Mulroy attended separate meetings on the region's water needs, officials said.

"We want to make sure that folks understand that Las Vegas and our state is a diverse community with different businesses," said Veronica Meter, vice president of public affairs for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. "We want the members (of Congress) to know the challenges our businesses face back home."

It marked the first time the convention authority sent a group before Congress, according to Rossi Ralenkotter, the authority's president.

The travel promotion board followed in the footsteps of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, which sent members and staff to Washington in a first-time organized trip in October, and the Henderson Chamber of Commerce that was in the capital in June.

In two days of meetings this week, the Las Vegans were scheduled to meet with lawmakers including Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., the top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., chairman of the Senate tourism subcommittee; and Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., chairman of the House public lands subcommittee.

The officials met with Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Wednesday and discussed the foreclosure crisis, the economy and Southern Nevada growth in addition to travel, a Reid aide said.

The Las Vegas officials were advocating legislation, the "Travel Promotion Act," that would allow industry contributions and user fees on foreign visitors to pay for new promotions that lure international visitors to the United States.

They also were calling for streamlining federal rules that allow visitors from friendly countries to travel to the United States for limited periods without visas.

With Las Vegas continuing to expand its hotel room capacity and visitor count, "it is important for us as an industry leader as well as for our members to be part of these discussions," Ralenkotter said.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or (202) 783-1760.