LVCVA is in early talks to acquire Las Vegas Monorail Co. – VIDEO
 
LVCVA is in early talks to acquire Las Vegas Monorail Co. – VIDEO

In a brief report to the LVCVA board of directors Tuesday, President and CEO Steve Hill said the organization is exploring options to acquire the four-mile transit system that currently isn’t operating because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Hill emphasized that talks are in early stages, but “could move rapidly” in the weeks ahead

LVCVA #VegasSmart social media campaign brings awareness to wearing a mask – Video
 
LVCVA #VegasSmart social media campaign brings awareness to wearing a mask – Video

Now that Gov. Steve Sisolak has announced requirements to wear masks in public settings in the state, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority will attempt to deliver the message to prospective visitors via their #VegasSmart social media campaign. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Nevada construction continues as coronavirus spreads
 
Nevada construction continues as coronavirus spreads

When Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered Nevada businesses closed, he let construction workers stay on the job, deeming homebuilding and other construction “essential” lines of work.

Las Vegas Convention Center people mover begins tunneling – VIDEO
 
Las Vegas Convention Center people mover begins tunneling – VIDEO

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and The Boring Machine begin tunneling 40 feet below ground for the $52.5 million underground people mover at the Las Vegas Convention Center. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Vegas Changes Everything: Grandma – LVCVA ad
 
Vegas Changes Everything: Grandma – LVCVA ad

“Grandma” is a new television spot from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority prepared to entice visitors to come during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. (Visit Las Vegas/YouTube)

Vegas Changes Everything: Chaos – LVCVA ad
 
Vegas Changes Everything: Chaos – LVCVA ad

“Chaos” is a new television spot from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority prepared to entice visitors to come during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. (Visit Las Vegas/YouTube)

Las Vegas Convention Center expansion – VIDEO
 
Las Vegas Convention Center expansion – VIDEO

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority gave a hard-hat tour of the construction site at Paradise Road and Convention Center Drive of the building that 14½ months from now will be teeming with thousands of people attending CES in 2021

LVCC Expansion Cost Increases – Video
 
LVCC Expansion Cost Increases – Video

The Las Vegas Convention Center expansion increases its cost by 42.5 million to ensure the project will be finished before CES 2021. Review-Journal studio host Aaron Drawhorn and business reporter Rick Velotta go over the new costs and drone footage of the expansion.

LVCVA revises policy for travel and gifts – VIDEO
 
LVCVA revises policy for travel and gifts – VIDEO

Larry Brown, chairman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board of directors, talks about policy changes in the organization. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Hearing for LVCVA defendants in Southwest Airlines gift card case – VIDEO
 
Hearing for LVCVA defendants in Southwest Airlines gift card case – VIDEO

A hearing on Wednesday set a date for a preliminary hearing for Rossi Ralenkotter and other defendants charged in the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority Southwest Airlines gift card case. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Lawrence Weekly speaks about charges filed against former LVCVA employees – VIDEO
 
Lawrence Weekly speaks about charges filed against former LVCVA employees – VIDEO

Lawrence Weekly, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board member and Clark County Commissioner, speaks to the Review-Journal about felony charges filed this week against retired LVCVA CEO Rossi Ralenkotter and two other former top executives in the alleged theft and misuse of $90,000 in Southwest Airlines gift cards bought by the tourism agency. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

LVCVA chair responds to charges against former CEO – VIDEO
 
LVCVA chair responds to charges against former CEO – VIDEO

Larry Brown, Clark County commissioner and chair of the board of directors for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, speaks to the Review-Journal about felony charges filed this week against retired LVCVA CEO Rossi Ralenkotter and two other former top executives in the alleged theft and misuse of $90,000 in Southwest Airlines gift cards bought by the tourism agency. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Rossi Ralenkotter appears in court
 
Rossi Ralenkotter appears in court

Ex-LVCVA CEO Rossi Ralenkotter appeared in court on Tuesday, Sept. 10 to face felony charges related to alleged theft of Southwest Airlines gift cards bought by the tourism agency.

Las Vegas Convention Center ceremony honors workers – Video
 
Las Vegas Convention Center ceremony honors workers – Video

The Las Vegas Convention Center held a topping off ceremony to honor the men and women workers who are making it possible to complete the new hall that will be ready for CES 2021. (Nathan Asselin/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Find next-level experience
 
Find next-level experience

One minute, you’re just trimming hedges and shooting the breeze with your neighbor. But then he brings up Vegas and you’re thinking about the incredible meals, world-class hotels, pools inside of pools and unparalleled entertainment. You’re thinking about iconic artist residencies like Aerosmith. Priorities take shape. Vegas first, lawn and everything else, second. Just like that, Vegas Changes Everything. (Visti Las Vegas/Youtube)

Vegas Changes Everything
 
Vegas Changes Everything

A weekend getaway is nice for anyone, but a weekend getaway in Vegas … that’s a next-level experience with shows, clubs, spas and more. With a chance to see iconic artist residencies like Gwen Stefani, you might just find yourself going from pushing your child on a swing, to pushing back a birthday party. See how Vegas Changes Everything. (Visit Las Vegas/YouTube)

LVCVA Implements New Travel Rules – VIDEO
 
LVCVA Implements New Travel Rules – VIDEO

While the policies outlined in Tuesday meeting only impact staff, the LVCVA board also changed its policies after the Review-Journal investigation but one board member quickly exceeded recommended travel rules.

Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore took four international trip in less than a year when the board’s policy committee put in place rules that limited international board travel to one trip a year and mostly for educational purposes. The policy did allow board members to travel more than once with approval of the chairman, which Fiore received from Weekly.

Michele Fiore responds about LVCVA international trips
 
Michele Fiore responds about LVCVA international trips

Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore, who also is a Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board member, responds to the Review-Journal’s findings that she took four international trips in less than a year despite a recent policy aimed at limiting board travel to one annual trip. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__rae

Grand jury involved in convention gift card probe
 
Grand jury involved in convention gift card probe

Police used grand jury subpoenas to obtain records in their investigation of Southwest Airline gift card misuse at the Las Vegas convention authority. Convention auditors uncovered that former CEO Rossi Ralenkotter used $17,000 in gift cards for personal travel. Former convention executive Brig Lawson used tax money to purchase the cards. Southwest Airlines initially couldn’t provide records to convention officials but airline executives had to respond to grand jury subpoenas.

Visitors Authority CEO failed to take vacation time when he was away.
 
Visitors Authority CEO failed to take vacation time when he was away.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Rossi Ralenkotter… has been under fire for using taxpayer-funded gift cards for personal trips. The Las Vegas Review-Journal found during some of those trips… Ralenkotter didn’t take vacation time as authority policy requires. Board Member John Lee called for an audit of the missing time. But Ralenkotter said he isn’t planning to cash out any time he accrued.

Taxpayer-funded LVCVA boss negotiating exit pay despite criminal investigation
 
Taxpayer-funded LVCVA boss negotiating exit pay despite criminal investigation

CEO Rossi Ralenkotter is the third-highest-paid public official in the state He has a pay and benefits package valued at $863,000 annually. Ralenkotter does not have an employment contract He announced his retirement in mid June, amid a scandal over airline gift cards LVCVA bought $90,000 in Southwest Airline gift cards between 2012 and 2017. Now auditors can’t account for more than $50,000 of the cards. Ralenkotter and his family used $16,207 in gift cards on 56 trips. Brig Lawson, the senior director of business partnerships, was responsible for buying and distributing the cards. He recently resigned. Ralenkotter’s retirement settlement package could cost taxpayers thousands of dollars.

SEIU pickets for new contract outside Las Vegas Review-Journal
 
SEIU pickets for new contract outside Las Vegas Review-Journal

Members of the Service Employees International Union picket outside the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in Las Vegas. The SEIU is in the midst of contract negotiations with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which has hired a local law firm to handle its negotiations. (David Guzman/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @davidguzman1985