The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority on Monday started the process of seeking volunteers for the 2020 NFL Draft. Volunteers will act as ambassadors for the NFL Draft Experience by representing the city and the NFL in all fan-facing activities in and around draft activation locations. As of Monday, more than 800 people have already registered to volunteer.
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.
Steve Hill, president and chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, discusses the impact of purchasing 8.3 acres adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center campus on the planned new 600,000-square-foot exhibit hall. The new hall fronting Convention Center Drive can be moved about 50 feet to the west to give contractors more room to make deliveries to the new building.
Study after study has concluded that stadiums aren’t effective economic development drivers. But a leading urban growth researcher says Orlando and Las Vegas are exceptions because of the strength of their regions’ tourism economies. The Raiders are building a 65,000-seat, $1.8 billion indoor stadium at Interstate 15 and Russell Road using $750 million of public money authorized by the Nevada Legislature. Las Vegas has a leg up on many cities, because it has an airport at which business people can catch a nonstop flight to virtually any domestic destination. Panelist Cathy Tull, chief marketing officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said the presence of out-of-town media for playoff games featuring the Vegas Golden Knights has given the city media mentions that money can’t buy. Another issue receiving the panel’s attention is the need for mass transit with all the teams, venues and anticipated visitation they will generate. Panelists also discussed the prospect of attracting big events like the Super Bowl, the NFL draft and NCAA tournaments.
