Sales Department

In June, we awarded 111 rural marketing grants for a total of $662,401.00. Websites, social media programs, and new and innovative events were given priority in the grant approval decision making process. We also began the application process for the Projects Relating to Tourism Grant program, which awards money for infrastructure projects designed to positively impact tourism in rural Nevada. The grants will be awarded in October.

This past quarter, we attended the United States Travel Association International Pow Wow with a staff member of the media relations department and had a record number of appointments with tour operators. Our meetings proved positive as many tour operators had an upbeat attitude toward traveling to the United States. We also attended shows such as the Travel Alliance Partners, the National Tour Association and Mayflower Tours sales event. In addition, we produced client events in Chicago and San Francisco with Nevada industry partners while piggybacking on existing tourism events. Sales calls were made in both Canada and Mexico.

Within the state, we staffed a booth at the Mesquite Amateur Golf Tournament. Presentations were also given to travel groups of Western Discovery and to business organizations located throughout Nevada.

We worked closely with the media relations staff in producing a familiarization trip that started in Las Vegas and traveled as far north as Elko. An additional familiarization trip supported by grant funds took members of the media through Virginia City, Elko and Ely.