A
Caesars Entertainment’s presentation of the Ballroom and National Bowling Stadium Facilities
to Reno Major Hillary Schieve and City Councils on 2/22/2023 meeting. The following are the links to short video clips to highlight their key notes. You can click any of them to view it:
Abbreviated Names: National Bowling Stadium (NBS), Ball Room Reno Events Center (BRREC), Caesars Entertainment (CE), National Bowling Tournaments (NBT), Ken Ostempowski (Ken O.), Rick Murdock (Rick M.), Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve (RM Hillary S.), and Reno Vice Mayor Devon Reese (RVM Devon R.)
B
National Bowling Stadium Women’s Championships are now scheduled on 2023 2024 2028 2033
Mike Larragueta Vice President of Sales Reno Sparks Convention & Eric Edelstein Assistant City of Reno Manager got approved from Major Hillary Schieve and her council team on the changed schedules on City Council Meeting 6/7/2023. Here are the key notes:
Abbreviated Names: National Bowling Stadium (NBS), Caesars Entertainment (CE), Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve (RM Hillary S.), National Bowling Tournaments (NBT), Ken Ostempowski (Ken O. ), Vice President Mike Larragueta (VP Mike L.), Assistant City of Reno Manager Erick Edelstein (ACRM Eric E.), Reno Vice Mayor Devon Reese (RVM Devon R.) United States Bowling Congress (USBC), and City Council Jenny Brekhus (CC Jeny B.)
C
Presentation of the Ballroom Facility Marketing Plan, Annual Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Plan for The Year Ending 12/31/2024 by Vicky Van Buren - City of Reno Director of Finance, Ken Ostemposki - Senior Vice President & General Manager for the three resorts called “The Row”, AND Bryan Carano, Director of Finance at Caesars Entertainment (C.E.)
2. Caesar Entertainment Operate The Ballroom Facility With Net Profit For 3 Consecutive Years with 204K for 2023 & Forecasted 216K for 2024, AND 2 New Booked Shows, One of Them Is “Foreigner” by Ken O. (1 min 48 sec)
5. “Come Experience this Incredible Ballroom Stay Downtown & Enjoy All The Amenities Associated With It” by Ken O. (1 min 14 sec)
A1. Introducing Ken O. Senior VP & President of Caesars Entertainment (C.E.) - by Rick M.
(1 minute and 47 seconds)
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Transcript:
Rick: I am just really here to introduce, you know, the Caesars team.
Martinez: I'm sorry. Could you state your name for the record?
Rick: Oh, I'm sorry. Rick Murdock with Caesars Entertainment for about 44 years. Ok, thank you. Good morning. Madam Mayor. Council. Thank you. I want to introduce, you know, Ken. He's the Senior VP and President of Caesars Entertainment for the Row. And Brian Carano, who is the Director of Finance. And, they're going to present the numbers and talk a little bit about what we're doing in downtown Reno. We've got a lot of things going on and lot of positives beside just the ballroom. Everybody thinks, "Oh gosh. The Row runs the ballroom." But we do a lot more than that, and I think we gonna get some of that to you today so you really know what we're really do. And with that, I'll turn it over to Brian and Ken.
Schieve: Just a reminder, everyone. We have this presentation annually. (To Ken) Hello!
Ken: Hello.
Schieve: Have you been here before, Ken? I can't remember.
Ken: You know, this will be my first time in front of the Council and Chair.
Schieve: Your first time? Welcome
Ken: So thank you very very much for having me. It's truly an honor.
Schieve: Welcome to Reno.
Ken: Reno. I truly love it. It's an honor to be here. I really do mean it. I'm glad - Last year, I have to do this in Zoom. It's great to be able to do it in person. You know, with me is our Director of Finance, Brian Carano. Vikki hit all of the things he's going to talk about. So he's got nothing to say other than wave, you know.
Schieve: She's that good. She's that good.
Ken: So she did do that but - I just want to take a moment and say thank you everyone for your support throughout this year. Caesars Entertainment and the Row were dedicated to see the city thrive. And that's really what we -our goal- is here to. The ballroom is one small piece of it. But the goal for us is to able to be partners and collaborative and work any way possible to make it continue to thrive.
A2. $240K profit in 2019 for the BRREC, $393K in 2023, exciting 2023 & 2024 – by Ken O.
(1 minute and 28 seconds)
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Transcript:
Ken: 2022 was a remarkable year. We have seen 3 years of losses. But then last year...I don't know what changed. I wish I could taken credit as a general manager, but...
Schieve: It is you!
Ken: It is not me (laugh). It was-
Schieve: Who's Brian?
Ken: We're a little pent-up demand and ended up resulting a record year. Our previous record year was in 2019 of $240K in profit but $393K in profit was truly remarkable. And it was the testament to the team that put forward. This upcoming year is pretty excited as well. In 2022, as point of perspective, we booked just over 50 events. 51 to be exactly. And we have 43 events booked now in mid-February with the remaining of the year to go. So we feel confidant that we will be able to push forward and beat that number from the current year. And the ballroom is just one piece of it. As I mentioned, we're very active and excited about further activating all of downtown, including Bowling Stadium. We have additional years of the bowlers. We have additional concerts coming to REC. We have packed March which we are super excited about. So everyone knows we have Reb McEntire coming down the REC. We will be activating the space right in front of the ballroom with the block party for pre-events. So we're hopefully submitting our permit soon to close the streets down and submit that. Long story short, what I'm trying to say is we are here for the City of Reno as a partner and collaborator. I am happy to answer any questions.
A3. C.E. hired new Events Marketing Director for the NBS to bring in more businesses – by Ken O.
(45 seconds)
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Transcript:
Schieve: And you have the new Events Marketing - I don't know if we call him Director. But doing the Bowling Stadium, which is really exciting. So he's creating all of this synergy that's happening.
Ken: Absolutely. He will play his cards perfectly. I am very excited to some of the things that we hopefully will pull from other markets and bring onto Reno
Schieve: And I appreciate your support in that because I know it's something that we have worked on, getting the RSCVA on the table to do that for far too long. And because of your leadership, that was able to happen. So thank you very very much.
Ken: My pleasure.
Martinez: Sir, can you please state your name for the record as well?
Ken: Absolutely. I apoligize, you know. I have heard you asked Rick. But I... So it's Ken Ostempowski. I am the Senior Vice President, General Manager for the Row at Ceasar Entertainment.
A4.“We all work together and find the best way to make Reno thrive” – Ken O.
(14 seconds)
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Transcript:
(Schieve laughs)
Ken: Hey listen, council members, I am happy to talk about anything at anytime. I am always...My door is always open. Don't hurt to reach out. You know, my goal is to make sure we all work together and find the best way to make Reno thrive.
A5. 455 million dollars revenue came from The NBS from 2012-2021 – by Rick M.
(14 seconds)
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Transcript:
Rick: Lot of people don't understand that this Bowling Stadium - what it really does. Right now, as we sit from 2012 to 2021, that Bowling Stadium has made a hugh impact of $455,000,000.
A6. 200 Million Dollars Revenue generates from 4 years contracts with NBT – by Rick M
(11 seconds)
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Transcript:
Rick: In four years, it will be $200,000,000 impact - those four events. Having four bowling events combined in four years - 200 million. I mean, we're lucky to have that bowling stadium.
A7. 70 million dollars revenue generates in current year 2023 from the NBT – by Rick M.
(25 seconds)
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Transcript:
Rick: Each bowling congress is coming in. The one this year is the 70 million impact in this community. Tourism is what it pays our taxes. I hope we all realize that, and I know you all do. And it's important to keep - that bowling stadium is thriving.
A8. 75,000 room nights generates by NBT– “The Biggest Conventions NBT in USA!” – by Rick M.
(25 seconds)
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Transcript:
Rick: We just signed the women to a new agreement. We have four years of bowlers of the biggest convention in the United States. The men would be 50 thousands. The women would be probably 15-20 thousands. The room nights generated by the men alone are 75 thousands room nights in this community, not always staying at the Row - staying everywhere else.
A9. The NBT brings a lot of business to downtown Reno – by Rick M.
(23 seconds)
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Transcript:
Rick: We're lucky to have that bowling stadium, and I think everyone just, "what does it do? What it is doing?" It's doing it. We're also in contact with the university. We've got Esports. We're looking at the bowling stadium, changing out the Hall of Fame to a new Esports center - universities coming down. This will also help the ball room. This will help the REC. Got a lot of opportunity.
A10. A lot of businesses from “Compression Market” generates from Bowlers, Reb McEntire,etc...– by Rick M.
(30 seconds)
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Transcript:
Rick: Compression is what we call in our industry. When the Row does this, when you bring in Reb McEntire, you're bringing the bowlers, it compresses the market. So everybody lifts the room tax, which comes back to all of us. And everybody lifts and fills their buildings because we're compressing and bringing businesses in to lift the boats. All boats float high when we're bringing businesses to this downtown. We need downtown to be - it's the top of its game right now. We're moving in the right direction.
A11. A lot of jobs for everybody – “The more business we book the better the airport thrives” – by Rick M.
(20 seconds)
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Transcript:
Rick: And one more thing. If you don't have the bowlers, you don't have airport getting all of those reservations. We're fighting for air services every day as our community needs it. Everybody gonna say, "why that flight cancels? Why does this?" We've gotten to get better at it. The more businesses we book like this the better the airport thrives too as well. Lot of jobs for everyone. So thank you.
A12. Need to make it easy to do good tourism, keep street safe, find home for homeless – by Rick M.
(20 seconds)
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Transcript:
Rick: Just want to say one last thing. Tourism is the number one thing. We need to make it easier to do good tourism in this city. We need to keep the streets safe. We need to keep people moving. We need to find homes for the homeless and make sure we can do business. So we won't - we gotta stay fresh.
A13. Welcoming tax base is one of the reasons people want to live in Nevada – by RM Hillary S.
(1 minute and 5 seconds)
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Transcript:
Schieve: Why it is so important that we all want tourism and gaming to succeed. And that's one of the things that - one of the reasons why a lot of people live in the state of Nevada, right? The welcoming tax base, right? So it's really important and it's our number one industry. We want to do whatever it takes to make it successful because then it helps all of us. To your point, so I think you made some excellent excellent points. I have never seen this much interest on that side of the street. There's a lot of energy. Things are happening. I want to remind the public too that it was opened to the public for National Bowling Day I think they called it, and it was just a huge success. And so we want to continue to promote local events being in there and the general public as well. And thanks to your leadership, that's happening. And I also want to commend Mr. Murdock because quite honestly, and I have not been shy about this, but you have been very very instrumental in helping downtown get its fair share whenever it comes to RSCVA because that board can get very very territorial.
A14. Most of the room nights generated from downtown – “massive win for the City of Reno” – by RM Hillary S.
(38 seconds)
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Transcript:
Schieve: If you think about it, most of the room nights are generated where? Downtown. We need to - so I need help over there. And I really appreciate you advocating for downtown Reno and the City of Reno. Quite honestly, or else it would cost us about I think it's 16 million dollars per year for those facilities - to run those facilities. So I want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. That was a big big win. I don't think people realize how massive that was for the City of Reno. Or we would have to take on that cost and then what's that happen. It goes right back into our community and creates hardships. So thank you very much for your leadership on that.
A15. Thanks to C.E. bring on the Bowlers and businesses & congratulations on C.E. profit report – by City Councils
(39 seconds)
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Transcript:
Schieve: Alright, I am going to send it to Councilwoman Taylor - it is your ward.
Taylor: Welcome. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being part of the city. Bring on the bowlers. Motion to approve. Stuffs recommendation.
Schieve: I love it. I have motion from Councilwoman Taylor. I have a second from Councilman Martinez.
Martinez: Second
Schieve. All those in favor, say aye.
Councils: Aye
Schieve: Motion carries unanimously. Congratulations. I remember we've done this many times where you have to come here and says, "Ugh, we are not doing so well. We didn't make a profit." Look what you have done. Awesome. Thanks you guys. Alright, have a great day.
Ken: Thank you. I appreciate it.
A16. C.E. global leader in Entertainment industry is a Reno-based & Carona family-owned company – by RVM Devon R.
(1 minute and 55 seconds)
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Transcript:
Schieve: Councilman Reese. Sorry.
Reese: Thank you, Madam Mayor. And I'll be brief. I just simply want to express my thanks to the Carona family and Mr. Murdock especially. It gives me a tremendous sense of pride when I know that Caesar Entertainment, one of global leaders in this industry, is a Reno-based and a family-owned company. I understand it is public traded and all that. But, it is still in something where I travel and see, you know, the Ceasar name. And, it really gives me great deal of pride to know that that something we can be very proud of as the City of Reno. Every year, as you make this presentation, you know we're looking for the same things that every city I think is looking for. We want engagement, activation of our city streets, our roadways. We want conventions and entertainment to be here. And I believe that you have allowed us to elevate what Reno is capable of, and I am looking forward to the future . We have the number of partnerships, including the downtown Reno business in permit district, and the number of things that we're working on collaboratively. And I think it's always a welcome opportunity to revisit what makes a city successful and thrive, and I think one of the things that makes a successful city is having partners who share the same vision. So thank you for that, and I know the Mayor is leading the charge at the RSCVA with help and also knowing that regionally we have great ways in which we can continue to be the biggest whole city. But also take time to know that we have historical roots here. Thank you again to the Carona family and Mr. Murdock. Appreciate you. It's been a privilege getting to work with Brian on number of internal committees as well. And so again my thanks solid to you and let's just keep sharing that positive vision for Reno.
Schieve: Thank you, councilman.
B1. Women’s Championships schedules moved from 2025 to 2028 – by ACRM Eric E.
(46 seconds)
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Transcript:
Eric: Eric Edelstein, Assistant City Manager, for the record. We do have Mike Larraguetta, Vice President of Sales for the RSCVA and well as Rick Murdock, representing both RSCVA Board and Caesar Entertainment here, should you have any additional questions. The simplest way I could boil it down is to show this document here. So the amendment before it's today is the sixth amendment to the master agreement. This particular amendment really just deals with the setting back of two dates. So we have the Woman's Championship schedule for 2025 and 2030. The USBC is proposing moving those to 2028 and 2033.
B2. The reason why Women’s Championships schedules moved to 2028 & 2033 – by VP Mike L.
(1 minute and 5 seconds)
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Transcript:
Mike: Thank you again. Mike Larraguetta, for the record. Vice President. To address your questions, so USBC have the tournament schedule in 2024 in Cincinnati. That tournament was moved to Reno or, given the option for Reno to host it, which we did move forward. That tournment is on the books for 24. We then have 25 on the books and 30. And what we have seen is, what happen is, when you have 3 consecutive years of the open Woman's (Woman's), we tend to struggle little bit in terms of the registrations and signups. USBC approached us. In order to maintain momentum of constantly having the demand for the destination, having the registration numbers up for bowlers, so we agreed to move 25 to 30 and 30 to 33.
Duerr: 25 to 28?
Mike. Oh I'm sorry. 25 to 28. Correct.
Duerr: Well, this makes a lot of sense. I mean, what you're saying is there might be location fatigue, and it would result in drop-off. And by, sort of, changing it up and keeping it fresh?
Mike: That's correct.
Duerr: Okay, that really helped. Thank you.
Mike: Amen
B3. 10,000 rooms nights commitment by City of Reno to USBC NBT – by CC Jenny B.
(7 seconds)
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Transcript:
Jenny: With reference in here that we have to have, for our side of the deal, 10,000 rooms available and Harris mentioned...
B4. $493 cash room nights, $3,500,000 in room tax, 224,000 bowlers generated 455 millions – by VP Mike L.
(23 seconds)
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Transcript:
Mike: Recap of what USBC is produced from the Regents since 2012 through 2023. And just to highlight some of those numbers. Since 2012 through 2023, there have been number 493 cash room nights produced, over 3 and the half million dollars in room tax for Washoe County. We're 224 thousand bowlers, an economic impact of over 455 million dollars.
B5. The Sales & Facility Team is doing extremely well to bring businesses to NBS – by VP Mike L.
(1 minutes and 18 seconds)
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Transcript:
Mike: It took facilities back in house instead of outsourcing it through SMG, which then became ASM. We made an effort to hire sales and facilities team. And that team is reponsible for selling our facilities for anything within a 12 month window and in. If you look at our production since the time period of what we have taken the facilities back in house, they're doing extremely well. They are tremendously over budget in terms of revenue and occupancy. You're seeing our facility activity and occupancy go up in all of our facilities. So we have made headway in that front. Also, I think you are aware that we held two national bowling days where we have one and we have another one schedule in August. We're bringing in the public and giving them access to the facility to the - gets them some exposure and they understand what the facility represents. Not only just bowling. But, also kingpin. Getting ready downstair with the museum. And the pro shop area upstairs that is rentable. So we also use the facility, whether it is through the Row or any other property that wants to use the facility as an off site option for groups to use. We have several groups that I can think of that the Row uses that facility for to basically give them the opportunity to get out of the hotel and do something fun in different environment. And then kingpin, of course, is booked probably 9 months out of the air.
B6. A lot of activities in NBS Facility, the coming National Bowling day Agust 2023 – by VP Mike L.
(43 seconds)
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Transcript:
Mike: Also, I think you are aware that we held two national bowling days where we have one and we have another one schedule in August. We're bringing in the public and giving them access to the facility to the - gets them some exposure and they understand what the facility represents. Not only just bowling. But, also kingpin. Getting ready downstair with the museum. And the pro shop area upstairs that is rentable. So we also use the facility, whether it is through the Row or any other property that wants to use the facility as an off site option for groups to use. We have several groups that I can think of that the Row uses that facility for to basically give them the opportunity to get out of the hotel and do something fun in different environment. And then kingpin, of course, is booked probably 9 months out of the air.
B7. "Thank you to the Bowlers” – Mayor Hillary Schieve
(7 seconds)
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Transcript:
Schieve: Caesar have been incredibly supportive. I would say "Thank you to the Bowlers." Without them, what does that look like? Then we're really in trouble.
B8. “ lot of bowlers and other opportunities that we can diversify NBS Facility” – by RM Hillary S.
(51 seconds)
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Transcript:
Schieve: So, in the matter of fact, I flew in the other night, and there were actually a lot of bowlers, which was really great, cause' I talked to many of them. But also, they were really excited to come back, which is a good thing. But we have also been in talks with the university and then we were also trying to see, "Was there a possibility to do other events in that space?" And we had found out there is, which is really great. The Haunted House came in, which is pretty incredible how that whole thing worked. There's also Meow Wolf that has reached out. It's now finally starting to get some traction because we have actually showed that we can diversify that property. But I want to say thank you to the bowlers. We had opening night there. I mean it was - I thought it was phenomenal. And I appreciate that partnership.
B9. “NBT come to Reno is a huge deal – the largest economy impact” - by RVM Devon R.
(51 seconds)
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Transcript:
Reese: I know that the economic impact of having these bowlers come to Reno is a huge deal. I think it is the largest economic impact of any of the groups that we bring to Reno. And anecdotally, I'll tell you that whenever I travel, people inevitably here in the airplane you asked, "Where you're from." They tell you and you tell them, "We're here from." They always say, "I have been there." Why? They have been here cause' they came from bowling congress. Right, they have been coming here every other year for 10 years. And certainly, Mrs. Duerr's correct and understanding that there is some fatigue when you stack them back to back to back, and you are asking them the same group of people. People, by their nature, wish to go to other places. So they can go to Las Vegas where there's a huge bowling complex - it's there. I think there is one in Connecticut. And so we aren't the only game in town. Well, we have to be responsive to the customers that are coming here.
B10. A Billion dollars collective economy impact generated by Bowlers Tournaments - by RVM Devon R.
(30 seconds)
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Transcript:
Reese: When Mr. Murdock came last time we looked at this agreement the collective impact of all the tournaments over the period of time. And this is historical data. This is not projection but historical data was somewhere in the neighborhood of the billion dollars with the B. And so it is obvious that as I drive down Virginia Street each day, I watched the hundreds of bowlers walking across Virginia Street, going from Caesars Entertainment properties over to the bowling stadium that they are here.
C1. “Net profits shared 50/50 between City of Reno and C.E. AND losses are covered by C.E.” - by Vicky V.
(2 minutes and 40 seconds)
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Transcript
Schieve: Okay. Vicki, go ahead. Take it away.
Vicki: Vicki Van Buren, Director of Finance. I'm here for this item. This is the item regarding the ballroom facility. This is an item that comes before council each year, according to the agreement. And so I know Council Member Ebert pulled this item. Do you want me to go through the presentation, or do you have questions just on the marketing plan itself?
Ebert: I do have questions. So I don't know if you want to go through the presentation. That might answer my questions. And then if not.
Vicki: Up to you. Whatever you want.
Ebert: Yeah, maybe it might be helpful to me if you go.
Vicki: Okay, perfect.
Ebert: Thanks.
Vicki: I will run through that I just have a quick presentation on it. Like I said, this is an item that council approved. The management agreement was approved back in 2011, and the agreement provides that the marketing plan, the operating budget, and the capital improvement plan be approved each year by council, and the way the management company runs this it's on a calendar year. So what you see before you is for the calendar year, for the current year 2024. The management company provided these documents. In 2023, for that calendar year, they had a net profit of $204,000. And then the profits are shared, 50-50, between the city and the management company, and this is all in the agreement. And then for 24, in the documents they provided, the forecasted net income is $216,000, and they are proposing capital expenditures of 75,000. Most of that- the bulk of that seventy five thousand - is for roof repairs and then also for some HVAC repairs. We have a capital fund that the city maintains that has a $500,000 account balance as of the end of the year, which would be December 31, 2023, and that is the maximum that we go up to. We keep contributing to that based on the share of the net profit. So 100,000 of the net profit is to be placed into the capital account until it gets to 500,000, and it's at 500,000 now. So you'll see in the work papers that we were kind of working up to that. If the growth revenue are insufficient to meet the hundred thousand annual deposit then the management company contributes a difference and again they have done that over the last few years because we were carrying forward losses for that particular property based on when COVID hit so there were losses there so this is the recommended motion and I'm glad to answer any questions and obviously they're here as well
C2. C.E Operates The Ballroom Facility with Net Profit for 3 Consecutive Years - by Ken O.
(1 minute and 48 seconds)
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Transcript:
Ken: Madam Mayor, I...Council people, I appreciate being here. It's an honor to always be in front of you guys. You know, this is a... In 23, I wanted to point out, it's a pretty remarkable year because we've been operating with net losses that have been carried forward for year after year after year. And we finally have had net profits for three full years. And what's amazing about that is we've had to continue to deposit back into that fund. Well, we broke through those net operating losses, so we actually split a whole $10,000 each. So it was pretty exciting. But this year is, we'll have a whole fresh year with no operating losses. So the two hundred and fifteen thousand dollars, the goal is to be able to split that hundred thousand each equally. First time in many many years will be able to say that that is pretty remarkable. And we're pretty excited about to continue that. In addition to that, I'm we're thrilled that we've had some changes in senior management, at the entertainment level, at the corporate level, for Caesars Entertainment. I do think that runs creates a pretty interesting runway moving forward. They've already booked two new shows that we typically wouldn't actually gone to one of our competitors, which are not going to be booked in the ballrooms. We’re pretty excited about that. My entertainment director will yell at me if I say the names.
Schieve: Oh, I was going to say, and who are they?
Ken: I already know that one of them is foreigner. Technically, it has not been announced to release. Like I said, that was one. The other one, like I said, went to a competitor, which will now come to the ballrooms. So we're excited to bring it downtown. And, you know, listen, this change in management, I think, will only create a runway for further expansion into the ballrooms, as well as the REC, you know, our dedication to those buildings. This is very significant.
Schieve: Yeah thank you so much, really appreciate it. Okay I'm gonna hand it over.
Secretary: I apologize, Madam Mayor, if you would state your name and title for the record.
Ken: Oh I apologize, yes, it's Ken Ostompowski. I am the senior vice president and general manager for the three resorts called the Row.
C3. “We Want Downtown to Do Great. We Are Strictly Managing It...Does Not Have to Be C.E. Business” - by Ken O.
(26 seconds)
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Transcript:
Ken: l like, first and foremost, recognize obviously we're committed. We we want downtown to to do great and obviously and so that, as far as running that, recognize that - we - anything that comes into that building, it does not have to be Caesar's business. It could be any business so we welcome, I mean, everything. We're strictly managing it. You know, so then there are a lot of opportunities in situations. Schools I know also use that facility. That's not something we're bringing that's because it's coming in the city.
C4. “2023 was a record year…There is a lot of really good positive things coming into downtown Reno.” - by Ken O.
(41 seconds)
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Transcript
Ken: Last year, in 2022, it was a record year. And actually, excuse me, 23. What year is it again? Anyway, it's 23. And so the fact that we maintain that, we actually sold out every one of our venues, the Northern Nevada as well as Northern California, Seattle, Portland, Oregon. People from all around the country, people from Oklahoma who I met, people from Florida that come in. Like hey, we come down to downtown Reno for 20 years and we continue to do that because we continue to love coming here. So there is a lot of really good positive things coming into downtown Reno. People still love coming here. I sat and talked to people, thousands of people from all over the place and they truly love it.
C5. “Come Experience this Incredible Ballroom Stay Downtown & Enjoy All The Amenities Associated With It” - by Ken O.
(1 minute and 14 seconds)
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Transcript
Duerr: Thank you for being here. Always appreciate the annual update. I was wondering, one of the things we're approving today is the marketing plan. And I didn't really hear about that in the presentation. And is there a way you could summarize that for us?
Ken: Absolutely. So to keep it simple, we effectively look at it as an extension of our facility. Yes, to your point, we do want to make sure all of Reno and anybody in the surrounding areas can use that. But because it's an extension of our facility, when we sell that space, we push the new things that we did. We had a soft opening to our brand new cafe, which we're pretty excited that we are people can go to our cafe that - it's called Cafe Central Cafe and Cocktails, come check it out. The bar will be open in March. But the point being is that that push is in all of our marketing materials. In addition to that, it's been a long road, but we are very, very close to opening the Ramsey's restaurants. That is a push within our marketing materials. It shows the people that coming to our facility come experience this incredible ballroom, stay downtown and enjoy all the amenities associated with it.
Duerr: Very good. And then where's the restaurant going to be?
Ken: So Ramsey's Kitchen is going to sit, there's two of them, Ramsey's Kitchen as well as Ramsey's Fish and Chips. It will sit right in the center of Silver Legacy on the mezzanine.
Duerr: Okay. Thank you.
C6. All Capitals that Goes to the Ballroom...Falls in Line What City of Reno Agrees - by Bryan C.
(35 seconds)
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Transcript
Bryan: ...Executive Director of Finance for the Row. For all capital that goes through the ballroom, we do get quotes and then we send it to Vicki so she can approve it, run it by, make sure everything looks okay, and then we submit it for capital. So we are open to any suggestions and then we'll get the quotes and run it by Vicki before we do any work and allow it to, make sure it falls in line with what you guys agree with. So, yeah. Yeah, I can't stress enough. This is a partnership. We want all input. This is not we don't believe in working in silo
Schieve: Yeah, and then also a lot of that information comes to the $2 surcharge when we're talking about everything that's happening downtown.