Successful Meetings - Nevada September 2013

Traveling in Europe recently, Farid Matraki, senior vice president and general manager of The Shops at Crystals,
learned just how far-reaching the reputation of
his shopping destination had become. “When I
told people I worked in CityCenter at Crystals, the
people in Milan and Paris—everyone—knew about
it. I was shocked
myself, but the recognition is great for the city.”
According to the latest figures from the Las
Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, 58
percent of guests indicated they did some sort
of shopping on their trip; their average spend
was $259. “Shopping is one of the top three
reasons why people visit Las Vegas, and that
really speaks volumes as to how much
the retail industry has influenced the
local market,” says Maureen Crampton,
director of marketing and business
development for The Forum Shops at
Caesars, which pioneered the Strip
shopping concept.

Over the last 20 years, shopping
has become a key component of the
destination experience. In addition to
The Forum Shops and Crystals, Strip
shopping has evolved to include the
Esplanade at Encore, the Shoppes
at The Palazzo, Miracle Mile Shops
at Planet Hollywood, Grand Canal
Shoppes at The Venetian,
Mandalay Place, Wynn
Esplanade, Via Bellagio,
Las Vegas Premium
Outlets, and the Fashion
Show Mall.

In a new twist to the
retail theme, the upcoming
SLS Las Vegas hotel has
partnered with Fred Segal
to offer seven Fred Segal-
branded retail experiences
throughout the Philippe
Starck-designed property. It’s
the first time a single brand
will occupy all the retail
space in a hotel.
New Game in Town
FOR MANY VISITORS AND GROUPS, LAS VEGAS SHOPPING
ATTRACTIONS TRUMP THE CASINOS. —BY KAREN GINES

Shopping in Reno Tahoe

Groups headed north to Reno Tahoe have no
shortage of shopping choices. Here are a few
places for attendees to take a break or gather for
a social function:
• Truckee River Arts District—A more local,
distinctive shopping experience in downtown
Reno that features specialty shops, antique
stores, boutiques, galleries, and eateries.
The district is divided into two sections:
Riverwalk, running along the Truckee River
and CalAve, running along California Avenue.
The Truckee River Whitewater Park also runs
through the Riverwalk District, providing
some outdoor adventure. Kayak and raft
rentals are available.

• Sports and Outdoors Stores—Reno is home to Patagonia’s main distribution center as well as a Patagonia outlet store; a 125,000-square-foot outpost of Cabela’s showcases thousands of products; a 248,000-square-foot Scheels includes a 65-foot tall Ferris wheel, two 16,000-gallon aquariums, and a NASCAR simulator.

• The Outlets at Legends in Sparks—Bargain hunters will find brands like Nike, Gap, Bath & Body Works, Lane Bryant, Forever 21, and several restaurant chains.

• Historic Downtown Truckee—Outside of North Lake Tahoe, the mountain town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Storefronts range from eclectic jewelry and apparel to specialty desserts and interior design.