ebruary 2009

Van V. Heffner
President & CEO

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Given the recent media coverage regarding the meetings and convention industry in Las Vegas, the LVCVA has been very proactive in attempting to dispel the negative and misinformed information being disseminated by the media.

As you are well aware, Las Vegas continues to be impacted by the debate centered around the stimulus package. Inevitably, the conversation segues to the meetings and convention industry. This is having a direct impact on Las Vegas business and the industry as a whole.

The Chairman of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Board, Oscar B. Goodman sent a letter recently to President Barack Obama. Additionally, steps the LVCVA has taken to address this issue may be read in this one-page overview.

The NH&LA is working with other groups and organizations to assist with the LVCVA effort. You recently received my request for information on three different groups who have held conventions, meetings or conferences at your property; a variety that might include 20 leading surgeons, 20,000 automobile dealers, 100,000 high tech convention attendees. This provides us with fuel to address the misconceptions of our industry and specifically Las Vegas as a destination.

If you have any questions, you may contact my office at 878-9272.

MEET THE NEVADA HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SPOTLIGHT ON JONATHAN BOULWARE, NHLA Board Member
SPOTLIGHT ON CINDY CARANO, NHLA Board Member
Thank you for your willingness to serve the industry through this important board.

PAUL BERRY PRESENTS CITYCENTER STUDY AT HOTELWORLD
Paul Berry, Vice President of Hotel Operations for the ARIA Resort & Casino at City Center will address industry leaders when they convene in Las Vegas to attend the HotelWorld Expo & Conference during International Hospitality Week (IHW), March 1-4, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, according to show officials.

Berry takes center stage at HotelWorld on March 3rd at 9:30AM as he provides an overview of Las Vegas' most ambitious development to date: CityCenter, the visionary city-within-a-city featuring a high-end gaming resort, the luxurious 4,000 room Mandarin Oriental hotel, a sophisticated retail, an entertainment district, and luxury residences. The presentation will feature highlights of the CityCenter campus and each of its offerings. Paul will show a brief CityCenter video touching on the construction process, the CityCenter employees, the vision and the story behind CityCenter.

WASHINGTON CALLING: A NEW CONGRESS NEEDS THE INDUSTRY'S PERSONAL PRESENCE AT LAS
Your voice needs to be heard in these debates. Come to Washington March 16-17 for AH&LA's annual Legislative Action Summit (LAS). Your presence on Capitol Hill during this critical introductory phase could mean the difference between your lawmaker supporting bad legislation or a vote to defeat it.

There are other anti-business bills in the wings awaiting their chance for a House or Senate vote. Besides card check, which Congressional leaders are saving for the right chance, knowing the size of the opposition to its passage, there may be bills mandating paid sick leave, expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act to small businesses under 50 employees, and other legislation affecting members' bottom line. Register online for by clicking here.

E-VERIFY FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS POSTPONED UNTIL FEBRUARY
Facing a lawsuit, the federal government announced that the beginning compliance date that federal contractors must begin using the E-Verify program to check the immigration status of their employees will be extended from January 15 to February 20. For more about E-Verify, click here.

AH&LA RESPONDS TO TREASURY DEPARTMENT RESTRICTIONS ON MEETINGS, EVENTS AND INCENTIVE TRAVEL PROGRAMS
In response to the February 4 U.S. Treasury announcement that businesses receiving emergency government lending would have to curtail meetings, events, and incentive programs, AH&LA and six other travel, meetings, and events industry stakeholders issued a statement to national media on February 5.

AH&LA is gravely concerned that this restriction will affect members and their employees. The association is leading efforts to respond to the government announcement and is developing guidelines and best practices for conference events involving businesses using emergency federal funds through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). The guidelines and best practices guide being developed by AH&LA and travel industry associations will be released next week. These new Federal regulations only apply to businesses operating under TARP regulations.

PRISM ENEWSLETTER
Each quarter AH&LA distributes this electronic publication covering diverse profiles in lodging. It's an inside look at how the diverse composition of our industry builds strong leaders who affect positive change. Click here to read the most recent issue.

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST TERRORISM AT YOUR HOTEL
In light of recent terrorist attacks targeting foreigners in hotels in India and the Middle East, AH&LA encourages its members to be informed of appropriate actions that can be taken to safeguard against a similar instance at your properties.

NORTHERN NEVADA PROPONENTS - SAVE NEVADA TOURISM
We are all experiencing tough economic times. State and local revenues are down. Room Tax revenues which support the vital work of the Nevada Commission on Tourism are down. In an effort to address the State's broader economic downturn, the Governor has proposed and the Legislature is expected to consider plans to merge the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) with another state commission. If adopted by the Legislature, the effect of such a merger would be to remove NCOT from its dedicated allocation of Room Tax, changing it to a general fund agency and drastically reducing its budget on a more permanent basis. The Rural Grant Program, already cut this year, will likely face long-term elimination under a general fund scenario.

WEBINAR LEARNING SERIES
During this economic downturn you can prepare for the upturn by keeping your team fresh and on the cutting edge. NH&LA's Webinar Series is designed to accelerate learning while minimizing time away from work. These interactive brief educational opportunities are provided free to industry employees compliments of NH&LA's Premier and Allied members.

HOTEL WORLD
March 1-4, 2008
Brought to you by the publishers of Hotel & Motel Management, Hotel Design, Luxury Hotelier and The Hotel Times, this world class event compares to no other!
Our inaugural launch last February proved there was a need for an event that brought hoteliers, designers and other key executives together for an impressive networking opportunity and educational gathering.
Las Vegas Convention Center

FOOD & BEVERAGE LEARNING WEBINAR
March 17 & 24, 2009
All fees have been waived for our members.
702.878.9272 x300 or click here

DOWNSIZING, DISCIPLINE AND DISCHARGE LAW SEMINAR, Brought to you by Hotlink HR
Tough economic times mean layoffs and downsizing. Layoffs and downsizing means increased liability. Come learn how to do it right- avoiding the risk of legal liability.
March 24, 2009
702.878.9272 x302 or click here

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

                                     WELCOME NEW NHLA MEMBERS

HOTEL - Wingate by Wyndham , Fontainebleau Las Vegas , Venetian & Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino

PREMIER - Mission Industries, Shaw Environmental Group

ALLIED - Hospitality Real Estate Counselors, International Hanger, Interval International, KB Food and Beverage Solutions, LLC, Kirksey, PSAV Presentation Services, Sun West Realty Texas Inc., Swecker & Consultants, Inc., WCI, Inc.

AT YOUR SERVICE
Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association
2820 W. Charleston Boulevard. #41
Las Vegas, NV 89102-1934

p) 702.878.9272, 866.599.6452
f) 702.878.5009
e) info@nvhospitality.com
w) www.nvhotels.com