Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, has been named chairman of the U.S. Travel Association. His first act as the organization's new board leader: releasing a new white paper, "Keep America Moving."
"The paper positions the importance of meetings and conventions to the economy. Meetings are a key driver for the nation's economy supporting more than six million jobs and contributing more than $450 billion," said Ralenkotter, who spoke to Successful Meetings last week about his goals for the coming 18 months. "We will continue stressing the importance of meetings and conventions and travel. Also, we will work on strategies on the transportation side. Our strategic plan is to connect all modes of travel seamlessly. We're also going to continue to try to reduce some of the hassles and challenges of travel. It's all about welcoming visitors to our destination, our country, and making sure we give them a great experience so they come back."
After challenging economic times, Ralenkotter reports that things are looking up. "For 23 straight months, visitation to Las Vegas has increased. Last year, Las Vegas hosted over 20,000 meetings with more than 4 million attendees," he said. "The first two months of 2012, the Las Vegas Convention Center has seen a 10 to 15 increase in attendance that includes exhibitors and delegates. Recovery is happening in destinations, industries, and associations."
The white paper, "Keep America Meeting; Securing the Future of Meetings Industry," is available online at the U.S. Travel Association's website.