Lake Tahoe-area tourism executives will gather in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday to share strategic information at the 2007 SMG Tourism Conference.

This eighth annual event, which is themed “Sustainability & Authenticity: Marketing Your Destination’s Unique Character,” will address issues critical to tourism, including geotourism, social media and brand building, California tourism trends, and how Indian gaming and economic development trends are impacting destination character, officials said.

Speakers at the event include Jonathan Tourtellot, director of sustainable destinations at the National Geographic Society; Dave LaPlante, CEO of Twelve Horses; and William Eadington, gaming expert at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The conference will be at Embassy Suites Resort in South Lake Tahoe from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will include an exhibition area.

Also included will be the Geotourism Dinner Cruise on the Tahoe Queen, featuring a panel discussion moderated by the National Geographic Society, after the conference.

The conference fee is $140 for one or two people or $115 for three or more attendees. The fee includes registration, lunch and all materials. Spaces on the Geotourism Dinner Cruise are $58 each.

For more information, visit www.smgtourismconference.com or call (530) 541-2462, ext. 102.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael C. Dermody
President and Chief Executive Officer
DP Partners/Dermody Properties

Marketer of the Year Award
Phyllis Freyer
Vice President of Marketing
Renown Health

Reno-Tahoe AMA Professional Member of the Year
Kendra Kolvet
Marketing Specialist
NAI Alliance
Chair, Reno-Tahoe AMA Real Estate Professional Group

ACE AWARDS

Comprehensive Marketing Campaign

ACE Award
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
San Diego Flyaway

Award of Excellence
CLM Design
Hall & Wrye Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
It’s All About You

Award of Excellence
Miller Heiman
The Miller Heiman Sales Performance Journal

Award of Excellence
Bauserman Group Lexus of Reno
Lexus of Reno Pre-Owned Campaign

Award of Excellence
DRGM Advertising
Nevada Commission on Tourism
Wide Open / Icon Campaign

Award of Excellence
Innerwest Advertising and Public Relations
First Independent Bank of Nevada
Legends

Award of Excellence
Microflex Corporation
UltraSense ™ Product Re-Launch

Award of Excellence
Regional Transportation Committee
RTC RIDE “What a Ride” Campaign

Award of Excellence
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Chicago Flyaway

Award of Excellence
Rose / Glenn Group Nevada State Bank
Nevada Museum of Art Warhol Exhibit Campaign

Award of Excellence
Rose / Glenn Group Nevada State Bank
Coin Stop Campaign

Special Events

ACE Award
Stellar Debris
Bytware, Inc.
Cafe Bytware 2.0, COMMON Miami

Award of Excellence
Miller Heiman
Miller Heiman User Conference

Award of Excellence
Rose / Glenn Group Renown Health
New Name / Brand Identity Launch

Award of Excellence
Rose / Glenn Group
Summit Sierra Lifestyle Center
Light’s Up Holiday Kick-Off Celebration

Award of Excellence
Stellar Debris
Bytware, Inc. I
BM Tech/NHRA 2007

Print Advertising Campaign

ACE Award
Microflex Corporation
MicroFlex ® Gives You Choices

Award of Excellence
DRGM Advertising
Nevada Commission on Tourism
Wide Open / Icon Campaign

Certificate of Excellence
MassMedia Public Relations & Advertising
McDonald Carano Wilson Law Firm
General Branding

Certificate of Excellence
Microflex Corporation
UltraSense ™ Re-Launch Print Campaign

Direct Mail Campaign

ACE Award
Miller Heiman
Miller Heiman Direct Mail Campaign

Award of Excellence
Registered Ink Printing Company
Specialty Printing Calendar and Postcards

Award of Excellence
Stellar Debris
Silk Lady
Christmas Sale 2006

Award of Excellence
Stellar Debris
Silk Lady
Spring Collection 2007

Certificate of Excellence
Stellar Debris
Silk Lady Autumn Collection 2006

Real Estate Marketing Campaign

ACE Award
Bauserman Group
SilverStar Communities
Virginia Lake Crossing Pre-Grand Opening

Web Marketing Campaign

ACE Award
DRGM Advertising
Nevada Commission on Tourism
Wide Open / Icon Campaign

ACE Award
Northstar-at-Tahoe ™ Resort
Northstar-at-Tahoe ™ Interactive

Award of Excellence
Miller Heiman
Website Branding and Redesign

Award of Excellence
Miller Heiman
Miller Heiman Sales Performance
eTips Newsletter

Certificate of Excellence
The National Judicial College
Judicial Edge

Certificate of Excellence
Twelve Horses Aspect Software
aspectblog.12hna.com

Certificate of Excellence
Twelve Horses
Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada
Online Event Registration System

Certificate of Excellence
Twelve Horses
Heavenly Mountain Resort
skiheavenly.com

Non-Profit Marketing Campaign

ACE Award
The National Judicial College
Villains of the Courtroom

Award of Excellence
Innerwest Advertising and Public Relations
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters Designer Showcase Home 2006

Award of Excellence
Regional Transportation Committee
RTC Rebranding Launch

Certificate of Excellence
CLM Design Artown
Artown 2007

Certificate of Excellence
Innerwest Advertising and Public Relations
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Monopoly Vision Gala 2006

Certificate of Excellence
Twelve Horses
Nevada Humanities
onlinenevada.org

Publicity/Public Relations Campaign

ACE Award
Regional Transportation Committee
RTC “Faces of Ground Zero” Campaign

Award of Excellence
Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada
Target2010

Award of Excellence
Innerwest Advertising and Public Relations
BJ’s Restaurant & Brew House
BJ’s Restaurant & Brew House Grand Opening

Award of Excellence
Miller Heiman
Miller Heiman Research Campaign

Certificate of Excellence
Estipona Group
The Mizpah Hotel Fire Evacuees
Project H.O.M.E.

Certificate of Excellence
Twelve Horses
Horse Power Podcast

Television Advertising Campaign

Certificate of Excellence
Regional Transportation Commission
RTC “All of Us” Television Ad

With people bombarded with thousands of advertisements each day, static and still just doesn’t cut it anymore. That’s the philosophy behind new electronic billboards at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which in a Times Square fashion change constantly to advertise the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.

The new technology is allowing GSR to reach tourists with different messages without having to send employees each week to take down the old banners and hang new ones. They can, for example, program the signs to welcome bowling tournament players arriving on a noon flight, then change to advertise dinner specials for later arrivals.

“They do a little of everything,” said Dennis Wigent, vice president of public relations and communications for Image Base International, the marketing firm that put in the signs for the hotel-casino. “The software is capable of doing that. Retailers using this kind of sign can look at their inventory Monday, realize they are overstocked on an item, and display that item for sale with the signs. It gives the ability to be more promotional.”

Read entire story here.

Presented by the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce
Co-Sponsored by the Reno-Tahoe AMA

Thursday, May 17
7:30 AM - 9:30 AM Keynote Seminar
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM Workshop
Location TBA

Main Keynote Topic: Seven Secrets to Improve your Marketing & Get More Sales

Keynote Speaker: Tony Rubleski, Mind Capture Group

As a small business owner - how do you advertise your company and become well known? This seminar will focus on:

• direct marketing
• how to increase sales
• referrals and repeat business
• get more for your dollar
• how-to action strategies
• and much more!

Tony Rubleski, keynote speaker, has spoken to Chambers all over the nation, is a published author of the 2005 bestselling book “Walking With the Wise Entrepreneur”, and his work has appeared on various radio, TV and newspaper outlets.

After the Keynote seminar, there will be a breakout session that will involve Website and Email Marketing.

You can attend the main workshop with Tony Rubleski, both the seminar & workshop, or just one - you pick which one will work for you!

Keep watch for unfolding details and events happening that day!

RSVP’s Required
Cost: $40 per person Keynote Seminar
$20 per person Workshop
Attend Both: $50 per person

Click here for downloadable registration form