Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Clark County Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
*It's our pleasure to pay a tribute to the above officials who dedicate to the civic and community service aspects of our organization in an honorary or adjunct capacity.

----------------------------------
Clark County school administrator Edward Goldman appointed to Taxicab Authority board
By PAI of WBTI*1

On April 30, 2004, a leading Clark County School District administrator was named to fill a Nevada Taxicab Authority board seat recently vacated by its former chairwoman.

"Dr. Edward Goldman, 53, who serves as the county's associate superintendent for education services, was named by Gov. Kenny Guinn to fill the seat formerly held by Lia Roberts," reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal.*2

"Goldman's first board meeting should be at the next public session on May 18. At that time, the board is expected to elect a new chair. Goldman joins the board amid a debate about taxi driver security. The board has rejected a plan to mandate surveillance cameras in all cabs. Instead, the board opted for studying the issue for a year.the newspaper continued," the newspaper continued.*3

The following is our post for the most recent Press Release of the Office of Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2004 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent 775-684-5670

Goldman appointed to the taxicab authority

CARSON CITY - Governor Kenny Guinn today announced the appointment of Edward E. Goldman of Henderson to the Taxicab Authority.*4

"Throughout his career in education in the State of Nevada, Dr. Edward Goldman has been a man of high integrity and innovation," Gov. Guinn said. "He will bring a unique perspective to the Taxicab Authority. His background as a skilled administrator with a keen eye for detail should prove to be quite beneficial to the Taxicab Authority."

Goldman, 53, is Associate Superintendent of the Education Services Division of the Clark County School District. His professional career has included Dean of Students at Woodbury Junior High School in Las Vegas, Assistant Principal at Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, Chief Negotiator and Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Operations, and Region Superintendent of the Clark County School District. He received is Doctor of Education from UNLV.

"I am humbled and honored that the Governor would ask me to serve on this public board," Goldman said. "I will do my best and I appreciate the opportunity that he has given me and I am grateful for his confidence and support."

The Taxicab Authority consists of five members appointed by the Governor. Among other things, the board adopts regulations for the administration and enforcement of Nevada statutes pertaining to the conduct of the taxicab business and the qualifications of and the issuance of permits to taxicab drivers. They also have the authority to investigate an alleged violation of any provision of the Nevada statutes and may issue an order requiring the certificate holder cease and desist from any action that is in violations of the statutes.*5

Goldman replaces Lia Roberts of Las Vegas.

Office of the Governor Grant Sawyer State Office Building
101 North Carson Street 555 East Washington, Suite 5100
Carson City, NV 89701 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 775-684-7198 Fax: 702-486-2505

-------------------------------------
References

*1. PAI of WBTI is the initial of Public Administration Institution of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. Review-Journal. 'Taxicab Authority board vacancy filled --- Clark County school administrator named,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (May 1, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: reviewjournal.com.
*3. Ibid.
*4.Ofiice of the Governor. 'Press Release from Governor Kenny C. Guinn - April 30, 2004; Goldman appointed to the taxicab authority,' " An e-mail from the Office of Governor Kenny Guinn to Dr. Tony Lei," (April 30, 2004), Carson City, Nevada: Office of Governor Kenny Guinn.
*5. Ibid.

Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Clark County Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
*It's our pleasure to pay a tribute to the above officials who dedicate to the civic and community service aspects of our organization in an honorary or adjunct capacity.

----------------------------------
The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more
By GSBPA of WBTI*1

The advancing and good work performance by the search engines giants Google.com, Yahoo.com, Infoseek.com, among others has inspired Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) to share the following golden words with its friends and faculty members:

***"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." --- Jonas Salk, MD
***"Those who trust us, educate us." --- George Eliot
***"Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him and to let him know that you trust him." --- Booker T. Washington

It is our pleasure to post the most recent information by a feature article through the courtesy of Las Vegas Review-Journal about this modern technology and industry:

Apr 30, 9:43 AM EDT

Search Engine King Google to Go Public

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE
AP Business Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Internet search engine leader Google Inc. filed its long-awaited IPO plans Thursday, thumbing its nose at Wall Street's traditions even as the company prepares to cash in on its meteoric success.

Without specifying a price per share, Google said it hopes to raise $2.7 billion with an initial public offering that has created the biggest high-tech buzz since the dot-com bubble burst four years ago.

The IPO is expected to give Google a market value of at least $20 billion, creating scores of new Silicon Valley millionaires - including many of the company's 1,900 employees.

"Feels great!" Google employee Edwina Beaus said as she walked between buildings at the company's Mountain View headquarters - a hub known as the "Googleplex."

But even as it prepared to dance with the Wall Street bankers who will take it public, Google warned investors that it won't take its marching orders from the markets.

"Google is not a conventional company. We do not intend to become one," co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin wrote in an open letter included in the IPO filing.

As expected, Google said the price of its IPO will be determined through an auction designed to give the general public a better chance to buy its stock before the shares begin trading, most likely in late summer or early autumn. IPO shares traditionally have been restricted to an elite group picked by the investment bankers handling the deal.

Google picked two long-established investment bankers - Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse First Boston - to manage its populist IPO approach.

Although Google's stock won't be sold for several more months, the filing represents a significant milestone in the 5 1/2-year-old company's evolution from a fun-loving startup to a corporate adolescent that will be held more accountable for how it manages its money.

Google has done well so far, according to a filing that shined a light on the privately held company's finances for the first time.

Depending almost entirely on advertising linked to online searches, Google earned $105.6 million, or 41 cents per share, on revenue of $962 million last year. Google got off to an even better start this year, with a first-quarter profit of $64 million, or 24 cents per share - more than doubling its earnings of $25.8 million, or 10 cents per share, at the same time last year.

By going public, Google will be under greater pressure to produce steady earnings growth - an expectation that some executives say leads to shortsighted management decisions.

As a public company, "you become sharper in some respects, but it also can cause you to make some decisions just so you can show growth from quarter to quarter," said Steve Berkowtiz, chief executive of Ask Jeeves Inc., a Google rival and business partner.

But Google says it won't fall into that trap, striving to remain true to the vision of the iconoclastic Page and Brin, former Stanford University graduate students who founded the company in 1998. In one of its first rebellious steps, Google will refuse to project its earnings from quarter to quarter, according to the letter signed by Page and Brin.

"A management team distracted by a series of short-term targets is as pointless as a dieter stepping on a scale every half hour," they wrote.

Industry veterans, though, doubt Google will be able to buck Wall Street once it goes public.

"After the IPO, they're going to have to think in terms of predictable quarterly results and momentum," said Gordon Eubanks, who took software maker Symantec Corp. public in 1989 and now is CEO of Oblix Inc., a security startup. "You have to have a level of predictability and experience to warrant being a public company."

To insulate themselves from outside pressure, Page and Brin are creating a two-class stock hierarchy designed to give them effective veto power. The company is selling Class A common stock to the public, but Page and Brin will control Class B stock, which will have 10 times the voting power.

The setup is similar to systems used by several major media companies and Berkshire Hathaway Inc., run by stock market sage Warren Buffett.

Thursday's filing didn't spell out how large the founders' stakes will be after the offering, although they are listed as the company's largest individual shareholders. Both are expected to become billionaires after the IPO. Google paid each man $356,556 in salary and bonuses last year.

The filing also emphasized that both Page, 31, and Brin, 30, intend to remain Google's hands-on leaders, making all key decisions with CEO Eric Schmidt, a former top executive at Sun Microsystems Inc. and Novell Inc. who joined the company in 2001.

Google is already one of the world's best-known brands, with an online search engine that processes more than 200 million queries daily.

Despite its rapid success, Google faces an uncertain future as it tries to fend off stiffening competition from two much larger rivals, software giant Microsoft Inc. and Yahoo! Inc., which runs the world's most popular Web site.

Through February, Google held a 35 percent share of the search engine market, with Yahoo at 30 percent and Microsoft's MSN at 15 percent, according to comScore Networks, a research firm.

"Someone could still come out of left field and blow Google out of the water," said independent technology industry analyst Rick Broadhead. "What they are doing isn't rocket science. Everyone talks about how they have become one of the biggest successes since the dot-com bust, but they still could become one of the biggest flops, too."*3

----------------------------
References

*1. GSBPA of WBTI is the initials of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. Liedtke, Michael. 'Search Engine King Google to Go Public,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (April 30, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: LVRJ.
*3. Ibid.

Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Clark County Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
*It's our pleasure to pay a tribute to the above officials who dedicate to the civic and community service aspects of our organization in an honorary or adjunct capacity.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For our alumni and friends of Tunghai University, among others --- A message from the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia
BY GSBPA of WBTI*1

The Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) is eager to post the golden words from the Bible about wisdom again. On the Proverb 2:3-6 of Bible, it stated that,
"If you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand that fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come
knowledge and understanding."*2

While the beautiful Christmas card from the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia to Dr. Tony Lei has been designed and posted to the WBTI website last December, we are also pleased to quote some idea of the letter from its Director of Alumni Giving and Communication in order to advance their effort for the higher education in Asia from America.

The letter begun with a warmest Christimas wish to all dear friends of the United Board.
Director of the Department Nan Hawkins wrote that "This season is such a delightful time of anticipation and joy. It's also, of course, a time for reflection, especially about our faith, which forcuses on the realizatiion of the extraordinary promise God made through Babriel to Mary, and to all of us: that with the birth of Jesus, God, fully divine, would become fully human...fully present in our world."*3

The late Dr. Paul T. Lauby, United Board's president emeritus, made the daring decisions that led us to expand our work to new schools and new regions, and he oversaw our return to our original roots in mainland China. He was the prime mover in launching the alumni rpogram, which has become so important to the schools, the United Board, and, of course, to you.

"You, Dr. Lei and all our dear friends, too, are wonderful examples of God's presence in the world, especially in the many ways you demonstrate your loyalty to your alma matters in Asia. We are deeply grateful for your support for those schools and their work, your caring commitment validates and confirms the work of the United Board, which was so much a part of Dr. Lauby's life," wrote Hawkins.

The Director hoped that all our friends would consider making a contibution to the United Board to honor Dr. Lauby's memory, for your schools in Asia, for another aproved project, among others. "We will remit the full amountof your gift to the school you specify, with never a reduction for our overhead costs or any other fees," he added.

"With God's grace, the seeds of understanding, knowledge, and tolerance that Dr. Lauby sought to sow through his ministry in the U. S., Asia, and at the United Board will continue to flourish at this season and in the new year," Nan concluded the letter.*4

As one of the first Class of Tunghai University, Dr. Tony Lei was deeply impressed by and heartily appreciated to the Mission and efforts of the United Board for its great love, contributions, and accomplishments to many of the students, schools, educations, and countries in Asia.

It's our pleasure to reprint the following feature article in order to have some response to the launching of the above announcement by the Director of Alumni Giving and Communication of the United Board for Christian Education in Asia:
------------------------------------------------------------

Nevada State and CAAAN welcome and commend TEFA and Tunghai Reunion
By Tiffany Chang

Starting from July 4th, Independence Day, to 8th of 2001 were a long holiday season for casinos and tourist industries in Las Vegas. Numerious visitors were crowing to here, yet Tunghai University had brought good conference and reunion news for Chinese American academic and educaton community of Nevada.*5

On July 6, gathering to Las Vegas had been the directors and members of Tunghai Endowment Fund for Academic Advancement (TEFA) and 12 - 13th classes of Tunghai Reunion. VIPs were invited by Dr. Tony Lei, President of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) having champagne dinner at Gee Joon Chinese Restaurant of Horseshoe Casino and Hotel. Gerri Schoder brought the certificates of award by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley to the dinner party. TEFA returned with the best Taiwanese box of tea to Shelley. After the pleasent dinner, all the members of party group were treated to enjoy the famous show "Naked Angeles" by Dr. Tony Lei.

On the 8th of July, a Welcome Tea Party was held by Dr. Tony T. Lei, Chairman of Chinese American Academic Association of Nevada (CAAAN) and Mrs. Judy K. Lei. It was held for the celebrating of the incorperation of TEFA USA and the Global Tunghai Reunion in Las Vegas.

In the conference, Dr. Lei expressed sincere welcome in his short speech to both the Corperation and Reunion. He then introduced Theresa Malone, Member of the Nevada Board of Education, and Denise Brodsky, Las Vegas School Board of Trustees to deliver welcome speeches.

Malone spoke for U.S. Senator Harry Reid's welcome to the Conference and announced Reid's certificates of commendation to TEFA and CAAAN. "Yet, with our differences we have a goal that is the same: to provide many opportunities for our citizens to learn and develop their knowledge, skill, mind, and character by formal scholling," Malone said. "With support of organizations as the Tunghai Endowment Fund for Academic Advancement, and the Washington Business and Technology Institute, but most importantly You, we will fulfill our goal to promote opportunities for education. On behalf of the Nevada education community, thanks you for sharing your time and goals with us," she added.*6

Brodsky announced in her welcome speech that U. S. Congresswoman Berkley was giving TEFA and CAAAN each a certificate of Congessional commendation. She recognized that the Mayor, WBTI, among others are sharing their same legacy to include building Las Vegas a community where future generations will have even more opportunities and advantages to live a prosperous life.

The highlight of the tea party at Bellagio was the Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley presented through Malone and Brodsky to TEFA and CAAAN. On behalf of the TEFA, Chairman Wu and Dr. Wang President of Tunghai University received the Certificate. Dr. Lei also received the Award for CAAAN from Berkley. Thunders of applause from all the guests and participants brought a climax of this event in the Conference Room of Renoir 2 during the presentation of the awards.

Chairman Wu gave a thanks speech to appreciate Senator Reid, Congresswoman Berkley, and Chairman Dr. Lei. for their hospitable welcome and supports. He was acknowledged with the invitation by Reid to meet the Senator through Dr. Tony Lei. President of WBTI Dr. Tony T. Lei, Chairman of CAN-DO Dr. R. D. Prabhu, among others are going to hold a significant theme party and dinner at August 24, 2001 in Las Vegas for Harry Reid in congratulating his being the U. S. Senator and Majoity Whip of U.S. Senate.

Dr. Kang-pei Wang, President of Tunghai University, was also invited to give a speech. He thanked the nice welcome and supports by the Washington, D.C. Scene, Nevada State, Las Vegas City, and Clark County. Acknowledgement is that this has been one inspired revelation that Dr. Tony Lei's long years of honest and excellent efforts to encourage and promote the academic research and coummunity service in Nevada are significant and fruitful. He said that Tunghai University*7 is a developed university with many departments, graduate schools, and colleges. The diligent attitude of teaching by professors and the concrete research accomplishment of the graduate schools have launching this University to one of the famous educatonal institutions in the wold. He also welcome all Nevadans to have a visit of Taiwan and Tunghai University.

-----------------------------------------------------------
References

*1. GSBPA of WBTI is the initials of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. New International Version (2000)
"Wisdom,' "God's Words of life for Dads," Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation.
*3. Hawkins, Nan. 'Christmas 2003,' "A Letter to our dear friend Dr. Lei,' (December, 2003), New York, N.Y.: United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.
*4. Ibid.
*5. Chang, Tiffany. ' Nevada State and CAAAN welcome and commend TEFA and Tunghai Reunion,' "Nevada Examiner," (2001), Las Vegas, Nevada: Nevada Examiner.
*6. Ibid.
*7. Wang, Kang-pei. 'The education and research of Tunghai University,' "Tunghai University Information," (October, 2003), Taichung, Taiwan: Tunghai University.

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------------------------------
Culture Affair

Fifth annual Asian Art Now exhibition features art, events and entertainment*1

By KEN WHITE
REVIEW-JOURNAL

***G. S. Kabir's "Rejection of Earth" is one of the works featured in Asian Art Now: 2004 at the Las Vegas Art museum.

***"60th Birthday Series" by Kamol Tassananchalee is a mixed media work with acrylic on handmade paper.

***The exhibit shows a wide range of work, including "Woman at the Bazaar" by Kenji Tajima.

The Las Vegas Art Museum presents its fifth annual Asian Art Now exhibition of contemporary art with a variety of events and entertainment.

Today, from 6 to 9 p.m., a fund-raiser reception and exhibition preview will be at the museum. Attendees are expected to include Honorary Consul General of Japan in Las Vegas, Wayne Tanaka, plus artists and representatives of the Asian Cultural Exchange Association from Japan.

Food and beverages will be provided by Roy's, Panda Express, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, DeLuca Liquor & Wine, Nevada Beverage Company and Lee's Discount Liquors.*2

Entertainment will include a traditional Chinese lion dance performed by the Lohan School of Shao-lin; taiko drumming performed by Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko ("kaminari" is Japanese for thunder); modern koto performance by Shose Yanagimachi and students; Kahiko, an ancient Hula and Hawaiian chant blessing; and demonstrations by members of the Asian Cultural Exchange of chado (tea ceremony), ikebana (flower design) and bokki (calligraphy).

Admission is ... per person. (Please call for information.)

On Saturday, a special opening for members of the Las Vegas Art Museum will be from 2 to 4 p.m.

And on Sunday it's Asian Pacific American Community Day at the museum from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Among the more than 14 artists on display this year are Kamol Tassananchalee, Hirofumi Ohkuma, Letsu Sugiyama, G.S. Kabir, Koichi Terai and Kenji Tajima.

They work in an array of different media: oil, acrylic, watercolor, printmaking, fiber, ceramics, sculpture, digital images and mixed.

One of the exhibit's best-known artists, Tassananchalee, born in Bangkok, Thailand, earned an MFA in 1977 at the Otis Art Institute of Los Angeles and currently lives in West Hollywood.

Founder of the Thai Art Council in Pasadena and the Thai Art Center in Los Angeles, Tassananchalee has exhibited in Asia and the United States.

"To me, art is a universal," Tassananchalee has said. "Concepts, and ideas are infinite. Therefore, I feel comfortable incorporating ordinary things around me into my artwork. A good foundation with deep cultural roots has, without limiting me unduly, provided me with the security and strength to pursue my creativity."

Tassananchalee said the themes in his work "are developed from my life experience, which is a balance between two hemispheres of the globe. With the stable mind of the Thai artist, I am on my own journey, combining East and West together in my work. Since I have been on this path for a long time, I have discovered that the basis for creating quality art is rooted in an artist living a candid and honest lifestyle. The goal is to express the values of mankind in works of art that will endure forever. The pursuit is both a continuing challenge and its own reward."*3

Organized by the Asian Cultural Exchange Association of Japan, the exhibit is designed to promote international understanding and cultural exchange.

Admission is .... children 12 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

what: Asian Art Now: 2004
when: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays (through June 20)
where: Las Vegas Art Museum, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.
tickets: Please ask for information. (360-8000)

-----------------------------
References

*1. White, Ken. 'Fifth annual Asian Art Now exhibition features art, events and entertainment,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (April 29, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: reviewjournal.com.
*2. Ibid.
*3. Ibid.

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Thursday, April 29, 2004
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

Report says LV extends reign as convention king*1

City ranks atop Tradeshow Week list for 10th year

By CHRIS JONES
GAMING WIRE

Workers on Wednesday arrange Milliken Carpet's booth for the Hospitality Design Show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. Measured by square footage, Las Vegas' 16.9 million total equated to a 27.4 percent market share of the nation's 200 largest shows, Tradeshow Week said.
Photo by John Gurzinski.

Las Vegas was again named the nation's top convention destination for 2003, extending a remarkable 10-year reign as the industry's No. 1 host market, editors of a respected industry publication said this week.

Since 1974, Tradeshow Week, a Los Angeles-based magazine that monitors the global convention industry, has compiled a list of the nation's largest conventions and trade shows. Its annual Tradeshow Week 200 report, to be published in Friday's edition, also lists the industry's busiest cities as ranked by most large shows hosted, as well as total square footage leased by such shows during the year.

For 2003, Las Vegas again ranked as the industry's dominant market in both categories. Its 38 shows were 11 more than second-place Chicago and 21 better than last year's third-place finisher, Orlando, Fla.
....

Paul Dykstra, whose GES Exposition Services supports some of this city's largest trade shows including the International Consumer Electronics Show and National Association of Broadcasters' annual event, said Wednesday he's not surprised Las Vegas has maintained its top ranking for so long.

"We've seen strengthening in all of our Vegas-based business," said Dykstra, who is president and chief executive officer of GES. "It's got a terrific convention and visitors bureau, three of the (nation's) largest venues and the hotels and infrastructure that really support the convention and trade show business."

That opinion was supported by Patti Shock, who is chairwoman of the tourism and convention department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Shock said Wednesday that conventions held here usually draw more attendees because guests know there's plenty to do outside the trade show hall -- a characteristic that often means less work for show planners.

"Who wants to sit at a banquet room, rubber chicken dinner when they can be out doing Las Vegas?" Shock asked. "Here (show organizers) don't have to plan so many events" to occupy delegates after hours.

Shock added local convention centers' proximity to hotels, restaurants and other attractions makes Las Vegas more appealing than cities where guests must travel great distances from venue to venue, particularly for large, citywide conventions.

Las Vegas is the only city that's home to three of the country's 10 largest convention venues: the 2.3 million-square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center; 1.9 million-square foot Sands Expo and Convention Center adjacent to The Venetian; and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, a 1.5 million-square-foot center on the south Strip.

While the presence of several large halls allows Las Vegas to maximize its trade show calendar, Shock said she routinely hears from meeting planners who complain that they can't book space in Las Vegas because the city is already too busy.

"We're so busy we can't keep up with all the business we do have," Shock said. "There would be tons and tons more people who'd meet here if they could get in."

To that end, 871,000 square feet of new meeting space is scheduled to open at various sites in town by the end of 2006, bringing the citywide inventory close to 10 million square feet.
....
Last year, conventions added an estimated $6.5 billion to the local economy, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. That total included smaller shows as well as those mentioned in the Tradeshow Week 200.

The 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show, held Jan. 8-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, was named the year's largest trade show with nearly 1.25 million square feet used. Overall, Las Vegas was host to six of the year's 10 largest events.*2

-----------------------
References

*1. Jones, Chris. 'Report says LV extends reign as convention king --- City ranks atop Tradeshow Week list for 10th year,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (April 29, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: reviewjournal.com.
*2. Ibid.