Rossi Ralenkotter is the CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and also serves as chairman of the U.S. Travel Association, at a time when the meetings segment is still coping with the backlash over the General Services Administration's (GSA) misuse of federal funds for lavish meeting expenditures. Ralenkotter had the following email exchange with News Editor Bill Poling.
Q: Before the GSA scandal, was the meetings industry making a comeback?
A: The meetings industry has faced several challenges in the past several years, particularly the effects of the recession. Meetings and conventions are a critical part of conducting business and a stimulus to our economy. The industry pulled together to advocate its importance, and we have seen recovery in the past year and a half. In Las Vegas, most of our major trade shows have shown growth in the past couple of years, and the corporate meeting segment has been strong as well. We expect that growth will continue.
Q: How badly has the GSA incident hurt the meetings segment?
A: The GSA issue was frustrating and disappointing for everyone because a handful of federal employees made poor decisions and spent tax dollars irresponsibly. While the issue has reintroduced the debate on the value of face-to-face meetings, U.S. Travel and several industry associations are working hard to make sure the importance of meetings and conventions is conveyed.
Q: Last year the industry saw the creation of the Corporation for Travel Promotion. This year Brand USA unveiled its marketing campaign at Pow Wow, and the administration adopted a travel and tourism strategy. Is travel on a roll? Leaving aside the meetings issue, has the industry turned a corner?
A: The launch of Brand USA has been a terrific boost to the travel and tourism industry. We are grateful for the recognition of travel and tourism as an economic boon by the Obama administration and congressional leaders. President Obama's recently released strategic plan to increase international tourism to the U.S. by 100 million visitors by 2021 is also another sign of how much progress the industry has made. Tourism is ... the leading [service] export for our country. We are gaining the recognition we deserve.
Q: Now that Brand USA is taking the lead in promoting the U.S., how do you see U.S. Travel's role evolving?
A: With Brand USA taking the role as the marketing arm for the U.S. tourism industry, U.S. Travel will continue its work advocating for the industry. We have made great strides in having our voice heard, and it is crucial that we continue to maintain our seat at the table.
Q: One of the things we noticed in the recent campaign for visa reform, and in some other recent awareness campaigns, was the participation of groups that we don't think of as "travel groups," such as manufacturers, the electronics industry, the chamber of commerce. Are we going to see more of that?
A: I think much of that is the result of the work of the U.S. Travel Association to increase awareness, and pressures placed on the meetings and conventions industry during the recession and the debate on the value of face-to-face meetings.
No matter what industry you are in, meetings and conventions play a crucial role in the success of your business. Industry organizations like the Consumer Electronics Association, the National Association of Auto Dealers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, industries you wouldn't easily connect with tourism, understand the importance of travel to their business.