Lake Tahoe is a tall drink of water with several distinct flavors. A well-mixed cocktail, if you will, of winter sports and water sports, casinos and cabarets, and of course, an awe-inspiring crystal blue lake surrounded by the Sierras.
More than a dozen ski resorts ring the north, east and south sides of the lake, offering a plethora of snowy activities from approximately November through April or May, in addition to a variety of meeting spaces throughout the year. When the last of the famous Sierra powder has melted into the clear waters of the lake for the summer, mountain biking, hiking and golf at more than 30 courses become available.
Year-round activities are plentiful and diverse, and even winter days are often sunny and clear, with dazzling vistas of the white peaks of the Sierras and their deep green blanket of evergreens. Since the lake never freezes, water activities such as boating and fishing are options in any season.
On the Nevada side, six casinos set the scene for 24-hour gaming action and live entertainment as well as one-stop shops for memorable events.
With property renovations, new venues under construction and improved shuttle service from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to both the North and South shores, Lake Tahoe is more than ever a sure bet for a winning event.
North Shore
“Tahoe truly is one of most amazing places you will ever see,” says Jason Neary, director of sales at North Lake Tahoe Visitors and Convention Bureau, and for once, such a statement is far from hyperbole.
The pure white snow, clear blue water, stately pines, and princely peaks of the area deserve a surgeon general’s warning for neck pain after a day of craning to take in all of the beauty.
The communities of Tahoe City and Truckee on the California side, and Crystal Bay and Incline Village in Nevada, along with their surrounding resorts such as Northstar-at-Tahoe and Squaw Valley, offer a total of 6,800 guest rooms and 150,000 square feet of meeting space at 30 different venues.
“There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to new developments in Tahoe, as we are in the middle of a real renaissance in the area,” Neary enthuses.
In 2006, ground was broken on the North Shore’s first five-star caliber property, The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe.
Other major properties have been working hard to upgrade and expand their offerings with an eager eye on meetings business. The Village at Squaw Valley expanded, bringing its total square footage of meeting space to 4,500. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, with 50,000 square feet of function space, completed a major facelift and added a 20,000-square-foot spa. Cal Neva Resort, Spa and Casino, offering 16,000 square feet of meeting space, is scheduled to soon begin a major renovation project.
“The neat thing about North Lake Tahoe is that most of the hotels are a bit off the beaten path and each is uniquely different,” Neary explains. “With lodging choices ranging from rustic mountain cottages to casinos to four-star luxury resorts with golf and spa services, we have something to fit everybody’s needs here in Tahoe. From the larger Resort at Squaw Creek and Hyatt, to villages at Squaw Valley and Northstar, to the real Tahoe charm of Granlibakken or the history of Cal Neva, there is truly something for everyone.”
Tahoe is also one of the most easily accessible mountain resorts in America, according to Neary. More than 170 flights pass through Reno-Tahoe International Airport each day. The airport is located 45 miles from the North Shore, and the new North Lake Tahoe Express shuttle service that was launched in November makes ground transportation easier than ever.
Aside from its accessibility and growing number of facilities, Tahoe’s inherent value also bodes well for groups.
“There seems to be a common misperception that Tahoe is out of the budget for many government or association programs,” Neary says. “This isn’t the case at all. Especially when you are able to meet during our shoulder seasons in late October, November, December, April, May, or early June, you will be amazed at the great deals you can find.”
With its improving infrastructure and many other group selling points, the area seems assured of increasing its share of the meetings market.
“The future of Lake Tahoe as a meeting destination is tremendously bright,” Neary says. “With all of the new development and renovations and the continued development of our infrastructure, Tahoe has firmly established itself as a top-flight and must-see meetings destination.”
South Shore
The towns of South Lake Tahoe and Stateline serve up sizzling nightlife and nonstop gaming action at a number of casinos, as well as spectacular views and excellent skiing to match the north end of the lake. With a host of renovated venues and a new convention center on the drawing board, the area is upping the ante to attract larger events.
“The proposed center, which is set to break ground in May, will not only change the face of South Lake Tahoe, it will make our destination a viable option for planners that previously were not able to bring their programs here,” says Paul Swanston, director of sales at the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “The addition will complement an already existing solid meetings infrastructure, making South Lake Tahoe a top contender for meetings being held in the Western U.S.”
Situated directly across from Heavenly Village, the conference center, slated for completion in 2009 or 2010, will offer 50,000 square feet of space and 322 condo-hotel rooms, plus another lodging property, as well as restaurant and retail space.
Not to be outdone, the South Shore’s casinos keep raising their stakes in their competition for meetings business. In 2006, Caesars Tahoe became MontBleu, adopting a sophisticated, “metro-cool” atmosphere. It has 16,000 square feet of meeting space. Harrah’s and Harveys continue the process of renovating, investing millions in restaurant upgrades and enhancements to accommodations and casino floors. Harveys offers a 20,000-square-foot convention center, and Harrah’s has a 22,000-square-foot special events center. Horizon Casino Resort, which has also completed upgrades, is another favorite for meetings, with 539 guest rooms and 14,000 square feet of meeting space.
Since the casino ambience isn’t for everyone, the area has plenty of non-gaming meetings hotels to choose from, including Embassy Suites Hotel Lake Tahoe Resort, which renovated its 10,000 square feet of meeting space in 2006, and Marriott’s Timber Lodge, which will finish expanding its accommodations to offer 265 guest rooms in June 2008.
Smaller venues include Inn by the Lake, which offers 2,000 square feet of meeting space, and Forest Suites Resort, which can host as many as 70 people. The Ridge Tahoe and Stanford Sierra Conference Center is capable of welcoming up to 200 attendees.
The lakeside Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, home of the Celebrity Golf Tournament, is a great option for an alternate venue. Its two banquet rooms offer exquisite views of the lake.
The South Shore is a little farther from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, but South Tahoe Express has continued to add shuttles to make that connection easier. Currently 11 daily departures each way stop at MontBleu Resort, Embassy Suites, Harrah’s, Harveys, Horizon, and Lakeside Inn.
The South Shore is second to none when it comes to outdoor activities. With 4,800 acres of skiable terrain, 91 trains and 29 lifts, Heavenly Mountain Resort is the largest ski area in California and Nevada, and it’s just one of many options. The south end of Lake Tahoe also boasts the famously gorgeous Emerald Bay as well as Zephyr Cove, among other popular marinas that offer boat rentals.
“Having options always makes for a great meeting,” Swanston says. “Planners are always pleased with the amount of options Lake Tahoe has to offer, from hotels to function space to dining and entertainment. There is nowhere else in the world that offers state-of-the-art meeting facilities in a setting so beautiful that Mark Twain coined it ‘the fairest view the Earth affords.’
“Throw in world-class entertainment,” he adds, “and you end up with a destination that has something for everyone, a virtue that makes for a great meeting.”
For More Info
Incline Village/Crystal Bay Visitors and Convention Bureau 775.832.1606
www.gotahoe.com
Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority 530.544.5050
www.bluelaketahoe.com
North Lake Tahoe Visitors and Convention Bureau 530.581.8703
www.puretahoenorth.com
