Richard N. Velotta

Story Archive

Q&A: Joseph A. Magliarditi, CEO of Hard Rock Hotel
Friday, Oct. 1, 2010
When the Hard Rock Hotel needed a CEO to replace an executive who had died, they went to someone who not only had experience in the gaming industry, but someone who knew the Las Vegas market.
Casinos see Southwest's acquisition of AirTran as win for Las Vegas
Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010
Gaming executives are optimistic that Southwest Airlines’ acquisition of AirTran will bring more flights to Las Vegas, countering some predictions that the deal won’t significantly alter the local aviation landscape.
DesertXpress likely further delayed by a federal agency
Friday, Sept. 24, 2010
Despite the various reader comments that have pleaded, “Just build it, already!” in reference to the proposed DesertXpress high-speed passenger train, it appears that the public will have to wait a little bit longer for ground to be broken on the Las Vegas-to-Victorville, Calif., system.
Q&A: Bob Coyle, vice president of Republic Services
Friday, Sept. 24, 2010
Almost every day at the crack of dawn — and sometimes before that — an armada of Republic Services trash-hauling trucks begins its rounds on the streets of Southern Nevada.
Las Vegas lobbies for return of direct flights to Seoul
Friday, Sept. 24, 2010
It may take a lot more Southern Nevada customers for Korean Air to bring back the airline’s nonstop flights to Seoul.
Man on Nevada's Black Book arrested at Caesars Palace
Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010
A New Jersey man who has been on Nevada’s List of Excluded Persons – the Black Book – since 1994 and on New Jersey’s List of Exclusion since 1989 was arrested in a Las Vegas casino Wednesday morning.
Allegiant, Peppermill partner for flights to Wendover
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010
A partnership between Reno’s Peppermill Resorts and Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air will result in charter flights to Wendover on the Nevada-Utah border.
New Las Vegas company awarded more than $300,000 in tax abatements
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010
A new Las Vegas company on the verge of a technological breakthrough in commercial paving on Tuesday won more than $300,000 in tax abatements and deferrals from the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.
Las Vegas cabdrivers among best in U.S. — with exceptions, survey finds
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010
Las Vegas cabdrivers have been known to boast they provide tourists’ first impression of the city. The public appears divided on whether that impression is good or bad.
R&R Partners named one of best places to work
Monday, Sept. 20, 2010
R&R Partners, creator of Las Vegas’ award-winning “What happens here, stays here” ad campaign, is expected to be recognized today as one of Advertising Age magazine’s 2010 Best Places to Work in Marketing and Media.
Las Vegas executive named to board promoting U.S. tourism
Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010
The top executive of one of the world’s largest vacation ownership companies, Las Vegas-based Diamond Resorts International, has been appointed to the board of directors of a nonprofit corporation that will promote travel to the United States.
Comments tell more than we want to know about cabbies
Friday, Sept. 17, 2010
Hotels.com has proclaimed Las Vegas taxicabs as the best overall in the country.
Gaming Commission OKs settlement over Caesars Palace baccarat table dance
Friday, Sept. 17, 2010
The Nevada Gaming Commission approved a state settlement and $250,000 fine against the holding company for Caesars Palace on Thursday. But commissioners weren’t happy that resort representatives didn’t show up for the tongue-lashing they gave the company for allowing a customer to do an impromptu dance on a baccarat table last year.
Former Lady Luck owner gets license, plans entry into Las Vegas market
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010
The Nevada Gaming Commission today approved the licensing of Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., a St. Louis-based company that once owned the Lady Luck property in downtown Las Vegas.
Google, Nevada tourism officials partner for winter ad campaign
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010
The Nevada Commission on Tourism, partnering with Google.com, expects to produce more than 8 million page views from its target demographic in an Internet winter tourism ad campaign that begins in November. The commission began working with Google late last year and will spend $835,000 of its $2.4 million media budget on Internet marketing in the current fiscal year.
Las Vegas lands international airline conference in 2013
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010
The LVCVA today made a million-dollar investment in future air service at McCarran International Airport by agreeing to bring the 19th Worldwide Routes Development Forum to the city.
Officials choose 7 proposals in effort to diversify economy
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010
The state’s all-star team of business and economic development experts inched closer Monday toward developing an economic diversification strategy for the state, choosing seven proposals for further study and eliminating one that was deemed too challenging to undertake.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant adding seats to boost capacity
Monday, Sept. 13, 2010
The parent company of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air today announced a plan to reconfigure over a 1 1⁄2-year period 57 twin-engine MD-80 jets to add 16 seats and bring each aircraft’s capacity to 166 passengers.
United’s strategy for Vegas unclear as merger approaches
Friday, Sept. 10, 2010
The proposed merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines — both with a moderate presence at McCarran International Airport — appears to be on track. Buy that does it mean for Las Vegas?
M&I concentrates on watch-repair business
Friday, Sept. 10, 2010
When you go into M&I International’s clock, watch and jewelry repair shop on Spring Mountain Road at Valley View Boulevard, you’re greeted with a symphony of chimes, cuckoos and musical interludes.
McCarran travelers to get glimpse of airport of future
Friday, Sept. 10, 2010
Travelers who use McCarran International Airport aren’t going to have to wait for Terminal 3 to open in 2012 to get a look at the airport terminal of the future.
Transportation expert says Las Vegas could become crossroads of West
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010
Las Vegas could become the crossroads of the West with a new Interstate 15 corridor study, a proposed Interstate 11 and planned connections to a high-speed rail network, a transportation expert said on Tuesday. Tom Skancke, president of The Skancke Co. Ltd., said a section of I-15 in Southern California illustrates why communities along the highway need to work together.
UNLV professor studies best ways to get from here to there
UNLV professor sees options for travelers in Nevada
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010
Transportation planning has risen to a science because of advances in technology. Pushkin Kachroo has even given the discipline a name: “transportronics,” for its blending of research and electrical engineering.
Limo company lets customers text for ride, can send ads
Friday, Sept. 3, 2010
It used to be that hailing a cab or hiring a limousine required a little street-corner choreography to get a driver’s attention.
Q&A: Pushkin Kachroo, Director of UNLV’s Transportation Research Center
Friday, Sept. 3, 2010
Transportation frequently is listed as one of the biggest issues facing the Las Vegas business community, and UNLV has a facility, researchers and educators to address those challenges.
Successful Hollywood movies continue to sell Las Vegas
Friday, Sept. 3, 2010
Ever since “The Hangover” debuted in June 2009, people from all over the world have gone to Caesars Palace to book a night at the suite where members of a bachelor party woke up from a night of debauchery they couldn’t remember.
Governor’s Conference on Tourism could be last if it flops
Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010
Former Nevada Gov. Richard Bryan, who developed the first Governor’s Conference on Tourism more than two decades ago, will be honored at December’s revamped two-day event.
Former Lady Luck owner has plans for Las Vegas market
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010
The state Gaming Control Board today recommended approval of the licensing of the company that once owned the shuttered Lady Luck casino in downtown Las Vegas.
Las Vegas' busiest air carrier expanding in N.J.
Southwest often offers nonstop flights to Vegas in new markets
Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010
Southwest Airlines, the busiest air carrier at McCarran International Airport, has negotiated a lease agreement with Continental Airlines that would enable Southwest to operate up to 18 round trips a day from Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J.
Southwest technology, boarding policies change behavior
Friday, Aug. 27, 2010
Southwest Airlines’ technological and policy switches have changed the way Las Vegas’ busiest air carrier boards its passengers at McCarran International Airport.
Taxicab Authority plans for credit card transactions
Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010
The five-member Taxicab Authority today began working through questions as the local taxi industry gets closer to developing credit card processing regulations.
Blackjack payouts drop, but oh, those dancers!
Casinos moving to 6:5 ratios, but 'party pits' proving profitable
Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010
Few things raise the hackles of loyal blackjack fans more quickly than casinos cutting back on what they pay gamblers for hitting 21. But an increasing number of casinos are quietly doing that, reducing blackjack payouts by 30 percent. The casino has to pay for that pretty woman dancing on the little stage in the blackjack pit.
Allegiant Air announces new service to North Dakota
Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010
Allegiant Air will begin flying twice-weekly routes between Las Vegas and Minot, N.D., beginning in October.
Taxicab Authority rejects complaint from 2 strip clubs
Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010
The Nevada Taxicab Authority says there is no evidence that 12 Clark County companies violated any state laws or local ordinances regarding the alleged diversion of customers to local strip clubs. The board voted 3-0 Tuesday to reject a complaint by Déjà Vu Showgirls and Little Darlings.
Las Vegas ranks as top destination for Labor Day weekend
Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010
Las Vegas has retained its crown as the nation’s most popular Labor Day destination, a leading Internet travel company says.
Chamber chief sees needs, firm against taxes on small business
Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010
When Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce officials went looking for a new president last year, their checklist was long: experience with economic development and diversification, education, a large business organization, workers’ compensation and health care plans.
McCarran retakes top spot for Southwest Airlines flights
Friday, Aug. 20, 2010
McCarran International Airport will regain the title of Southwest Airlines’ busiest station when the airline’s winter schedule changes take effect.
Officials think split of car industry shows will be net gain
Friday, Aug. 20, 2010
For years, the automotive industry has been in the spotlight in Las Vegas at the end of October or in early November when the Specialty Equipment Market Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo come to town for a convention with more than 100,000 people.
Q&A: Matt Crosson
Friday, Aug. 20, 2010
When Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kara Kelley announced her plans to leave the organization in September 2009, chamber officials looked for a replacement who was strong in all the areas important to members.
Glass-ceiling breakers push networking, taking risks
Friday, Aug. 20, 2010
Cynthia Kiser Murphey’s biggest challenge as an executive with MGM Resorts International also produced the opportunity that led to her current position — president and chief operating officer of New York-New York.
Trimming flights good for airlines, bad for Las Vegas
Carriers' profits are money tourists can’t spend here
Friday, Aug. 20, 2010
An airline industry strategy to raise profits — by offering fewer flights — may make sense for them, but may be coming at the expense of the Las Vegas tourism industry.
Vegas-based Allegiant Air to begin service to Moline, Ill.
Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010
Twice-weekly air service between Las Vegas and Moline, Ill., will be offered by Allegiant Air beginning in October.
Henderson company gets tax breaks for creating jobs, expanding plant
Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010
The Southern Nevada company that produced the decorative rock surfaces at Aria in MGM Resorts International’s CityCenter project will receive nearly $59,000 in tax abatements for creating jobs and investing capital in a plant expansion.
Southwest Airlines weighs addition of larger aircraft
Friday, Aug. 13, 2010
Southwest Airlines, the busiest air carrier at McCarran International Airport, is considering a plan that would add larger aircraft to its fleet.
WestJet Airlines announces service to Canadian capital
Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010
Canadian discount air carrier WestJet Airlines today announced new twice-weekly seasonal round-trip flights linking Las Vegas with Ottawa, Ontario, Canada’s capital city.
Game-changing technology at work in dominant sports books
Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010
Cantor Gaming, which operates the race and sports books at M Resort, the Venetian and Palazzo, offered an interesting statistic recently: The company says the three books are responsible for about 15 percent of the state’s annual sports wagering handle, based on figures from the Gaming Control Board.
LVCVA leaders hear praise, but will skip raise
Panel says officials deserve raise, although money is still too tight
Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010
A Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority compensation committee heaped praise on two of its top executives Tuesday – but recommended no bonus money or raises – in the first stage of the organization’s annual executive performance reviews.
Nevada’s low taxes not always the best incentive, officials say
Monday, Aug. 9, 2010
Nevada has built its reputation as a low-tax haven to encourage companies to relocate their businesses here in recent years. But low taxes alone won’t be enough to lure companies when rival offer certain incentives, officials said.
Economy almost closes local institution
Focus on core values, cake masterpieces helps 51-year-old Freed’s remain afloat
Friday, Aug. 6, 2010
The Great Recession has been no cakewalk for Freed’s Bakery of Las Vegas.
Q&A: Scott Zeiger
Friday, Aug. 6, 2010
Las Vegas reigns as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” and BASE Entertainment has staked a claim as one of the city’s key production companies.