Richard N. Velotta

Story Archive

Season cuts hurt Las Vegas, help Southwest
Friday, Aug. 6, 2010
There are two ways to look at Southwest Airline’s recent announcement it’s slicing a dozen flights out of Las Vegas’ fall schedule:
Boyd Gaming's profit tumbles in second quarter
Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010
Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming, which operates three downtown Las Vegas properties and four locals resorts in Southern Nevada, said its earnings and revenue fell in the second quarter as customers spent less because of economic worries.
Boyd drops out of Station Casino auction
CEO says Station insiders have advantage in bid process
Friday, July 30, 2010
Boyd Gaming has abandoned efforts to acquire Station Casinos assets that will be auctioned next week, saying it would be pointless to pursue any of the 11 Station properties because Station insiders would have an advantage in the bid process.
Spirit announces flights between Chicago and Las Vegas
Friday, July 30, 2010
Spirit Airlines, a Florida-based air carrier with four round-trip flights a day in and out of Las Vegas, will add a daily flight between McCarran International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International in November.
If you brew it, they will come?
Friday, July 30, 2010
A company that has begun producing an authentic Irish beer in the United States aims to bring a successful formula to Las Vegas and turn it into a tourist attraction.
Delta plans new route between Las Vegas and Hartford, Conn.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Delta Air Lines will stick its toe in the water on a new route with Saturday-only nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Hartford, Conn., beginning Oct. 2.
Southwest quarterly earnings soar
'Bags Fly Free' policy helped traffic, official says
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, the market leader at McCarran International Airport, rode an all-time-high quarter for revenue to become the fifth of six major air carriers to be profitable in 2010’s second quarter.
Southwest trims flights to Las Vegas
Airline plans to have 12 fewer daily round trips into McCarran starting Nov. 7
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Southwest Airlines will offer more than 1,600 fewer seats a day into the Las Vegas market in the winter months following a seasonal schedule change that takes effect in November.
Viad reports $3 million in earnings
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Viad Corp, parent company of Las Vegas-based convention services contractor Global Experience Specialists, said the convention and meetings industry appears to be stabilizing after reporting that earnings narrowed in the company’s second quarter.
Las Vegas versus Macau not really a contest
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
When gambling went from being a pastime largely offered by organized crime to a leading entertainment industry, academia took notice.
Fly Southwest? Plan on leaving from a different concourse
Friday, July 23, 2010
Travelers who fly Southwest Airlines and make an automatic beeline to the C gates will need to keep an eye on departure gates.
Las Vegas company launches Mexico.com travel website
Friday, July 23, 2010
The company that has developed VEGAS.com into a leading travel booking website for the Las Vegas market has launched a similar site to guide travelers to vacation attractions in Mexico.
Q&A: William Eadington
Friday, July 23, 2010
When gambling went from being a pastime largely offered by organized crime to a leading entertainment industry, academia took notice and wanted to study it.
Long ride to Bellagio sparked taxicab long-haul battle
Friday, July 23, 2010
Nevada Taxicab Authority Administrator Gordon Walker tells a story about a cab customer who was really taken for a ride a few years ago.
High-speed train would create equivalent of 50,000 one-year construction jobs
Most permanent jobs would be based in Victorville, Calif.
Friday, July 23, 2010
When the DesertXpress high-speed train is built, there would be up to 700 permanent jobs at an operations and maintenance facility — in Victorville, Calif.
US Airways sees boost after Las Vegas cutbacks
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
US Airways, the third-busiest air carrier at McCarran International Airport after being No. 2 in the market for more than a decade, reported a profit in its second quarter, the second highest since 2005 when the airline merged with America West.
Allegiant profit declines in second quarter
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., the parent company of Allegiant Air, reported its 30th straight profitable quarter, but earnings were off more than 25 percent from what they were a year ago.
Advocacy group says it's OK for casinos to market to gambling addicts
Head of Nevada Council on Problem Gambling says efforts should focus on non-gaming amenities
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
t’s all right for casinos to market to customers with addictive gambling behavior as long as they focus on the property’s amenities and don’t push playing slot machines and table games, according to the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling.
Repeal of Washington airport ‘perimeter rule’ could lead to new Las Vegas flights
Friday, July 16, 2010
Nevada’s congressional delegation is rallying behind legislation boosted by US Airways that could lead to additional flights between Las Vegas and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
New bridge to provide spectacular views of dam
Bird’s-eye views of dam to draw pedestrians to bypass bridge
Friday, July 16, 2010
The spectacular new observation deck 280 feet above Hoover Dam should be finished in a few months, allowing tourists to get photos that had previously been possible only from a helicopter. The main purpose of the four-lane Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is to route traffic off the dam, of course. But motorists will find it difficult, if not impossible, to get snapshots of its vertigo-inducing views.
Taxi industry opposes proposal for flat rates
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Representatives of Southern Nevada’s taxicab industry today rejected a proposal from the Nevada Taxicab Authority to set cab fares at a flat rate of $20 from McCarran International Airport to the Strip.
After I-15 work, freeway to Phoenix will become focus
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Once NDOT completes its work on the widening of Interstate 15 from Blue Diamond Road south, Southern Nevada’s most important tourism conduit will be done in Nevada and leaders can turn their attention to other pressing transportation needs, the LVCVA was told today.
Q&A: Milton Glick
Friday, July 9, 2010
Las Vegas residents see the links between UNLV and the business community every day, but few have tuned in to the business relationship with UNR.
Gaming officials say market stagnant
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The state Gaming Control Board recommended approval of a slew of new licenses today from an all-star list of Southern Nevada’s biggest casino companies. In the process, regulators checked the pulse of the state’s dominant industry, finding it to be stagnant.
Ad firm gets international award for latest Vegas campaign
Thursday, July 8, 2010
R&R Partners, the Las Vegas-based advertising agency contracted to produce print and television ads for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the creators of the famed “What happens here, stays here” campaign, has won national and international recognition for some of its latest work.
Proposed airline rules would give consumers a break
Friday, July 2, 2010
Anybody who flies frequently has at least one war story about something an airline did that somehow screwed up a trip.
CiCi’s pizza recipe: Providing real value
Dallas-based chain opens six LV outlets
Friday, June 25, 2010
Conventional wisdom suggests that a company new to town not try to take the growth curve too rapidly, especially during the worst economic downturn in recent history.
Zoned pricing on Strip could help Taxicab Authority eliminate long-hauling problem
Friday, June 25, 2010
At next week’s meeting of the Nevada Taxicab Authority, board members will discuss one of the most vexing problems of the industry — the illegal practice of long-hauling.
Q&A: Mike Lubbe, president and CEO of YMCA of Southern Nevada
Friday, June 25, 2010
One of the cold realities of the Great Recession is that people have cut some of their philanthropic giving.
Krolicki’s task force is latest shot at business diversity
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Even in the heyday of Las Vegas growth, the concern was whispered in board rooms and government offices: Can Nevada continue riding a one-trick pony or does it need to diversify?
LVCVA, Resort Association challenge immigration proposal
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Nevada Resort Association today filed a joint legal challenge to a recently filed initiative petition that would enact reform legislation similar to Arizona’s immigration law.
With small booth, a new push to lure out-of-state companies
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Matthew Schissler used to ponder moving his company to Las Vegas during his long drives from Southern California to the Las Vegas Convention Center, where he frequently attended trade shows.
NDA now has prime spot to recruit companies to move to Southern Nevada
Friday, June 18, 2010
Matthew Schissler used to ponder moving his company to Las Vegas during his long drives from Southern California to the Las Vegas Convention Center, where he frequently attended trade shows.
New OSHA office means more enforcement
Feds open facility due to state OSHA’s problems
Friday, June 18, 2010
Nevada employers required to keep workplaces safe have a new watchdog: the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Best and worst of Las Vegas’ tourism times on display during In Business’ lifetime
Friday, June 11, 2010
With apologies to Charles Dickens: For the Southern Nevada tourism industry, it was the best of times and it was the worst of times during the 2000s.
Solotech blazes a trail of economic diversification in entertainment industry
Friday, June 11, 2010
Solotech is a perfect example of a Canadian company that came to Las Vegas as a contractor, became an important niche business and, from its Southern Nevada base, has expanded to become a big player nationally with a local address.
Hawaiian Airlines to begin nonstop Maui-Las Vegas flights
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines will begin twice-weekly nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Maui beginning in October, the company announced Wednesday.
Nevada Development Authority to recruit companies at convention center
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Nevada Development Authority have signed a two-year agreement with options that allows the NDA to man a booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s entrance hall to recruit companies to the city.
LVCVA renews agreements, vows to oppose immigration initiative
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority today renewed agreements with 12 offices that represent the city in 75 markets worldwide, placing the most emphasis on Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe.
Another train enters fray for L.A. to LV route
Developer wants federal money to conduct study
Sunday, June 6, 2010
There’s a new player in the Great Race to provide rail service between Las Vegas and Southern California. It has an interesting route proposal going for it, but it’s late to the party for money.
Nashville floods boost Las Vegas convention business
Friday, June 4, 2010
In the meetings and conventions business, one city’s tragedy can be another city’s opportunity. Las Vegas has picked up more than 30 meetings and conventions that were scheduled in hotels and convention centers in Nashville.
Time to update your train score card with a new player
Friday, June 4, 2010
It’s time for readers to pull out their Los Angeles train score cards for the latest update on the Great Race to provide some kind of rail service to and from Southern California.
Q&A: Ned Collett, CEO of Pure Management Group
Friday, June 4, 2010
When the Internal Revenue Service sent agents to investigate Pure Management Group in February 2008, it didn’t look good for the company or the Las Vegas nightclub industry.
State revives tourism conference after two-year hiatus
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Governor’s Conference on Tourism, the state’s largest gathering of tourism professionals, is back on the calendar after a two-year hiatus. The Nevada Commission on Tourism today reviewed a proposed agenda for the Dec. 7-8 event scheduled at the Peppermill resort in Reno.
Pure Management executive leaves company
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Nightlife and restaurant executive Deborah Krause has left as Las Vegas-based Pure Management Group’s chief operating officer.
Las Vegas tops for trade shows; list author closes
Friday, May 28, 2010
Las Vegas maintained its grip as the top destination on the Tradeshow Week 200, a list of the leading conventions and trade shows staged in North America in 2009.
First nonstop flight from Paris arrives at McCarran
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Las Vegas showgirls are commonly part of the welcoming party when new international flights begin at McCarran International Airport. When XL Airways France made its inaugural run from Paris to Las Vegas on Thursday, two Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority-hired showgirls greeting passengers on the first flight had a little competition for attention.
Pure launches compliance program in wake of IRS probe
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Pure Management Group announced today that it has launched a regulatory compliance program to keep it out of trouble with state and county regulators.
Hard Rock Hotel taps M Resort exec for CEO post
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
An executive for the M Resort who has served as vice president of operations for Harrah’s Entertainment was named the new president and CEO of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Symposium examines future look of slot machines, players
Friday, May 21, 2010
Who will be the slot machine players of the future when Baby Boomers sail into the sunset?