Richard N. Velotta

Story Archive

State tourism group won't team up with larger convention
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
No decision has been reached on whether a scaled-down version of the Governor’s Tourism Conference will be held in December, but one thing is fairly certain: The conference won’t be held along with a larger event such as the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association show.
County hopes business travel will soar at Henderson airport
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
No plane, no gain. That is the message on how important general aviation is to the local economy delivered last week at the Henderson Executive Airport by representatives of an organization boosting business aviation nationwide.
Early indicator — temp jobs — shows signs of a recovery
Monday, Sept. 14, 2009
Temporary employment is on the rise in Las Vegas, a development some economists see as a possible early indicator of economic recovery.
New table game edges closer to the floor
Entrepreneurs’ game, Two Cards High, passes Control Board hurdle
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
When we last left mom-and-pop casino game inventors George and Stephanie Boutsifakos, their baby was being field-tested at Boulder Station, with no assurance it would survive its scheduled 90-day run. Sure, the game was getting rave reviews in a casino in South Korea, but locally two other casinos had yanked it off the floor. Go figure. Depending on how the Boulder Station trial went, the couple were on the brink of giving birth to a casino game that they had named Two Cards High. We can now move their story forward.
Not all Southwest passengers on board with EarlyBird Check-In
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009
Love it or hate it, Southwest Airlines’ new EarlyBird Check-In program isn’t going to go away anytime soon.
Regulators cautious on systems-based slots regulations
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009
Gaming regulators are taking a cautious approach toward amending regulations on systems-based slot machines.
High-speed rail alliance brings Western cities aboard
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009
It’s Monday afternoon of a three-day weekend spent at a terrific resort, and the going-home traffic is brutal. It’s going to take hours longer to get home than it usually takes on this trip. No, this isn’t Interstate 15 heading for Southern California from Las Vegas. It’s Interstate 70 between the Colorado ski resorts and the Denver metropolitan area.
Alliance’s goal: Western rail system
Fast trips between major cities are what planners in four states envision
Monday, Sept. 7, 2009
Imagine boarding a train in downtown Las Vegas and getting off at a Colorado ski resort just a couple of hours later. And just think of the millions of people across the West who might take a last-minute trip to Las Vegas to unwind if a train were available.
Governor’s conference would be a low-key affair, if it happens
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009
It’s been an important gathering in Nevada for nearly 25 years. Now, since Gov. Jim Gibbons has taken over as the state’s chief executive, the Governor’s Tourism Conference has evaporated. To be fair, it isn’t entirely Gibbons’ fault that economic hard times forced the cancellation of what would have been the silver anniversary conference last year.
Economy may curb local NASCAR plans
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
If local boosters of NASCAR racing have their way, Labor Day weekends in Las Vegas will be dedicated to putting the finishing touches on preparing the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for a big night race.
With Gibbons in office, 'Tourism Conference Lite' may be only hope
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
It’s been an important gathering in Nevada for nearly 25 years. Now, since Gov. Jim Gibbons has taken over as the state’s chief executive, the Governor’s Tourism Conference has evaporated.
NLV Chamber, government target California companies for economic growth
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
North Las Vegas plans to partner with businesses to recruit California companies.
Second NASCAR race would be nice, but first ...
Las Vegas Motor Speedway must pass tough test in a bad economy: Find a sponsor for next year’s Cup race
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
Local boosters of NASCAR racing would love for Las Vegas Motor Speedway to host a second Sprint Cup series race — this one, a night race after Labor Day.


Southwest to pull three daily flights from McCarran, adds $10 fee
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009
McCarran International Airport will lose three flights a day from Southwest Airlines when the Dallas-based carrier, the largest operator at the Las Vegas airport, modifies its schedule in January and February.
DesertXpress train aiming for March construction start
Official says 10,500 construction jobs possible with $4 billion project
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009
The leader of the effort to build the proposed DesertXpress high-speed train between Las Vegas and Southern California said his company has launched a worldwide search for vendors and suppliers so that construction on the $4 billion project could begin by the end of March.
Southwest pilots’ input nixed deal for Frontier
CEO says airline wouldn’t risk damaging employee culture
Monday, Aug. 31, 2009
To many, Southwest Airlines’ failure to acquire Denver-based Frontier Airlines out of bankruptcy was shocking.

McCarran joins U.S. airports using Customs kiosks
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009
You’ve seen them in “Mission: Impossible” and the James Bond movies, those facial-feature scanners and fingerprint pads that give people access to high-tech secret stuff. Now, McCarran International Airport has such a gadget for people to get into the United States.
Forum to address DesertXpress train proposal
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
Backers of the DesertXpress train proposal will discuss it at a UNLV Transportation Research Center forum that organizers hope will be the first of several sessions on developing high-speed rail between Las Vegas and Southern California.
New Vegas wireless Web access has high speed, small footprint
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
A wireless Internet-access company is betting that its fourth-generation citywide mobile service will be a hit with customers who want to be online while on the go.
Commission adds slot cheat to Black Book
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
A convicted slot cheat has been added to Nevada’s Black Book of people excluded from casinos in the state.
Southwest’s failed Frontier bid a win for Las Vegas
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
To many, Southwest Airlines’ failure to acquire Denver-based Frontier Airlines out of bankruptcy was shocking. How could Southwest fail when its competition was a company that runs commuter airlines?
Tourism Commission takes pass on room tax issue
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009
If there’s going to be a legal fight by the state to require online travel sites to pay higher room taxes, it’s not going to be started by the Nevada Commission on Tourism. It agreed the matter is not within the purview of the board.
Chinese emphasize quality in Las Vegas products show
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
A high-ranking Chinese official was in Las Vegas to help kick off a show to spotlight the quality of Chinese products.
How to get your money's worth on JetBlue's all-access pass
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
A lot of the mass transit guys have it right when it comes to offering the enticing “all-access” deal on their transportation systems. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find such a deal for airline travel?
Hotel32 to offer technology, VIP treats, gateway to CityCenter
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
A VIP experience at a price everyday tourists can afford is what the Monte Carlo’s new hotel-within-a-hotel concept is attempting to deliver to guests.
Down economy means tourism suffering statewide
Friday, Aug. 14, 2009
Everybody knows that visitation numbers are down for Southern Nevada. But how are things going for the rest of the state, where the tourism industry is a matter of survival?
Chamber to energize small-business support
Friday, Aug. 14, 2009
The Henderson Chamber of Commerce will energize its support for small businesses with a series of free workshops that will cover operations, banking and financial resources, human resources, sales management and marketing.
Q&A: Bob List
Former Nevada governor
Friday, Aug. 14, 2009
Although he was Nevada’s governor more than 25 years ago, Bob List, 72, still has a keen awareness of the state’s political landscape.
Court rejects Southwest Airlines’ bid for Frontier
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009
Southwest Airlines, McCarran International Airport’s busiest carrier, won’t be buying Denver-based Frontier Airlines.
Southwest’s bid for Frontier raises questions in Las Vegas
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Southwest Airlines' surprising announcement last week that it wants to acquire Frontier Airlines is a great business strategy for McCarran International Airport’s busiest carrier, but in the long run could be a detriment to Las Vegans who fly to Denver and Colorado tourists who come here.
Campaign seeks to lure Calif. businesses to Vegas
Goodman says edgy ads will drive Californians ‘bonkers’
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009
The Nevada Development Authority’s newest campaign to lure Southern California businesses to Las Vegas says if they stay there they can “kiss their assets goodbye.” The $1 million campaign breaks Friday in California and is the NDA’s latest attempt at enticing businesses. Similar previous campaigns have drawn heated responses from California government officials and business organizations and the new campaign is expected to get under the skin of loyal Californians.
Wind turbines may work better for Nevada than windmills
Friday, July 31, 2009
Driving down the highway on a recent vacation I spotted a massive flatbed trailer heading toward Southern Nevada on Interstate 15.
Marketers: Reduce slot hold to attract more customers
Friday, July 31, 2009
Longtime gamblers have been saying it for months: If you want people to play in your casino during the recession, reduce the hold on your slot machines.
Terry Care
Former senator, D-Las Vegas
Friday, July 31, 2009
When the Nevada Legislature convenes in 2011, it will be without seven longtime lawmakers who can’t serve anymore because of term limits.
Earnings fall for parent of Vegas conventions contractor
Friday, July 24, 2009
Viad Corp, parent company of Las Vegas-based convention services contractor GES Exposition Services, had a 58.1 percent decline in earnings over last year as the economy continued to batter business travel industries.
Capacity cuts continue to take toll on McCarran passenger levels
Friday, July 24, 2009
McCarran International Airport has completed the first half of 2009 with passenger counts down at nearly the same level as airline capacity cuts.
US Airways closing McCarran club lounge; only two remain
Friday, July 24, 2009
US Airways is closing its airline club lounge at McCarran International Airport, leaving only two of the hideaways that are considered a perk for loyal customers.
Chamber hopes to educate public in high-speed train debate
Friday, July 24, 2009
A small Las Vegas company and the 2-year-old Ward 5 Chamber of Commerce are jumping aboard Southern Nevada’s high-speed train debate with a forum on proposals to link Las Vegas and Southern California by rail.
New limits, tour buses keep Colorado casinos busy
Friday, July 24, 2009
It’s a typically wonderful summer morning in the Rocky Mountains where the temperature has hit about 70 and around 50 people are climbing off a bus after an hourlong drive from Denver.
US Airways reports gains in 2nd quarter
No. 2 carrier at McCarran reports profit of $58 million, or 42 cents a share
Thursday, July 23, 2009
US Airways, the second-busiest air carrier at McCarran International Airport, said it was profitable in second-quarter earnings reported today.
Allegiant Airlines sees rise in 2Q profit
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Allegiant Airlines reported its earnings Tuesday. By passenger volume, Allegiant is the No. 7 carrier at McCarran International Airport.
Southwest Airlines posts profit in second quarter
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Southwest Airlines Co. broke a string of three straight losing quarters by scratching out a small profit in the April-June period despite a downturn in travel.
Las Vegas sporting events score high
Friday, July 17, 2009
One of the foundations of the tourism industry’s efforts to put heads in beds in Southern Nevada’s resorts is by developing, sponsoring and promoting special events. And although many of Las Vegas’ special events involve entertainment, even more revolve around sports.
LVCVA board OKs new union contract
Friday, July 17, 2009
Lousy economy? What lousy economy?
Pay raises, room taxes loom as topics for tourism industry
Friday, July 10, 2009
Two big issues are coming up for tourism organizations in Nevada.
Terry McGowan
Datanamics CEO
Friday, July 3, 2009
Although his company is all about technology, if you ask Terry McGowan about its greatest assets he will start talking about how his employees work with their customers.
Racing toward high-tech solutions
IBM ready to put Nevada projects on ‘smart technology’ track
Friday, July 3, 2009
Nevada isn’t as far off the mark in addressing complex economic development problems with technology as people might think, an expert with IBM says.
Plans, room rates for CES 2010 already in high gear
Friday, July 3, 2009
Although it’s still six months away, preparations are well under way for the world’s largest consumer technology show.
Journalists predict tough 2011 legislative session for business
Friday, July 3, 2009
If you thought the 2009 legislative session was rough, wait until you see what’s in store for 2011.
United Coin's technology boost keeps slots spinning
Friday, July 3, 2009
Nevada’s largest slot machine route operator has upgraded its telecommunications network for its 600 customers and 6,500 machines.