February 10, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today made the following statement on recent news and events regarding Las Vegas:

“Las Vegas is the premier location for business conventions and meetings in the United States. The city has more than 140,000 hotel rooms and tens of thousands of feet of meeting space, much of it collocated at some of the major hotels.  With an average daily rate of $119 a night for a hotel room, Las Vegas is very affordable when compared to other cities. 

“It is the premier location to do business because it makes the most sense for those looking to bring their employees or members together in an economical and practical way.  That’s why nearly 6 million people came to Las Vegas last year to attend more than 20,000 meetings and conventions.

“We regret that some firms receiving taxpayer support have used those resources in a way that has breached the public trust.  This, however, does not change the fact that Las Vegas is and will remain the best choice for companies and organizations looking to gather their employees and members in one convenient, economical location for appropriate purposes.  We welcome future visitors to our great city, and the city of Las Vegas looks forward to providing an unparalleled experience for conventioneers, businesses and tourists.”