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Nevada Conventions, Trade Shows, Conferences and Meetings:
Finding Conventions in Nevada can be quite time consuming. At Conventions.net, we provide you with an easy to use, efficient means of searching for event planning resources for trade shows, conferences, meetings, and conventions all in a manner of seconds. You have the opportunity to choose from a vast selection of convention centers and meeting facilities in Nevada. We developed Conventions.net to make the search for event planning resources easier than ever.
Locating Convention Centers and Trade Shows in Nevada:
At one time the most efficient way to locate Convention and Trade Show planning resources in Nevada was to call company after company simply based on their yellow page ad. Now, when you use Conventions.net you can find meeting planning resources in Nevada that meet your specific needs. Not only is this a convenient way to quickly locate convention and conference planning resources, but it is also an excellent resource to find industry suppliers such as hotels, resorts, event speakers, convention centers, and convention visitor bureaus.
We are affiliated with both large nationwide trade show planning companies as well as smaller local convention industry suppliers, which offer trade show and convention planning resources in Nevada. So, if you are looking to plan a meeting, convention, or trade show in Nevada you have nothing to lose, and only time and money to gain by letting Conventions.net help you fill your event planning needs.
First things first: If you're visiting the 36th state in the Union, when you pronounce the name Nevada, that first "a" is short and sweet; stretching it out like you're saying "ah" for a doctor with a tongue depressor ("Ne-vahhhh-duh") is as unfortunate a mistake as assuming the only thing to see here is that infamous gambling mecca, Las Vegas. With vast stretches of moon-like desert, mountain peeks topping 13,000 feet, the turquoise beauty of Lake Tahoe, and an endless carpet of lush sagebrush in the east, Nevada offers a neverland of natural beauty and vacation possibilities beyond that of the craps table. Although, to be fair, Vegas has made great strides in shaking off its old shotgun wedding, dice-tossing rep. In fact, it may be as well known lately for its incredible dining scene boasting some of the biggest names in the culinary world, like Joel Robuchon, Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Attracting outsiders, though, is how it all began. Nevada was originally Mexican territory, but early on, westward-bound settlers realized nabbing it for the expanding U.S. territories could prove a profitable (if bloody) endeavor. After the Mexican-American War in the mid-19th century, Nevada was on its way to statehood, which occurred during the American Civil War. Rich with silver, gold, and lead (the latter is still mined today), it became a prospector's paradise, and Virginia City became the most popular site in the state during the gold and silver mining boom. Silver and gold weren't the only currency, though -- multiple-colored gambling chips became more than simply a way to pass the time. In fact, gambling became such a big distraction that Nevada outlawed it in 1909. That ban didn't sit well with folks in the state, for both recreational and economic reasons. When the Great Depression as an impetus, gambling was legally reinstated in 1931. That, coupled with the start of construction on the Hoover Dam during the same year, brought much-needed cash and commerce into the state.
An odd fact of Nevada is that, despite its enjoyment of one of the largest growth spurts in the nation, over 80% of it is owned by the federal government because, in accordance with the Homestead Act of 1862, much of the land is desert -- the Great Basin Desert in the north and the Mojave Desert surrounding Las Vegas in the south. The Feds took advantage of this massive amount of open space to perform nuclear testing, a practice that was in effect until 1992. What remains in the soil is dubious, but what has been left behind is the Atomic Testing Museum, 755 Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas (tel. 702/794-5161; www.atomictestingmuseum.org), which chronicles Nevada's nuclear history through artifacts, film, and first-person narratives.
More heartening and far less scary, though, is the scenery of Nevada's byways, like Red Rock Canyon, the Great Basin, Angel Lake, and the Valley of Fire, which show some of the prettiest examples of Mother Nature's fine handiwork in the form of jutting red rocks, snow-dappled peaks, and rivers that run through much of it that are perfect for canoeing or just dipping a toe in after a long bike excursion.
When planning Nevada travel, you will discover that there are a wide variety of options for Nevada tourism. At 110, 540 square miles, Nevada is the 7th largest state in the U.S. It is a state of contrasts and contradictions. While being one of the most mountainous states in America, Nevada is also one of the most urban states, with 80% of its population residing in either Las Vegas or Reno. Some people spend their Nevada vacations enjoying the state’s natural environment, while others enjoy the man-made glitz and splendor of Las Vegas. Due to its diversity of geography and culture, Nevada tourism can center on a number of activities. Whether you enjoy the bright lights of the stars or the colored lights of Vegas, your travels in Nevada will never fail to amuse you.
If you decide to travel by road, you will be able to sample the infinite variety of the State of Nevada attractions. Because of the majestic panoramas created by Nevada’s natural landscapes, the state’s official scenic byways make Nevada travel by road an absolute delight. In some cases, the roads themselves are the highlights of Nevada tourism. For example, Angel Lake Road is referred to as the “highway to heaven.” This beautiful road gains several thousand feet of elevation prior to reaching the spectacular Angel Lake. It’s truly a great way to travel Nevada.
Highway 50 in Nevada is known as The Loneliest Road in America. It parallels the Pony Express Trail, which goes from Silver Springs through the farming town of Fallon. Remnants of the original Pony Express Trail can be seen along the way. In his book Blue Highways, William Least Moon states that “for the unhurried, this little- known highway is the best national road across the middle of the United States.”
While historical sites and natural beauty are excellent reasons for Nevada travel, there are also some odd State of Nevada attractions that add to its appeal. These uniquely bizarre places actually attract a significant amount of Nevada tourism. For example, Groom Lake, also known as Area 51 is a secret military facility 90 miles North of Las Vegas. The site was developed in the 1950s for the testing of the U-2 Spy Plane. Of course, the secrecy of the project was the catalyst for a number of UFO conspiracy theories. As a result, the highway that runs near Area 51 is known as The Extraterrestrial Highway. Apparently, it is one of the most “visited” roads in the United States. If you and your significant other are into the Sculley and Mulder thing, a trip down the Extraterrestrial Road might be a fun way to travel Nevada. Stop in at the A-L-Inn Bar, where you can enjoy specialty drinks such as the “Beam Me Up Scotty,” consisting of Jim Beam and 7UP and Scotch.
While the sites that instigated conspiracy theories are fun to visit, keep in mind that some of the State of Nevada’s attractions have an eeriness that stems from natural causes. If you plan to travel Nevada along the Valley of Fire State Park Roadway, you will see purple, white and deep red rock formations. The rocks are particularly luminous during sunrise and sunset, when the light of the sun gives them a fiery red glow. Colored rock formations and petroglyphs are common throughout Nevada. They represent just one of the exciting State of Nevada attractions.
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