The coronavirus struck Las Vegas just as the city was amid a new marketing campaign titled Only Vegas.
In January, the LVCVA announced it was shelving, What Happens Here, Stays Here, in favor of a new twist on the iconic motto, What Happens Here, Only Happens Here.
One of the things we ve known for years in Las Vegas is there s a feeling people only get here, said R R CEO Billy Vassiliadis, the LVCVA s . That feeling is tied to an experience that is unique and they can t get anyplace else.
But with Las Vegas dark, and casinos continuing to push back their optimistic reopening dates, the Convention and Visitors Authority is focusing on how it will lure guests once Southern Nevada is allowed to unlock its doors.
The feedback on the new spot has been mixed on social media.
I don t want a new Vegas. I want the one we had where people weren t afraid to live, declared @CodeWranglerNV. I can t imagine socially distancing in Vegas being fun, opined @cdf2020.
Others were more optimistic.
Watching this made me cry. I miss Vegas. I can t believe our new reality, said @Modelito93. How we miss our several trips a year … but I promise that my family will return when we re able, stated @CandySchacter.
LVCVA CutsFew businesses have been immune to the financial impact caused by the coronavirus. That includes the LVCVA, which predominantly relies on hotel occupancy taxes to fund its operations.
Last month, LVCVA President and CEO Steve Hill said the agency was by $79 million. Approximately 80 positions of the 455 full-time LVCVA workforce are being eliminated, and 400 temporary and on-call workers have been let go.
Top LVCVA executives, including Hill, will take a pay cut of between four and 10 percent. All bonuses have been suspended for the foreseeable future.
While we are optimistic about the future of Las Vegas, we know that the industry is going to remain closed for a period of time, and fiscal year 21 is going to be a difficult year, Hill explained.
