LAS VEGAS -- Earlier this year, the 8 News NOW I-Team looked into 6,000 pages of expense reports for the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority. The investigation exposed big spending habits for wooing clients and conventions.
Recently, the annual LVCVA NASCAR party was held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with booze and gourmet food. The LVCVA calls it a necessary part of business, but critics call it waste.
Tens of thousands of dollars was spent this time on Las Vegas police officials and trash company executives. But who makes the guest list and what are we getting with our tax money?
See the NASCAR documents
Search the LVCVA Expense Report Database
Vince Alberta with the LVCVA defends the thousands spent every year at the NASCAR races. Over $68,000 a year for the suite rental for a handful of events plus the tab for the recent party in March. More than $17,000 in food and booze -- Johnnie Walker Black and Patron by the liter. Bloody Mary's, gourmet dips and sausages -- all with money that comes from room taxes.
"Between individuals, that's fine. But when it's public money, it's not fine," said Steve Miller with the Nevada Policy Research Institute.
Miller is a frequent critic of the LVCVA. He says they spend a lot to keep clients happy, but he doesn't like everyone on the guest list.
"Good old boys -- part of the government apparatus here. Some of the politically powerful," he said.
Miller is confused why executives with NV Energy, Republic Services, Metro police chiefs and Clark County building inspectors were invited. He questions how they help boost convention traffic.
"It's all about face to face meetings. So certainly, when you do business with clients, you have those contracts. But it's also keeping in front of them," said Alberta.
The records show a large increase in convention-related guests at the race this year.
"We had airline representatives there. We had wholesale tour operators there," said Alberta.
But how much is too much? Miller wonders if instead of $1,100 for 13 cases of premium water, the authority could cuts costs in half and still be successful.
"Seemed like all the goodies sort of went to insiders," he said.
Alberta says it's about showcasing Las Vegas and making clients feel special.
"When you host a hospitality suite, certainly you have a variety of different beverages to drink. We want to offer the full array to our clients and our business partners," he said.
Alberta notes the NASCAR races inject $195 million a year into the economy and the authority is making a big push to get a second top-tier race.
