LAS VEGAS -- Tourism is the life-blood for Las Vegas and most of the state and
thousands of jobs depend on it. Tourism leaders from around the state are looking at different ways to entice more people to visit the state, not just Las Vegas.
"This new brand is going to be incredibly exciting, it's going to really showcase the way people are traveling and they way Nevada can connect with people. I hope everyone will think it's an exciting brand," said Claudia Vecchio, the state's new tourism director.
The heart and soul of the state's tourism industry gathered in Las Vegas Tuesday for the Governor's Conference on Tourism. The conference is focusing on a new marketing campaign.
"As an over-arching statewide brand, it'll be integrated in everyone's marketing campaign to some extent but really serves as the corporate brand and then everyone will have their own individual brands that kind of serve as a foundation to support the over-arching brand," Vecchio said.
While gaming and hotels will still be a foundation of the brand, other things will be included.
"We are going to transition from what we have and what you can see, to really what you can feel and what you can do," said Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki.
Tourism leaders say one of the goals of the new brand will be to incorporate the entire state rather than just the Las Vegas Strip. The use of social media to reach people globally will be paramount.
"We really need to step it up a bit. While we are well known throughout the world, everybody knows we're the entertainment capital of the world and that's us, we need to do more," Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said.
Officials say the economic downturn shined a spotlight on the need to sell the entire state as a destination.
They say it's vital to Nevada's long-term growth. The new tag line for Nevada and it's image will be revealed in the spring when the 2012 tourism campaign launches.
