Stop Demonizing Gaming Destinations
Posted: Feb. 27, 2009
The recent crusade against business travel among lawmakers and the media is having a drastic impact on communities across the country. And as Chairman of the American Gaming Association, I find it hard to reconcile the idea that gaming destinations in particular are being demonized.
Many gaming communities include state-of-the-art convention facilities that once attracted millions of visitors per year. These communities established themselves as premier meetings destinations not because they provide some overindulgent atmosphere, but because they provide a good value. Las Vegas has grown to be the #1 convention city in the country because it offers world-class convention and meeting facilities at a fraction of the cost of other destinations, with thousands of affordable hotel and dining options just outside the meeting room door. In these economic times, that kind of value is more important than ever, but now businesses are scared to come to Las Vegas because of the perception that they are somehow being wasteful. It just doesn’t add up.
What’s even more distressing is that these decisions have a real impact on real people whose livelihoods depend on a healthy flow of business travel. Casino employees, hotel managers, retail clerks, restaurant managers – everyone feels the pinch. Likewise, employees at thousands of industry suppliers are impacted when business is down.
The ripple effect of the campaign against business travel continues to grow. Making travel, meetings and conventions the symbol of corporate misspending only depresses our national economy further. It’s time to use some common sense and let value rule the day once more.
