[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 30 (Monday, March 4, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1084-S1085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ROSSI RALENKOTTER

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise to recognize a milestone in Nevada 
history as my friend Rossi Ralenkotter celebrates 40 years with the 
tourism industry. As president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors 
Authority, LVCVA, Rossi has been influential in transforming Las Vegas 
into a globally recognized brand and an entertainment destination. I am 
proud to honor him today.
  After moving to Las Vegas in 1951 and graduating from Bishop Gorman 
High School, Rossi served our Nation in the United States Air Force. 
Upon returning home to Southern Nevada, he entered the tourism 
industry. Las Vegas hasn't been the same since.
  Rossi championed the use of research and data in developing 
advertising and marketing strategies for Southern Nevada. He helped 
establish the LVCVA's research department in the early 1970's.

[[Page S1085]]

This innovative approach transformed advertising and marketing for the 
LVCVA.
  Rossi was part of the effort to bring professional sports to Southern 
Nevada and he convinced the Triple-A baseball affiliate in Spokane, WA, 
to move to Las Vegas. He worked in partnership with other communities 
to bring NASCAR and the NBA All-Star Game to Southern Nevada. When the 
National Finals Rodeo outgrew Oklahoma City, Rossi helped persuade the 
event to make Las Vegas its new home.
  By the 1990s, Rossi was overseeing incredible growth in Southern 
Nevada's tourism industry and changing the face of Las Vegas from a 
regional gaming market into an international resort destination. Rossi 
was part of the team that developed the most successful tourism ad 
campaign in history. Today, Las Vegas is synonymous with ``What happens 
here, stays here.'' Rossi was named Co-Brand Marketer of the Year by 
Brandweek magazine for his work with this advertising campaign.
  Every resident of Clark County has benefited from Rossi's successful 
marketing and branding effort. Tourism supports jobs for 370,000 
Southern Nevada residents and generates more than $41 billion for the 
local economy. Today, 20 of the world's 27 largest hotels and resorts 
are located on Las Vegas Strip. And our resorts count on Rossi and the 
LVCVA to help fill rooms. Under Rossi's leadership, Las Vegas has also 
transformed itself from a weekend destination into the number one trade 
show destination in North America for 18 consecutive years. With the 
slogan ``Vegas means business,'' Rossi and his team have attracted and 
signed multiyear contracts to host major conventions from the Consumer 
Electronics Show to the International Apparel show known as MAGIC.
  Rossi's magic touch and marketing brilliance caught the attention of 
national leaders in the tourism industry. Last year, Rossi became the 
chairman of our Nation's largest tourism group, US Travel. He was 
appointed to the Commerce Department's Travel and Tourism Advisory 
Board and serves as a delegate to the White House Conference on 
Tourism. The American Marketing Association and the Travel and Tourism 
Research Association have both presented Rossi with a Lifetime 
Achievement Award.
  While everyone knows that ``What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,'' 
it is my honor to make sure that what has happened on Rossi's watch is 
properly recognized. On behalf of the U.S. Senate, I am proud to 
congratulate Rossi Ralenkotter on 40 years in the tourism industry. All 
Nevadans have benefited from his leadership at the LVCVA and I look 
forward to many more years of working together.

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