Yes, you can still receive the best healthcare in town from Desert Springs Hospital, Summerlin Hospital and Valley Hospital.

If you work for one of these great companies and have health insurance benefits under their self-funded plan, The Valley Health System has a direct contract with your employer and you are still covered.

A.C. Houston Lumber Jerry's Nugget Ace Cab Company Las Vegas Club Associated Pathologists Lab Las Vegas Firefighters #1285 Trust Fund Bechtel Tevad a Las Vegas Sands, Inc. Binion's Horse hoe Mirage Resorts Boulder City Hospital Mission Industries Casino Data Systems Ne,·ada Department of Prisons Citibank Nevada Title Company City of Bullhead City Operating Engineers #501 Security Fund City of Henderson Painters Trust Fund Clark County Education Primadonna Resorts, Inc. Association (CCEA ) Trust Riverside Resort & Casino Clark County Employees - Self Funded Plan Rh·iera Hotel & Casino Clark County Firefighters # 1908 Trust Fund Santa Fe Gaming Corporation Construction and Laborers #872 Trust Fund Showboat Hotel & Casin o Desert Radiologists Standard Wholesale Supply Education Support Employees Association (ESEA ) tate of Nevada Employees Fitzgerald 's Hotel & Casi no T.A.R. l. F. (Yellow/ Checker / Star Cab) Hilton Gaming Corporation Teamsters #63 1 Trust Fund Holiday Inn-Boardwalk Hotel & Casino Terrible Herbst Home Base lmprm·ement vVarehouses Tropicana Resort & Casino Jackl'ot Enterprises Union Pacific Railroad

A DESERT SPRINGS HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER COMMENTARY It is never h t e

LYLE E. BRENNAN wrong Associate Publisber • t1me •••

know how all-encompassing, to­ Hardly two minutes transpired tally absorbing business can be. before the young man bounced back I I live it. Even though one may in the room to ask if quiet time was think he has a light day ahead, over. Patiently, the father sent the something always seems to surface boy back out, explaining he still to make that day even more filled needed the additional 28 minutes and stressful than the day before. of quiet time. Three minutes later How often do we put off the re­ the plaintive query was repeated: ally important things in our life? "Daddy, is it time, yet?" Like spending time with our mates At this point, the father, becom­ and really listening to them - not ing a bit flustered, noticed a pic­ only listening to them, but allowing ture of the world in the newspaper, them to help us? How often do we and hit upon an idea for an activity tell our children that we'll spend to keep his son busy for the next time with them ... later; and really 30 minutes. He tore the page out of believe we will; but never seem to get the newspaper and carefully ripped around to it? the image into several pieces, creating That's where the philosophy, "It's never a puzzle of sorts. He said, "Son when the right time, so now is as good a time a you put the world back together cor­ any," comes into play. I have learned from rectly, my quiet time is done, and it will work junkies, myself included, that plan­ be time for us to play." ning leisure and family time is very diffi­ The tot happily accepted the project, cult. Somehow, we always manage to get at work, anived home from the office and off he went. With a sigh of relief, the our priorities confused. So, at this time of early one evening. Standing just inside the father resumed reading his newspaper. To year, take a moment to address your prior­ door, eagerly waiting to greet him, was his his surprise, after a short five minutes, the ities. This is the season we reflect on gift­ four-year-old son. youngster was back. However, thi s time, giving. Give the most important, and valu­ If you are familiar at all with this age the boy had captured his father's complete able, thing you can: give yourself. Shut off group. you·re aware of how they utterly attention. Dad mused how bright indeed the cellular and pager. and leave your burst with things to share with you the his child must be to reconstruct the portable computer and briefcase at the of­ minute you place a foot in the door. And makeshift puzzle so quickly. Swelling fice. I assure you, they will be there when they deliver their non-stop, excitable solil­ with pride, having lost all interest in the you get back. oquy without out regard for how well- or newspaper, the man studied hi s son· From my experience, if you take this poorly - your day unfolded at the office. work. Sure enough, the picture of the challenge, you will find not onl y does At the dinner table that evening, the fa­ world was put together corTectly, meticu­ your family gain, you reap benefits, as ther quickly had his fill of his son's jab­ lously. The fa ther couldn't resist asking well. Your business is a big wi nn er, be­ bering. He told the child that after dinner, the tyke how he accomplished the task cause you come back to work fresh and he needed 30 minutes of quiet time to read swiftly. The son replied, "Look at the ready to tackle the world. the newspaper. After that, he would devote other side, Daddy. It is a picture of a man. Here s a quick story to illustrate (the the next hour exclusively to his son's in­ and he was easy to put together:· aid the genders are easily reversible): A father terests. His son agreed and disappeared babe. "See? When the man is together. who had experienced a very difficult day from the room. is the world."

publisher@ nevada business. com

4 ~evada Business j ournal • Decembe r 1998 ~BUSINESS ~OUR~~1 ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mary S. Falls - Vice-President , Northern Nevada Business Banking, US Bancorp Somer Hollingsworth - President, Nevada DeYelopment Authority Larry E. Krause - Partner and Director, Anhur Andersen LLP MaryDean Marlin- President, MaryDean & Associates Clare O'Brien -Director of Marketing, Nevada Commission on Economic Development Stan Thomas - Director ofSpecia l Business Projects, Sierra Pacific Power Company Carole Vilardo -President, Nevada Ta.xpayers Association Scott Voeller - Director ofAd vertising & Public Relations, Silver Legacy Resort Casino Patricia M. Wade - President, Wade Development Co ., Inc.

CEO PRESIDENT PUBLISHER Stephen Brock

ASSOCLUE PUBLISHER Lyle E. Brennan EDITOR jennifer Robison Cllllll' I'INA-"iCL-\L OI'I'ICilR Carleen Onega ART DIRECTOR I PRODUCTION MANAGER Barbara !.. Moore

VICE PRESIDE!IIT - ~l>\RKETING Claire Smith VICE PRESIDE!IIT - PROJECT DEVELOPME!IIT liz Young COl\'fRIBUTING EDITORS Kathleen Foley I George Fuller Cindie Geddes I john Graham Allen Grant I Tony Illia joe Mullich I R. Keith Schwer Michael Sullivan CORPORUE OFFICE 2127 Paradise Road • Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 735-7003 • FAX (702) 733 -5953 IVIVIv. nevadabusiness.com SOllliER'i '\llVADA MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES Michael L. Diersen , B.S., M.B.A. T EC H N OLOGY Claire Smith • liz Young Professional Money Management . "OKliiEI!: - :'\EYIDA ~HRKETING REPRESENTATIVE O u T SOU R C I 1 G for Discerning Investors"' The flizabelh Younger Agency I Tiffany Frisch ll' Yarsb A\l'. • Reno, NV 89509 -1 626 S oLUT I O N S • Managed No-Load Funds C02 329-UOO • E.\X ( 02) 329-4283 • Privately Managed Stock It's about understanding your business . ·eYada Business Journal is listed in Standard Rates & Data. & Bond Accounts #20A -Busine -Metro. State & Regional. needs. Our teams of consultants are trained Advenisers should contact Sa1es at (702) 735-7003 in Southern Nevada. or (800) 242-0164 in ~onhern Nevada. or write to: to find a solution that is right for you. Vitrex •IRA Rollovers Nevada Business Journal 212- Paradise Rd. . Las Ve2as . NV 89104. Demographic information available upon request...... Month· offers Consulting, Networking, Software De- to·rnonth circulation may vary. • Business Retirement Plans 1\TBJ is published monthly. bulk postage paid Subscription rate is velopment and Computer Tra ining. $44.00 per year. Special order single-copy price is $7.50. WEDBt;S H All con1ents © 1998 copyright. and reproduction of mate rial appear· Our strict standards of excellence assure M ORG M< ing in ~J is prohibiled unless so authorized by the publisherof NBJ . Investment Advisory, Inc. IS ECURITI ES CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please send pre>ious address or mail­ you quality service and true ing labe l & new address . Allow six weeks. www.managingmoney.com www.wedbush.com EDITORIAL SUBMlSSIONS: Address all submissions to the at­ solutions -guaranteed. tention of Jennifer Robison. Unsolici ted manuscrip 1s must be ac­ 3980 Howard Hughes Pkwy., Su ite 300 companied by a self·addressed s1amped envelope. NBJ assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Las Vegas, NV 89109-0992 DISCLAIMER: Edjtorial views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or its boards. 702-732-45 71 Member-NYSE Member SIPC

December 1998 • Nevada Business journal 5 ---·· - - -

~.=-....____,_... 1"-~ -- -~ Decembet· 1998 I CONTENTS Volume 13-No. 12

18 A State of Promise BY Tol\rv rrnA. Features Nevada navigates its transportation needs into the next centUIJ' and beyond. 29 New Year ... New Opportunities? For the first time in years, Nevada's economic outlook is less than spectaculm:

33 Personal Communications Services BY CINDIE GEDDEs When selecting a company, service plan and phone, consumers enjoy a wealth ofchoices in the digital telecommunications market.

On the cover: RTC/Citifare grows to meet Northern 63 TopRank Nevada STATEWIDE BooK oF usrs Nevada's public transpor­ tation needs. Page 18. CONVENTION ND MEETING FACILITIES • NEVADA'S MAJOR Photo: RTC/Citifare CONVEN!IONS • iEVADA'S TOP 100 BUSINESSES

Building 39 ENERGY CONSERVATION AT WORK BY TOi'll' ILLIA Woven integrally into evetJiday life, our degree ofdependence on Nevada utility resources dictates careful management.

43 1998 HOMER AWARDS A distinguished list ofnational and local homebuilders tops this year's list ofwinners .

48 BUILDING NEVADA NEWS IN BRIEF

51 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT Christopher Homes captured Home ofthe Year honors. Page 37 Office Market Summmy Photo: Southern Nevada Home Compiled by Lee & Associates and Grubb & Ellis. Builders Association Page 43

Departments 4 COMMENTARY BY IXLE BRENNAN 54 INSIDE POLITICS B1' M1 Ct1A.t.L SULLlVA.!'J It's never the wrong time. Is the Ethics Commission 9 NEVADA UP FRONT impinging on free speech? Notes and things notable from across the Silver State. 57 BUSINESS STRATEGIES BY GEORGE FlJUER 11 TRAVEL & TOURISM Planning leads to Bellagio raises the retail bar successful conventions. Upstart airline fills niche 59 FOCUS ON MARKETING BY JOHN R. GRo\HA!\1 Pagell 14 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Capturing the cyber customer. 61 TAX TIPS BY NEV.>\DA CPAs 35 CORPORATE PROFILE BY ALLEN GRANT Citizens Area Transit ranks as one of Inoculate your business against the top public transportation systems. the Year 2000 Bug. 52 LIFESITLES BY KATHLEEN FOLEY 71 NEVADA BRIEFS Personal Trainers Woodall's Fitness Training - Las Vegas 73 BUSINESS INDICATORS BY R. KEITH SCHWER Your Personal Trainer - Las Vegas Maximum Fitness - Reno 74 COFFEE BREAK BY JOE MULLICH 53 EXECUTIVE PROFILE BY CINTI!E GEDDES Computer malfunction? Call a Tom Stephens keeps NTIOT rolling. therapist (for your computer) Page 72

December 1998 • Nevada Business Jou rnal 7 We've revolutionized wireless. With AT&T Digital One Rate ~' every call is like a local call. Never a roaming o r long distance charge. With rates as low as II ¢ a minute, your wireless phone could be your only phone. For small business inquiries, call I 888 550-4343 or contact your local r ep r esentative. AT&T Wireless Services

AS LOW AS • All-new Digital multi-network phone 600 m inutes I $89.99 a month from Ericsson 1000 minutes I $119.99 a month • Digital PCS features including AT&T VoiceMail, 1400 minutes I $149.99 a month AT&T Caller ID and Text Messaging a minute • Also available to existing AT&T Wireless customers

I 800-IMAGINE® It's all within your r each . www.att.com/wireless/ AT&T

Phones by ERICSSON ::::

© 1998 AT&T. C redit approval and $40 activation fee required. AT&T Digital O ne Rate calling plans require annual contract, a Digital multi-network phone from AT&T and subscription to AT&T W ireless Services long distance. Rz:e:! not available outside the US or when calls require a credit card or operator assistance. international long distance not included. Calls measured in full minutes and rounded up to the next full minute. Included minutes ca.rv'ICX ::2 carried over to any other month. Additional minutes 25 cents each. Digital PCS features not available in all areas. Fu ll terms and conditions are contained in the AT&T Welcome Guide, Rate Sheet or Calling Plan. Offer mq -a. be combin ed with any other promotional offers. BUSINESS

INVESTMENT UP ADVICE FRONT

Barron's Guide Helping hand for urges wise investing Hispanics Wall Street Journal editors The Heritage Foundation says Douglas Sease and John Prestbo it's found three key areas- edu­ have revised and expanded cation, taxes and Social Security Barron 's Guide to Making In­ - where specific reforms may l'estment Decisions ( ew York help quality of life for Hispanic­ Institute of Finance/Prentice Americans. According to the Hall Press, $16). The newer foundation, school choice would version is designed to teach provide an educational boon to investors to think about invest­ Hispanic-Americans by letting ing wisely, and offers the novice parents send their children to investor advice on issues rang­ any school, public, private or re­ ing from risk tolerance and the ligious. A flat tax would remove quest for hot stocks to tax bur­ 2.4 million Hispanic-Americans den reduction. One thing the from the tax rolls altogether and authors don't promise: a "mira­ reduce their average tax pay­ cle" guide to beating the market ~~~ " ment by $400 to $930. The or earning 20 percent annually foundation also advocates allow­ WHAT DOES YOUR OFFICE SAY ABOUT YOU? with no risk. ing Hispanic-Americans to in­ DOES THE IMAGE OF PAPER THEMSELVES AS "PIL ERS," vest payroll taxes in stocks and PILES, FRAYED FILES AND LOP­ WHILE 23 PERCENT DESCRIBE bonds rather than Social Securi­ SIDED LABELS MAKE YOU THEMSELVES AS "FILERS. " ty, a measure they assert could CRINGE? IF SO, YOU'RE NOT "PACK RATS" CONSTITUTE 12 yield a typical Hispanic-Ameri­ ALONE. ACCORDING TO THE PERCENT OF OFFICE WORKERS, can family as much as $346,000 5TEELCASE WORKPLACE INDEX, AND " SLOBS" MAKE UP 2 PER- more than Social Security. 33 PERCENT OF OFFICE WORk- CENT OF THE WORKFORCE. DIS- ERS SAY THEY'RE "NEAT ORGANIZATION CAN HAVE CLEAR BUSINESS

FRFAK<;." THF <;FMIANNUA L AND TANG/fiLE: COSTS: E:ACH WATCHING ' SURVEY, WHICH GAUGES WORK- DAY, AMERICAN OFFICE WORK- ':j Study finds banks PLACE TRENDS IN THE U.S. , ERS SPEND AN AVERAGE OF behind in Y2K ALSO FOUND THAT 27 PERCENT MORE THAN 20 MINUTES ORGA- A new research upgrades OF OFFICE WORKERS IDENTIFY NIZING THEIR WORK AREAS. tool for the lodging industry A Y2K readiness survey released by Weiss Ratings, Inc. -' r. f/- TELECOMMUNICATIONS The PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that 12 percent of U.S. ,/1 lodging and gaming group inked commercial banks, savings an agreement with Smith Travel banks and S&Ls are behind Research that is expected to pro­ ~ schedule in computer prepara­ ~ duce the world's largest and tions for the advent of the new 7-Eleven, already known for access fees or bills. Buyers can most comprehensive database of millennium. Among the sur­ convenience in so many arenas, purchase and self-activate the lodging industry information. vey's I ,500 participants, 8.5 is now bringing a new level of phone from anywhere in the The organizations will cooperate percent received "below aver­ ease to owning a cellular country. Airtime cards are sold to collect and report hotel indus­ age" Y2K grades. An additional phone. The retail chain has in blocks of time in either 30, try operating data in at least 20 3.6 percent earned "low" marks partnered with Topp Telecom 60 or 200 minutes for $30, $50 countries outside North America. for slow progress. From its sur­ to offer consumers national and $100. According to Robert The alliance's research product vey, the firm projects that 1,300 prepaid cellular service. At Dandrea, Topp's vice president will be available to customers of the nation 's II ,000 banks any 7-Eieven in Reno or Las of marketing. "With TracFone. and clients of both companies, and S&Ls are behind schedule Vegas, customers can purchase we're enabling our customers to and to anyone requiring world­ in Y2K compliance - a matter TracFone, a prepaid cell phone purchase a cell phone just like wide data for the lodging indus­ of "grave concern." according with no contracts, credit they would purchase a candy try. Reports will be available o chair Martin Weiss. checks, age limits, monthly bar or a Slurpee beverage." starting in February 1999. •

December 1998 • Nerada Business journal 9

VIA BELLAGIO RAISES THE STAKES IN THE RETAIL GAME ow does your Las Vegas Hboutique differ from your other locations?

HOUGH LAS This represents the first store VEGAS' NEW ere you approached, or hat finally confinned where we've modernized the BELLAGIO HAS Wdid you initiate the idea Wyour decision to enter Chane! look. It still features the of opening a boutique in the the market with a full boutique traditional Chane! atmosphere, RECEIVED NATIONAL Las Vegas market? at this time ? but if Coco were alive to mas­ ATTENTION FOR A VARI- sage it, this is what we'd see. This has been a long time in We considered critical mass and There's more limestone and ETY OF REASONS, ONE coming. We wanted to be here the traffic of our potential contemporary furniture. We've OF ITS MOST DISTINC- more than 10 years ago. We neighbors. The Forum Shops added small details, such as pin TIVE COMPONENTS just didn't see anything that are an attraction by themselves. lights in the shelves, which add constituted the right location Other hotel opportunities a certain sparkle you don 't see ENTAILS VIA BELLAGIO, for Chane!. The Forum Shops weren 't entertainment complex­ in other stores. We plan to in­ TH.E STREET OF HIGH- are fabulous, but it's important es similar to The Forum Shops corporate these elements of for us to be in one area with and Caesars Palace, so we'd be modernity into our other loca­ END RETAIL SHOPS other luxury businesses. We 've limited in terms of traffic. How­ tions. We just felt stretching the THAT REPRESENTS THE wanted to be here - every two ever, Steve [Wynn] is a good look toward a more modem feel

"UPSCALING" OF THE years or so, we'd look for a friend, and he shared his vision and perspective was right for place to situate a boutique - but with us of a property like noth­ SOUTHERN NEVADA we needed a setting we could ing before or after it. He was SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. be excited about. Up to now, relentless in his enthusiasm, our association with Neiman and he had confidence that LUXURY BOUTIQUES AT Marcus at the Fashion Show he could execute it. With THE RESORT INCLUDE Mall was the market represen­ Bellagio, we finally found tation that appealed to us most. the perfect setting for us. GUCCI, TIFFANY, ARMAN I, We want serious buyers, HERMES, PRADA AND not tire-kickers, so it's (HANEL. DURIN G OPEN- important we be a bit off the beaten path. We 're lNG WEEKEND WE SAT anticipating a mix con­ DOWN WITH ARIEL. taining about 75 per­ cent tourist traffic. KOPELMAN, (HANEL INC.

PRE SIDENT AND (00,

TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE

OF HIGH-END RETAIL IN

LAS VEGAS AND THE

OPENING OF (HANEL'S

15TH U.S. BOUTIQUE.

December 1998 • Nev.tda Business journal II UPSTART AIRLINE TAPS Las Vegas. It's such a burgeoning town; it seemed the perfect fit to have the most mod­ INTO NEW TOURISM NICHE ern store here, the store with the most sparkle. It's bright, alive and cheery, and we National Airlines targets high-end traveler utilize such features as mirrors to add ex­ citement visually. This is also a more user-friendly store. It's ellagio isn't the only tourism­ works to our advantage is that our manage­ open and easy to shop in; everything is very related entity seeking to capitalize ment team has experience in this industry. handy. It's an easy boutique for merchandis­ lS on increasingly upscale vacation­ That enables us to put into place certain pro­ ing goods as well. The flow is effective for ers. National Airlines plans to bring a new cedures and corporate policies that help employees and customers, and that's the ul­ level of service to Southern evada when it everyone through the learning process." timate combination we're seeking. takes to the skies in March of next year. The The seasoned management team Shimizu airline, which will initially have a fleet of alludes to includes Michael Conway, who hat product lines will you retail four Boeing 757s, constitutes a "first-time co-founded America West Airlines. Perhaps Wat the boutique? effort to cater to high-end business and National's success can mirror America leisure travelers" corning to Las Vegas, ac­ West's; National is already beginning with We'll be focusing on ready-to-wear items, cording to Dik Shimizu, the company's di­ substantially more startup capital. America accessories, fragrances, cosmetics and fine rector of corporate communications. 'We West opened for operations with about jewelry. We're really betting on fine jewelry. see it as an untapped market, particularly $18 million, whereas National has raised We've been offering fine jewelry for three with such projects as Bellagio, Paris and the $50 million in its bid to initiate service. years, and we're off to a great start in that Venetian coming onboard." Also boding well for the airline, which area. I'd love to see growth in our fine jew­ Offering service on a par with such will initially employ about 250, is the exten­ elry retailing. top-notch tourism draws has required sive support it's receiving from the casino­ National Airlines to modify the way things resort industry. Partnerships with Harrah's o you feel high-end retail has a bright are traditionally done in the industry, start­ and The Rio Suite Hotel-Casino will allow Dfuture in Las Vegas? ing with interior plane configurations. the airline to offer guests of those properties Boeing 757s generally have 190 seats; such conveniences as flight check-in and High-end retail has a great future here, but National's planes only have 175. Further­ check-out at the properties. The airline con­ you can't expand it. Once we have a home, more, 22 of those seats are first class. The tinues to discuss participation with other re­ we won 't go to a second location within the layout "offers ·more legroom all around," sorts in the region. market. We will do the business we expect Shimizu noted. "We also intend to bring Many of Las Vegas' civic leaders have ad­ and are excited about. However, if someone back better meal service - one from yester­ mitted that dwindling air service to Southern thinks new hotels can expand on this, Steve year. We 'll have state-of-the-art entertain­ Nevada represents one of the greatest dilem­ Wynn beat them to the punch - it's finished. ment equipment. We're designing an airline mas the area faces . "It's not about market The future revolves more around how well for Las Vegas, one that meets the needs of share, but the bottom line. New airline eco­ we do than whether the concept is cloned. the community, one designed around the nomics have played a critical role in divert­ concept of the community." ing air traffic to other markets," Shimizu ex­ re you concerned about heightened The airline is currently involved in plai.ned. Airlines yield a national average of A competition ? the ongoing process of determining the des­ 14 cents a seat per available seat mile; that tinations it will serve. It has plans to provide yield shrinks to nine cents a seat on routes to As luxury boutiques, we're all together, and non-stop service to New York City, Miami, McCarran International. With National Air­ the competition is wonderful. We all help Los Angeles and San Francisco. Shimizu lines, however, there's hope that stabilized each other. This is a situation where the warns that roster of destinations visitor volume can again begin to rise, whole is more than the sum of the parts. It's is subject to change; variables determining bringing occupants to the 20,000 rooms slat­ an environment conducive to the consumer markets served include current service ed to open in the market by 2000. being interested in the whole. Bellagio is the between Las Vegas and the markets, fares "It's not a matter of whether people want greatest mix of dynamite restaurants, the and load factors. to come; it's a matter of whether they can most critical mass of high-end stores and Establishing any new company is fraught get here," Shimizu asserted. "We believe what will be the greatest entertainment with challenges, but airlines often represent people truly want to visit Las Vegas. We complex, with [Cirque du Soleil's acclaimed particularly risky undertakings. "We're start­ think they want to experience the must-see new production] 0. It really stands for the ing from scratch in a city that doesn't have a attractions. We 're going to try to fill the void best on three key fronts, wrapped around long histmy of airlines based here, and we're in airline service." gambling. It equals a 101 percent victory for faced with a labor pool lacking aviation ex­ National Airlines may represent a step in Bellagio. It's everything we were promised it perience," Shimizu acknowledged. "It's the right direction for boosting visitor vol­ would be. We're beyond excited, and our going to be a learning experience, and we'll ume to Las Vegas. One question remains. bets are on Steve Wynn. endure growing pains like anyone else. What though: will it be enough?

12 Nevada Business journal . December 1998 T~ Associated General Contractors

• The oldest and largest contractors group in Nevada • Local and national representation in government affairs • An association run by contractors for contractors • Labor Relations services • Safety Services • Construction Information services • Networking opportunities

C!dl1~: (702) 796-9986 PEOPLE ON THE

companies that have more than $10 mil­ phases of tenant improvement projects, BANKING & fiNANCE lion in annual sales. He was most recent­ from conceptual design and budgeting to ly a commercial banking officer with construction documentation and project pon its opening in Henderson early SierraWest Bank. completion. Previously, Rifakes-Pavey U last month, VALLEY BANK named its served as project manager on the Mobil four senior officers. BARRY HULIN will SUN WEST BANK, in Las Oil Corporation team for Patterson Con­ serve as president and CEO, while DICK Vegas, announced the struction Company in Detroit. HoLTZCLAW has been named senior vice hiring of two officers. president and CFO . STEVE GiLBERT is the HENRY K. SAWICKI, )R. , The WLB GROUP announced three addi­ bank's senior vice president and chief was named assistant vice tions to its Henderson office staff. TAMMI lending officer, and SUE F. GARLAND is president and branch A. GAUDET, (ARYL (LAYTON and TERRY vice president of operations. Valley Bank manager for the bank's SHERMAN joined the firm's landscape specializes in professional and personal­ HENRY SAWICK I West Flamingo office architecture department as project coordi­ ized banking services for local small and and Sun City branch. A. nators. Gaudet was most recently with medium-sized businesses. jANE HENMAN is now a J.W. Zunino and Associates, Inc. Both customer service manag­ Clayton and Sherman moved into full­ Reno-based COMSTOCK BANK promoted er for the Sun City time work with WLB after .holding part­ SHIRLEY BOYNTON and KATHI HAROLD to branch. Sawicki's 18 time positions with the engineering, plan­ assistant vice presidents. Boynton has years of banking experi­ ning and surveying company. more than 20 years' mortgage lending ex­ ence include branch perience and previously served as Com­ JANE HENMAN manager positions at RHODES HOMES recently announced stock's real estate loan processing manag­ Nevada State Bank and First Interstate the appointment of three executives. er. Harold joined Comstock last year as Bank/Wells Fargo Bank. Henman previ­ MILLARD THACKER joined the homebuilder project manager for branch administration. ously was an operations supervisor/spe­ as its vice president and COO, while G. cialist for Nevada State Bank. MALCOLM HALL was named director of DEBRA HIGGINS has purchasing. DoN PURDUE is now Rhodes joined LAS VEGAS BusJ­ RICHARD COLASANTI was recently named Homes' land development manager. NESS BANK as vice presi­ marketing coordinator for AMERICA's Thacker comes to Rhodes from Avalon dent of operations and FINANCIAL, INC. Previously an appoint­ Bay Communities in Seattle, Wash., where administrations, and BoB ment specialist for the Las Vegas Chamber he was director of operations. Hall was SKERT ICH is now vice of Commerce, Colasanti is responsible for most recently a purchasing agent for Lewis president of business de­ America's Financial's marketing efforts. Homes, and Purdue previously served as DEBRA HIGGINS velopment for the bank. president of Aegis Contracting, Inc. Higgins' responsibilities DEVELOPMENT & include product develop­ REAL ESTATE CB RICHARD ELLIS added ment and compliance, SYLVIA ADAMS to its Las while Skertich is respon­ as Vegas-based SOUTHWEST ENGI­ Vegas industrial team as sible for new accounts, LNEERING added five employees to its a marketing specialist. loans and servicing the staff. CLARO PEREZ was named project en­ Adams coordinates sales bank's existing customer gineer, and BRENTV. SiMPSON is now the efforts from the office BOB SKERTICH base. Both have more company's senior civil designer. The firm and handles the team's than 20 years' experience in banking. appointed MERCEDES ZAVALA marketing SYLVIA ADAMS brochures, mailers and assistant and senior staff writer/editor for other marketing material. Adams was for­ U.S. BANK named j. Streetlight. RYAN HERMAN was hired as a merly with Distinctive Homes as a residen­ ANDREW "ANDY" BACK­ CADD designer, and RICK jENSEN was tial sales agent. STROM vice president added as an engineer. and relationship manager DESIREE LEAL was recently awarded of its Northern evada Southern evada's BURNETT HAASE CON ­ THE REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE MANAGERS corporate banking team. STRUCTION named AMY RIFAKES-PAVEY CouNCIL's Certified Real Estate Broker­ Backstrom will manage a project manager for its design/build tenant age Manager designation. Leal is broker ANDREW BACKSTROM portfolio Of COmmercial improvement and construction division. and manager of Las Vegas-based Century lmms ::~ n rl rl evelnp nf>.w rP. l M i nnsh i p~ w ith H Pr re~pon~ib ilitie~ include work in all 21 Con~olidated.

14 Kevada Business journal • December 1998

PEOPLE ON THE ---- MOVE

tion of human resources director and Transportation. He holds 15 years' experi­ GAMING & TOURISM MELODY FUNK was promoted to director of ence in the transportation industry. RIMADONNA (AS INO RESORTS an­ advertising and marketing. All four most Pnounced the appointment of DEBRA recently held positions at the Pioneer, UTLITIES BRUMMETT as risk manager, LORETTA Hastings as food and beverage director, KLEM as benefits manager and )OVAN ZEC Garr as a financial consultant, Gabaldon as MGC COMMUNICATIONS as Whiskey Pete's maintenance manager. director of hotel operations and Funk as INC. appointed CLARK Brummett handles safety training, record marketing manager. WooD director of investor keeping and liability claims. Klem coordi­ relations. Prior to joining nates employee enrollment meetings, trou­ GOVERNMENT & lAW the Southern Nevada ble-shoots eligibility claims, looks into telecommunications fum, new plans for the Southern evada corpo­ ILL VANCE was recently appointed Wood was director of ration and handles billing responsibilities. Badministrator of the NEVADA DEPART· CLARK Wooo treasury services for Sta- Zec's duties include all repairs and mainte­ MENT OF EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND tion Casinos Inc. Wood also served as con­ nance needs for Whiskey Pete's. REHABILITATION 's Information, Develop­ troller of the Southwest Companies, a sub­ ment and Processing Division. Vance, a sidiary of Station Casinos Inc. SAM'S TOWN HOTEL AND long-time state employee and Carson City CAS 1No announced that resident, was most recently a budget ana­ MEDIA& NORM POWELL joined lyst for the Nevada Department of Admin­ COMMUNICATIONS the Las Vegas resort istration, Budget and Planning Division. property's management UILLIN & Co. ADVER· team as vice president THE NEVADA TRIAL LAWYERS AssOCIA· QTISING AND PUBLIC and assistant general TION named BoB MADDOX president. RELATIONS hired GLENN NoRM PowELL manager. Powell is re- Maddox heads Las Vegas-based Maddox LARSEN as creative direc­ sponsible for the day-to-day management & Quon and specializes in construction tor. The Las Vegas-based of Sam's Town operations, and will work defect law. As president of NTLA, he will agency also hired LoR 1 alongside senior vice president and gener­ represent the organization's interests in FEIRO as an assistant ac­ al manager Joe Fuscaldo. Powell previ­ protecting Nevada's consumers during the GLENN lARSEN count executive. Prior to ously served as vice president and general 1999 Nevada' Legislature. joining Quillin & Co., manager of Boyd Gaming Corporation's Larsen served as an art Sam's Town in Kansas City, Mo. Las Vegas-based labor director with R&R Adver­ and employment law tising, Thomas Puckett THE RESORT AT SQUAW (REEK, Lake firm RICCIARDI & PAUST· Advertising, The Bell Tahoe, named FRANZ WEBER director of IAN named DONNA l. Agency and, most recent­ skiing for the 1998-1999 season. Weber is STERNICKI an associate. ly, The Geary Co. Feiro a six-time consecutive world speed skiing Sternicki was most re­ LORI FEIRO most recently served as champion and former world record-holder. cently an associate with marketing coordinator for The Tower DoNNA STERNrcKr Winston & Strawn in Shops at Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. ANNIE SCHNAUBELT has joined the RENO· Chicago. She earned her law degree from SPARKS CONVENTION & ViSITORS Au­ DePaul University College of Law. KC PUBLICATIONS pro­ THORITY as sales coordinator. She brings moted DENNIS HARPER 12 years of experience in the tourism in­ MANUFACTURING & to president of the Las dustry to her new position as a support DISTRIBUTION Vegas-based company - staff member to RSCVA sales managers. America's largest pub­ Prior to joining the RSCVA, Schnaubelt OBERTS EXPRESS ap­ lisher of books and cal­ was a media buyer for the Peppermill Rpointed )EFF SULICK endars about the coun- Hotel Casino. as the company's new re­ DENNIS HARPER try's national parks gional sales manager for Harper most recently served as the pu~ SANTA FE GAMING CORP. announced Southern Nevada and lisher's warehouse and facilities manag several new appointments within its Arizona. Prior to joining management team at the Pioneer Hotel the transportation com­ DAN HART, RENEE ROBERTS and ALLA. and Gambling Hall in Laughlin. )OHN )E FF 5ULICK pany, which specializes and DEBBIE RosE have formed PARAGO HASTINGS is now general manager, DouG in time-specific shipments and those re­ COMMUNICATIONS. Hart most recen' GARR was appointed as comptroller, quiring special care in handling, Sulick was with Dan Hart & Associates. Prior · MARGARET GABALDON assumed the posi- was a regional sales manager for Vertex joining Las Vegas-based Paragon, Rober.

16 Nevada Business Journal • December 1998 , not stones, the true monuments was a partner in Lynam & Roberts Com­ munications. Allan and Debbie Rose pre­ great. viously co-owned Rose & Associates. . . . john L. Motley

KATIE VARGAS joined KELLEY-ROSE, INC. as an account executive. Vargas is responsible for serving Kelley-Rose clients who advertise in publications the Reno-based agency KATIE VARGAS represents, including The Reno-Tahoe Visitor, Nevada Magazine, Silver & Blue and Comstock's. Prior to join­ ing Kelley-Rose, Vargas was an account executive for Americom Broadcasting.

KSR ADVERTISI NG , locat­ ed in Las Vegas, promot­ ed BETH SCHWARTZ to public relations director. Schwartz will be respon­ sible for the agency's public relations efforts BETH ScHWARTZ and copywriting. Prior to joining KSR, Schwartz co-managed the national Black & Decker public relations account in Baltimore, Md.

TR IUMPH OUTDOOR-LAS "Best Dinner" VEGAS recently named RICK HILMER general manager. Hilmer is re­ (0 sponsible for running the daily operations of Tri­ umph Outdoor, including "Best Place for RICK HILMER building and maintaining the company's bus stop shelters and pro­ a Power Lunch" viding advertising space, design and place­ ~-..JIEW - ....;O ment for local and national clients. Hilmer 0 v~ 0 has 10 years' advertising experience. ~ '1., (!f );> UJ r NoN-PROFIT > ORGANIZATIONS ~njoy t .h~ /\bsolute Rest in \1)4)-....~~.-..."

USAN ROB INSON was named regional fine Continental french Cuisine. 1998 S executive director for the Northern evada unit of the AMERICAN CANCER So­ Lunch &rved 11:00 to '2:00 • Dinner &rved Ni8htly 5:30 to 10:00 CI ETY . Robinson most recently served as the organization's development director. Her 20 years of marketing and advertising ~ The Ar i stocrat~ experience includes posts with the Region­ al Transportation Commission, the Airport Qestaurant Authority of Washoe County, Hardie Irri­ gation and Harrah's HoteVCasino. • 850 0. Qancho • 870-1977

December 1998 • !l'erada Business j ournal 17 Nevada Navigates its Transportation Needs into the Next Century and Beyond

ransportation is a vital, elemental component of any great society - it at once unites and separates, propels and binds. In evada, transportation is an integral part of our economic welfare and con­ tinued prosperity. With a heavy reliance on tourism and mining, expedient and ac­ cessible transportation is needed to insure our financial future. Furthermore, trans­ portation enables communities to interact major reconstruction of the interchange suit, evadans will see a return of $1.14 and thrive, traverse great distances and since it was built in 1969. The work re­ for every dollar they pay into the Highway visit with friends and family. It is a com­ quires the demolition of two existing Trust Fund, a 62 percent improvement plex and intricate network comprised of bridges, the widening of three bridges and over ISTEA's previous levels. "We're talk­ roads and airspace, vehicles and planes. the construction of 11 new bridges, in­ ing about an extra $70 million per year. It "Travelers are discoverers," claims Anne cluding two miles of elevated ramps. exceeds any expectation we had. This Morrow Lindbergh. In Nevada alone there Meadow Valley ·Contractors is the general gives us a lot of strength in our program," are 12,228 miles of roads linking towns contractor; it's expected to take the com­ said Stephens. Nevada also received $40 and cities in one of the country's largest pany nearly three years and 200 employ­ million in special funding for a dozen high states. Established in 1917, the evada ees working in 24-hour shifts to complete priority projects such as the Canamex Department of Transportation (NDOT) the job on time. NDOT has implemented Corridor Innovative Urban Renovation manages nearly 5,400 miles of those high­ $4 million in bonuses if the contractor Project in Henderson ($7 million), the ways and 1,000 miles of bridges. meets the target completion date of Octo­ U.S. 395 Carson City Bypass ($3.7 mil­ ber 2000. Scheduled through 33 months, lion), widening U.S. 50 between Fallon construction will ultimately require and Fernley ($4 million), improving at­ fundinv pavQs thQ waq for 365,000 cubic yards of excavation, 12 grade railroad crossings in Reno ($1.8 road improvQmQnts million pounds of steel, 71 ,000 cubic million), widening 1-15 from the Califor­ yards of concrete and 648 pre-cast bridge nia state line to Las Vegas ($1.8 million), any of Nevada's transportation pro­ segments, each weighing 60 tons. "It's the Interstate 580/U.S. 395 freeway exten­ jects are made possible by substan­ time this interchange kept up with the sion to Carson City ($8.7 million), recon­ mtial federal funds. Improvements to progress of its neighborhood," stated U.S . struction of the 1-15 interchange at Sahara Las Vegas' major interchange are no ex­ Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, Avenue and Rancho Road in Las Vegas ception. On December 16, 1997, NDOT who was on hand for the groundbreaking ($5 million), the widening of Craig Road broke ground on the largest road job in ceremonies. The interchange reconstruc­ in North Las Vegas ($2 million) and the state history- the $123 million Interstate tion received $55 million in federal fund­ widening of I-15 in San Bernadino Coun­ 15/U.S. 95 interchange. Known by Las ing through the Intermodal Surface Trans­ ty, California ($6 million). Nevada has Vegans as the "Spaghetti Bowl," the inter­ portation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991. worked with neighboring states to ear­ change is the most traveled stretch of road ISTEA's successor is the Transportation mark an additional $18 million for widen­ in evada. According to NDOT Director Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21 ), ing I-15 between Barstow and Victorville Tom Stephens, the Spaghetti Bowl "han­ which President Clinton signed into law and $41 million for a bridge in the Hoover dles more than 330,000 vehicles a day, last June. Through TEA-21 , evada will Dam vicinity. "The entire Nevada delega­ with more than half changing directions." receive more than $1 billion in federal tion fought hard for our state's share of The landmark project will be the first highway funding over six years. As a re- federal transportation dollars, and our sue-

18 Nevada Business journal • December 1998 cessful efforts will enable us to tackle the transportation problems we are currently facing and the ones that loom ahead," states Congressman John Ensign. From TEA-21 funding, NDOT is current­ ly in the design stage of reconfiguring the I-80/U.S. 395 interchange. "This inter­ change is the 'Spaghetti Bowl' of orth­ ern Nevada," claims NDOT Public Infor­ mation Officer Scott Magruder. An estimated 140,000 vehicles pass through the area every day, making it the busiest in Northern Nevada. The project's estimated cost is $26 million, and construction could begin as early as 2000. This would be the first reconfiguration of the interchange Acquisition of BLM land hastened the start of the western Beltway leg, which will bring since its late 1960s opening. The job calls relief to the traffic-plagued Summerlin side of the Las Vegas Valley by the end of 2000. for the widening of U.S. 395 north to Mc­ Carran Boulevard to three Janes in each translates into 800,000 cars, nearly two Works Director M.J. Manning. Started direction. Also, there will be a fly-over per household, and 3.1 million trips per back in 1994, the 53-mile, $ 1.2 billion from westbound 1-80 to U.S. 395, headed day. In fact, according to Clark County Beltway will eventually loop around the toward Carson City, an on-ramp lane be­ Regional Transportation Commission entire Las Vegas Valley, with an estimated fore approaching the interchange and a (RTC) statistics, the demand between 1995 completion date sometime in 2003. Voters concrete rehabilitation of the existing and 2020 for vehicle travel will increase approved the Clark County master trans­ overlay. "Essentially, this is a traffic safe­ by approximately 54 percent. portation fair-share funding program back ty and congestion improvement project The completion of I-215, otherwise in 1990, which finances Beltway con­ that will contribute to the long term im­ known as "The Las Vegas Beltway," struction through the 1 percent motor ve­ provement of the area," states Magruder. should significantly alleviate such project­ hicle privilege tax and the Clark County ed traffic congestion. "The construction of tax collected on new residential, com­ the Beltway provides an outstanding ex­ mercial and industrial development. In­ H.n a??ressive approach to ample of how the county is addressing tended to meet the traffic requirements of road improvements the ever-increasing demands of urban local residents for a five- to 10-year peri­ growth," states Clark County Public od, it has been engineered for the specific he Clark County Public Works De­ partment is adopting a similar proac­ Ttive approach to solving Southern • ·evada's transportation concerns. In Q9- . the department completed 29 new ;:Tl)JeCiS ( 10· million), designed and ac- 9 right-of-way projects ($ 151 mil­ eight pecial improvement - S-!- _ million) and activated $2.9 million in n - rraffi signals. Throughout 1998, the Oart Couruy ~1aster Trans­ portation Plan generated an estimated $138.9 million in revenue from everal sources, including a new development tax ($25 million), a room tax (Sl6.4 million). a sales tax ($43.2 million) and a gas tax ($25.9 million), among others. With 1.2 million residents - 66 percent of the The infamous "Spaghetti Bowl" is so inadequate at handling current Las Vegas commuter state's population - Clark County resi­ counts, it creates a virtual non-stop traffic jam. Photo above was taken prior to work be­ dents average seven car trips daily. That ginning on the eagerly-awaited $123 million interchange improvement.

December 1998 • Nevada Business Journal 19 needs of each region. As a result, a full oughfare is built. "Once finished, the Belt­ Vegas Resort Corridor were completed in or partial highway will be constructed way will enable motorists to bypass the 1997, including the $5 million construc­ where traffic volume is heavy, while heavily congested urban core, thereby im­ tion of Hotel Rio Drive, a four-lane con­ multi-lane arterials or frontage roads will proving traffic circulation during peak nector joining Flamingo and Industrial be built where traffic is light. travel hours," asserts Manning. Roads; the $14.2 million depression and Divided into three major portions - Although the largest in size and cost, widening of Desert Inn Road from Par­ southern, western and northern - five the Beltway is just one of several county­ adise Road to Swenson Street; the $6 mil­ Beltway contracts totaling more than $120 wide projects aimed at reducing urban lion expansion of Tropicana Avenue from million have already been completed, in­ congestion, improving overall traffic flow Koval Lane to Wilbur Street; and the cluding a 2.5 mile segment from 1-15 to and enhancing regional quality. A number $3.4 million expansion of Industrial the McCarran Airport access tunnel, a half of significant road projects along the Las Road from Tropicana Avenue to Spring a mile from McCarran Airport to Warm Springs Road, one mile from Warm Springs Road to Windmill Lane, two miles from Windmill Lane to Eastern Av­ enue and one mile from Eastern Avenue to Pecos Road. All five segments comprise the eastern leg of the southern Beltway. Only two sections (five miles total) re­ main. The last sections pick up at Pecos Road and carry the southern Beltway to U.S. 95, creating a full Beltway system east ofl-15 to Stephanie Road. There will be 19 interchanges, with nine additional And remember these tips to help prevent arterial crossings. The anticipated com­ electrical hazards: pletion date is late 1999. An impressive • Regulorlv inspect insulation on electrical cords ond cobfes, os well os the pins on the plugs large-scale undertaking, the southern for domoge; Beltway lured Mel Gibson, Danny Glover • Train employees to grasp the plug when and Joe Pesci into Las Vegas to film their removing it from o receptode; trademark high-speed chase sequence as • 'Always make sure electrical junction part of Lethal Weapon 4 last April. Unfor­ boxes ore appropriate~ covered, ond use tunately, in the process, the Beltway was on~ listed ond labeled equipment, closed at times to local motorists during • Always make sure flexible electrical cords the two weeks of filming, creating several ond cables are never: traffic tie-ups. Allached to building surfaces, Because traffic for the segment of the Run through doorways where they can be pinched, southern Beltway west ofl-15 is expected Run concealed behind building walls, ceilings, or floors, Run through holes unless protected by bushings or fittings. to be light, this section will consist pri­ marily of frontage road. With an estimat­ No maffer what your business, no maffer what your hazard concern, SCATS con make sure you're connected to the information resources that will ed completion of 1999, the western leg of help your business run more Slife~. the southern beltway continues its path west past 1-15 to Decatur. It is at this point Southern Nevada: 702/486-5016 where the frontage roadway begins and Northern Nevada: 702/688-147 continues due west past Durango Road, Northeastern Nevada: where it bends north to meet the western Beltway at Tropicana Avenue. On March 3, Clark County acquired a 7,200-acre, 450-foot right-of-way through L~~~~~A~Iw~ays think Bureau of Land Management property to build the remaining western and northern and act safely on the job. Beltway sections, which will run north to to Centennial Parkway, then back east to connect at 1-15. Upon completion, the western and northern Beltway sections Nevada Department of will feature 14 interchanges, with an addi­ Business & Industry tional nine planned after the initial thor-

20 Nevada Business Journal • Det:ember 1998 Mountain Road. "All these efforts were Preservinv the intevrillJ of the gional Transportation Commission (RTC), directed at increasing traffic circulation distribution corridor however, is taking progressive measures in and around the corridor district," toward remedying traffic concerns. "We states Manning. Several arterial improve­ eno has long been known as the dis­ have focused very closely on 1-80 to make ments were made in 1996, including the tribution corridor to the West Coast, certain there's sufficient management for $1.5 million new five-lane roadway ex­ Rdue to its proximity to 1-80. In fact, non-truck traffic," states RTC Executive tension of Decatur Boulevard between 60 percent of the population west of the Director Celia Kupersmith. "Our strong Tropicana Avenue and Russell Road, plus Mississippi River can be reached from transportation system has drawn distribu­ the $5.1 million widening and extension Reno within one day. As a result, the high­ tion and manufacturing companies to the of Desert Inn Road between Valley View ways and freeways in Washoe County are area, providing easy mobility for employ­ and Jones Boulevards. heavily traveled. The Washoe County Re- ees. People really appreciate that." Indeed, from 1994 to 1997, the RTC re­ paired, rebuilt or constructed 150 miles of regional roadways. That translates into $38.9 million in design, construction and inspection. Funded by a 9-cent gasoline tax in Washoe County, which generates about $1 million monthly, last year the RTC was able to repair and build such pro- . jects as Dandini Boulevard from U.S. 395 to the Reno city limit, Dan~ Boulevard $10,325 sll10c from Clearance Lane to the Reno city • limit, Baker Lane from Peckham to Moana Lanes, Center Street from Virginia Lane to First Street, Liberty Street from As an em~loyer, you risk substantial lines when your em_ployees don 't use sale work/ractices or Arlington to Center Street, Terminal Way proper safety equipment. This is an area where a lack of affention on your part coul end up costing you a lot. In the third quarter of 1998 alone, Nevada employers were cited lor 70 electri­ from Mill Street to Plumb Lane, Zo1ezzi

, for on initio I penolty of Sl 0,325. Lane and A.t-row Creek from South Vir­ The fact is, any lime you violale heahh and safety hazards, you can incur a hefty fine. And that's ginia Street to Rubblestone, Red Rock if you're lucky. One of your workers could be seriously injured -or even die - because of safety Road from U.S. 395 to Moya, plus sever­ hazards in the workplace. al others. Additional funding from the Re­ The Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Division of Industrial Relations, Safety gional Road Impact Fee (RRIF) program Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) can help you prevent workplace accidents and avoid safety violation penalties. requires developers to pay their fair share for new roads and traffic signals. "We have been a very aggressive region during TOP FIVE HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS VIOLATED: Vi~~:~~ns ~~~~!~~v the last five years in acquiring funding,"

Electrical 70 $10,325 admits Kupersmith. In 1998, the RRIF pro­ (Not having adequate strain relief on extension cords, for not providing ground-fault circuit interrupters, and for not having a cover on an electrical junction box.) gram will create more than $25.2 million liazard Communication 65 $6,125 in improvements, extending the trans­ (No written chemical hazard communication program, exposed employees notadequately ; ~· and not having material safety data sheets for all hazan;!ous chemicalS:), portation system into rapidly developing Fall Protection 56 $65,342 (Not providing fall protection systems for exposed employees to unprotected sides and areas such as Spanish Springs, South edges, having unprotected openings in floors or roofs, and not training exposed employees.) Scaffolds 47 $32,125 Meadows, McQueen and Sun Valley. nawlQ adequate access to the working level of the scaffold, inadequate guard rails, According to RTC Deputy Executive '""'-.:x '1aWl!l the adeguale ooling on the on the scaffold.) ------1 Process Safety Management 40 $7,800 '":2W'g aoequate training, not having standard operating procedures, and not Director Derek Morse, there will be $17 4 ~a !'2Zatl analysis for two new processes.) I - - million spent on new road construction ,.,.,.,. 6o -- are used and maintenance over the next five years. li:2iy ~ Se. That figure doesn't include another $174 million spent through the private sector on new land development roads and traffic signals, or the anticipated $97 million local government will contribute. All to­ gether, various entities will spend nearly $500 million on Washoe County road­ ways. "One of the problems is that people are driving more, and the average fuel economy has increased 39 percent," states

December 1998 • Nevada Business Journal 21 THE CENTER FOR BUSINESS UNLV AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA lAS VEGAS Director, R. Keith Schwer, Ph.D T HE SOUTHERN NEVADA THE LAs VEGAS METROPOLITAN Hous­ Morse. The number of miles driven by BUSINESS D IRECTORY, 1997 ING MARKET CONDITIO S REPORT Provides information on firms located in Contains current information on residential finance, Washoe County residents increased 60 Southern Nevada. Businesses are listed by an assessment of the apartment market, percent from 1970 to 1993. And that num­ Standard Industrial Classification. as well as indicators of future growth. ber doesn't account for the increase in Price: $35 Annual Subscription: $20 new residents or congestion. In 1998, plus $5 for shipping and handling plw $3 for shipping and handling Washoe County motorists will travel an (HOUSING MARKET DATA AVAIL

Public transportation ?TOWS in importance

n addition to aggressive, ongoing im­ provement of roadways, both Southern I and Northern Nevada are increasingly relying on mass transit to ease commuter woes. Traffic circulation is being im­ proved in Las Vegas by the RTC/Citizens Area Transit (CAT), which carries 117,000 passengers every day. In 1997, CAT ac­ Here are a few of the 2,200 commodated nearly 40 million riders. The employees of Barrick Gold who have RTC just finished an integrated bus facili­ helped make Nevada the powerhouse ty in North Las Vegas. Located on a 36- of the American gold industry. acre site, the project called for the con­ struction of several administrative and The Barrick Goldstrike Property near maintenance facilities totaling 231,000 ~ Elko produces over 20 percent of the square feet. Completed this summer, there nation's gold, contributes $1.5 are 10 buildings for both the para-transit and fixed route systems, including three BARRICI< billion annually to the Nevada administrative facilities, two maintenance economy, and has created 12,000 buildings, two wash areas, two fueling additional jobs for the Silver State. areas and a single fare-retrieval building complete with a security counting room. With an emphasis on environmental For those Reno residents who prefer to responsibility and safety, Barrick is in leave the driving to someone else, the Nevada for the long haul. RTC/Citifare bus system services 300,000 people in Washoe County. Providing eight million trips per year, 23 ,000 trips per day,

22 Nevada Business Journal • December 1998

and possibly reach three million by 2015." To accommodate such population growth and provide more space for in­ creased air u·affic, McCanan built the Ter­ minal D Gate Satellite Concourse, a mas­ sive terminal and automated transit system (ATS ) enabling the airport to ser­ vice 45 million passengers annually. Con­ struction on Phase I began in July 1996 and finished in June 1998. "The D Gate facility is a complete and modem depar­ ture from our existing terminals - differ­ ent colors, styles and architecture," states Walker. A steel and glass building, the D Terminal utilizes natural lighting, with 66,000 square feet of glass and unique art­ Commuter reliance on public tran.sportation continues to grow both in Las Vegas (above) work. Furthermore, it uses 673 light fix­ and Reno (below), creating the need for each entity to place additional routes and tures that consume nearly eight million vehicles into service. watts of electricity. The gene_ral design of stops, 400 bus benches and 78 passenger the D Gates reflects an aeronautical shelters. While passenger fares account theme, evoking images of flight with a for $5.9 million, 44 percent of the RTC's sweeping curved roof and window shades operating revenue, the remainder is fi­ resembling the wings of a bi-plane. The nanced through a 25-cent sales tax in ceiling in the rotunda is 95 feet high. Washoe County. Phase I construction used I ,500 tons of steel, equaling the weight of four B-747s, 40,000 cubic yards of concrete, enough to Hirport improvements take flivht build a sidewalk from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, and 130,000 square feet of mar­ hen McCarran International Air­ ble. With the addition of 26 gates, the D port in Las Vegas completed Phase Gate terminal has the capacity to accom­ UJ I of its $345 million Terminal D modate a 747 or Concord supersonic jet. Gate Satellite expansion, the entire project American, Delta, Northwest, TWA, Unit­ was financed through slot machine rev­ ed, American Eagle, Hawaiian, Midwest enues. Ranked the lOth busiest airport in Express and Canadian International all the nation and 18th busiest in the world, service the D Gates. There are unique Citifare recently celebrated its 20th an­ McCarran services 30.3 million passen­ food, beverage and retail shops available, niversary. Operating 63 buses, seven days gers per year, or 83,000 people per day. plus a children's play area complete with a week, Citifare covers 23 routes. In 1998, This translates into nearly 800 daily an interactive mini-control tower and the system acquired 16 40-foot Nova scheduled flights, including nonstop ser­ mock jet engine. coaches in addition to the 20 that went vice to Germany, England, Mexico, Bel­ Passengers are shuttled to the new D into service last year. Each coach holds an gium and Japan. The airpon employs Gate facilities from the main terminal by average of 40 passengers. The RTC re­ 10,000 people, including 900 with the the ATS people mover system. Consisting ceived a $7.1 million grant in fiscal year Clark County Department of Aviation. of four cars on two independent tracks, 1998 from the Federal Transit Adminisu·a­ Founded in 1948, the facility celebrated the guideway stretches 3,500 feet. The tion (FfA) to assist with the new replace­ its 50th anniversary with the D Gate Ter­ total trip time, however, only takes one ment buses, capital and operation expens­ minal expansion. "Throughout its 50-year minute and 33 seconds. The ATS station is es of the public transportation system. The history, expansions have helped McCarran built at three levels and consists of 95,872 Citifare division employs 250 people, and keep pace with the steady increase in air square feet. A $50 million state-of-the-art maintains a 70,000-square-foot adminis­ passenger volume," states Clark County computer system, called CUTE, was in­ trative, transit operations, bus storage Director of Aviation Randall Walker. stalled as well. The new technology en­ and maintenance center in Reno under "In 1994, Las Vegas' population passed hances passenger check-in, baggage the U.S. 395 underpass of Plumb Lane. the one million mark. By 2007 that num­ claim, boarding procedures and flight in­ Additionally, Citifare maintains I ,030 bus ber is expected to exceed two million formation. CUTE enables airlines to move

24 Nevada Business Journal • December 1998 from gate to gate without having to trans­ The Renoffahoe International Airport than 38,000 jobs directly and indirectly. port their entire computer system. celebrated its 70-year anniversary on Servicing 50 markets, including 24 The addition of the D Gates comes in November 12, 1998. The history of non-stop destinations, the Renoffahoe In­ the wake of the $1.1 billion McCanan the airport began in 1927 when Charles ternational Airport has three runways and 2000 Master Plan. Started in 1978 and Lindbergh landed his "Spirit of St. Louis" 22 gates. Encompassing more than 1,400 completed in 1997, the Master Plan was a at Blanchfield Airport (now the Washoe acres, the airport underwent a $91 million long-range program designed to respond County Golf Course). Lindbergh felt runway improvement project from May to Las Vegas' burgeoning tourism indus­ Reno's Blanchfield Airport was too small 1993 to September 1995. This two-phase try. The Phase I expansion, completed in to accommodate even a two-passenger project upgraded the airport's asphaltic­ 1987, quadrupled the airport's size, with a Boeing Model 40a aircraft. Consequently, concrete, general aviation runway from 1.3 million-square-foot, seven-story cen­ the search began for a more appropriate 5,592 feet to a 9,000-foot concrete runway tral terminal that added 16 gates, a 1,500- site. In ovember 1928, the first Boeing capable of handling all canier aircraft. space parking structure and an ATS fixed Model 80 aircraft anived at Hubbard Phase II included the reconstruction of an­ railway. Since then, two new runways Field (now the Renoffahoe International other runway, extending it to 11 ,000 feet. were installed, an airport connector and Airport). The airport has been expand­ From November 1994 to December roadway project were completed, the ing ever since. In fact, the Renoffahoe 1995, the airport improved yet again with 7 ,500-space McCanan Airport Parking International Airport is the third-fastest an $11 million baggage claim expansion. Plaza was opened and the airport ac­ growing airport in the nation. Passenger The project increased the 30,000-square­ quired a Doppler radar system. Today, volume increased 123 percent between foot facility to 61,000 squ!!!_e feet, adding McCanan has four 150-foot wide run­ 1990 and 1997, ranking the airport as nine grand pyramid skylights, five hori­ ways, including one 14,505 feet in length, the country's 43rd busiest. It serves zontal baggage conveyors, 1,100 feet of making it the second longest civilian 6.9 million passengers per year with 127 claim space and state-of-the-art flight and runway in the nation. daily departures. The airport creates more baggage display monitors. The new bag-

We still use pencils.

In this age of faxing, e-mail, and surfing the net, communication has become much less personalized. At Kafoury, Armstrong & Co. we still believe in one on one personalized service. It's what you'd expect from evada's largest and most respected independent accounting firm. And, oh yes, our pencil use tip # 6: sharpen to a point and toss up to the ceiling tiles to see if it sticks. Great fun. However, we're serious about business, thats why we've been in

~- - business helping Nevadans since 1941.

K;\FOURY, ARMSTRONG & (O. / C ERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 702.384.7717 RENO • lAS VEGAS • ElKO • fALlON • YERINGTON • WINNEMUCCA • (ARSON CITY

December 1998 • Nevada Business j ournal 25

gage claim area enhances the convenience of the airport by allowing additional space for passengers to identify their bags and make car rental or ground transportation arrangements. early 39.9 metric tons of freight was shipped in and out of Reno/Tahoe International Airport last year, a 16 percent improvement over the previous year. Although its facilities have shown pro­ gressive improvement, the airport suffered a serious setback about two years ago. The Reno/Tahoe International Airport (above) is the third-fastest growing ailport in the 1997 New Year's flood caused such dam­ nation. Th e facility plans to add eight new gates by the end of 2000. age to the east/west runway that it was im­ The recently opened Terminal D Gate Satellite Concourse (below) adds 26 gates to busy mediately closed. It took a full six months McCarran International Ai1port in Las Vegas. before the runway could be reopened for partial operation. More than three feet of water stood in the ramp areas, and water entered the baggage claim facility. With the help of the evada Air National Guard, temporary matting was put in place at the intersection, which allowed the pathway connecting the commercial runways to the terminal gates to be opera­ tional again. In a visit to the Reno/Tahoe mternauonar All'pon m Augu~L I99T, VT~.;c::: President Al Gore announced a $6 million Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant to the airport for repairs. Completed runway repair is estimated to cost approx­ imately $30 million. "The Reno/Tahoe In­ ternational Airport recovered from the worst flood in the orthern Nevada's his­ tory, just 33 hours after it was forced to su·ucture features five glass enclosed ele­ cility charges, the Reno/Tahoe Interna­ close," states Washoe County Airport Au­ vators, an open stairwell, an observation tional Airport will undergo $385 million thority Chairman Luther Mack. The flood deck and a 154-foot glass enclosed sky­ in additional improvements by 2007. marked the first occasion since 1955 that walk from the second level parking area to Henry J. Kaiser is attributed as saying, the airport had been closed for an extend­ the main terminal. The facility houses "Problems are only opportunities in work ed period of time. both long- and short-term parking. The clothes." As Nevada continues to lead the Refusing to let such hard times waylay project entailed a number of roadway im­ nation in growth, it is faced with the singu­ progress, the airport is looking to add provements, expanding the lanes in front lar challenges that inevitably accompany eight more gates by the end of 2000, when of the terminal and the adjacent roadway. successful , flourishing regions. Urban con­ projected annual passenger travel will Completed on Thanksgiving 1997, six gestion, inaccessible roadways and un­ reach 9.5 million. Although still in the months ahead of schedule, the expansion available air transit often plague such ini­ planning stages, the design expansion enables better pedestrian access to the ter­ tially promising areas. Fortunately, Nevada would be built north of Concourse C and minal and parking structure. It also has applied irmovative thinking and practi­ lude a U.S. Customs station. The esti­ widened the curbs for improved commer­ cal problem solving to such daunting tasks. cost is approximately $22 million, cial and private vehicle use. "These ac­ As a result, we have produced livable, an additional $1.3 million for adj a­ complishments have not been easy," states workable solutions that are at once pro­ ::unp development. The design would Mack. "They have required vision and gressive and innovative. Such forethought · ~ a short-term solution and would technical expertise by airport manage­ ensures the continued social and economic _· for occupation by 2001. ment and staff, while recognizing commu­ integrity of the state. Burgeoning with The mu h anticipated $31 million, nity involvement in the planning process." promise, evada has potential, and the _AOO-spa parking facility opened to the Financed through a combination of feder­ solid transportation foundation, to venture blic on June 0. 1997. The three-level al grants, bond proceeds, revenues and fa- into the next century and beyond. •

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WILL THE NEW YEAR BRING NEW OPPORTUNITIES?

Analysts predict slower growth, tourism stagnation in the year ahead

conomic prognostication is never a sure bet. Unforeseen events can Ewreak havoc on the most carefully coordinated business and industry assays. Furthennore, local vagaries can impact the economic vi brancy of a region. This has proven especially true for Nevada. Though the entire nation has enjoyed more than seven years of sustained growth, Nevada has led the pack by a wide margin as the fastest-growing state. The construction boom in the resort and home­ building industries has somewhat inured Nevada to national economic issues. fects of related announcements. We're those rooms. Even if we don 't bring in However, things may be slowing down getting beneficial coverage in the popular more visitors at midweek. we still foresee for the Silver State, as economic crises in press, but we"re anticipating negative at­ a strong demand on weekends. However. far-flung lands bring trying times to U.S. tention as a result of the increased scruti­ overall occupancy rates will suffer." businesses across the board. Travel and ny the national gaming commission is While the much-vaunted D tenninal at tourism operations can expect to take a hit placing on the state." McCanan International Airport in Las as concerned consumers tighten discre­ While Schwer is concerned about such Vegas was supposed to alleviate slacken­ tionary and leisure spending. Virtually ail problematic publicity, he anticipates the ing visitor volume in that city by attracting economy watchers agree: the nation as a gaming commission's real impact will be more air traffic. it thus far seems to have whole, including Nevada, can expect more more long-term, revolving around such is­ had negligible effects. The airline industry sluggish growth in the next year. sues as regulation and taxation. In the has yet to expand the number of flights The effects of worldwide economies on more immediate future. he expects growth coming to the region . "The cun·ent airl in e evada became readily apparent when to remain "relatively flat. Our economy industry structure has caused airlines to Asian high-roller visitor volume to the has tended to be stronger than the nation­ shift llights from tourism markets to busi­ state's gaming markets took a blow after al economy, but we seem to be entering a ness routes," Schwer explained. It's diffi­ the "Asian contagion" swept global mar­ period where that's not the case; · he ob­ cult to predict whether such under-serving kets. Related factors continue to lurk be­ served. "The slowing global economy will will continue. "Recent evidence suggests hind faltering expansion of tourism mar­ adversely impact the local economy, but airlines continue ro compere with each kets throughout evada. we need to see 1998"s fourth quarter num­ other:· he noted. "Also, a strong oversup­ "In tenns of our general forecast, gam­ bers before we can ascertain how substan­ ply of planes relative to demand may ing performance was fairly in line with tial those effects will be." emerge. Those factors will perpetuate the our expectations," noted Dr. R. Keith Dwindling, or even static. visitor vol­ trend toward reduced air traffic to South­ Schwer, director of the University of ume could represent bad news for tourism ern evada." However, National Airlines, evada-Las Vegas' Center for Business markets in the midst of in·evocable expan­ a fledgling Las Vegas-based operation es­ and Economic Research and professor of sion. Las Vegas will see 20,000 new tablished by founders of America West economics. "Gaming sector expansion has rooms open within the next 18 months; Airlines, may reverse the trend. "The ex­ been modest this year. We had forecast 3 Reno's Atlantis Hotel & Casino recently pectation of competition may lure more percent real gaming growth, but it looks commissioned a $35 million, 27-story airlines more often," Schwer sunnised. like we'll see less than that. We expect the addition. " ew rooms probably will boost There's a si lver lining to every cloud, 1 t quarter to pick up slightly with the visitor volume," Schwer acknowledged. and one weak spot in an economy can en­ ning of Bellagio and the positive ef- "All other things being equal, we wi ll fill gender strength in other areas. While con-

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(AREA (ODE) PHONE FAX "1999 WILL REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF INTELLECTUAL HONESTY AND COURAGE FROM THE TOURISM INDUSTRY." -PHIL KEENE PRES I DENT/CEO, RSCVA struction in the resort sector abates, con­ the western United States enhances our fornia, as well as the Pacific Northwest," struction in general will still constitute popularity as a distribution center. Manu­ Keene stated. one of the state's strongest economic per­ facturing inquiries have increased dramat­ Such appeals have two major strategic formers, according to Schwer. Construc­ ically in the last two years." thrusts. The first encompasses "reposi­ tion entails a more significant part of Although diversification insulates tioning Reno to capitalize on its unique Nevada's economy than it does in most Reno-Sparks' economy somewhat, its geography, history and culture," Keene other regions: jobs in the building industry tomism and gaming market is already suf­ explained. The second approach includes equal more than twice the national aver­ fering. Phil Keene, president and CEO of boosting conventions, trade shows and ex­ age in terms of percent of the workforce the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors hibitions, which are "sited not so much for employed. "Typically, construction is one Authority (RSCVA), predicted, "We expect any singular attraction such as gaming, of the more cyclical industries, and it also the overall tourism segment to remain rel­ but more for the combination of facilities, tends to have large expenditure multipliers atively static, and possibly decline in total the hospitality community and lifestyle." compared to other economic sectors," numbers as we adjust to very strident com­ Hoping to capitalize on such a predictable Schwer noted. "As construction projects petition in other markets." RSCVA studies source of business has encouraged the in the hotel sector begin to slow, that will reveal the region suffers problems with RSCVA to talk about expanding the Reno. free resources for non-hotel construction." name and image recognition in other parts Convention Center. "We're waiting to re­ Construction segments in the "catch-up" of the country, and California's Proposi­ ceive the final report from ~~o nomi c con­ phase p1imarily include public works pro­ tion 5 may keep many potential Reno vis­ sultants and conceptual architects, but jects, such as roads, libraries and post of­ itors closer to home now that Nevada-style preliminary indications suggest Northern ' fices. The necessity of such building en­ gaming is readily available on Native Nevada could be one of the great trade · sures ongoing growth even after the sun American reservations there. Furthermore, show and exhibition destinations of the sets on the current gaming boom. Las Vegas' ongoing room growth is canni­ future," Keene asserted. And what will become of Southern balizing Reno 's tourism market. What lies ahead in the coming year for Nevada's headline-grabbing housing Business leaders in Reno haven't kept Nevada's economy? "1999 will be a chal­ starts? "I expected a lot of forces to slow their city flourishing by passivity in the lenging year, one that will require a great down the housing market this year, but presence of a<;lversity. Many are already deal of intellectual honesty and courage that didn't happen," Schwer said. "We're seeking ways to capitalize on growth in from the tourism industry," Keene said. "It still seeing a great deal of ongoing permit­ other markets. "We wish Las Vegas the has to reinvent itself and get away from ting." Still, don't expect to witness the best, because we are tied to their success," the traditional gaming customer model, stratospheric growth levels that have char­ admitted Keene. "We hope they can main­ integrating recreation and exhibitions with acterized much of the state for the last tain their absorption rates as the newest gaming as value-added." Seeing gaming decade. But the news isn't all bad. In Las deluge of rooms comes online. If they can as simply one more component to a Vegas, population growth has averaged occupy a higher yield niche, it allows us to tourism market, rather than as its sine qua 6 percent annually since 1986. In 1999, compete at a different level. Visitors are non, is a call heard throughout the state. expansion will drop to about 5 percent - coming here for skiing and golf, among As studies show that shopping and eating slow for Las Vegas, but still fantastic com­ other activities, so we're already benefi­ now represent the top two reasons tourists pared with the rest of the nation. Also, ciaries of that sorting process. Some seg­ travel to Las Vegas, the need for a new ap­ such receding immigration can play a pos­ ments of gaming tourism may not be sub­ proach is more evident than ever. itive role in suppressing unemployment stantial enough to interest Las Vegas' As with anything as complex and multi­ levels as the economy slows. operations. and we can offer such groups faceted as a state economy, there are both The Reno-Sparks area has enjoyed more similar attributes in an environment more positives and negatives. Nevada should tability in its expansion rates, and for that compatible with their desires." sustain a brisk growth rate when com­ reason, economy watchers there don't ex­ According to Keene, attaining new lev­ pared with the rest of the country. For pect any significant alterations in growth. els of success in the tourism industry will Nevadans, who are accustomed to more ··our growth rate for the last five to six require "focusing on who we are and what rapid growth, 1999 will require more real­ years has remained at 3 to 3.5 percent," we have to offer." That understanding has istic expectations. However, many of noted John Pinjuv, president of Reno­ led RSCVA officials on forays around the Nevada's business and government lead­ based Grubb & Ellis/Nevada Commercial country to markets where Reno-Sparks ers seem optimistic about the state 's Group. Also an advantage for the area is its can't claim much name recognition, but prospects in the coming year. Perhaps, more diverse economy. "Reno isn't as re­ the promise of new visitors exists. "We're with a dose of Nevada-style innovation liant on gaming - we have a manufactur­ essentially appealing to the huge popula­ and foresight, they'll have reason to re- ing base, and our strategic location within tion bases in Southern and Northern Cali- main so in the coming months. • December 1998 . Nevada Business journal 31 mergers consulting real estate ·so

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PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES The Players in Nevada Th e face of this Nevada Bell by Cindie Geddes Nokia digital phone hides an electronic organizer: A smart chip inside the company's phones con­ tains user ID and ocher specific in/or­ marion. The chip can be transferred f rom phone to phone.

ersonal Communications ed. The clean ALLTEL Services (PCS) represent slate with which it (www.alltel.com) Pa broad range of radio began has allowed the bands freed up by the FCC just a company to be ultra-re­ ''Atthe end of the day," says Larry few years ago. But most of us sponsive to the coverage White, communications manager know PCS by a more common name - needs of its customers. for ALLTEL, "a lot of people are looking the digital phone. The benefits ofPCS over Nevada Bell has also care- for personalized customer service, and analog technology include superior voice fu lly chosen the technology on ALLTEL is a customer-focused company." quality, fewer dropped calls, voice and which it bases its network. After careful The addition of superstores where cus­ data communication over a single phone, consideration of the different formats tomers can buy products, get answers to increased security and longer "talk" and (CDMA, used by Sprint and ALLTEL; billing questions and bring equipment in "standby" times due to recent improve­ TDMA, used by AT&T; and GSM) evada for repair is the next step in the company's ments in battery life. Bell chose GSM (Global System for Mo­ pursuit of customer satisfaction. "A one­ There are now four major PCS players bile Communications), a worldwide stan­ stop shopping experience," as White de­ in Nevada: Nevada Bell Wireless, AT&T dard with a proven track record among 44 sctibes it- an extension of ALLTEL's one­ Wireless Services, ALLTEL and Sprint million users in l 09 countries. Campbell stop billing process, in which a customer PCS, the latter two having just entered the says, "This bodes well for the future as the can pay for his or her long distance, market in the second half of this year. All global economy increases the ability to Internet access, Web site design/develop­ of them offer innovative pticing plans, ad­ use phones seamlessly around the world." ment/hosting, wireless phones (both ana­ equate technology and enthusiastic repre­ GSM also utilizes smart chip technolo­ log and digital on a dual network) and sentatives to answer just about any ques­ gy, which allows a chip in the phone to paging all on one bill. tion you might have about PCS. Where contain user ID and billing information. ALLTEL uses the CDMA (Code Division they differ is in their focus. The chip can be moved from one GSM Multiple Access) digital technology, phone to another so call s can be made or which it considers the supetior technolo­ NEVADA BELL WIRELESS received even when the customer is not gy. After 13 years of building its network. (www.sbc.com) using his or her phone. With its simplified data transmission compatible with laptop hough Nevada Bell has local roots and palmtop computers, and its complex Tstretching back several decades, the encryption codes to eliminate the risk of firm built its PCS network from scratch - fraud and eavesdropping, Campbell feels no easy task. But the benefits are worth it, GSM is far superior to all other digital according to Bob Campbell, regional pres­ technologies. He and the company are so ident and general manager for the Las impressed with GSM that last August they Vegas region. While other companies with and six other providers formed the GSM infrastructures already in place are dealing Alliance, a group dedicated to spreading with the challenges of retrofitting and re­ the word of the system's benefits and ad­ tooling, evada Bell is building new tow­ vancements. The GSM Alliance has grown ALLTEL Manager Joyce Champoli at the e where the firm feels they're most need- to include 15 providers. company's North Las Vegas location.

December I 998 • Nevada Business journal 33 The TouchPoint digital "WE ARE SETTING THE INDUSTRY STANDARD. PEOPLE KNOW THEY CAN LOOK TO US FOR INNOVATION."

-SYLVIA SCHNOPP, NEVADA DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES

the company is proud of its coverage and markets utilize the new 1900 megahertz the fact that it's dedicated to remaining re­ wavelength, whereas others (like Las a financial con­ sponsive to the analog user as well as Vegas and Reno) run digital in the 800 tribution to the the new users of digital technology. Cus­ megahertz range. Analog is also run in the Susan G. Komen tomer choice is important, and ALLTEL 800 megahertz range. AT&T has designed Breast Cancer Foun­ is constantly looking for ways to improve its network so that any phone can search dation in support of its its service as this high-tech industry for any of the three wavelengths, starting research efforts. changes and grows. with the one most similar to its own. The According to John Bischoff, But if you want to hear White's busi­ phone does the thinking, and the customer vice president for the Las ness voice get pushed aside by an excited benefits from transparent usage in more Vegas/San Diego area, the Sprint PCS net­ rush, ask him about community service. than 7,000 cities in the U.S. , Canada and work was built from the ground up in " evada consumers are conscious of so­ parts of Mexico. "We are setting the in­ Vegas. "We have made a $55 million in­ cial responsibility," he says, "and ALLTEL dustry standard," says Schnapp. "We have vestment in Las Vegas alone. And we will and its predecessors [360° Communica­ led the pack for a long time, and people continue to build aggressively to keep tions] have established a strong local pres­ know they can look to us for innovation." pace with the industry. We_are still as ag­ ence of doing good in the community." AT&T is also proud of the Nokia 6162 gressive as we were 18 months ago," October is National Domestic Violence Digital multi-network phone, to which it which . was about when Sprint first intro­ Month, and ALLTEL is committed to using won exclusive rights for distribution. This duced PCS to the country. Las Vegas was its phones to combat family violence. The new phone is designed to work with brought onto the network October 13 . firm donated phones to the domestic vio­ AT&T's seamless coverage, has an extend­ According to Bischoff, Sprint is the lence department in the Metro Las Vegas ed life battery with up to 335 hours (or 13 only one to offer a clear alternative to Police Department, as well as Las Vegas days) of standby time, a calendar, a clock cellular with substantial coverage. He shelters. This is only one example, White with an alarm, calculator functions and cites a Prudential Securities, Inc. report on insists, of the charity work to which the four games. · clarity that ranked CDMA higher than company is dedicated. TDMA, GSM or analog. SPRINT PCS AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES (www .sprintpcs.com) A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR ALL (www.att.com) print is so certain you'll love the clar­ he features of the myriad phones, as T&T values simplicity and com­ Sity of its service and the features of its T well as the variety of pricing and ser­ Apatibility. The company's new one­ phones, the company allows you to make vice plans, could fill a book. And the rate wireless service plan is the first of its a free call at its Sprint PCS retail locations. companies all agree on several things. Not kind in the country. The plan provides The firm also managed to obtain exclusive surprisingly, everyone thinks their tech­ customers a single, all-inclusive rate for distribution of the single-band CDMA nology is the best, and all four companies incoming and outgoing calls anytime, Sprint PCS TouchPoint phone (manufac­ care about the communities in which they anywhere in the United States, thus elimi­ tured by DENSO), which includes a built­ live and work. What is surprising is the nating separate roaming and long distance in mouse, a large display screen, the capa­ way each representative encourages the charges. Sylvia Schnapp, director of pub­ bility of storing up to 300 phone numbers consumer to do a little research and com­ lic affairs for the evada area, says, "PCS and a feature allowing the customer to pare. None feels there's any such thing as brings the first level of convergence be­ program it for distinctive rings for certain too much competition; in fact, all four tween wire and wireless customers. The numbers as a way of providing auditory companies see competition as a way to convenience of the one-rate plan may con­ caller ID. Also available exclusively improve service. vmce the wired to go wirt:lt:~~-" through Sprint is the Samsung/Sprint PCS So get out there, all you potential PCS AT&T has been in the cellular business SCH-2000, which is the fust CDMA PCS for more than 12 years and considers itself phone enabling users to call up to 20 loca­ with all the fabulous features on pbo an industry leader with the largest digital tions using their voice to dial. At under individual as you are (some come wireless network in orth America. They $200 each, Sprint feels either would custom logos and individualized de ·_ chose the longest standing digital technol­ sound great beneath a Christmas tree or in compare coverage and pricing pl ans_ ogy- TDMA (Time Division Multiple Ac­ a stocking. Plus, each person to buy a talk to your heart's delight. Just wat cess) - for its network standard. Some Samsung phone with Sprint PCS service road while you do so, okay?

34 !l'evada Business Journal • December 1998 CITZENS AREA TRANSIT MOVES ITS SUCCESS INTO THE FUTURE

by Allen Grant

hen people from around the coun­ Wtry compliment Las Vegas, most of the comments revolve around its unique entertainment, multi-million-dollar mega­ resorts and great weather. What most peo­ ple don't realize is Las Vegas possesses one of the nation's premier public transportation systems as well. "We've ranked as the top system within our category of city size," said Stanton Wilkerson, marketing manager for Citizens Area Transit (CAT). "Plenty of people, both locally and nationally, don't realize what we've accomplished in a short period." Prior to CAT's inception on December 5, 1992, Las Vegas Transit handled the city's public transportation. With an approved tax increase in 1991, CAT moved to quick­ Above: Since its inception at the close of 1992, CAT has more than doubled the number of ly improve the city's public transportation. routes in service. Below: Passengers await buses at the main terminal located downtown. "The tax increase gave us the ability to improve conditions. Before CAT, approxi­ our routes outside the Strip run in 30-minute mately 120 buses served the city. Now, we intervals," he noted. "Our goal is to establish have a fleet of 250 buses," said Wilkerson. all of our routes as 30-minute runs." "One of the things we tried to do was show Within just five operating years, CAT's a distinctive change from the 'old' system. contributions to Las Vegas' public trans­ We immediately increased the service areas portation system gained national recog­ and route frequencies." nition. In 1997, CAT won the American Since CAT's beginnings, the number of Public Transit Association's Outstanding bus routes has more than doubled from 21 Achievement Award. Measures such as on­ to 45, according to Wilkerson. The system time performance and fare-box return has 42 valley routes, two routes to Laughlin were competition criteria. According to and one to Mesquite. "We've increased Wilkerson, CAT's complaint levels aver­ routes and changed Las Vegas from a sim­ aged less than 1 percent per 1,000 cus­ ple loop-system to a fully-integrated grid tomers; the system also exercised the high­ y tern," said Wilkerson. 'We now offer 10 est number of operating miles between terns in cities around the nation," declared routes 24 hours a day, with the remaining breakdowns. It showed a 95 percent on­ Wilkerson. It's been exceptional enough to routes running 20 hours seven days a week time performance record dming that calen­ breed the sincerest form of flattery: imita­ and on holidays." dar year as well. Also in 1997, the CAT bus tion. Las Vegas' CAT system, which carries According to Wilkerson, CAT also quick­ system won the Silver Award for the fewest the equivalent of more than 40 million rid­ ly improved service outside the Strip, accidents during the operational year. ers annually, has now been studied and adding routes to create a larger service grid "What we achieved in a short period of copied by other cities seeking to enhance increase route intervals. "Today, half of time was impressive compared to other sys- their public transportation systems.

December 1998 • Nevada Business journal 35 AT THE TOP

Those 40 million fares are likely to bur­ geon in number. With Las Vegas still expe­ riencing a population and growth boom, Wilkerson asserts the future of mass public transportation is a challenging one. Main­ taining contact with customers is crucial ro keeping up with constant changes. ''We realize we can't be everywhere, but we listen to our customers and utilize their input," he averred. "Not only do we have comment cards and a phone service, we hold monthly public meetings to gather as much feedback as possible. Educating our riding public is an ongoing challenge to our system and how it operates." In addition to remaining responsive to the public, continuing to expand outside the resort corridor remains a long-term goal for CAT, according .to Wilkerson. CAT's off-Strip service to areas such as Maryland Parkway, Charleston Blvd. and Decatur Blvd. all show ridership increases. orwest "We want to improve each portion of the valley with more routes at quicker inter­ Commercial Banking. vals," Wilkerson said. "Increasing services and riders outside the resort corridor con­ tinues to be a goal." Proud To Be Here. Pleased To Serve. As a testament to that objective, the CAT bus system recently introduced the Com­ munity Access Route (CAR) system. "We opened this new system in April in response At Norwest Bank, you'll find more business banking • Checking & savings products and services than you' ll probably need. But that's • Credit services to our customers," Wilkerson said. "It's a good. Because as your business grows, your needs change. • Commercial & real estate loans combination of our fixed-route system and And many times, those needs change quickly. • SBA loans para-transit system, and is designed to ser­ With a Norwest Relationship Manag- • Inventory & receivable financing vice our physically-impaired population." er, whether you're a small business or • Equipment financing The CAR system is a fixed-route system that a large corporation, you'll get the • Cash management actually drops riders off "at the door" of expertise and experience to con­ • International banking services such establishments as grocery stores and nect your needs with the right banks. "It's designed for our older riders products and services when you • Real estate services need them. Plus, you'll find that deci­ • Asset management and those who can't quite get around fast sions are made locally by local people. • Corporate finance enough to ride the fixed-route buses," he Norwest Commercial Banking. We're proud • Government services said. "It's still in the building process, but to be here, pleased to serve. • Letters of credit we feel it will be very successful." • Foreign exchange Success is something that seems to Fortune Magazine recently ranked Norwest as • Plus many more products come to every transportation endeavor the world's third most admired bank. and services CAT bus system adrninistralOrs undertake...... Although their city was not originally designed to accommodate substantial NOifWEST••••• ••••• public transportation, Las Vegans are ··~·· · quickly learning the positive attributes of To The Nth Degree"' a well-run transit system. Fortunately for Southern Nevadans, the CAT system is (702) 765-3414 in Las Vegas • (702) 785-8469 in Reno • www.norwest.com prepared to meet the needs of an increas­ @ 0 199$ Nor-wesr &nk :-.Jev.1d.1 ?'.1 ...\. ,\,fember FDIC ingly diverse population.

36 Nerada Busin ess journal • December 1998

When it comes to relocating your company ... NEVADA•LIFESTYLES Flexibility is Bulldin~Nevada Everything! INSIDE THIS ISSUE 39 Energy Consetvation at Work Woven integmlly into evmy­ day life, ouT degree of dependence on utility resouTces dictates they must be carefully managed.

43 1998 Homer Awards A distinguished list of national and local home­ buildm-s tops this year's list of winners.

48 Building Nevada -. News in Brief

51 Commercial Real Estate: offers a full range of choices Office Market Summary for your company's next home Cover: ChTistopher Homes' Picasso Conveniently Located at model at the lruildm>s Palisades com­ munity in Summerlin took Home of Warm Spring Road and 1-215 the Year lw1wrs at the 1998 Homm·s. Plwto courtesy Southern Nevada ~' Home Builders Association For Leasing"~ Information Call ~BUSINESS ~OURNAL (702) 260-1008 SUPPLEMENT THOMAS & M AC K 0 · CEO I President I Publisher STEPHEN M.J. BROCK Associate Publisher LYLE E. BRENNAN Editor jENNIFER ROBISON ~ • LAND PLANNING z REPRINTS AVAILAB LE ~ • MAPPING LU A limited number of LU • DEVELOPMENT Building Nevada z sponsorships are available. Contact Stephen Brock. ~ 6ui[aing re[ationships ... z Nevada Business Journal LU 6ui[aing communities 2127 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89104 SOUTHWEST SINCE 1985 702-735-7003 © 1998 All rights reseEVed 5426 West Vegas Drive las Vegas, NV 891 08 Phone: (702) 648-9700 FAX: (702) 648-4143

38 Nevada Business Journal • December 1998 BY TONY IWA

nergy is comprised of water, dramatically improve the air circulation that can create air flow. Properly caulking electricity and gas - the throughout your house. aturally, this de­ and weather-stlipping windows and doors E mands less energy of your heater and cool­ are essential to preventing heating and common, everyday utilities we ing unit to create circulation. cooling losses. Also, the faceplates around often take for granted. Quickly How you utilize your thetmostat can electrical sockets are a little-considered also play a vital role in consetving electli­ source for gaining energy efficiency. integrating itself into our cul­ Setting your thermo­ Henley says insulating around these areas over 70 degrees in can noticeably improve your savings. tural subconscious, energy has winter and become an indispensable com­ under 78 degrees Conserving one of Nevada's in the summer scarcest resources ponent of our everyday lives, may increase a relished yet unrecognized your energy bill s with suppressing electricity use, con­ by up to 2.5 per­ Asumers can take several steps to mini­ convenience. In a technology­ cent per two mize unnecessary water usage. According driven era, instant access to degrees. In addi­ to Jerry Belt, water conservation coordina­ tion, make certain tor for the Southern Nevada Water Author­ warmth, coolness and power your thermostat is both ity, "Developing and implementing a proper would otherwise be unthinkable. level and working properly. If the thermo­ irdgation schedule is a key element of an stat is skewed, or near a vent, it may regis­ effective water management program." The ter a false reading, consequently tliggeting benefits Belt accredits to such a program No television, no showers, no gas ovens? the heating unit to turn on unnecessadly. include reduced water use, improved land­ We rely upon the easy availability and un­ Though normally associated with saving scape apperu·ance, reduction of runoff to ending supply of such core utilities, as­ energy dwing the summer months, ceiling streets and over sidewalks, reduction of suming there is an infinite and steadfast fans have a place in the repertoire of ener­ water loss below the root zone and re­ source. However, as more people migrate gy-conscious measures dwing winter as duced fertilizer and landscape cost require­ to the promised prospedty of Nevada, util­ well. "During the winter months, ceiling ments. "Evety effort should be made to en­ ity providers must accommodate the new fans cost less to run than heating units," sure the uniformity of a turf inigation influx of residents. That's not always an says Henley. Ceiling fans draw warm air, system is as high as possible to prevent ex­ easy task. As we continue to lead the na­ which normally dses, and circulate it cess water waste or unsightly dry spots," tion in growth, it's incumbent upon throughout the room. Most fans also have states Belt. "A 10 percent in1provement in Nevadans, both new and old, to exercise a reverse setting, which pulls cool air up uniformity can yield at least a 20 percent energy conservation. In addition to pre­ and forces hot air down. reduction in water use, along witl1 a reduc­ serving our natural resources, energy con­ Insulation is anolher key concern. Wrap­ tion in related costs." setvation saves money. ping your water heater with a UL heater Furthern1ore, the water reqillrements of Keeping electric costs low blanket can save 12 percent on heating ex­ plants vary significantly. Belt suggests di­ penses. Making certain there's enough in­ viding ornamental trees, shrubs and grass­ sulation in the attic is integral to energy es into three categmies of low, moderate "We work with individual home- savings as well. Henley recommends using and high water use. "Logically, plant water owners to maximize their energy insulation with an R value of at least 30. "A reqillrements follow weather conditions," use," states Nevada Power Company good rule of thumb is for every inch of in­ states Belt. "An effective water manager spokesperson Tom Henley. "Air condition­ sulation, you can add an R value of three," will take climate into account, and adjust ing can account for up to 60 percent of states Henley. the irligation schedule as needed to com­ your electdc bill. " Henley suggests several Making certain fireplace dampers are pensate." If the landscape appears lush measures people can take to improve their closed when not in use can keep air from and healthy, tty reducing the watering home's energy efficiency. For example, escaping. Also, double-paned windows times slightly and continue to observe the during winter, keep window shades open. offer tremendous energy savings during petimmance of the plants. "Adjusting the This simple measure will warm the house both the sununer and winter months. How­ inigation schedule on a weekly, ratl1er during the day. Also, loweting the shades ever, make certain they properly fit into than quarterly, basis can reduce water use at night traps the heat inside. If you have a their space, avoiding any gaps or crevices by 15 percent," says Belt. disposable air filter, keeping it clean can

December 1998 • Nevada Business journal 39 "There are numerous things people can ing every cycle." Only nm the machine Do not use natural gas logs as heatin do to improve their water use within the when it's full and adjust the water level set­ devices, they are intended for aestheti home," states Pat Jenkins, conservation ting if necessary. When in the kitchen, fill purposes only. Be certain the damper is specialist for the Water Authmity. "Begin the sink ~ith water to wash vegetables in­ open when operating the appliance. by looking for leaks around faucets, toi­ stead of using running water. The same ap­ Keep thermostat settings constant. lets, shower heads and other fixtures. " If plies for shaving or brushing your teeth. Southwest Gas also advises those who there is a leak, replace the fixture. To make plan to be away for more than four hours, ce1tain your toilet doesn't run, drop three Getting the most from natural gas should turn the themwstat clown, not off. or four drops of food coloring into the This not only saves energy, but creates a tank, letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. If n p reventive maintenance is the key to more comfmtable environment when the colored water has seeped into the bowl, efficiency," states a Southwest Gas temperature setting is kept as constant as then there's a _leak. "Place a heavy object, spokesperson, who recommends insulat­ possible. For winter, Southwest Gas sug­ such as a blick, into the toilet tank to raise ing water heaters. 1 ew, high-efficiency gests a setting of 65 to 70 degrees. the water level," states Jenkins. The added water heaters do not need additional insu­ Utilities are at once vital and accessible. object consun1es space in toilet tank so it lation, but if the water heater is located cherished and forgotten. They fmm the requires significantly less water. "Also, ver­ outside or in a garage, a water heater blan­ core of contemporary society: television. ify the float arm is working by lifting it," ket can save money. Also wrap copper computers, stereos, dishwashers, gas glills. suggests Jenkins. pipes leading to and from the water heater VCRs, refligerators and toilets all sin1plify Other advice from the Water Authmity: with pipe insulation. Southwest Gas sug­ life, easing the effort and exertion of every­ use low-flow showerheads and restlict gests setting water heaters at the medium day existence. Indeed, to be denied such usage time to five minutes. Reducing show­ setting to achieve lower energy costs. The items would be unthinkable. Gas, water and er time by one minute a day can save 2,000 utility also cautions that turning on the fur­ electlicity expedite the pace of society. gallons of water per year. "Most of our con­ nace for the first time of the heating sea­ thrusting its work capacity and subsequent servation tips are common sense, practical son may cause a musty odor when the fur­ tin1e requirements into over-gear. Consen-­ use suggestions," states Jenkins. Wait until nace burns off accumulated dust. Don't ing energy is a small but significant mea­ the dishwasher is completely full before confuse such odors for signs of a danger­ sure that not only results in in1mediate ben­ running it, and the san1e applies to the ous leakage - a strong rotten egg odorant efits through lower utility costs, but also washing machine. "The average washing is added to natural gas so true leaks can be cont.Iibutes to the broader, slower preselva­ machine uses 27 to 55 gallons of water dur- detected in1mediately. tion of our natural resources.

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Adverlorials are the perfect way to tell your catporate story to Nevada. Pro­ fessional copywriting, custom design Call Now: services, on-site photo session, and 800-242-0164 1, 000 reprints are petfect for Ask for a copy of the the legal, engineet·ing, real estate, 1999 Advertising Rates and Planning Calendar booklet and communications businesses. for more information. Christopher Homes' Picasso model at the builder's Palisades development in Summerlin earned the House of the Year award. Annual Homer Awards Perennial Favorite Christopher Homes Jo ins Distinguished List of 1998 Honorees

o many, Las Vegas often seems Homes, The Helmer Company, Howard now measure themselves against for their headed toward becoming a Hughes Corp.-Surru11erlin Division, Real own goals in building high-quality resi­ mini-Los Angeles, with tract Homes and Sunrise Colony. dences." Judges desctibed the home as "un­ T upon tract creating a unified After consideting nearly 175 entrants for believably sttiking .. . a friendly, livable res­ sea of pastel stucco homes topped with the "Home of the Year" award, judges be­ idence, with intriguing nooks and crannies, Spanish tile roofs. However, each year, the stowed Christopher Homes with the ptize like the memorable reading retreat off the Southern Nevada Homebuilders Associa­ for the Picasso/4 at its Palisades conmmni­ stair landing." The integration of intetior tion's (SNHBA) Homer Awards tum the ty, situated along the Toumament Players and extetior views was judged "unparal­ spotlight on builders doing things a little Club golf course in the Canyons Village in leled in the market." The four-bedroom, 512- differently. While such national builders as Summerlin. Recognition for the Picasso bath home features a European revival Del Webb's Coventry Homes earned hon­ comes on tl1e heels of its sister home, the theme and intelior courtyards; it sells for ors, some of the biggest accolades went to Van Gogh at Palisades, winning the top $541,900. The Picasso also won the best sin­ 1 evada-based homebuilders. award in a major regional competition in gle-family, detached home division in the Seventeen homebuilders submitted 174 San Francisco. Las Vegas-based Christo­ category of homes larger than 3,500 square entries in 22 categ01ies; 10 of the builders pher beat out hundreds of other builders feet and pticed at more than $225,001. won Homer awards. Winning builders in­ from California, the Pacific orthwest and Homer awards aren't the sole province clude The Allen Group, An1etican West the Southwest for the honor. of custom or executive homes, however; a Homes, Ast01ia Homes, Chan1pion Homes, In assessing the Picasso, judges declared home in the highly affordable range cap­ Christopher Homes, Del Webb's Coventry it an "example of what eve1y builder will tured judges' eyes and their "Judges' Spe-

December 1998 • :l'el'ada Business journal 43 cial Award." The judges unanimously se­ lected Del Webb's Conventry Homes' The Malibu at The Huntington for the honor. Designed to promote responsible land use, Residential & Commercial the builder has used interlocking "Z" mod­ ules to increase urban lot density. The Trained Technicians Servicing judges also noted another distinctive fea­ All Makes & Models ture of the home - its garage. While the fronts of many Las Vegas homes are com­ prised primarily of garage space, The Mal­ 24 Hour-a-Day Service ibu's garage is tucked behind the home with a motor court. The judges appreciat­ ed the home's "abundant" front porch and Del Webb's Conventry Homes' decision to offer a covered patio as a standard feature. The home is priced at $126,990, and it also 5520 Stephanie • Las Vegas, Nevada 89122 won best single-family, deJ;ached home honors in the 1,551- to 2,000-square-foot, BONDED & INSURED $125,001 to $150,000 category. LICENSE NUMBERS: #27744 • #28743 The single-family, detached home cate­ MEMBER: ACCA • SNARSCA gory featured five other winners. Real Homes' The Kingston, from the builder's Tropical Breeze community, won best home of any size in the $105,000-and-under division. American West's Silverado Cross­ ing offered a winner with its Plan One, which collected highest honors in the 1,001- to 1,550-square-foot, $105,001 to $125,000 category. Sununit 2114, a home in Champion's Hillside at Champion Village neighborhood, was recognized as best in its category, the 2,000- to 2,500-square­ foot, $150,001 to $170,000 range. In the 2,500- to 3,000-square-foot, $170,001 to $200,000 division, The Helmer Company won with Villa III/Plan at its Meridiana con"\ffiumt'J in Seven Hllill. Finall:,r, 1\storia Homes' The Cambridge at Stonegate won in the 3,000- to 3,500-square-foot, $200,001 to $225,000 category. In the best single-family, attached-home division, The Allen Group won for Resi­ dence Two at its Dakota community. The award was given for attached homes under 1,500 square feet, at less than $140,000. Best model home kitchen awards went to American Homes' Plan Six at Silverado Crossing in the $150,000 and under seg­ ment; Picasso, Christopher's Home of the 5070 S. Alville Street Phone: (702) 248-1181 Year, won the category in the $150,001 and up division. Four awards were given for Las Vegas, NV 89118 Fax: (702) 248-1141 best model home interior decoration:

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NevadaBusiness.com ,American West Homes' Plan One at Silver­ The awards program, attended - ado Crossing, The Sheffield at Stonegate, by 500 neighborhood-building profe~;i OO: by Astoria Homes, Plan Tiu·ee at American als, is designed to identify builders who West Homes' American West Estates and enhancing the community through Van Gogh/2 at Christopher's Palisades. commitment to quality and respm1Slt>lc Del Webb's Coventry Homes won the planning. It's hosted annually by best single product advertising campaign SNHBA, a not-for-profit building trade asso­ division for The Huntington, and Sunrise ciation with 860 local members. Sl\THBA is a Colony Company won the best master­ chapter of the National Association planned community advertising campaign Homebuilders, which boasts 185,000 mem­ To start vour sub- category for its Red Rock Country Club. bers employing more than six Merchandising campaign accolades went Americans. Sponsors of this year's event in­ to Christopher Homes for Palisades and cluded Southwest Gas Corp. , scription and get The Howard Hughes Corp. for The Willows Home Walk. Christopher also won honors for best brochure (for Palisades) and best online, call todav project logo (for its San Michelle commu­ bers, Splint and Sumise Colony COII'lpai!'ll nity). Finally, American West's Silverado with strong support from eYada - Crossing sales office won top honors in the Company and Mercury Blueprint sales offices 500 square feet and under cat­ 135·1003 egory, while Christopher Homes' The Ter­ races sales office earned the highest award Nm·thern Nevada's Banner Awa rd> for sales offices 500 square feet and over. the Tegion's f inest lwmes.

46 Nevada Business Journal • December 1998 From

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Ground breaks on non-gaming hotel

Martin-Harris Construction is serving as general contractor on the $22 million Em­ bassy Suites-Las Vegas Convention Center Harris Consulting contributes to unique church design project. The 11-story property will include 277 rooms, and will be situated at 3600 Harris Consult·ing Engineers has designed the mechanical, plumbing and elect1-ical Paradise Rd. With a total of 219,000 square systems for Shadow Hills Baptist Church. The pmject is cmnprised of a cluste1· of feet, the project features a waterfall in a buildings built aTOund a large central plaza. The facility wiU featuTe a 36,000- 6,000-square-foot atrium, an indoor/out­ square-foot worship center capable of accmnmodating a CO?'I{fregation of 1, 750, a. door pool and 8,000 square feet of fl exible 2, 700-square-foot administration building, a 1 0,000-square-foot feUowship hall and meeting space. The non-gaming property is a 22, 000-square-foot peschool daycar-e center. Architectural firm Swishe?· & HaU, scheduled for completion by fall of 1999. AIA, Ltd. designed the poject. Perini awarded six new projects Hotel & Casino, the 462,000-square-foot to offer quality living to working class Desett Passage shopping and entettain­ and Section 8-assisted fanlilies. Since The western U.S. division of Perini Build­ ment complex, a 1,000-room music­ acquiting the property in 1994, Creative ing Company, Inc. announced it won con­ themed hotel and casino and the renovat­ Choice Homes has invested more than struction contracts on six new projects ed Aladdin Theater of the Petiornling Arts, $8 nlillion in renovating the project, for­ valued at $169 million. Four of the projects is slated to open in the spring of 2000. merly known as Carey Arms. The once­ are in Nevada, and all are scheduled for troubled neighborhood now offers 25 completion in 1999. The projects include Marriott opens newest social services, including a computer contracts to build a $35 million, 27-story Residence Inn learning center and library, as well as tower addition to Reno's Atlantis Hotel & foo d, clothing and job banks. Casino, the $150 million Hyatt Regency Marriott's newest Nevada property, Resi­ Lake Las Vegas Resort in Henderson, a $12 dence Inn at Hughes Center, has opened at million pool renovation at the Las Vegas 370 Hughes Center Dr. The propetty spe­ Partnership yields Hilton and a 34-lane bowling center, sports cializes in extended stay, and offers 256 ac­ country·s biggest builder book, lounge and childcare center at the commodations that include two-bedroom Riverside Hotel & Casino in Laughlin. and one-bedroom suites or studio layouts. Lewis Homes has long been regarded as Amenities include kitchens with mi­ one of Nevada's largest and most promi­ New Aladdin construction crowave ovens, dishwashers and reftigera­ nent homebuilders, and Kaufman & Broad underway tors. The inn also offers a swimming pool, Home Corp. has maintained a strong pres­ spa, exercise facility, four meeting rooms ence in the state as well. Now, both have Representatives from Aladdin Ganling, and the Maniott Spmtcourt. The Hughes combined to establish what will prove to LLC recently unveiled a model for the Center property is the third Residence Inn be the nation's most prolific homebuilder. $826 nilllion Aladdin Hotel & Casino. Con­ to open in Las Vegas. Kaufman & Broad (NYSE:KBH) recently struction on the project began late last signed a definitive agreement with private­ month with the arrival of steel on the 35- Fixed-income housing un­ ly held Lewis for consideration of about acre property. The property will be built veiled in North Las Vegas $409 million, plus assumption of debt. The using staggered truss steel construction, merger, scheduled for compl~tion enabling the exterior structure to be Creative Choice Homes recently unveiled ary, will make Kaufman & Broad "topped off' in April 1999. The Aladdin, the second phase of Buena Vista Springs largest homebuilder in 1999 in te which will include the 2,600-room Aladdin Apartments in North Las Vegas, designed unit deliveries.

48 t\evada Business Jou rnal • December 1998 BUI LDING NEWS_ ...... RIEF

Why, after so many years of success as a predicted Bmce Karatz, chairman and CEO Broad. Combined, the two builders now privately-held company, did Lewis Homes of Kaufman & Broad. "If we grow in a dis­ share 78,000 lots throughout the South­ finally join ranks with another builder? Ac­ ciplined way, we can accme competitive west; more than half of those are available cording to Randall Lewis, executive vice advantages through greater cost and deliv­ for building within the next year. The new president of the company, the builder's ery efficiency and a dominating presence company will deliver in excess of 21,000 continued success made such a merger from a marketing point of view. There will homes in 1999. The next closest contender, possible. "We wanted to do this from a po­ always be a place for smaller builders, but Pulte Home Corp., is expected to deliver sition of strength," he explained. "Interest they will have a tougher time competing about 15,000 homes. "That gap will be very rates are great, markets are great and with lru·ger companies." hru·d to close," noted Kru·atz. Lewis Homes is in a wonde1ful position. "This kind of opportunity only comes Customers may yet constitute the Moving forward with a merger at this time along once in a while," Karatz continued. biggest winners in the deal. "We hope cus­ enabled us to choose the best builder to "We know each other's strengths well. tomers notice the two businesses acting prutner with." We're rapidly expanding our business, and together will be able to drive down costs Despite the apparent good health of we possess an absolute passion to deter­ even more," Lewis asserted. The two will both builders, smvival in increasingly con­ mine ways to offer customers more value continue to offer homes and conmmnities tested new-home markets (such as Las and greater choice. We will end up even under their own brand names, with Lewis Vegas) proved a factor in the merger deci­ better tomorrow." operating in a slightly high~r price niche. sion. "We believe the real winners in the Prut of the formula for enjoying a better Though executives in both companies ex­ homebuilding industry will be those able tomon·ow will include taking advantage of pect the job duplication that comes stan-' to offer better value than competitors, Lewis' strong landholdings, one of the as­ dard with most mergers, they anticipate while faring well against existing homes," sets that appealed most to Kaufman & such problems will be minimal. •

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December 1998 • Nevada Business Journal 49

Commercial Real Estate Market Report OFFICE MARKET SUMMARY

LAS VEGAS: At the end of the third quar­ The Class A vacancy rate decreased to market, the activity will likely continue. ter, the existing office space inventory 10.75 percent, down from 13.56 percent The downtown submarket also posted base totaled approximately 17.3 million at the end of the second quarter. Most of good numbers over the past two quar­ sq uare feet with a vacancy facto r of 11.35 the Class A net abso rption is occurring in te rs. Notably, the 200 South Virgin ia percent, down from 12.47 percent at the the Hughes Center, the McCarran Center, Street building experienced a dramatic close of the second quarter. The we ighted City Center West and the Canyons Center. increase in leasing activity, improving its average lease rate for vacant space to­ New office space· completed this year occupancy level substantially. taled $1.78 pe r square foot on a full-ser­ to-date totaled 1.34 million square feet. The overall vacancy rate declined by vi ce gross basis, up from $1.74 per square approximately 3 percent during the past foot at the end of 1997. RENO: Activity remained very strong two quarters. With several new projects Year-to-date net absorption totaled throughout the th ird quarter for the due for completion before year-end , the nearly 1.14 million square feet. Approx­ Northern Nevada office market. South vacancy rate may increase slightly. imately 48 percent of this absorption Meadows, in particular, was the busiest occu rred in the northwest and south submarket in the area. With the comple­ NEXT MONTH: valley submarkets. tion of several projects within this sub- Retail Market Summary

OFFICE MARKET- 3RD Quarter 1998 RETAIL MARKET- 3RD Quarter 1998** INDUSTRIAL MARKET- 3RD Quarter 1998 TOTAL MARKET LAS VEGAS RENO TOTAL MARKET LAs VEGAS RENO TOTAL MARKET LAs VEGAS RENO Number of Properties 457 174 Number of Properties 201 76 Number of Properties 1,265 713 Total Square Feet 17.346.724 4.059.253 Total Square Feet 24,101,257 8,632,059 Total Square Feet 51.720,474 46,161,116 Vacant Square Feet 1,961,478 434.183 Vacant Square Feet 988,398 409.500 Vacant Square Feet 5.844.511 . 4.974.417 Percent Vacant 11.31% 11.50% Percent Vacant 4.10% 5-70% Percent Vacant 11.30% 10.80% New Construction 299.898 123.509 New Construction 533.496 59,267 New Construction 1,966,082 3,016,645 Net Absorption 407,826 71,620 Net Absorption 485.952 Net Absorption 350,680 3.680,923 Avg Lease SF/ Mo (FSG - NNN)* $1.78 h42 Average Lease (NNN) $1.21 $1.03 Under Construction 2,072,260 0 Under Construction 948.942 345.400 Under Construction 1,643.277 421,662 Planned Construction 3.237.378 1,039,000 Planned Construction 1,885,519 165.700 Planned Construction 4.535.222 485,000 DISTRIBUTION- LESS THAN 10% OFFICE (LASS 'A' OFFICE PROPERTIES POWER (ENTERS- Number of Properties 413 6o6 Number of Properties 37 23 RETAIL (ENTERS >100 ,000 SF Total Square Feet 28,588,102 39.236.949 Total Square Feet 3.981,743 1,556,o8o WITH MINIMAL OR Nb IN-LINE SPACE Vacant Square Feet 4,075.100 Vacant Square Feet 428,221 176,278 Number of Properties 19 3 Percent Vacant 14.25 °/o Percent Vacant 10.75°/o 12.00% Total Square Feet (GLA) 5,689,615 1,080,400 New Construction 1,827,178 1.334.703 New Construction 96,ooo 69.500 Vacant Square Feet 356.459 6,300 Net Absorption 577.721 Net Absorption 179.194 22,668 Percent Vacant 6.27% 6.oo% Under Constructio n 1,717,040 Avg Lease SF/ Mo (FSG- NNN)* $2.07 $1.65 New Construction 0 49.400 Planned Construction 2,983.540 1,039.000 Under Construction 306,298 145.800 Net Absorption 8,885 43.100 Avg Lease (NNN) < 1o,ooo SF $0.49 $0-46 Planned Construction 779.000 102,900 Average Lease (NNN) $1.30 $1.oo > 1o,ooo SF $0.40 $0.29 (LASS 'B' OFF ICE PROPERTIES Under Construction 0 382,727 MANUFACTURING -10%- 20% OFFICE Number of Properties 272 61 Planned Construction 65,100 100,000 Number of Properties 752 100 Total Square Feet 10,014,388 1,504.423 COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL (ENTERS - Total Square Feet 17.506,631 6,462,556 Vacant Square Feet 1,196.491 150,920 RETAIL (ENTERS WITH ANCHOR(S) Vacant Square Feet 1,155.049 Percent Vacant 11.95% 10.oo% Number of Properties 110 44 Percent Vacant 6.60% New Construction 194.898 46.900 Total Square Feet (GLA) 14.502,970 6,506,475 Ne w Construction 0 410,000 Net Absorption 219.4S2 )4-800 Vrtr~nt Sq uaJP f£~£~t ]]].9]0 3]6,344 Net Absorption -n0,236 - <5 Lease SF/ Mo (FSG- NNN)* $1.76 $1.40 Percent Vacant 2.30% 5-70% Under Construction 65,550 0 --=er Construction 634.621 67,600 New Construction 266,679 8,867 Planned Construction 253.838 48,000 ~ed Construction 1,081,063 35.878 Net Absorption 313,299 Avg Lease (NNN) < 1o,ooo SF $0.49 $0.48 Cuss'(' OFFICE PROPERTIES Average Lease (NNN) $1.27 $1.05 > 1o,ooo SF $0-43 $0.29 '-~ Oer of Properties 148 92 Under Construction 1,556,047 281,000 FLEX/ MULTI USE OVER 30% OFFICE -otal Square Feet 3.350,593 998,750 Planned Construction 4.144.122 350,000 Number of Properties 86 Vacant Square Feet 336.766 181,085 STRIP (ENTERS- RETAIL (ENTERS Total Square Feet "ercent Vacant 10.05% 19.00% Number of Properties 72 27 Vacant Square Feet •;'=." Con struction 9,000 17,500 Total Square Feet (GLA) 3.908,672 919,611 Percent Vacant 12-44°/o '• -=· !;bsorption 9,180 10,900 Vacant Square Feet 298,009 66,856 New Construction - ·5 ...:ce SF/Mo (FSG- NNN)* h49 $1.10 Percent Vacant 7-62% 7-27% Net Absorption - 6,803 _IJ::-=-=· CortStruction 8,023 18,800 New Construction 266,817 0 Under Construction Pla;--i!C co-,stru ction 25 .456 15,200 Net Absorption 203 ,187 Planned Construction 0 Average Lease (NN N ) $1.o6 $o.96 Avg Lease (N NN) < 1o,ooo SF $0.62 • Averofe ~· nthly Lease Rates far Las Vegas re parted as Full-S 'ce Gross and [or Reno as Net Net Net. Under Construction 0 140,662 > 1o,ooo SF $o.6o ** Third-quarrer :998 retail figures [or Los Vegas not Planned Construction 326,000 35 ,000 Abbreviations MG: Modified Gross yet available - znd ouarter figures are provided. BTS: Build To Suit NNN: Net Net Net FSG : Full-Service Gross SF: Square Foot LAs VEGAS STATISTICS COMPILED BY LEE & AssOCIATES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES GLA: Gross Leasable Area YTD: Year To Date RE NO STATI STI CS COMPI LED BY GRUBB & ELLIS NEVADA COMMERCIAL GROUP December 1998 • Nevada Busin ess journal ; I - liFESTYLES

Reviewed by Kathleen Foley

PERSONAL TRAINERS Fitness One-on-One

Woodall's Fitness Training

Las Vegas 399-9945

an't seem to drag yourself out of bed in Cthe morning to go to the gym? Certi­ fied fitness trainer James Woodall counters this excuse by bringing a van full of exer­ cise equipment to his clients. Woodall works out, swims and even rock climbs with hls clients and ends each hour-long session with a massage. ''I'm a work-out James Woodall (above) assists client buddy as well as a trainer," he says. "Many Chrisry Coffey with a workout at her home. Maximum Fitness of my clients are busy executives who find Bill Linaker (right) takes a multi-phase Reno 827-1995 it hard to make time for exercise. When I approach to his customers'jih1ess. show up at their door, they're motivated to ax McManus is looking for a few good do what they know is good for them." Linaker and Marilyn Gubler have estab­ Mpeople who want an intense fitness pro­ Woodall stresses the importance of learn­ lished Your Personal Trainer. A maximum gram. Maximum Fitness is a private training ing new ways to live healthily through eat­ of three clients at a time can use the equip­ facility where he attends to clients on a by­ ing habits, good posture and exercise. ment at the small gym at Flamingo and De­ appointment basis only. "You have to quali­ Clients' goals may include weight loss, in­ catur, each accomparued by a personal fy for my program," he explains. "Some ex­ creased flexibility and strength or better trainer for guidance and instruction. "I find perience in sports or exercise is helpful, but cardiovascular performance. They may out my clients' goals during the first inter­ attitude is the most important factor. I spe­ also want to increase their skills in a par­ view," says Linaker. "Then we devise a cialize in an aggressive, innovative style of ticular sport, such as golf or skiing. program to accomplish those goals." He training designed to meet specific fitness Woodall has an extensive background in starts with an aggressive weight-training goals." Clients include hlgh school and col­ rehabilitation and works with medical pro­ program, followed by dietary modifica­ lege athletes, other personal trainers, ultra fessionals to help clients recover from in­ tions based on a client's lifestyle and blood marathoners and bodybuilders. McManus juries or chronic health problems. He type. The third phase is cardiovascular, also takes on clients who need rehabilitation graduated from UNLV with a degree in fit­ which can include anythlng from power to gain strength and mobility after complet­ ness and sports management and received walking to bicycling to the treadrillll. ing a course of conventional physical thera­ hls personal training certificate from the Many of Linaker's clients are people py. Training sessions generally last one hour, ational Academy of Sports Medicine. who lead stressful lifestyles and have not and the average client visits three times a His other services include fitness consulta­ taken the time to exercise or eat right. "I week. "Homework" involves following di­ tion, fitness testing, individualized or fam­ help them release stress and stay fit etary recommendations and doing cardio­ ily programs, corporate programs, serill­ enough to keep up the pace," he says. vascular exercise between sessions. nars and workshops. Clients can also relieve stress with a mas­ McManus holds a degree in exercise sage session from People Who Knead physiology and has logged an estimated People at the gym, operated by licensed 100.000 hours training people over the last Your Personal Trainer massage therapist Jeff Eagle. Linaker has 12 years. He has been a professio Las Vegas 873-8736 developed and operated full facility clubs triathlete and is now competing in in several states and was the co-producer vanced bodybuilding. His facility is locaJ.­ o help clients "put more life in their and technical advisor for the Body by Janis ed at 953 W. Moana, half a rillle south Tyears and more years in their life," Bill exercise show on cable television. the Peppermill Hotel.

52 Nevada Business Journal • December 1998 IN SI DE PO LITI CS

by Michael Sullivan

Is Free Speech Endangered When Ethics Entities Weigh In?

hile there were many winners and Ethics and Prac­ Wlosers in last month's elections, tices censured sev­ there were also a few victims. When the eral candidates for dust settled on another wild political fren­ violations such as "not main­ jeopardy. A zy, it was clear that our nation's most im­ taining the dignity appropriate to judicial John Mill wrote, "If portant document had been ripped, tom office" and not acting "in a marmer consis­ all mankind minus one were of one opin­ and trampled. tent with upholding the integrity and inde­ ion, and only one person w~re of the con­ Yes, the First Amendment to the United pendence of the judiciary." trary opinion, mankind would be no more States Constitution took quite a beating in Huh? I don't remember the First Amend­ justified in silencing that one person than Campaign '98. Under the guise of "ethi­ ment reading, "Congress shall make no law he, if he had the power, would be justified cal reform" and "truthful campaigning," abridging the freedom of speech, unless in silencing mankind." groups like the Nevada Ethics Commis­ that speech is not dignified or does not up­ sion and the Judicial Discipline Commis­ hold the integrity we expect." sion denied several candidates one of our While many might agree with the inten­ lans are well under way for the next nation's most basic liberties - the freedom tions of this group, which was established Psession of the Nevada Legislature. The of speech. by the Nevada· Supreme Court, the heavy­ Assembly and Republican leadership in By sitting in judgment over the contents handed way it dealt with candidates and both houses have met and will soon choose of mail pieces and television and radio ad­ free-speech issues this year would make leadership and committee assignments. vertising, these "truth squads" have at­ the founding fathers spin in their graves. In the Assembly, no major surprises are tempted to impose their thoughts, their In one case, not only did the commit­ expected. Joe Dini of Yerington will again values, their beliefs, over every other tee order a candidate to remove a com­ be the Speaker of the Assembly, but all in­ member of this community. mercial from the air, a secretary for the dications are this will be his last year serv­ Political free speech is one of our committee actually called and berated ing in that capacity. Richard Perkins will democracy's most protected forms of com­ local television stations for failing to pull be Majority Leader and Barbara Buckley munication. Although it may not always the spot quickly enough. will serve as Assistant Majority Leader. be what we want to hear, it's the principal There's nothing wrong with someone While at press time no shake-ups were that separates our country from every other pointing out factual inaccuracies in politi­ rumored in committee chairmanships, sev­ nation on earth. As the famous Voltaire cal advertising or mail. That's what the eral Assembly Democrats with seniority saying goes, "I disapprove of what you media's been doing for centuries. But when will certainly buck for plum assignments. say, but I will defend to the death your members of a group of people - any people The Senate numbers are unchanged, right to say it." - attempt to censor political opinion and the status quo is expected there as We have somehow survived 200-plus satire, then they've crossed the line. Bill Raggio of Reno will again be Repub­ years with the concept that the people - all It's doubtful whether anyone will chal­ lican Majority Leader, and Dina Titus the people - should have a chance to de­ lenge the authority of this body. Even the CJOe wneCm:r an 't(u::a ~uuu'!u 'uc 'udinovt;;(. T....J>I'.>k. f..m: "-"-'"-- lno_ Pm:tP.r tn in or discounted. Government should not when faced with the possibility of disbar­ stature this session, perhaps V} · _ be allowed to censor someone just because ment or disciplinary action. It 's also high­ Sen. Mark James for top leade it happens to disagree with what that per­ ly unlikely the public, with their hatred of tions from the south. son is saying. negative advertising, will rise up in arms to But this is exactly what these new combat this censorship. Michael Sullivan is president of boards are trying to do. For example, the If something isn't done, however, then Advertising, a local Nevada Standing Committee on Judicial the sanctity of our Constitution is in consulting firm.

54 Nevada Business Journal • December 1998 Ill

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las Vegas Sun las Vegas Week ly las Vegas life ShowbiZ lYlife.com lvshovbiz.com • • ing Las Vegas

STRATEGIES by George Fuller

PLANNING LEADS TO PRODUCTIVE CONVENTIONS Success - or failure - is spelled in the details

hether or not It's also wise to Wyou're responsi­ arrange for meeting ble for planning a rooms for seminars business meeting or and small groups with-. convention, or just in the framework of going as an attendee, larger ga!lJerings. And the secret to success if, as so often happens, lies in dealing with the everyone decides to at­ "itty-bitty, nitty-grit­ tend the same seminar ty." No, that's not the at the last minute, the latest dance craze or availability of expand­ diet fad. Rather, it sig­ able meeting rooms nifies the swarm of can avoid chaos. minor details that can Even if you're not spell the difference responsible for the between success or overall planning, there failure for convention are a number of things and meeting goers. you can do to derive If you're handed the greater pleasure and/or task of planning a large-scale meeting, portation, as well as an amount set aside profit from your next meeting or conven­ your first decision should be whether to for contingency planning to cover unex­ tion. As you know, the hustle and bustle of handle the project yourself or to hire a pro­ pected expenditures. off-site meetings can leave you heading fessional planner. To the uninitiated it may It's also important to understand your home without accomplishing much in the seem relatively simple to conduct your audience - since even though members of way of business. After all, the objective of own scheduling, but that rarely turns out to a group may have identical business inter­ those organizing these events is to make it be true. In the long run, it's usually more ests, they're also individuals with differing as pleasurable as possible for everyone in practical to hire outside experts to handle likes and dislikes. Therefore, social activi­ attendance. However, from your perspec­ the project. ties should be planned to appeal to a wide tive, that may leave little time to pursue First, this not only saves time, but it can range of interests. your own interests. Therefore, it pays to do also save money, since inexperience in this The layout of the facility where the event some scheduling of your own around the area can lead to unnecessary expenditures. is planned is another necessary ingredient pre-planned agenda. For example, a lack of knowledge in the for success, so it's important to carefully One good idea is to contact people you fundamentals of meeting planning can select a meeting site. The location and set­ want to get together with at an out-of-town often result in trying to achieve success by ting are important, but they shouldn't take event beforehand. Make arrangements to throwing money at the problem. priority over more practical criteria. For meet them at a certain time during the However, whether or not you hire out­ example, the size of meeting rooms should convention. Try to do this by working side experts to run your meeting, the first be closely proportional to the expected around the schedule of events if at all pos­ factor to consider is funding. The budget number of attendees, since either cramped sible. If that's not feasible, discuss with for the event should cover standard items quarters, or half-filled ballrooms, will dis­ the other party which part of the itinerary such as hotels, speaker's fees and trans- courage participation by attendees. you'll both forego.

December 1998 • Nevada Business journal 57 Informative editorial features, up-to-date news, and an all in­ clusive look at business If you're planning to take business tacts to lunch, it's wise to look for a statewide. If you're trying to rant that's away from the center of cotrweo!HI read the pulse of Nevada Busi­ tion activities. That way, your business ness-you need to read be conducted with a minimum of mt ,ertl:!f~ the Nevada Business Journal! ence. IncidentalJy, when attending town meetings it's a good practice to SUBSCRIBE Now FOR JUST car reservations before you leave. $44.00 FOR ONE FULL YEAR when local transportation for co Jnve~ntJou.t {26% OFF THE COVER PRICE) goers is provided, serious business from the crowd often requires Two YEARS lsluST$73.00 some distance in an unfamiliar city. So OFF THE COVER PRICE) {38% you decide after your arrival that you your own transportation, last minute Fax Order: (702) 733-5953 rentals and/or scrambling ..for taxis c Phone Order: (702) 735-7003 throw all of your plans out of kilter. Web Order: Making the most of any trade show, or other gathering www.nevadabusiness.com careful attention to time constraints. don't forget that minor irritants can everything. For instance, it's easy to sume that you can buy anything you at a local store. However, finrl you want quickJy isn't always o when you're in an unknown enviriC)lJ;;:::r:l Therefore, bring along the headache edy and an extra shirt or blouse. shopping can be a bigger time-eater road than it is at home. Finally, how many times have you to an out-of-town meeting and had one say, "That's interesting. Send me particulars when you get home." If plan ahead carefully, the such as a proposed contract brochure, can be with you. That way, if you're not able to seal a deal on the spot you're further along the road toward agreement by having the paperwork hand. Beyond anything else, a meeting shouldn't end with the flight home, since it's the after-the-fact follow-up that can maximize the benefits for your company. So don't cast aside all of those new ideas and contacts when the gathering ends and everyone heads for the airport. •

George Fuller is the author of Nl <~:;::: Portable Answer Book, publislze Prentice Hall.

58 'evada Business journal • December 1998 MARKETING by John R. Graham

CAPTURING THE CYBER CUSTOMER Selling has changed. Forever

"Control the customer and you control Build a "We b" Store the sale." This advice served genera­ yber shoppers want something differ­ tions of successful salespeople who knew Cent, not just a Web site. They want a they could make the sale if they could get virtual store, not just one that leads to a face-to-face with a prospect. "real" store. It's quite possible that these But even the waves of consumer cata­ customers associate physical locations (in­ logs failed to alert the selling profession to cluding sprawling auto dealerships) with a basic, far-reaching change that was tak­ high costs that are passed along to cus­ ing place. It wasn't catalogs as such that tomers. Larry Downes and Chunka Mui, were important. Whether it was L.L. Bean, authors of Unleashing the Killu App, PC Warehouse or Victoria's Secret, cata­ make the point: "Technology makes it pos­ loging became a great success story be­ sible to create, cheaply and consistently, a cause these companies offered what the customer offering that is unique; not just customer wanted most: convenience. companies have broken speed records to one time, but every time." In effect, the In­ But catalogs were just a rest stop along have a Web presence only to discover they ternet shrinks selling costs, or at least it the world's merchandising highway. Now, weren't ready for the change in buying be­ changes the perception of these expenses. it's the Internet. While some express con­ havior brought about by the Internet? At a virtual store, customers are given the cern about "security issues," millions of As the Dodge dealer pointed out, opportunity to custom-order what they want shoppers buy books at Amazon. com using today's customers arrive by e-mail or in and the pricing reflects the reduced operat­ their credit cards. The experience builds person having done their research on the ing costs. In other words, the time may consumer confidence, and paves the way Internet. They no longer come to gather in­ have arrived when the objective is no for increased spending via the Internet. formation. The Internet now fills that role. longer one of only using the Internet to at­ The effects of Internet buying activity are By the time customers contact the dealer, tract customers to a physical location. The being felt. A Dodge dealer in Phoenix is they know exactly what they want, and goal is now to get them toil virttiill store. seeing it first-hand. Describing the dealer­ what they're willing to pay. ship's expanding presence on the World Many in sales want to believe that most Listen to the Client or Lose the Sale Wide Web, he reports, "We are dealing with people feel there's value in doing business efore even meeting a customer, many a totally different type of car buyer ... the with someone they know. Is this the way Bsalespeople decide what they're going cyber shopper. Many walk in (or e-mail) customers feel? Dell Computers and Mi­ to sell. They set the agenda and their job is with invoice in hand and a retail book-value cron Computers are highly successful sell­ to get the customer to agree with it. They on their trade-in. Since most are shopping ing computers by direct mail. The Internet decide what they want rather than attempt­ from home, it's nearly impossible to 'sell only serves to enhance this type of buying ing to understand the needs of the cus­ value' in the product. In fact, if they don't experience. Dell, Micron and others pro­ tomer and then find the right solutions. get what they want in the form of 'best vide the buyer with detailed information at This selling style is outdated and helps price,' most never step foot in the door ... their Web sites. Impressively, Dell consis­ explain why many customers are put off I've sold quite a few cars in my time and it's tently receives top honors for its record of by coercive, manipulative and customer­ much easier to isolate the objection and high quality customer satisfaction. ignoring sales techniques. This is also why overcome it when I have an opportunity to All this raises essential questions re­ effective banner advertising on the Internet ·sell' the product and myself face to face." garding the use of the Internet in capturing asks questions. One dry cleaner, interested The auto dealer isn't alone. How many customers. Here are a few suggestions: in attracting off-season clothing storage

Decembe r 1998 • !\evada Business Journal ;9 IIIIi DES.ERTRADIOWGISTS

2020 Palomino Lane, Ste. 100 3920 S. Eastern Ave. , Ste. 100 customers, used a banner that asked, ments are divided into "boutiques," an at­ 7200 Cathedral Rock Dr., Ste. 150 "Need more closet space?" The goal was tempt to offer a more personal approach Website : www.desertrad.com to identify customers with bulging closets. within the context of a large store. 382-XRAY The Internet is about the singular. It fa­ Save the Customer Ti1ne ... cilitates individual expression better than Then Money any other form of communication. It has yber shoppers are interested in saving to do with one customer and one cus­ Ctime, not running around trying to find tomer alone. This gets rid of the tradition­ the right place to make a purchase. One al "what's-on-the-shelf?" mentality - survey shows 60 percent of women and 40 often a process of persuading the cus­ 624 S. Tonopah Or. percent of men who make catalog pur­ tomer to want what's available: one or 3940 S. Eastern Ave. chases do so for one reason: convenience. two sizes fit all. This type of selling is 655 Town Center Dr. Those searching for products and services predicated on controlling the customer Website: www.nroc.com on the Web are known to value time above and face-to-face encounters, circum­ 386-6863 almost anything else. The concept is sim­ stances negated by the Internet. ple: in exchange for the customer's What the customer wants to buy is all money, you give the customer time. that counts today. Micron Computers, as well as others, make it easy for customers Be an lnfomwtion Source to "build" computers the way they want isit mrlongterminsurance.com and you them without talking to anyone. "Live" Venter a mini-university devoted to customer service representatives are avail­ long-term care insurance. The site is a able, if needed. But they're facilitators, highly infmmative resource, giving the not salespeople. Their role is to assist and visitor access to volumes of information answer questions. The customer is in and data. Almost hidden is the fact that it's charge of the sale. possible to buy the product. What's so im­ The Internet makes selling both more pressive is the credibility created by the and less personal. It's more personal in voluminous amount of available informa­ that it's strictly one-on-one, but it's less tion. Agents selling long-term care often personal because customers can be totally use this Web site to do their research. anonymous, revealing only as much as Yet, almost all other sites that appear they choose at any given moment. This using "long-term care" as the keyword makes it very difficult to apply traditional have quite a different objective. Offering sales techniques. Instead, the task is to minimal information, their objective is make it clear the customer is in charge. \Villo1': Creek,.Las Vegas'. most c o mpreh~n s i ve clear: sell, sell, sell. They think of a Web as While these five techniques apply to the care res1dence, 1so penmg Its newest locatiOn on nothing more than a Yellow Pages or news­ cyber customer, they also pertain to every­ the west side of to1rn. \Ve offer specifica ll v paper ad. But they lack credibility because one who thinks like a cyber shopper, designed programsfor those with Alzheimer's they fail to provide useful, helpful informa­ whether on the net, in an auto dealership, Diseaseana Related Dementias, in abe autiful tion that establishes confidence. The Inter­ a shopping mall or purchasing for a busi­ home-like setting. Call to set up aper sonal tour net has changed the paradigm: quality in­ ness. With more than 30 million Ameri­ of our fa c ili~, and let usa nswer your questions formation attracts customers. While their cans using the Internet each day (a figure about caring for your loved one. sites may get a few initial hits, there's no that continues to grow), almost everyone reason to stop, let alone come back later. In is destined to become a cyber shopper. 395-310 0 effect, there's no value for the customer. The Internet is altering buyer expecta­ tions of what it means to be a profession­ The Client is in Charge of the Sale al salesperson and how customers want to WillOW aking charge of the sale has been the be dealt with today. The Internet is not just Ttraditional salesperson's role: failure changing where people buy, but, more im­ Rttl( to take or keep control will lose the sale. portantly, how they buy. CMEMORY CARE RESIDENCE This is changing, quickly becoming a *Preferred HMO Senior Day Care Provider "one-to-one" marketplace. Walk through John R. Graham is president of Graharr. just about any department store and the Communications, a marketing services and 3351 N. Buffalo Dr. • Las Vegas, NV 89129 message becomes vividly clear. Depart- sales consulting firm founded in 1976.

60 Nevada Business journal • December 1998 T A X T p s

INOCULATE YOUR BUSINESS AGAINST THE YEAR 2000 BUG

hen you walk into your office on compliant, or for instructions detailing the WJanuary 2, 2000, will your computer, steps to achieve compliance. and its software, recognize the new millen­ nium or will it think it is 1900? Your com­ Correct existing systems puter's ability to comprehend the year Once you have determined those systems 2000 can affect everything from your busi­ in need of modification, the next step is to ness's cash flow to taxes to interest calcu­ decide how to conduct the repairs. Basical­ lations to customer service, as well as ly, you can either upgrade the system, re­ many other areas. Although the degree to place it, or retire it. It's important to keep in which the Year 2000 (Y2K) issue affects a mind that a strategy to replace or repair a business will vary greatly, you can be as- non-ready system should take into account ured that if your systems rely on comput­ software that interfaces with other systems, ers or electronically controlled devices, compliant. Start with systems or compo­ both within and outside the organization. your business is at risk. There are steps nents most critical to your operation and In making your systems Y2K compliant, you can take now to minimize those risks. those that are date sensitive, including pro­ you can also expect a little help from grams that peiform any kind of forecasting Uncle Sam in the form of tax deductions. Inventory your hardware & software through time, such as calculating interest For example: Identify and list the various computer­ or projecting inventory. • Convert your software. The cost of based systems, components and hardware One way to test your system's readiness software developed or purchased to that support your business. Include comput­ is to run it as if it were already the year convert existing systems to make them er controlled equipment such as automated 2000. For example test the dates 117/2000 year-2000 compliant can be currently de­ machinery in your production line, tele­ and 1/10/2000 to ensure all software oper­ ducted or amortized over a useful life of phone systems, security and safety systems, ates COITectly on the first Friday of the new five years or less. transport systems and other equipment that century and the Monday following. Vali­ • Buy replacement software. The costs may involve a computer chip. Don't over- date that the system operates con·ectly at of buying stand-alone software can be k any hardware and software that may month end, l/31/2000, and rolls over to amortized over 36 months using the -~ a date, including utility programs such 2/1/2000 properly. You'll also want to val­ straight-line method, beginning the month . licrosoft Office, accounting packages idate such things as interest and other it is placed in service. !Om-written or adapted systems de­ time-based financial calculations, invento­ • Lease new software. The costs of loped for your business. ry processing and expiration date process­ leasing software to update your computer If you use a service bureau for your data ing. However, before running such tests, system are deductible over the period of roce ing needs, make a list of all the ser­ make sure you evaluate the impact of re­ the lease. it provides. Then ask the service bu­ setting system dates so you don't foul up Keep in mind that the right solution for in writing whether each service is current operations. your company depends on your business _---.:000 compliant. If a service bureau Another way to assess your system is to goals, and the way in which you plan to ·- ready for the year 2000, ask it to examine the computer code and follow the use technology to meet those goals. A CPA re ults demonstrating that fact. logic. If this is not possible because the or another technology consultant can help software is based on an off-the-shelf pack­ you make the most informed decision re­ A. e your system~ compliance age, contact the vendor. In fact, it's wise to garding Y2K issues and your business .• You should al o a sess whether each of contact all suppliers for confirmation in the items on your inventory list is Y2K writing guaranteeing their product is Y2K Prepared by the Nevada Society of CPAs.

December 1998 • Nevada Business journal 61 L liSf td Adveltisiag D rt ities Bustop helters of Nevada Offers a Unique Medium... • Largest transit shelter operator in Las Vegas with over 2, 000 panels. Bustop Shelters of Nevada covers • The most locations of any Las Vegas Outdoor Advertising Company. the entire Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas • Shelters in Las Vegas are absolutely essential to cover the market. Strip, near Strip tourist areas, Airport • Complete exclusive tourist and local coverage. Access and Convention Centers. New Bustop Junior Transit Posters Benchback Advertising Copy is silk-screened New Outdoor Advertising Now directly embedded Available on the Las Vegas Strip into the fiberglass state-of-the-art and Surrounding Tourist Corridor 1' x 1' benchbacks. Bustop Shelters of Nevada is now offering 2' x 1' Industry ::;>-;;;;-;-;:;:::-:::-::o:"~-""-' Standard wooden new 20" X 29" advertising panels located on the new "state of the art" receptacles being bench back. ~===~:=:~= Corpparative_ly m installed next to the bus stop shelters on the znexpenszve production costs. Las Vegas Strip and surrounding tourist areas. Convention/Trade Show &: Special Showings To assist convention exhibitors, Bustop Shdters of Nevada offers eight different convention packages that utilize our outdoor display panels in a combination of locations. Each convention package offers locations: 1. In front of the Las Vegas Convention Center 2. On The Las Vegas Strip directly in front of major Strip Hotels 3. On all major access thoroughfares between McCarran International Airport and Hotels on The Strip 4. On Las Vegas Boulevard North, which leads to the famous Downtown Hotels ··spectacular•• Advertising with Promotions In Motion • Mobile units may be utilized on the Las Vega s Strip or a nywhere in the Las Vegas Valley to reach tourists, convention a ttendees or the local population.

• Promotions In Motion TM features the use of 3 dimensional extensions, full vinyl wraps and 7 panel groups of 3 rotating advertising panels, one on each side and one on the rear of the vehicle. Side panels are 8 ft. x 5 ft. The back panel is 5 ft. x 5 ft . (panel production is $750 for a set of:: • Extreme back lighting intensity of the advertising panels ensures the a ll important Las Vegas night time viewing (no other Las Vegas mobile advertising vehicles have back lit panels). Top Rank Nevada STATEWIDE BDDK OF LISTS BDOK~LISTS www.topranknevada.com IuJa4 i,Hf41 VPl:l Reliance on gaming evident, Featured Lists

meeting space gro,.vs CONVENTION AND

hile business and political leaders and additions as well. The MGM Grand in MEETING FACILITIES ...... XX assert the importance of economic Las Vegas debuted its state-of-the-art con­ NEVADA'S MAJOR Wdiversification, this year's lists re­ vention center this year, and the spate of veal 1 evada's continued heavy economic new properties will boost convention CONVENTIONS ...... XX reliance on gaming and tourism. The 1998 space square-footage in Southern Nevada. li t of Nevada's 100 largest companies in­ In the drive to bring more diverse visitors, NEVADA'S TOP cludes only 25 non-hotel operations; last evada's tourism markets have an edge 100 BUSINESSES ...... XX year's list included 30 such businesses. over many other convention hubs: they can That's a dangerous trend in a state that supplement meeting space with some of must now contend with evada-style gam­ the world 's most distinctive tourist attrac­ Upcoming Lists ing in the state to its west. As expansive tions. Whether it's skiing in Tahoe, golf in properties open in Las Vegas in the next Reno or touring cityscapes from around ACCOUNTING FIRMS year, expect Nevada's Top 100 to post even the world in Las Vegas, conventioneers can CELLULAR & PAGING fewer non-gaming-related companies. partake in an experience like no other. COMPANIES One tiling Nevada can continue to offer The state's growing popularity as a that distinguishes its market from Native business meeting center is evident in the HOME HEALTHCARE American competitors is abundant conven­ conventions coming to the region. Many PROVIDERS tion and meeting space. The Las Vegas are improving on last year's attendance, OFFICE FURNITURE & Convention Center is enjoying the fruits of and preliminary research shows 1999 SUPPLY DEALERS a massive expansion, and the Reno Con­ should be one of the best years ever for vention Center is slated for improvements Nevada's convention markets. • RADIO & TV STATIONS

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December 1998 • :l'erada Business journal 63 TopRankiNevada STATEWID E BOOK OF LISTS Meeting and Convention Centers Ranked by Total Meeting Space (Squa!'le Feet) ME ETING SPACE (SF): No, ROOMS TOTAL FACILITY CONTACT i MEETING AND CONVENTION f ACILITY PHON E(S) SEATING PARKIN G oo: ADDRESS LAR GEST CAPA CITY SPACES MAJ OR CONV ENTIONS HELD YE AR ESTA BLISHED Sands Expo/Venetian 733 -5556 1,700,000 109 4,000+ COMDEX, Narl Assn. of Broadcasters, Automotive Jeff Beckelman 201 E. Sands Ave. , Las Vegas 89109 1,100,000 10,000 Aftermarket Week, MAGIC 1990 Las Vegas Convention Center 892 -0711 1,030,633 106 5,528 COMDEX, Consumer Electronics Show, MAGIC, Thomas Smith 3150 Paradise Rd. , Las Vegas 89109 1,500 20,000 Au tomotive After Market (S EMA, MEMA, APAA, ASIA) 1955 Reno-Sparks Convention Center 827-7620 300,000 28 1, 500+ Safari Club Internal'!, John Deere Conv., Kelly SmithfJoe Waether 4590 S. Virginia St. , Reno 89502 260,000 Varies Chrysler Auto Conv. 1965 4 MGM Grand Hotel/Casino 891-7200 275,000 60 3,600 State Farm Ins., United Steel Workers of America, GAP, Christian Bourdel 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 62 ,060 6,206 Microsoft 1998 5 Las Vegas Hilton 732-5631 220,000 36 DND ASD , MAGIC, SEMA, COMDEX Cindy O'Keefe 3000 Paradise Rd. , Las Vegas 89109 70,000 7,000-9,000 1969 6 Caesars Palace 731 -7082 170,000 54 7,500 Bridgestone/ Firestone, Toyota Motors John Yaskin 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 36,000 3,700 1966 7 Rio Suite Hotel & Casino 247-7854 120,000 30 6,000 N/A (Opening 3/99) Larry Paluzzi 3700 W. Flamingo Rd ., Las Vegas 89103 62 ,500 6,500-9,000 1990 8 John Ascuaga's Nugget 356-3300 110,000 38 840 Biology Teachers, California Grocers, John Deere Dealer Mtg., Mary Ann Lanahan 1100 Nugget Ave., Reno 89501 40,000 3,325 Nat'! Assn . Cable Networks 1958 9 Tropicana Resort & Casino 739-2581 100,000 20 2,264 Ground Support Equipment lnt'l, West Coast Bridal & Formal, Ken Ratigan 3801 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 54,720 7,800 Nat'! Agriculture Aviation Assn., Creative Painting 1957 10 Primadonna Casino Resorts 679-5468 62 ,000 15 3,500+ Compucom Corp., Ford Motor Co ., Central Rents , Andrew Ratner PO Box 19119, Primm 89019 31 ,280 6,500 California Teachers Assn. 1979 11 The Millennium Arena 643-2000 54,000+ 3 2,200 N/A Reed Mitchell 2824 Las Vegas Blvd . N. , N. Las Vegas 50,000 6,500-7,800 1999 12 Alexis Park Resort 796-3318 50,000 19 616 Bugle Boy, NEC, Success for All Schools, Internal'! Haircolor Diana Takai 375 E. Harmon Ave., Las Vegas 891 09 14,000 1,000 Exchange 1984 13 Harrah's Las Vegas 693 -6075 32,845 15 2,400 DND Mike Pramshafer 3475 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 12,050 1,400 1974 14 Atlantis Casino Resort 824-4400 32,000 14 1,600 Safari Club International, World Wide Distributors, West · Suzanne Folsom 3eoo S. '1\r~\n\o. St. , R~no SIJS02 n ,%0 'JOO Co~t 1Nr::::..'r..cm Mil.rkci, 1Nc.-..tcm Sto.tc-:. Supcr\rudc Shc.w ~972 15 Jackie Gaughan's Plaza Hotel/Casino 386-2319 30,000 16 1,600 Numismatic Show, Amache Reunion, ACBL Bridge Tourn ., Linda Hartman 1 Main St., Las Vegas 89101 21 ,000 1,700-2,500 Star Trek Conv. 1971 15 Peppermill Hotel Casino-Reno 689-7161 30,000 18 2,52 4 NV Court Reporters Assn., 4th ROTC , Results Accountants, Dean Parker 2707 S. Virginia St. , Reno 89502 13,000 1,000 Sierra Cascade Loggers Assn . 1986 17 World Trade Center 369-5750 28,000 12 620 N/A Susana Ross 901 E. Desert Inn Rd. , Las Vegas 89109 9,800 700 DND 18 Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino 794-3286 25,000 15 1,500 Front Sight, East Side Club, Adultex, Leading Edge Bill Henning 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 9,660 1,000 1976 18 Monte Carlo Resort & Casino 730-7777 25,000 11 2,800 Digital of Canada, State Farm, Interactive 2000 Ken Haas 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 15,000 1,200 1996 18 Stardust Resort & Casino 732 -6312 25,000 14 1,200 Amerine!, COMDEX Events, Diversified Products, Valerie Moon 3000 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 25 ,000 2,000 Utility Shareholders Event 1990 21 The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino 800-828-6206 23,000.. 12 1,168 DND Linda Davis Miyoshi 129 E. Fremont St. , Las Vegas 89030 5,650 480 1946 22 Luxor Hotel & Casino 262 -4800 20,000 3 DND MIN, World Gaming Congress, CES , Networld+lnterop Trude Shern 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89119 15,680 1,500 1993 23 Henderson Convention Center 565 -2171 13,800 10 280 Art Fest of Henderson; Henderson Expo, Computer Shows, Lisa Jolley 200 Water St. , Henderson 89015 10,000 1,000 Antique Shows, Gun Shows 1982 24 Las Vegas Conference Suites & Services 734-7333 13,000 15 500 Nikken , Locomotive Engin eers, UNR, Mars/Venus Enterprises Patty Chernine 101 Convention Ctr. Dr., Ste. P-100, LV 89109 3,1 80 458 1998 25 Showboat Hotel, Casino & Bowling Center 385-9123 12,300 7 2,000 Internal'! Jugglers Assn., Calif. Assn. of Refrigeration Steve Waldman 2800 Fremont St. , Las Vegas 89104 8,300 1,250 Engineers, Champion Bass, Jewish War Veterans 1954 26 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 693 -5055 12,200/ 18,200' 217 1,088+ Pete's Brewing, Toyota Motor Sales, Hitachi Canst., Jim Hush 4455 Paradise Rd. , Las Vegas 89109 10,000 1,400 Levi Strauss & Co. 1995 27 Edgewater Hotel Casino 298-2453 11,250 4 DND DND Carlos de Leon 2020 S. Casino Dr. , Laughlin 89029 4,500 240 1987 28 Gold Coast Hotel & Casino 251 -3560 10,500 5 2,200 Rockabilly Conv. , NetWorld/lnterop, Brunswick Corp., Dance Beth Spencer 4000 W. Flamingo Rd ., Las Vegas 89103 10,000 650-1,000 Vision USA, Nat'l Amateur Bowlers Inc., NV Police Athletic Assn. 1986 29 CasaBlanca Resort & Casino 346-7529 10,000 9 1,700 Fidtallis, State Farm, Penncorp. Canada, Blockbuster Peggi Sanders 950 W. Mesquite Blvd. , Mesquite 89027 8,990 550 1995 29 Flamingo Hilton Reno 800-648-4510 10,000 8 Unltd. Millar Elevator, Native American AA Coni., Pacific Coast Larry Cardarelli 255 N. Sierra St. , Reno 89501 8,600 500 Magician Assn., 511th Parachute Infantry 1982 29 Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall 456-7777 10,000 6 3,000 AMF Bowling Coni., Kentucky Fried Chicken Coni., North Darryn Heath 5111 Boulder Hwy., Las Vegas 891 22 10,000 1,000 American Draeger, Quarter Scale Model Airplane Show 1979 29 Sunset Station Hotel & Casino 547-7717 10,000 12 7,062 WON Bass Traci Young 1301 W. Sunset Rd. , Henderson 89014 2,500 450 1997 33 Fitzgerald's Casino/Hotel 388-2424 9,000 4 + Ballrm. DND DND Bill McGinnis 301 Fremont St. , Las Vegas 89101 6,000 600 DND 34 Holiday Inn 800-648-4877 8,634 6 250 Watchtower, Assoc. Schools Canst. David Joseph 1000 E. Sixth St., Reno 89512 5,220 350 1972 35 Carson Nugget 882-1626 8,1 00 4 to 6 650 NV Builders Assn ., St. Republican Central Committee, Doug Brown 507 N. Carson St., Carson City 89701 6,400 500-600 NV Commission/Tourism, NV Rainbow Girls 1957 35 Riverboat Hotel/Casino 323 -8877 8,100 6 All Valet CEIS Ft. Sam Houston Kathy Trevino 3410 Second St. , Reno 89501 2,491 150/ Ciassrm. DND 37 Circus Circus Las Vegas 734-0410 8,000 4 5,000+ DND Tyrone Conklin 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 8,000 800 1968 38 Fremont Hotel & Casino 385-3232 6,838 2 300 DND Kirby Salamone 200 E. Fremont St. , Las Vegas 89101 4,000 400-600 1955 39 Polo Towers 261 -1048 6, 500 5 2 Lots COMDEX Barbara Dean 3745 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 2,800 150 2 Garages 1995 CONTINUED 64 Nevada Business Journal • December 1998 TopRankiNevada STATEWIDE BOOK OF LISTS Meeting and Convention Centers (continued) Ranked by Total Meeting Space (Square Feet) MmiNC SPACE (SF): No. RooMs

~ TOTAL f ACILITY CONTACT z AND CONVENTION f ACILITY PHON E(S) SEATINC PARKI NG < "" A:o;::ss LARCEST CAPACITY SPACES MAJOR CONVENTIONS HELD YEAR ESTABLI SHED Crowne Plaza Hotel 369-4400 6,290 8 196 WSA, MAGIC, CES, NAB Mindy Klepfer .j255 Paradise Rd ., Las Vegas 89109 4,444 285 1990 .!1 Hotel San Remo 739-9000 6,275 9 DND COMDEX, NAB Kay Them 11 5 E. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas 89109 3,719 25-250 1989 -l2 California Hotel & Casino 385-1222 6,000 2 DND DND Renee Clausen 12 Ogden Ave. , Las Vegas 89102 5,300 375 1975 43 Airport Plaza Hotel 348-6370 5,000+ 9 DND USDA, BLM, Computing Resources , Knights of Columbus Charmaine LaMay 1981 Terminal Way, Reno 89502 4,400 320 1982 - Hawthorne Convention Center 945-5854 4,650 2 46 RM EF Fundraising Banquet, Rural NV Water Development, Julie Faris 932 E St., Hawthorne 89415 3,136 400 BLM Presentation, UNR Babbitt Study 1946 .!5 Pioneer Inn Hotel/Casino 800-648-5468 4,500 2 252 DND Katy Manoukian 221 5. Virginia St., Reno 89501 3,600 200 1967 .!6 Las Vegas Club Hotel & Casino 385 -1664 3,600 3 6-Story Corp. Meetings of 100 or less M. Machado/ S. Martin 18 E. Fremont St. , Las Vegas 89101 3,600 500 Garage 1996 46 Maxim Hotel & Casino 731 -4465 3,600 2 500 DND Diane Gandy 160 E. Flamingo Rd ., Las Vegas 89109 2,185 300 1977 46 Silverton Casino 263-7777 3,600 2 1,200 Mak Publishing RV Conv., Bluebird RV Rally Kim Knauff 3333 Blue Diamond Rd. , Las Vegas 89139 3,600 350-600 1994 49 Best Western Mardi Gras Inn 73 1-2020 3,000 4 320 CES, MAGIC, NAB, COMDEX Sh irley George 3500 Paradise Rd. , Las Vegas 89109 3,000 300 1976 50 St. Tropez 369-5400 2,554 3 DND Western Shoe Show, Consumer Electronics Show, NAB, MAGIC John Culetsu 45 5 E. Harmon Ave., Las Vegas 89109 2,554 300 1988 51 Super 8 Motel 294-8888 1,800 3 DND Episcopal Synod Lisa Caruso 704 Nevada Hwy., Boulder City 89005 1,800 135 1986 52 Bourbon Street Hotel & Casino 737-7200 1,700 2 500 N/ A David Arciero 120 E. Flamingo Rd. , Las Vegas 89109 1,000 200 1978 - . 53 La Quinta Inn 796-9000 1,400 1 DND N/A Deanna Tumlinson 3970 Paradise Rd. , Las Vegas 89109 1,400 50 1994 N/A El Capitan Resort Casino 935-3321 DND 4 100 Ducks Unltd., NV Mystery 250 (Moto-X), DZHC, James Bennett 540 F St., Hawthorne 89415 3,920 247-447+ Modesto Range Runners 1938 DND = Did not disclose 'After expansion in 6/99, Hard Rock will have 18,200 square feet of space • ' Temporary pavilion available Nov. through March, adds 10,000 sq. ft. and 580 seats BOOK m:JLISTS ifiilj Note: The above infonnation was supplied by representatives of the li sted companies in response to faxed survey fonns. Companies not appearing did not respond To the best of our knoYiledge, the information is accurate as of press time. OF ' While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and thoroughness, errors and omis.sions do occur. Send corrections or additions on company letterhead to TopRank Nevada Statewide Sook of Usts, Research Dept., 2127 Paradise Rd .• LV, NV 89104.

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December 1998 • i\evada Business journal 65 TopRankiNevada STATEWIDE BOOK OF LISTS Nevada's Top 100 Businesses Ranked by Total Nevada Employees (as of B/30/98} "'z .;2 COMPANY ADDRESS PHONE No. EMPLOYE ES TYP E OF BUSINESS SIC CODE 1 MGM Grand Hotel, Inc. 3850 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 477-0030 8,500-8,599 Hotels & Motels 7011 2 The Mirage Casino-Hotel 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 791-7505 7,200-7,299 Hotels & Motels 7011 3 Rio Suite Hotel & Casino 3700 w. Flamingo Rd. , Las Vegas 89103 252-7663 4,900-4,999 Hotels & Motels 7011 4 Treasure Island at The Mirage 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 894-7505 4,700-4 ,799 Hotels & Motels 7011 4 Caesars Palace 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 731-7305 4,700-4,799 Hotels & Motels 7011 6 Luxor 3922 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 262-4680 4,300-4,399 Hotels & Motels 7011 7 Las Vegas Hilton Corp. 3000 Paradise Rd ., Las Vegas 89109 732-5717 4,000-4,099 Hotels & Motels 7011 8 Excalibur Hotel & Casino 3850 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 597-7777 3,800-3 ,899 Hotels & Motels 7011 9 Flamingo Hilton Corp. 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 733-3180 3,600-3 ,699 Hotels & Motels 7011 10 Circus Circus Casinos, lnc.-LV 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 734-0410 3,500-3 ,599 Hotels & Motels 7011 11 Harrah's Las Vegas, Inc. 3475 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 369-5285 3,300-3,399 Hotels & Motels 7011 12 Monte Carlo Resort & Casino 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 730-7777 3,200-3 ,299 Hotels & Motels 7011 12 Primadonna Corp. Interstate 15, Jean 89019 386-7867 3,200-3,299 Hotels & Motels 7011 14 Sunrise Hospital 3186 Maryland Pkwy. , Las Vegas 89109 731-8000 3,000-3 ,099 General Medical & Surgical Hospitals 8062 15 Golden Nugget 129 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas 89101 386-8136 2,900-2,999 Hotels & Motels 7011 16 Reno Hilton 2500 E. Second St., Reno 89595 789-2253 2,800-2,899 Hotels & Motels 7011 17 Bally's Casino/Hotel-Las Vegas 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 739-4111 2,700-2,799 Hotels & Motels 7011 18 Tropicana Hotel & Country Club 3801 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 739-2222 2,600-2,699 Hotels & Motels 7011 19 Stardust Hotel & Casino 3000 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 732-6111 2,500-2,599 Hotels & Motels 7011 20 Harrah's Stateline 219 N. Center, Stateline 89449 786-3232 2,400-2,499 Hotels & Motels 7011 20 Silver Legacy Resort Casino 407 N. Virginia St., Reno 89505 329-4777 2,400-2,499 Hote ls & Motels 7011 20 The Horseshoe Club 128 Fremont St., Las Vegas 89101 382-1600 2,400-2,499 Hotels & Motels 7011 23 Eldorado Hotel & Casino 345 N. Virginia St. , Reno 89501 786-5700 2,300-2,399 Hotels & Motels 7011 23 Washoe Medical Center, Inc. 77 Pringle Way, Reno 89520 328-4734 2,300-2,399 General Medical & Surgical Hospitals 8062 23 Imperial Palace Inc. 3773 Howard Hughes Pkwy., Ste. 500-S, LV 89109 731-3311 2,300-2 ,399 Hotels & Motels 7011 26 Harvey's Management Co. PO Box 128, Stateline 89449 588-2411 2,200-2,299 Hotels & Motels 7011 26 Sam 's Town 5111 Boulder Hwy., Las Vegas 89122 454-8011 2,200-2,299 Hotels & Motels 7011 26 Riviera Hotel & Casino 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 734-5110 2,200-2 ,299 Hotels & Motels 7011 26 New York-New York Hotel & Casino 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 740-6969 2,200-2,299 Hotels & Motels 7011 30 Newmont Gold Co. PO Box 669, Carlin 89822 778-4298 2,100-2,199 Gold Ores 1041 30 GES Exposition Services, Inc. PO Box 98790, Las Vegas 89193 641-2741 2,100-2,199 Business Services 7389 30 Stratosphere Tower, Casino & Hotel 2000 Las Vegas Blvd . S. , Las Vegas 89109 380-7777 2,100-2,199 Hotels & Motels 7011 30 Gold Coast Hotel & Casino 4000 W. Flamingo Rd. , Las Vegas 89103 251 -3560 2,100-2,199 Hotels & Motels 7011 34 Sparks Nugget Inc. PO Box 797 , Sparks 89432 356-3368 2,000-2 ,099 Hotels & Motels 7011 34 Harrah 's Reno PO Box 10, Reno 89504 788-3214 2,000-2,099 Hotels & Motels 7011 34 Circus Circus Casinos, Inc.-Reno PO Box 5880, Reno 89513 329-0711 2,000-2,099 Hotels & Motels 7011 37 The Orleans Hotel & Casino 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas 89103 365 -7111 1,900-1 ,999 Hotels & Motels 7011 37 Riverside Resort & Casino PO Box 500, Laughlin 89029 298-2535 1,900-1 ,999 Hotels & Motels 7011 37 Nevada Power Co. 3226 W. Sahara Ave. , Las Vegas 89102 367-5203 1,900-1 ,999 Electric Services 4911 40 Central Telephone-Nevada 330 S. Valley View Blvd. , Las Vegas 89107 877-7040 1,800-1 ,899 Telephone Communications 48\3 40 International Game Technology 9295 Prototype Dr., Reno 89511 448-8022 1,800-1 ,899 Manufacturing Industries 3999 42 Palace Station Hotel & Casino 2411 W. Sahara Ave .. Las Vegas 89102 367-2464 1,700-1,799 Hotels & Motels 7011 42 Sunset Station Hotel & Casino 1300 W. Sunset Rd. , Henderson 89014 547-7777 1,700-1,799 Hotels & Motels 7011 42 Sheraton Desert Inn 3145 Las Vegas Blvd. S. , Las Vegas 89109 733-4762 1,700-1 ,799 Hotels & Motels 7011 42 Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Inc. PO Box 29, Elko 89803 778-8196 1,700-1,799 Gold Ores 1041 42 Peppermill Hotel Casino-Reno 2707 S. Virginia St., Reno 89502 826-2121 1,700-1 ,799 Hotels & Motels 7011 42 Flamingo Hilton-Laughlin Inc. 1900 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin 89029 298-5111 1,700-1,799 Hotels & Motels 7011 48 Boulder Station Hotel & Casino 4111 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas 89121 432 -7752 1,600-1,699 Hotels & Motels 7011 49 CitiBank (Nev.) National Association 8725 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas 89163 869-5053 1,500 -1, 599 National Commercial Banks 6021 49 Ramada Express Inc. 2121 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin 89029 298-6219 1,500 -1,599 Hotels & Motels 701 49 Sahara Hotel & Casino 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 737-2761 1,500-1,599 Hotels & Motels 701 52 Saint Mary's 1155 W. Fourth St. , Reno 89503 789-3129 1, 400-1 ,499 General Medical & Surgical Hospitals 806: 52 Caesars Tahoe Palace 85 US Hwy. 50, Stateline 89449 588-3515 1,400-1,499 Hotels & Motels 701' 52 Mission Industries 1100 Foremaster Ln ., Las Vegas 89101 642 -2014 1,400-1,499 Linen Supply n ·~ 52 Reno Air, Inc. 220 Edison Way, Reno 89502 686-3865 1,400-1,499 Air Transportation 451: 52 Colorado Belle Hotel & Casino 2100 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin 89029 298-4000 1 ,400-1,499 Hotels & Motels 701' 57 Edgewater Hotel & Casino 2020 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin 89029 298-4000 1,300-1 ,399 Hotels & Motels 7 57 Harrah's Laughlin 2900 S. Casino Dr. , Laughlin 89029 298-6862 1,300 -1 ,399 Hotels & Motels 70: 57 Texas Gambling Hall & Hotel 2101 Texas Star Ln., Las Vegas 89030 631 -1000 1,300-1 ,399 Hotels & Motels 7rJ:• 60 Union Plaza Hotel & Casino 1 Main St. , Las Vegas 89101 386-2373 1, 200-1 ,299 Hotels & Motels 701 60 Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Ln., Las Vegas 89106 388-4000 1,200-1,299 General Medical & Surgical Hospitals soc: 60 Club Cal-Neva 38 E. Second St., Reno 89501 323-1046 1, 200-1 ,299 Hotels & Motels 70' 60 Atlantis Casino Resort 3800 S. Virginia St., Reno 89502 825-4700 1,200-1 ,299 Hotels & Motels 7fr 60 Silver State Disposal Service, Inc. 770 E. Sahara Ave. , Las Vegas 89104 735-5151 1,200-1,299 Refuse Systems 60 Household Credit SeNices, Inc. 2960-2980 Meade Ave. , Las Vegas 89102 243-1000 1, 200-1 ,299 Data Processing & Preparation 60 Showboat Hotel & Casino 2800 Fremont St., Las Vegas 89104 385-9131 1,200 -1,299 Hotels & Motels 60 M.J. Dean Construction, Inc. 5541 S. Cameron, Las Vegas 89118 873-1947 1, 200-1,299 Hotels & Motels 60 ATC/Vancom of Nevada LP 3200 W. Tompkins Ave ., Las Vegas 89103 262-1000 1,200-1 ,299 Local/Suburban Transit 69 Santa Fe Hotel & Casino 4949 N. Rancho Dr., Las Vegas 89130 658-4328 1,100-1 ,199 ··Hotels & Motels 69 Flamingo Hilton Reno 255 N. Sierra, Reno 89501 785-7330 1,100-1 ,199 Hotels & Motels 69 Gold Strike Hotel & Gambling Hall Main St., Jean 89019 477-5000 1,100-1,199 Hotels & Motels 69 The Reserve Hotel & Casino 777 W. Lake Mead Dr., Henderson 89015 567-7111 1,100-1 ,199 Hotels & Motels 69 Arizona Charlie's Hotel Casino 740 S. Decatur Blvd ., Las Vegas 89114 258-5200 1,100-1,199 Hotels & Motels 74 El Cortez 600 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas 89101 382-4312 1, 000-1 ,099 Hotels & Motels 74 Grand Resorts, Inc. 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas 89109 ?39-4265 1,000-1,099 Amusement & Recreation 74 Gold River Gambling Hall & Resort 2700 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin 89028 298-2242 1,000 -1, 099 Hotels & Motels 74 Fiesta Casino Hotel 2400 N. Rancho Dr., N. Las Vegas 89030 631-7000 1,000-1,099 Hotels & Motels 74 Sierra Pacific Power Co. 6100 Neil Rd. , Reno 89511 689-4257 1,000 -1,099 Electric & Other Services 74 Terrible Herbst, Inc. PO Box 93147, Las Vegas 89193 798-6400 1,000-1,099 Gasoline Service Stations 74 California Hotel & Casino 12 Ogden Ave. , Las Vegas 89101 385-1222 1,000-1,099 Hotels & Motels 74 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas 89109 693-5000 1,000-1,099 Hotels & Motels 74 Boomtown Hotel & Casino 3333 Blue Diamond Rd., Las Vegas 89139 345-6000 1,000-1,099 Hotels & Motels 83 Peppermill Resort Hotel Casino 3773 Howard Hughes Pkwy., Ste. 500-S, LV 89109 735-4177 900-999 Hotels & Motels 83 Fitzgerald's Casino/ Hotel 301 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas 89125 388 -2400 900-999 Hotels & Motels 83 Maxim Hotel & Casino 160 E. Flamingo Rd. , Las Vegas 89109 731 -4328 900-999 Hotels & Motels 83 Four Queens Hotel & Casino 202 E. Fremont St. , Las Vegas 89125 385 -4011 900-999 Hotels & Motels 83 Fremont Hotel & Casino 200 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas 89125 385-3232 900-999 Hotels & Motels 83 Bechtel Nevada Corp. PO Box 98521 , Las Vegas 89193 295-1000 900-999 Commercial Physical Research 83 Merck-Medco Pharmacy Services of NV Inc. 4990 Aircenter Cir., Reno 89502 823-4500 900-999 Catalog & Mail-Order Houses 90 Eastridge Temps Las Vegas 4220 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas 89119 732-8855 800-899 Help Supply Services 90 Golden Nugget-Laughlin 2300 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin 89029 298-7111 800-899 Hotels & Motels 90 Sands Hotel Casino 345 N. Arlington, Reno 89501 348-2283 800-899 Hotels & Motels 90 Cactus Pete's, Inc. Hwy 93, Jacl

66 Nevada Business journal • December 1998

TopRankiNevada STATEWIDE BOOK OF LISTS Major Nevada Conventions (continued) Chronological Order

CONVENTION I DATES IATTE NDANCE'· I VE NUE CITY CONVENTION DATE S ATTENDANCE• VENUE CITY 1999 Natl. Assn. of Collegiate 06/04 - 06/ 11 1,000 Reno Hilton Reno Men's Apparel Guild in California 08/30 - 09/02 95,000 LVCC/Hilton LV Directors/ Athletics Worldwide Distribution 09/11 - 09/ 18 1,500 Atlantis/ Peppermill / Reno Grottoes of North America 06/06 - 06/12 1,200 Reno Hilton Reno RSCC Inti. Trucking Show 06/09 - 06/11 30,000 LVCCNarious LV World Gaming Congress & Expo 09/ 14 -09/ 16 25,000 LVCC/Hilton LV Giftsource West 06/13 - 06/16 8,000 Sands Expo Center LV Calif. Independent Marketers Assn. 09/19 - 09/ 26 1,800 Reno Hilton Reno Newspaper Assn. of America 06/14 - 06/17 14,000 LVCC/ Hilton LV US Submarine Vets Inc. 09/ 21 - 09/27 1,000 Pep perm ill Reno California Funeral Directors Assn. 06/19 - 06/ 23 1,000 Reno Hilton Reno 86th Blackhawk Division Assn. 09/23 - 09/ 25 750 Hampton Inn Reno American Sportfishing Assn. 06/ 23 - 06/ 26 10,000 TBA LV California Glass Assn . 09/29 - 10/02 3,200 Atlantis/RSCC Reno Inti. Silk Flower Expo 06/ 24 - 06/27 7,300 LVCCNarious LV Amer. Orthotic & Prosthetic Assn. 10/01 - 10/ 11 1,200 Reno Hilton Reno American Society for Enology 06/ 25 - 07/ 02 1,000 Reno Hilton Reno Soc. for Medical Decision Making 10/01 - 10/07 400 Reno Hilton Reno & Vitculture Na!'l Assn. of Pre-Trial Svcs . Agencies 10/03 - 10/10 400 Silver Legacy Reno Sigma Phi Gamma Inti. 07107 - 07/11 700 Peppermill Reno Screen Printing & Graphic 10/07 - 10/10 13 ,000 LVCC/Hilton LV Natl. Nutritional Foods Assn. 07109 - 07/ 11 10,000 LVCC/Mirage LV Imaging Assn . lntl. Natl. Assn. of Tax Practitioners 07109-07/19 1,000 Reno Hilton Reno Society for the PreseiVation/ 10/ 07 -10/ 10 4,000 Atlantis/ RSCC Reno Retail Tobacco Dealers of Amer. Inc. 07/ 12 -07/ 15 10,000 LVCC/Hilton LV Sarber Shop Quartet Singers Inti. Ford Retractable Club 07/13 - 07/19 400 Peppermill Reno Wild West Veterinary Conference 10/ 08 - 10/16 1,100 Reno Hilton Reno NV Bureau of Alcohol & Drug Abuse 07/16 - 07/ 22 450 Silver Legacy Reno Builderburg Group Inc. 10/12 -10/ 18 7,000 Venetian LV Satellite Broadcasting & 07118 - 07/21 7,500 LVCC/Hilton LV Solid Waste Assn . of North America 10/ 15 - 10/22 2,500 Reno Hilton/RSCC Reno Communications Packaging Machinery Mfrs . Institute 10/18 -10/21 25,000 Sands Expo Ctr./TBA LV Subway Annual Convention 07/19 - 07/ 28 2,000 Reno Hilton Reno California Credit Union League 10/ 19 - 10/24 2,000 John Ascuaga's Nugget Reno United Ostomy Assn. 07/23 - 08/02 600 John Ascuaga's Nugget Reno Automotive Parts & SeiVices 11 / 02 - 11/05 65,000 Sands Expo Ctr./Various LV Credit Union Conferences 07/ 28 -07/ 31 1,500 Atlantis/Peppermill/ Reno SOFTBANK Comdex 11 / 15 -11 / 19 225,000 LVCC/Sands Expo ctr. LV RSCC Natl. Science Teachers Assn. 11/30 - 12/ 08 4,000 Reno Hilton/ RSCC Promotional Products Assn. Inti. 08/ 03 - 08/05 6,000 LVCC/Caesars Palace LV Natl. Spa & Pool Institute 12/01 - 12/03 14,000 LVCC/Bally's Beauty & Barber Supply Institute Inc. 08/04 - 08/ 07 16,500 LVCC/Hilton LV Amer. Society for Testing & Matis. 12/04 - 12/1 0 1,300 John Ascuaga's Nugget Reno Western Shoe Assn . 08/05 - 08/08 25,000 Sands Expo Ctr./Various LV Natl. Agricultural Aviation Assn . 12/ 10 -12/ 17 1,500 Nugge!IRSCC Reno Assn. of Progressive Rental Orgs. 08/ 07 - 08/ 15 1,800 ·John Ascuaga's Nugget Reno Governors Coni. on Travel 12/1 2 -12/14 650 Silver Legacy Reno Natl. Medical Assn. 08/09 - 08/11 8,000 LVCC/Hilton LV & Tourism Associated Surplus Dealers 08/ 15 -08/ 19 32,000 Sands Expo ctr.Narious LV American Assn. for 12/13 - 12/ 16 9,000 LVCC/Hilton LV Pro. Golfers Assn. of America 08/ 21 - 08/23 30,000 LVCC/Mirage LV Respiratory Care

DND ~ Did not disclose • Attendance rounded to the nearest thousand. LVCC ~ Las Vegas Convention Center RSCC ~ Reno-Sparks Convention Center ~l!i!J LISTS ~ Source: las Vegas Convention & Visitors' Authorlty, Reno -Sparks Convention & Visrtors' Authority. To the best of our knowledge, the information is accurate as of press time. Whlle every effort is ma_de to ensure the accuracy a"'C BOOK OF ~ thoroughness of the list. typographical errors sometimes occur. Please send corrections or addrtions on company letterhead to TopRank Nevada Statewide Book of lists. Research Dept.. 2127 Parad1se Rd .. Las Vegas. NV 891 •

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70 Nevada Business j ournal • December 1998 NEVADA BRIEFS

Rainbow Blvd. in Las Vegas. The sales will agement. Hilton spokespeople expect the make the combined share of deposits in program to increase employee morale Eclipse launches services those markets consistent with government while lowering workers' compensation in Las Vegas anti-trust guidelines after the Norwest­ claims, medical insurance claims, absen­ Wells Fargo merger. teeism and employee conflicts. Eclipse Telecommunications, Inc. recently established comprehensive telecommuni­ METALAST and PLASFAB Cost of living margin ri ses cations services in Las Vegas, offering form alliance substantially small and medium-sized businesses in the area voice, data and Internet communica­ METALAST International, Inc. , a company Las Vegas' overall cost of living during tions. Eclipse, based in Austin, Texas and providing technology, research and September rose 0.9 percent, according to owned by IXC Communications, Inc., of­ process support to the aluminum anodiz­ First Security's Las Vegas area Cost of fers long distance services, dial-up and ing industry, has formed a strategic al ­ Living Report. In comparison, the national dedicated Internet access, toll-free ser­ liance with metal finishing systems maker cost of living gained 0.1 percent duting vices, calling cards, private lines, frame PLASFAB. The alliance will provide joint September on a non-seasonally adjusted relay and ATM services. development, marketing and support op­ basis, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of portunities for both firms. The Minden­ Labor. First Security reported tha1 cost in­ Wells Fargo and Norwest based METALAST Tech Center is the creases in housing, transportation, educa­ announce divestitures world's only research facility dedicated to tion, communication, dining out and utili­ aluminum anodizing. ties offset price decreases in healthcare, Wells Fargo and orwest have announced groceries and clothing. Recreation expens­ their plans to sell approximately $721 mil­ Sierra Health Services establishes es remained stable. lion in deposits and 12 banking stores in new program eight Nevada communities. Wells Fargo's Nevada First Bank achieves new divestitures include offices at 1995 W. Hilton Gaming Corp. is taking advantage asset levels Williams in Fallon and 14 S. Main St. in of the Life Resources Assistance Program Yerington. Norwest is selling 10 banking recently established by Behavioral Health­ Nevada First Bank president and CEO stores, including those at 201 W. Telegraph care Options, Inc., a subsidiary of Sierra Dennis Guldin recently announced the Las St. in Carson City; 852 Idaho St. in Elko; Health Services, Inc. The work/life pro­ Vegas-based bank has attained more than 546 S. Boulder Highway in Henderson; 311 gram provides a wider variety of resources $47 million in assets, including $31 mil­ S. Bridge St. in Winnemucca; 2375 S. Vir­ through which employees and their house­ lion in commercial, real estate and con­ ginia St. and 595 Booth St. in Reno; and hold members can receive help, including struction loans as of September 30. The 2625 E. Desert Inn Rd., 9325 W. Sahara consulting services for child and elder bank opened January !6 of this year and is Ave. , 3333 E. Tropicana Ave. and 103 S. care, legal, personal finance and life man- located at 2800 W. Sahara Ave. )>-

Boulder City-based power plant financed Uouston Industries Inc. and Sempra Energy have completed the I1.jinancing of ElDorado Energy, a 492-megawatt, natural gas-fired power plant located in Boulder City. The plant has become the first merchant power plant in the country financed with non­ recourse debt. As a merchant power plant, El Dorado Energy will produce electricity for sale on the wholesale market to retail providers such as other utilities, marketers and large energy users throughout the west­ ern U.S. It will generate enough power for nearly 500,000 households, and is slated for completion by the end of 1999's third quar­ tel; just prior to the expected opening of Nevada 's electricity market.

December 1998 • 1\evada Business journal 71 with hospitalized children across the na­ tion. STARBRIGHT World is a private, in­ teractive computer network designed ex­ clusively for hospitalized children and teenagers. Founders Steven Spielberg and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, in coopera­ tion with Sprint and Intel, chose Sunrise as one of 100 children's hospitals nation­ wi de to receive the computers and service at no cost. Children can use the computers to learn more about their illness, related procedures, ·coping with illness and defin­ itions of difficult terms. ALLTEL captures community service award

The United States Telephone Association awarded its second annual Beyond the Ca~ community service award to ALLTEL at its !Olst annual convention and exhibition. ALLTEL won the honor for its support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to which ALLTEL employees cont:J.ibuted time, re­ sources, manpower and money. ALLTEL exceeded the Make-A-Wish Foundation's campaign goals by nearly $20,000. Magazine honors LVCVA for promotional video Kistler signs final agreement at Nevada Test Site The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) earned a first-place 7\ Jevada Test Site Development Corp. president Tim Carlson and Kistler Aerospace award for a promotional video in Destina­ 1 V CEO D1: George Mueller signed a final agreement late last month giving Kistler the tions magazine's Guide Awards contest. right to occupy and operate from area 18 at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) . Kistler will build The LVCVA's submission was chosen from and operate a commercial launch faciliry on 12,000 acres previously designated by the more than 200 entries received from des­ Department of Energy. The pact enables Kistler to finaliz;e the permits and licenses need­ tination marketing organizations. The ed to begin operations at the NTS in time for its year 2000 launch schedule. awards recogni ze outstanding efforts and creativity in att:J.·acting tour group business.

Silver State Bank announces ended September 30, 1998. For the same Healthcare group forms in Reno earnings, expansion period of 1997, the bank posted a net loss of $364,000. Net income for the quarter A group of Reno physicians has formed Henderson-based Silver State Bank has increased to $413,000, compared to a net Associated Medical Services, Inc., a re­ opened a loan production office in Boise, loss of $47.000 for 199Ts third quarter. gional network of trained physicians spe­ Idaho specializin.g in small business ad­ cializing in and dedicated to providing ministration loans to local businesses. Sunrise Children's Hospital care to acute and post-acute hospitalized CEO Tod Little said he expects the Boise provides computer links patients. The "hospitalists" will serve as office will negotiate up to $5 million in admitting and attending physicians for loans annually. The bank also announced Suruise Children ·s Hospital will receive patients, coordinate all aspects of their its quarterly earnings, reporting net in­ five computers from the STARBRIGHT hospitalization and confer with patients· come of $631 ,000 for the nine months Foundation to link its pediatric patients primary care providers.

72 Nevada Business journal • December 1998 BUSINESS INDICATORS

LATEST PREVIOUS YEAR YEARLY DATE PERIOD PERIOD AGO % CHG UNEMPLOYMENT --~-=7 ~~ ANALYSIS Nevada o8/ 98 4-2 4-6 4-0 5.00 ugust 1998= brought::J·- a whi r--lwind of activ­- Las Vegas MSA o8/ 98 4-3 4-6 4-1 4.88 ity in the financial markets. The decline A Reno MSA 08/ 98 3·4 3-6 3-4 0.00 of Asian economies affected the income U.S. (SEASONAllY ADJUSTED) 09/98 - 6.12 statements of some major U.S . corpora­ 4-6 4-5 4-9 tions. A year after the initial run on east Asian currencies, some U.S. firms reported RETAILACTIVITY ___--_ ___- disappointing profits, attributed in some Nevada Taxable Sales ($ ooo) o8/ 98 2,196,219 2,179.351 2,055,883 6.83 measure to conditions on the eastern Pacif­ Clark County o8/ 98 1,510,267 1,488,822 1,392.574 8.45 ic Rim. World stock markets, having seen Washoe County o8/ 98 385,237 382,952 362,342 6.32 values pushed upward to levels beyond U.S. Retail Sates ($ MilliON) 09/ 98 224,817 224.372 216,328 3-92 what might be expected, found the news un­ settling. As a result, investors scrambled for the security of government bonds. GROSS GAMING REVENUE -=---~~~ As the issue of safety stayed front and Nevada ($ ooo) 685,165,061 0.21 center on the national scene, Nevada's gam­ Clark County - 0.87 in g stocks continued to remain out of favor. Washoe County 94.993.571 - 2.86 Lackluster income-statement performance, the likelihood of over-expansion in Las CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY ::;:-:_- Vegas, the seeming intractable market posi­ Las Vegas Area Permits tion for Reno, the continued spread of gam­ ing legalization with some noteworthy finan­ New Residences 3Q98 5,077 5,879 5,514 - 7-93 cial disappointments, and the passage of New Commercial 3Q98 279 296 297 -6.06 Proposition 5 in California are viewed as Reno Area Permits solid reason s to discount gaming stocks. New Residences 2Q98 953 655 776 22.81 With attention-getting headlines focusing New Commercial* on stressful financial issues, however, both U.S. Nevada and the U.S. continue to grow and Housing Starts (ooo) prosper. Unemployment rates su stained low 09/ 98 1,576 1,616 1,501 5-00 levels - 4.2 percent for Nevada and 4.6 per­ Total Construction ($ BilliON) o8/ 98 651.6 650-9 623-4 4-52 cent for the U.S.- and inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, is less than 2 HOUSING SALES -- :.. -- percent. In short, things are about as good as Las Vegas Area one might wish. Average Sale's Price ~~ 1Q98 138,196 141,263 138,851 -0.47 Nevertheless, few expect current eco­ Average Cost $/ Sq . Ft. 1Q98 76.68 75-20 1.97 nomic conditions to persist. Large losses by 77-87 hedge-fund speculators caught some by Average Mortgage Rate 12l 1Q98 7-42 7-60 7-90 - 6.08 surprise. The Federal Reserve took preemp­ Washoe County* tive action, cutting interest rates to support U.S. Home Sales (ooo) o8/ 98 838 877 799 4.88 the liquidity of financial institutions. The short-term increase in the money supply TRANSPORTATION _ _ _ - :;:o-: heightened concern for those giving impor­ Total Passengers !Jl tance to monetary aggregates and fu ture in­ McCarran Int. Airport, LV 2Q98 7.367,606 0.21 flation. In this enviro nment, forecasters are 7.649.117 7.633.379 already calling for slower growth in 1999, Reno / Tahoe Int. Airport 3Q98 1,702,192 1,840,608 1,874.595 -9-20 and in some cases there is even discussion State Taxable Gasoline Sales ($ ooo) o8/ 98 80,020,386 81,583.771 77.532.753 3.21 of a contraction. The averaging of recent forecasts for 1999 suggests real growth at POPULATION ESTIMATES _ _. ""-~,;;c- - less than 2 percent. Nevada 7197 1,688,600 5-52 Nevada is not immune to weakening eco ­ Clark County 7197 1,192,200 1,115,940 6.83 nomic conditions. In late October, Governor Miller placed a hiring freeze on state govern ­ Washoe County 7197 311,340 306,810 1.48 ment, noting a slump in revenues. Lower­ than-expected visitor volume during 1998 NATIONAL ECONOMY _ :~- _.,~c- has resulted in lackluster gaming tax collec­ Consumer Price Index 14l 09/ 98 163.6 163-4 161.2 1-49 tions thus far this year - an increase of just Money Suppty- M1 ($BILLION) 09 / 98 1071.4 1068-4 1063 -5 0-74 .21 percent for August 1998 over the same Prime Rate 09/98 8-49 8.50 8.50 - 0.12 oeriod last year. Although this was offset in Three-Month U.S. T·Bill 09 / 98 4-97 -4.63 oa by a 6.83 percent increase in taxable 4-74 4-94 sa,es, all in all, further slowing of U. S. and Gross Domestic Product ($ BilliON) 2Q98 8440.6 8384.2 8063·4 4.68 ,•;o d growth spurred the governor's action. NOTES: (1) houses, condos, townhouses; (2) 30 yr. FHA fixed ; (3) enplaned/deplaned passengers; (4) all urban consumers SOURC ES: Nevada Dept. of Taxation ; Nevada Employment Security Deptartment.; UNLV, Center for Business and R. Keith Schwer Economic Research; UNR, Bu reau of Business and Economic Research; US Dept. of Commerce; US Federal Reserve. UNLV Center for Business COMPILED BY: UNLV, Center for Business and Economic Research and Economic Research ' Figures not available.

December 1998 • Nevada Business journal 73 Coffee Jreak t!}} Computer malfunction? Call a therapist (for your computer). by Joe Mullich

find using a computer Giving computers emo­ site of MIT, the nerd to be a very emotional tions is the work of scien­ school that publishes Af­ I experience. That's be­ tists dabbling in artificial fective Computer. I read cause whenever I use my intelligence. Artificial intel­ some reviews about this computer, it usually malfunc­ ligence is a process of book from other dweebs. tions, and I subsequently get replicating a human brain They seem to like it. emotional. In a manic chain without having an actual However, one guy wrote, reaction, my one-way exas­ person attached. Kind of "I take issue fundamen­ perated diatribe escalates like Al Gore. tally only with the book's into episodes of wanton vio­ This process is about bias toward assuming lence in which I'm the one more than just getting even that emotional machines who's usually injured ­ with computers. It's about will be human-centered.'.' smacking a monitor is not a making them work better. I thought the guy particularly healthy exercise According to Rosalind computers might be encour­ sounded like a pasty­ for one's knuckles. Picard, author of the book aged to stop themselves from faced hacker who spent too Of course, the computer Affecting Computers, scien­ crashing if they're instilled much time eating Internet­ never responds or acknowl­ tists are realizing emotions with a fear of dyi ng. Or at ordered pizza while busily edges me in any way. It just are part of intelligence, not least a healthy aversion for programming the next mil­ sits there, silent and remote. separate from it. being tossed out the doggone lennium's Y2K bug. But then It 's like having a conversa­ That idea intrigued me. I window if any more of my I read another article in the tion with my publisher, called Ms. Picard to get her files get erased. Futurist that suggested he though that issue is best left thoughts on the subject. She Sorry about that. Perhaps may be onto something. In between me and my occupa­ never responded ... perhaps while scientists are making the years to come, computers tional therapist. because my phone message computers more emotional, will also monitor the feelings Lately, it seems the only sounded something like: they could make me less so. of airplanes and bridges. operating system that crashes "Hey, Roz! You have the Or at least up my Prozac A cheerily-named book, more depP. nrl::~hly th::~n my s::~me last name as .Tean-Luc. dosage. Problematic Tomorrow. computer is Bill Clinton's captain of the Starship Some people are even try­ claims bridges will be hon­ conscience. So I was delight­ Enterprise! Cool!" ing to make computers eycombed with optical fibers ed to hear about the latest Fortunately, I fo und an ar­ touchy-feely. They're devel­ and data conduits. These will technology advance: giving ticle in the Futurist Maga­ oping software that would act like nerves in the human computers emotions so they zine that filled in the details. read, as scientists put it, the body. When the bridge's feel guilty about crashing or When we feel bad about user's "affective response." "nerves" detect cracks or acting up. making a wrong decision, The computer would sense stress from heavy traffic, I like the idea of giving that encourages us to avoid when the user is frustrated they' ll generate extra sup­ computers the equivalent of a future errors. When a com­ and relate that frustration to port, like the body making good Catholic upbringing. puter crashes today, it pro­ the computer problem at more cells to heal a cut. Air­ This is much more useful, to duces an "error message" but hand. If it worked, it would planes will have sensors that me, than snazzy graphics or doesn't feel guilty. If any­ be remarkable. Today, tech sense metal fatigue. new programs. I'd like com­ thing, I think my computer is support is incapable of un­ When inanimate objects puters to feel as bad as they giddy about crashing. But derstanding my angst even are able to complain about make me feel. It certainly my therapist would say I after 45 minutes on hold and stress and fatigue, I'll feel would improve productivity am projecting. three disconnects. like I have some new in the workplace. Now, scientists believe I logged onto the Web members in my family . •

74 N~'l!da Business Journal • December 1998 Be here on January 7 • • •

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