The region’s major event venues will soon be under new management due to a decision Thursday by the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) board to relinquish control of facilities and focus more on marketing the area.
SMG Worldwide Entertainment and Convention Management was awarded a $200,000 per year contract for 4 years to manage the National Bowling Stadium, 300 N. Center St.; Reno Events Center, 400 N. Center St.; Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Virginia St.; and Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, 1350 N. Wells Ave.
In June 2022, the RSCVA board will have the option to extend SMG’s contract another 2 or 3 years.
SMG is based in suburban Philadelphia and oversees stadiums, arenas, convention centers, amphitheaters, recreation, and equestrian facilities worldwide. It’s better-known clientele include Soldier Field in Chicago, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, and NRG Stadium in Houston.
According to its contract, SMG will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the bowling stadium, events center, convention center, and livestock center. This includes box office ticketing, custodial services, electrical services, event set up/take down, groundskeeping, parking, staffing and financial transactions.
“The Authority shall have the right to inspect and audit such books and records at reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable prior notice to a selected proposer,” terms state. “All such books and records shall be maintained in accordance with the Authority’s record retention policies.”
RSCVA will work with SMG on advertising and promotions.
Upgrades to the bowling stadium promised to the United States Bowling Congress are expected to go on as planned. Expansion of the convention center is also in the works.
Improvements scheduled at the bowling stadium include demolition of the existing stadium seating and replacing it with flexible space, along with a new food and beverage outlet by February 2020. The exterior is to be refurbished by February 2022.
This issue of outside management was discussed in 2005 and was unpopular then. RSCVA’s core mission of promoting the Truckee Meadows and Lake Tahoe has gotten away from it as staff gets burdened with facility management, officials have said.
