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History

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	RSCVA Sign Construction The history of the RSCVA is as exciting as the future is encouraging. With constant growth of the area, the RSCVA is staying a step ahead with new expansions.

The year was 1959. The microchip was invented. Alaska and Hawaii became states, and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority was born. Like many other organizations, its name has changed and its role has evolved since its beginnings as the Washoe County Fair and Recreation Board. Their first order of business was to determine where to build a planned new convention hall, funded with a newly enacted room tax.

That convention hall, today called the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, was opened six years later in 1965 after numerous debates over its location. Currently the building has nearly a half million square feet of exhibition and meeting space.

1981 brought a major reorganization, to strengthen Reno's position in the tourism and convention business in the midst of a sagging national economy. An executive director was added, a director of a new tourism bureau, and facilities director and convention director. The newly reorganized tourism bureau was to replace efforts that had been handled by the Greater Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce.

The Nevada State Fair Board came to the RSCVA in 1985 and asked it to take over the long neglected state fairgrounds. Two years later, that site boasted a premier, versatile multi-use facility - the Reno Livestock Events Center.

Through the years, the RSCVA has well understood the importance of golf in a tourism market. Today the organization owns and operates two courses - Wildcreek Golf Course, a traditional American course, and Northgate Golf Club, featuring a Scottish links-style setting.

Two additional properties were acquired in the late 1980's - the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts and the Visitors Center at Incline Village. These two properties are still owned by the RSCVA, but operated under separate management contracts.

What began as a five-member board comprised of local elected officials is today a 13-member board that includes local business leaders. The RSCVA is the marketing arm for promoting conventions, tourism, special events and recreation in the Washoe County area. Meetings & Conventions Magazine has honored the organization its coveted Gold Service Award for excellence in meeting and convention service ten years in a row.