America's Brightest Minds Gather in Reno Tahoe USA

2012-06-06

Reno Tahoe USA will host American Mensa’s “End of Time Annual Gathering” from July 4-8, 2012, at the Silver Legacy Resort & Casino. The Annual Gathering serves as an opportunity for Mensa members to gather with friends and colleagues, many of whom are usually only accessible through online services such as Skype and Facebook. Members will enjoy leadership workshops, open discussions, debates and knowledge expansion opportunities, as well as dances, banquets and tours of Reno Tahoe.  
 
American Mensa anticipates the five day event will draw approximately 2,000 members from around the nation to Reno Tahoe USA, creating an estimated economic impact of more than $4.6 million. With more than 57,000 members, American Mensa is the largest national Mensa program in the world, providing the top 2% of the population, in terms of I.Q., with a means of intellectual exchange. Members range from elementary aged children to elderly citizens who are granted membership based on their performance on a standardized intelligence test.
 
“It was an honor to host Mensa when I was in Detroit and I’m delighted to be hosting them again in Reno,” said RSCVA President and CEO Christopher Baum. “This is a great opportunity for our area to show its passion and support for excellence, and for the members of American Mensa to explore the endless adventures that are available in Reno Tahoe.”   
 
While the Annual Gathering is not open to the public, Mensa is hosting a testing session for those who would like to qualify for membership at 9:00 a.m. on July 7. Participants in the testing will receive a one-day pass to the Annual Gathering, valid only for the day of the assessment. Mensa also invites the public to a Colloquium on social and video games, which explores the evolving world of gaming and how organizations are utilizing social games as a marketing tool. Guest speakers include: Dr. Mia Consalvo, Social Gaming Expert; Dr. Douglas A. Gentile, a recognized authority on the effectiveness of video games; Jamison Shelby, a pioneer in social gaming; and, game developer Dr. Seth Cooper. The Colloquium takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on July 3 with a registration fee of $69.