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Visit Carson City reports V&T train refunds, seeks grant funds and asks lodging to join evacuation exercise; arts and events show steady traction
Summary
Visit Carson City staff reported a V&T Railway service problem that required refunds, outlined a $67,000 rural marketing grant request, urged lodging properties to support a May 28 evacuation exercise, and summarized arts, events and marketing updates at the CTA board meeting on May 19.
Visit Carson City staff updated the Carson City Culture and Tourism Authority on operations, marketing and events during the board’s May 19 meeting.
David Peterson, executive director of Visit Carson City, reported a mechanical/track-related issue on the Virginia & Truckee Railway’s first run over Mother’s Day weekend that left passengers aboard a stalled train. Peterson said the CTA and V&T have refunded every ticket purchased for that Saturday and that subsequent trains ran without issue. “We have refunded every single person who purchased a ticket for that, Saturday,” Peterson said; he added staff will seek details at the next V&T Railway Commission meeting.
Peterson also described a $67,000 rural grant request submitted through Travel Nevada to fund four high-impact digital cooperative programs with Expedia, Future Partners, Datify and TripScout; staff said the grant decision will move through a territory advisory committee and the Commission on Tourism in June. On emergency preparedness, Visit Carson City asked lodging properties to participate in a full-scale disaster exercise on May 28 in Lakeview. Peterson said the exercise will include a temporary evacuation point and staff are seeking hotels, motels and RV parks to set up booths and help refine a voucher program to house displaced residents.
On lodging revenue, staff reported a strong March result: the March forecast projected a 15% increase over March 2024 and actuals came in at 14.81% above March 2024. Staff kept April–June forecasts at 5% increases and presented a projected total taxable lodging revenue just under $29.8 million, about 10% over last year’s budget and 6.42% ahead of fiscal 2024.
Eric Brooks, arts and culture staff, said Cinco de Mayo drew about 600 attendees despite rainy weather and previewed the Levitt concert series, a seven-year program funded in part by a $30,000 Levitt grant that requires local matching. Brooks listed the summer lineup and noted the Levitt grant funds support free public concerts.
Events and sales staff described a recent familiarization (FAM) tour aligned with the Jackpot Jamboree that brought 17 operators to the region, visits to Stewart Indian School and Virginia City, and multiple upcoming sports and cultural tournaments. Staff also reported a decrease in registrations at some bike events this year; organizer Carlos will present a post-event report to the board within 90 days.
Marketing updates included publicity for the Carson City to Canada Quest, a project that sent two hikers on a long-distance route to promote trails and the region; Visit Carson City is sharing updates on its website and social channels and staff said the Quest is generating media coverage. The board received additional notes on downtown banner replacements and an industry award for the CTA’s winter marketing campaign.
Staff said they will continue to report on the V&T investigation, grant outcomes and follow up on lodging participation in the May 28 exercise.
