nevada

Four distinct seasons impress guests, accommodate budgets and tap into a laid-back lifestyle.

The new $100 million Edgewood Tahoe Lodge has opened on the south shore of Lake Tahoe after more than two decades of difficulties of strict regulations regarding the environment and four years of reviewing plans and obtaining permits for construction to begin in 2012. The Edgewood Tahoe Lodge's completion was dependent on limiting storm water runoff that is harmful to Lake Tahoe, as well as protecting wetlands, according to the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

These interviews are part of a series that highlights new hires within the industry. Have you recently started a new role or do you know someone who has? Submit your ideas to brittany.trevick@tigeroak.com.

Stephanie Capellas was recently hired as the vice president of public relations at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

1. What are you looking forward to the most in your new role as vice president of public relations?

Smart. Artsy. Alive. The hallmarks of college towns—thriving downtowns, enviable cultural scenes, and the energy that comes with intellectual curiosity—make for some pretty livable places. Add mountain majesty to the mix and you’ve got some compelling destinations for meetings and events. The following trio of Western college towns fi ts the bill exactly along with several other communities worthy of consideration.

Fairbanks, Alaska

There are places in the U.S. mountain west and western Canada that are so stunning, they can’t help but inspire brilliance. The Rocky Mountain backdrops and vivid contrasts of seasons have long drawn artists who come to spark their imagination. Meeting planners also can stimulate inventiveness by hosting gatherings in these three communities of varying sizes where creativity thrives. 

Richard Aaron, CSEP Emeritus, MFA,  and member of the International Live Events AssociationI will be inducted into the Convention Industry Council Hall of Leaders at IMEX America, Oct. 18–20, in Las Vegas.

“Richard, for more than 40 years, has never once stopped offering up inspiration to every segment of our industry,” says Jodi Collen, CSEP, immediate past president, ILEA. “He is very deserving of the CIC Hall of Leaders Award, and we are proud to have him affiliated with ILEA.”

Created in 1986, Great Basin National Park is the only national park completely within Nevada’s borders and features the diversity and beauty of the Great Basin Desert landscape. Key highlights are the 13,063- foot Wheeler Peak, ancient bristlecone pines (some dating back thousands of years) and Lehman Caves, an acclaimed marble cave system. The park is in northeastern Nevada, near the community of Baker and the city of Ely.