Saw this article in the Austin American Statesman today. Thought it was pretty interesting.
Townsfolk flitting to Vegas - on the house
By Wendy Gragg
WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
CRANFILLS GAP — This tiny Central Texas town is getting the red carpet treatment, starring in an upcoming Las Vegas marketing campaign in which a third of the town will be whisked off for a Vegas vacation.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has deemed Cranfills Gap the quintessential American small town and the perfect subject for its new marketing campaign, "Vegas Bound." Cranfills Gap, about 40 miles northwest of Waco, was chosen from about 125 small towns as "a typical American city in urgent need of rest and relaxation," according to a news release.
"I still can't believe Cranfills Gap got picked, but I'm glad it did," Mayor David Witte said.
The campaign tries to emphasize that leisure time is important, despite the current economic downturn.
"There are a lot of people losing houses and doing badly, but a lot of people aren't. They're working harder than ever and need to take a break," said Doug Finelli, creative director for R&R Partners, the advertising and public relations firm working on the campaign.
More than 100 of about 350 Cranfills Gap residents will fly to Sin City on Saturday and stay in swanky hotels, eat at fancy restaurants and see glitzy shows — all for free. The catch: They'll be followed the entire time by video cameras getting footage for tourism commercials to air early next year.
Not everything's on the house, though — they won't get any spending money if they want to gamble or shop during their few hours of daily free time.
The Horny Toad Bar and Grill, the only watering hole in town, will close while the owners make the Vegas vacation a family affair. Misti Glass, 33, owns the establishment with her husband and parents.
"We don't spend much time at home; this is our home," Glass said of the bar.
Though Glass said she's perfectly comfortable in a ball cap with no makeup, she's looking forward to some possible spa time in Vegas and getting dressed up to go out with the family.
The decision hasn't been so easy for everyone.
"Some people I've had to talk into going," Glass said. "There are some people who've never left Bosque County."
The new campaign is a response to the beginning of an economic downturn in the Nevada city, said Terry Jicinsky , vice president of marketing with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which is spending $2.5 million for the trip and marketing campaign. In the past eight months, the number of visitors has fallen about 2.5 percent and hotel occupancy is down by about 3 percent. Tourism is the No. 1 industry in Las Vegas, with about two-thirds of the work force directly or indirectly connected to it.
"At the end of the day, it's all about economic development, making sure our work force stays employed," Jicinsky said. "If the tourism industry hurts, a ripple effect is felt throughout the community. It's huge."
Longtime cowboy Robert Brooks, 54, will leave his horses in the care of his son and a friend while he and his wife head to Sin City for the trip, which ends Dec. 17.
Brooks at first said he couldn't imagine much that would interest him in Vegas, except maybe the professional bull-riding competitions.
But then he said that a magic show might be cool — and a certain singer.
"I'd love to see Cher," he said.
Additional material from the Associated Press.
Townsfolk flitting to Vegas - on the house
By Wendy Gragg
WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
CRANFILLS GAP — This tiny Central Texas town is getting the red carpet treatment, starring in an upcoming Las Vegas marketing campaign in which a third of the town will be whisked off for a Vegas vacation.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has deemed Cranfills Gap the quintessential American small town and the perfect subject for its new marketing campaign, "Vegas Bound." Cranfills Gap, about 40 miles northwest of Waco, was chosen from about 125 small towns as "a typical American city in urgent need of rest and relaxation," according to a news release.
"I still can't believe Cranfills Gap got picked, but I'm glad it did," Mayor David Witte said.
The campaign tries to emphasize that leisure time is important, despite the current economic downturn.
"There are a lot of people losing houses and doing badly, but a lot of people aren't. They're working harder than ever and need to take a break," said Doug Finelli, creative director for R&R Partners, the advertising and public relations firm working on the campaign.
More than 100 of about 350 Cranfills Gap residents will fly to Sin City on Saturday and stay in swanky hotels, eat at fancy restaurants and see glitzy shows — all for free. The catch: They'll be followed the entire time by video cameras getting footage for tourism commercials to air early next year.
Not everything's on the house, though — they won't get any spending money if they want to gamble or shop during their few hours of daily free time.
The Horny Toad Bar and Grill, the only watering hole in town, will close while the owners make the Vegas vacation a family affair. Misti Glass, 33, owns the establishment with her husband and parents.
"We don't spend much time at home; this is our home," Glass said of the bar.
Though Glass said she's perfectly comfortable in a ball cap with no makeup, she's looking forward to some possible spa time in Vegas and getting dressed up to go out with the family.
The decision hasn't been so easy for everyone.
"Some people I've had to talk into going," Glass said. "There are some people who've never left Bosque County."
The new campaign is a response to the beginning of an economic downturn in the Nevada city, said Terry Jicinsky , vice president of marketing with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which is spending $2.5 million for the trip and marketing campaign. In the past eight months, the number of visitors has fallen about 2.5 percent and hotel occupancy is down by about 3 percent. Tourism is the No. 1 industry in Las Vegas, with about two-thirds of the work force directly or indirectly connected to it.
"At the end of the day, it's all about economic development, making sure our work force stays employed," Jicinsky said. "If the tourism industry hurts, a ripple effect is felt throughout the community. It's huge."
Longtime cowboy Robert Brooks, 54, will leave his horses in the care of his son and a friend while he and his wife head to Sin City for the trip, which ends Dec. 17.
Brooks at first said he couldn't imagine much that would interest him in Vegas, except maybe the professional bull-riding competitions.
But then he said that a magic show might be cool — and a certain singer.
"I'd love to see Cher," he said.
Additional material from the Associated Press.
