Lake Tahoe South Shore, Nevada: four hotels join forces for meetings. (Hospitality).

Never considered Lake Tahoe for your association's meeting? Think there's not a big convention hotel that can handle your group? Think again.

Four resorts that have long cooperated on hosting meetings have joined hands formally, establishing the Lake Tahoe South Shore Group to create a greater presence in the meeting and convention industry. Caesars Tahoe, Harrah's Lake Tahoe, Harveys Resort and Casino, and the Lake Tahoe Horizon Casino-Resort together offer a total of 2,250 guest rooms and 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space. "The cooperative spirit has existed for years," says Kathleen Farrell, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Chamber or Commerce, whose office is the liaison for the group and the initial contact for meeting planners. "You'll never find properties fighting over which one gets the final awards dinner. These hotels and their experienced sales and convention services teams perform well together to create a single product."

The physical layout of the four South Lake Tahoe properties is a great advantage, helping the cooperative effort work seamlessly. The 532-room Harrah's and the 740-room Harveys are connected by an underground passageway, and the 440-room Caesars and 539-room Horizon are across the street. But being neighbors doesn't mean the hotels offer little choice for guests. Each property has its own distinct, quality facilities. Harveys has the largest casino and is renowned for its tower that gives guests both lake and mountain views in every room. Harrah's is well known for its revues and the American River Cafe, with its river running through. The Horizon has a vast outdoor pool and a unique female impersonator cabaret show. Caesars, the only themed resort, features a Roman design like its Las Vegas counterpart and boasts an indoor pool with a waterfall. Guests also find different room amenities, from circular tubs to multiple in-room televisions, but the quality of all four properties is comparable, so no one goes a way disappointed.

Farrell facilitates contacts with the hotel group and assists by acting as a housing bureau to place meeting participants and help with off-property events. "The hotels recognized that by pooling resources they could fill a niche for meeting planners, making it easier for groups to choose South Shore Lake Tahoe. We serve as the initial contact for planners before the host hotel is selected."

Lake Tahoe's sparkling, reflective, sapphire blue waters, and the mountainous Sierra Nevada terrain covered in pine trees is an enchanting setting any time of the year. One could hardly hope for a more scenic destination. You can plan an excursion on a nostalgic sternwheeler on Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country, covering 193 square miles. The foothills were the outdoor setting of the Bonanza television series. There are water sports and lake activities in the summer and snow skiing in the winter months. Golf--with spectacular views--is a big draw, too. Award-winning restaurants abound. And, of course, gaming, top-name entertainment, and nightlife are available at the hotels year-round.

Peak tourist season in Lake Tahoe is July, August, and September, says Farrell. "Since many associations meet during what is our shoulder season," she notes, "groups fit nicely with our availability." The optimal size for meetings for the Lake Tahoe South Shore Group is 1,500-1,800 attendees, but larger groups are sometimes acceptable.

The properties of South Shore Lake Tahoe are just one hour's scenic drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

CONTACT

Phone: [phone]

Web site: www.laketahoesouthshore.com