OFF THE WIRE
http://www.vegasinc.com/news/2011/sep/26/reno-tragedy/
Safety is essential in a state that depends so heavily on tourism
By Richard N. Velotta (contact)
Monday 26 September 2011 3 a.m.
Richard N. Velotta VEGAS INC Coverage More business columns In a state like Nevada, there’s almost nothing worse than a tragedy colliding with tourism.
Whether it’s a train derailment, a car accident or something as horrific as the deadly crash at this month’s Reno Air Races, it’s important to remember that we often push against the boundaries of our comfort zones when we engage in such a unique experience. Sometimes watching danger up close is what makes an event a never-forgotten experience.
The Reno Air Races is one of many late summer events in Northern Nevada that annually attracts thousands during the ideal time of year to be outdoors.
There’s a nonstop parade of activity, beginning with the Hot August Nights car rallies, continuing through the well-attended Sparks rib cook-off, the bizarre Burning Man event in the Black Rock Desert, a hot-air balloon festival, the Street Vibrations motorcycle experience, camel races in Virginia City and the Reno Air Races, staged north of town at an airport in Stead.
I’ve been invited many times to the air races, but have never been in Reno when it’s been staged.
After the crash of stunt pilot Jimmy Leeward’s souped-up, World War II-vintage, single-engine P-51 Mustang near a spectator grandstand, the question that hangs over the event now is whether it will ever be staged again.
Certainly, the financial considerations of insuring future events after the Sept. 16 tragedy will play into the decision. But the more crucial issue will be how sponsors will guarantee the safety of participants and spectators in the future.
The National Transportation Safety Board is reviewing events leading up to the crash that took the lives of 11 people and injured dozens in what universally has been described as one of the goriest scenes ever encountered at a public event. The NTSB isn’t expected to have answers for months.
Sen. Harry Reid, whose grandchildren attended the air show the day before the accident, offered his condolences from the Senate floor, adding that he hopes the accident wouldn’t deter people from attending future air shows.
Gov. Brian Sandoval quickly issued a statement hours after the accident grieving the victims.
Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki led the Nevada Tourism Commission in a moment of silence at a board meeting the Monday after the tragedy.
Guest protection will be on the minds of planners preparing for the unthinkable at air shows and other major public events in a state where hosting such shows keeps us at the forefront of the tourism industry.
Las Vegas will always be one of the nation’s premier destinations for major events, with three of the country’s largest convention halls, the huge open-air Las Vegas Motor Speedway, an intimate football venue in Sam Boyd Stadium and comfortable indoor arenas such as MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mandalay Bay Events Center, South Point’s equestrian arena and the Thomas & Mack Center.
And don’t forget, we also have one of the most important military bases in the country, Nellis AFB, where aircraft from around the world train and participate in “Red Flag” exercises. Thousands of people attend one of the nation’s best air shows, Aviation Nation, which this year will be Nov. 12-13.
Although there are no air races involved in Aviation Nation and the military aircraft pilots are the best the United States has to offer, there’s always the potential for danger when planes fly in close formation. Thousands of visitors crowd the flight line at Nellis for what has become one of the best-attended events in the valley.
We can never overlook the potential for tragedy at a large-scale event, especially those involving airplanes, but it’s comforting to know an army of planners, logistics people and trained first-responders behind the scenes to ensure the visitors’ safety.
We pray that we never see the horror of what occurred at Stead this month and that we can attend events with confidence, knowing that every measure to keep the public safe has being taken.
Nevada’s tourism economy is dependent on that.
