LVCVA Celebrates Employee Who Will Turn 100
August 16, 2017
During the August Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s board of directors meeting, employee Bill Darwin was recognized for his upcoming 100thbirthday in a surprise presentation.
Darwin officially will celebrate the milestone on August 19.
An LVCVA employee since September 2008, Darwin works for the organization’s registration services to help staff various meetings, events and trade shows throughout the destination.
He has worked for 102 shows in the destination via the LVCVA.
“I believe tourism is the backbone of Las Vegas, and I love working at the conventions and meeting the people who come to shows here – it keeps me young and in good health,” Darwin said. “Las Vegas is such a wonderful place, and I hope I get to keep working at shows for another five or 10 years.”
In addition to recognizing Darwin’s birthday, the LVCVA honored him for the incredible customer service he provides to Las Vegas’ visitors.
“Bill Darwin is the personification of the commitment to excellence that defines Las Vegas as the world’s greatest place to do business,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the LVCVA.
He added, “Year after year, convention customers specifically request that Bill work their shows and events, and those customers have gone out of their way to celebrate this milestone birthday throughout the first half of this year. We are honored to have Bill as part of our LVCVA family.”
Earlier this year, Darwin was featured in a special edition of the LVCVA’s “Tourism Matters” video series. His video has received millions of views on social media. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVFNDv0XZQg
Prior to working at the LVCVA, Darwin honorably served the United States Navy during WWII and Pearl Harbor.
He also held the office of city manager in Everman, Texas, working for city government for nearly 30 years.
Additional video of the LVCVA’s special recognition for Bill during the organization’s August board of directors meeting can also be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmxUGNeGVj4 .
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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