Source: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
The man who helped create the iconic Las Vegas brand-ad campaign, “What Happens Here, Stays Here” has passed away after a 16-year battle with cancer.
Rossi Ralenkotter marketed and promoted Las Vegas throughout his 45-year career at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), including the last 14-plus as president and CEO when Las Vegas reached record visitation of 42.9 million in 2016.
He was part of the original group of community leaders that helped convince the National Finals Rodeo to move to Las Vegas in 1985, and persuaded the International CES trade show and other major conventions to hold their events in Las Vegas, which propelled Las Vegas to the No. 1 trade show destination in North America for more than 25-years – a streak that is ongoing.
Rossi Ralenkotter is a giant of the meetings and conventions world. Under his leadership as president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Rossi transformed Las Vegas as the world’s leading travel and convention destination. He raised the convention industry and made Las Vegas the global focal point for both entertainment and exhibitions. He not only catalyzed Las Vegas and CES success, he made the world better. Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair of the Consumer Technology Association, which owns and produces International CES
Ralenkotter repeatedly said the success of Las Vegas was its ability to continuously reinvent itself to stay ahead of the competition and it was the only city that evolved to host people.
He was a Las Vegas original and contributed greatly to the growth of the meeting and convention business – and had the vision to expand the convention center – at a time when people thought it would never work in Las Vegas. I am honored to have known him and am grateful for his service to our community. Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley
Ralenkotter also was an influential figure in the travel and tourism industry advocating for policies that supported tourism and establishing a brand presence in international markets for Las Vegas. The U.S. Travel Association elected him to its Hall of Fame Leaders in 2014, joining the likes of Walt Disney, J.W. Marriott, Jr., Roger Dow, and Jonathan Tisch, among others. As chair of U.S. Travel, he established and presented to Congress a strategy of connecting America through travel or CATT.
Rossi Ralenkotter changed the game. His audacious, data-driven marketing campaigns raised the bar for destinations around the globe. His warmth and kindness made him a trusted partner not just to his colleagues in Las Vegas, but to travel professionals from coast to coast. The entire travel industry mourns his loss and is better off for every day we had together. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association
Ralenkotter also had a notable impact on the Southern Nevada community. He established the Las Vegas Bowl and was an instrumental figure in getting the Las Vegas ball parks built for both the Las Vegas Stars and Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple-A affiliate(s) of the Pacific Coast League.
Rossi Ralenkotter was 78. He is survived by his wife Mary Jo, five children and 10 grandchildren. Services will be held at St. Viator Catholic Church and Palm Mortuary at a future date.
Career highlights:
- 1973 – Joins LVCVA and establishes the Research Department. Develops Marketing Bulletin that collects and organizes comprehensive travel data for Las Vegas visitation.
- 1975 – Debuts annual Visitor Profile Survey (VPS) that provides information on visitors’ length of stay, purpose of trip, gaming budget and overall experience. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of VPS.
- 1978 – Leads an LVCVA team to persuade International CES to bring their tradeshow to Las Vegas permanently.
- 1985 – Part of a group of community business leaders that convinces the National Finals Rodeo to move to Las Vegas
- 1992 – Founded the Las Vegas Bowl (football) game. Held annually in December.
- 1993 – American Marketing Association Lifetime Achievement Award
- 1996 – Travel and Tourism Research Association Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2003 – LVCVA and R&R Partners launch “What Happens Here, Stays Here” brand-ad campaign.
- 2004 – Brand Week Magazine – Grand Marketer of the Year; “What Happens Here, Stays Here” brand-ad campaign.
- 2008 – Named University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Outstanding Alumnus
- 2010 – Outlines vision for Las Vegas Convention Center Expansion. Construction begins in 2018.
- 2013 – Travel Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award (industry trade publication)
- 2013 – Recognized for 40 years of Tourism Leadership by Nevada Commission on Tourism
- 2014 – Inducted into U.S. Travel Association Hall of (Fame) Leaders
- 2016 – Las Vegas registers record (annual) visitation of 42.9 million
- 2016 – Professional Convention Management Association Leadership Award • 2018 – Nevada Broadcasters Association President’s Award
- 2018 – Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
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