Tahoe Business Expo 2013

On March 28th, 2014 the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and Tahoe South put on the 2014 Tahoe Business Expo at Harrah's Convention center in Lake Tahoe.  According to the press release there were over 100 vendors and over 1200 spectators expected to attend, and I think I got a pretty good sampling of them on camera.

Featured Vendors:
Chris Brackett - South Tahoe Stand Up Paddle
Todd Poth - Getaway Reno Tahoe
Jeanne Pettenatto - Mary Kay Cosmetics
Jeff Cowan - Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Neil Belliveau - Tahoe Creative Solutions
Kevin - Beach Hut Deli of South Tahoe
Eric Guevin - Tahoe Douglas Fire District
(see more of Eric at Wildfire Awareness Week)
Scott Gilmore - Ski Butlers
Lauren - Vinny's Pizza and Pasta
Matt Palacio - Sierra At Tahoe
Cheyanne Lane - Tahoe Youth & Family Services
Amy Fish - Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Assoc
Jason Collin - Lake Tahoe Marathon
Theresa and Brandy - Bio-Spirit Day Spa

Adam T Spicer, Esq. - Law Offices of Adam Spicer
David Kumpe - Elevated Fitness
Tim Wesley - Youth Sports and Recreation
Stephanie Principato - Prospect Mortgage

Laura Forvilly - Tahoe Bleu Wave Cruises
Lora Loughlin - Mann, Urrutia, and Nelson CPAs
Catherine Cecci - Clean Tahoe Program
Phil Brand - Lead Safe Tahoe Program
Lauren Thomaselli - City of South Lake Tahoe
Mike Fedor - Lake Tahoe Telephone Directory
Julie Booth and Ally Broadhurst - Lake Tahoe Community College
Regina Gutierrez - Burger Lounge
Monica Sciuto - Barton Memorial Hospital
Jim Gorman - Environmental Inspection and Construction, Inc
Justin McManus - Tahoe ServPro
Nicola Congero - Lake Tahoe Humane Society
Jenay Aiksnoras - Lake Tahoe Yoga
Adrian Cook - Truckee Overhead and Door
Michelle Turner / Britney Nelson - Belfor
Brian Cohen - Overland Meat Co
Jana York - A Hand at Home
Micheal Strohecker - Efficient Now LED lighting
Jeanne Prestella - Beachcomber Inn
Orly Larson - American Legion post 795
Nathan Singelyn - Bi-State Propane
Ed Acker - Acker RV Rentals
Shirley Aurelliano - Tahoe Keys Resort
Doug Dubois - Safe Cabin / Winters Electric
Joseph Gonzales - SOS Outreach

If you're interested in seeing past events check out the 2013 Tahoe Business Expo and the 2012 event  on earlier pages of this same blog.

Romantic Weekend in Tahoe planner

Valentine's Day is upon us, and since one of my viewers Something Just Ain't Right on Youtube asked, about where to take people for Valentine's day in Tahoe I decided to do a blog and video about planning a romantic weekend in Tahoe.



Fox News recently named Tahoe one of their "Top 6 Romantic Destinations for Valentine's Day" and it's easy to see why because there are SO many romantic things to do here for every price range.  Whether it's skiing, shopping, getting a massage, or just walking on the beach and enjoying the scenery there are romatic options for every price range available here.

1. A Walk on the Beach

Tahoe boasts some of the most beautiful strolling beaches in the US.  If your idea of romance is a walk along a deserted beach with great scenery, Tahoe has plenty of options.  Among my personal favorites are Lakeview Commons / El Dorado beach in California, which has a lovely, recently completed stone ampetheatre along with almost a mile of beach with views of the mountains and the skyline at Stateline.  Another great choice on the Nevada side is Nevada beach which features a campground, dog park, history trail, and a beach so long you can actually walk all the way to zephyr cove.

2. Sternwheeler Cruise
For the rest of this winter the Tahoe Queen is offering shuttle service to Northstar-at-Tahoe on the north shore for $59 round trip.  (Discounts available if you have a Northstar ticket) The glass bottomed boat cruise features continental breakfast on the way out and an apres ski party atmosphere (with optional food and drinks at an extra charge) on the way back.  Check out Clark Vandeventer's great blog for his experience.

If you're not interested in transportation and just want a cruise, you can catch a scenic cruise along the best sites on the lakeshore on the M.S. Dixie II from Timber Cove marina in Zephyr cove.  Check out their page at ZephyrCove.com for more information.

3. Carriage Ride
When I put out a question on twitter looking for Valentine's Day ideas, @TahoeJason had this great suggestion:

Almost any weekend or holiday in Tahoe you can catch a fairy-tale style horse-drawn carriage from the front of Embassy Suites all the way around Stateline, and if there's snow you can also go riding in a one-horse open sleigh in the open field across from Edgewood.  (Check out this video of my dog reacting to the horse-drawn carriage for a good laugh) For prices and more information visit SleighRide.com.

4. Outdoor Activities
As anyone who watches my channel knows, Tahoe has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to outdoor activities, and they're all fun to do as a couple.  We're a destination for both summer and winter hiking, as well as snowshoeing, stand-up paddling, and, of course, skiing.  All of the major ski resorts have specials on for Valentine's day but the real can't miss special this year is at Squaw Valley on the north shore, which is offering access to it's Olympic class ski facilities for just $14 per person on February 14th.  Also check out the deals at Heavenly Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe, and Kirkwood.

5. Heavenly Village

There are many shopping opportunities all around Lake Tahoe, but my personal reccomendation for couples shopping on the south shore is Heavenly Village and the Crescent-V shopping center across the street.  Heavenly Village offers safe gondola access access to Heavenly's awesome slopes as well as public art installations, an ice-skating rink, a very new and non-crowded 8-plex movie theatre, as well as an assortment of shops and restaurants, including the ever romantic Sealed with a Kiss

Boutique.  While you're there, stop by the Serenity Spa for a 50-minute couples massage for just $135.

Also check out the Crescent-V fashion center across the street, where you can do an art walk between 4 different art galleries including works by Jon Paul, Marcus Ashley, and the Wylan gallery.  There will be meet the artist events scheduled for Valentine's day and for most weekends where you can meet the person who made the art.  Also in that center you will find great sports shops like Tahoe Sports LTD for him, and a selection of women's fashion shops like Sidestreet Boutique for her.

6. Romantic Dinner with a Lake view
Tahoe has a wide selection of dinner spots with lake views.  If you find yourself on the north shore, I reccomend the West Shore Cafe (next to Homewood ski resort) or Jake's On the Lake in Truckee, who will have live music and specials for Valentine's day.

On the south shore, you can dine on the water with a view of the beach and the boats coming and going at Riva Grill at the Ski Run Marina. (Reviews) If you're looking for something a little more impressive, go to Friday's Station at the top of Harrah's for dinner a little before sunset.  Not only does Friday's Station have the most incredible sunset views in Tahoe, they also have the most attentive service in town -- Your glass will never go dry!  (Reviews) If you can't get in there, another good choice for a romantic sunset dinner is the Chart House up on Kingsbury grade.  It's a ways up the mountain from South Tahoe, but the view is awesome and they make excelent fish. (Reviews) 

WHERE TO STAY?

There are a lot of choices for accomodations in Tahoe for every possible taste and price range.  It really depends on what your priorities are.  If you want a luxury hotel experience and still be where the action is, you can't go wrong with ANY of our local casinos.  You can make a reservation for a lakeview room at any of Harvey's, Harrah's, Montbleu or the Horizon and get a great view with proximity to gambling and entertainment at any of them.  If you still want to be downtown but you don't want a casino hotel, try Embassy Suites.

If you're looking for "romantic accomodations" with themed suites, spas, and music in the room, plus easy access to skiing and boating, there is a Fantasy Inn near ski run, as well as a Secrets near Stateline; if you're looking for a less expensive option with a lot of the same ammenities that's still centrally located (though not quite as close to the action) I reccomend the Tahoe Chalet Inn, which  is about halfway between ski run and Stateline.

February 2012 Concerts in Tahoe: Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Los Lonely Boys, Kenny Loggins

January 31 Roksmyth, Irieyes, and Zombass @ Whisky Dick's saloon
February 1 Moe w/ Lo Fi 13 @ Crystal Bay Club
  SmashelTooth and The Pirate @ The Grid in Kings Beach
February 3 Tea Leaf Green w/ Poor Man's Whisky and Groove Session @ Crystal Bay Club
  Lavish Green @ Plan B Microlounge in Carson City
February 4 Whitney Cummings has CANCELED her show @ Montbleu
  Tower of Power @ Harrah's South Shore room
  JGB w/ Melvin Seals and Tea Leaf Green @ Crystal Bay Club
  Rock/Blues Jam session @ Lakeside Inn
  Tulsi, Chor Boys, the Gnu Deal, Dirty Rythim @ Whisky Dick's
  DJ Fluxx @ Rojo's
Groovebox @ 7800
  ALSO NV republican Caucus @ Whittel High School
February 7 Jipit3r w/ Coop Da Loop @ Crystal Bay CLub
  Nasty nasty, Shane Suffritti and TYMK @ Whisky Dick's Saloon
  Full Moon snoweshoe treck @ Tahoe Meadows trailhead
February 8 John Wayne and the Pain @ Mo's Place
  Mr. Rooney w/ Lil Miss Milkrate @ The Grind in Kings Beach
February 9 Mech Warplanet, Gretlock, Detox, and Rocksmyth @ Brother's bar on Hwy 89
  Molly Taylor, Tyler R. Lewis and Mr. Crumb @ Rojos
February 10 "Higth Fidelity" Roommate, Babylon System, Carrier, Supreme, Indaskies Zeb Early, and more @ American Legion
  Big Head Todd and the Monsters w/ Rogen Cline and The Mark Sexton Band @ Crystal Bay Club
  Tahoe SAFE alliance father-daughter dance @ Tahoe Biltmore
  Diego's Umbrella @ CVIC hall in Gardnerville
  Dad's LPs @ The Divided Sky
February 11 5th Annual Alpenglow winter sports tournement
  The Expendables @ Montbleu
  Los Lonely Boys @ Harrah's
  Lucal Nelson and Promise of the Real @ Crystal Bay Club
  Drinking with Clowns @ 7800
February 12 Sick and twisted "big air" snowboard contest @ Northstar at Tahoe
February 14 Wick-IT the instigator @ Crystal Bay Club
February 15  Hamm FM and JB Sands @ The Grid
February 17 Gomez, Hey Rosetta, and Dad's LPs @ Crystal Bay Club
  The Dean-O-Holics @ CalNeva
February 18 Wayne Brady and EOTO @ Montbleu
  Kenny Loggins @ Harrah's
  Dead Winter Carpenters @ Crystal Bay CLub
  Sub-Reactor @ 7800
February 19 Love Fool w/ Shane Suffriti and Motorhome @ Crystal Bay Club
February 20 Antique Scream feat. Zeus and Weapon @ Rojo's Tavern
February 21 Black Rock City All Stars @ Crystal Bay CLub 
February 22-25 SNOWLIVE @ Crystal Bay Club featuring SouLive:
February 22 Matisyahu w/ Soulive and Keyser Sose @ Crystal Bay Club
  Community Project @ The Grind
  Free guided trail hike @ 11:45 at Explore Tahoe urban trailhead
February 23 Talib Kweli w/ Soulive and Afrolicious @ Crystal Bay Club
  Trevor Kelly, Skoobz, and Magellan feat. TheBrund @ Brother's Bar
  Slim Chance and the Hardly Can't Play Boys w/ Kountry Kittens @ Rojos
February 24 Soulive w/ Ivan Neville and The Monophonics @ Crystal Bay Club
  Too Short feat. Nilla, Mr?E, DJ Kennan @ Cal Neva
  AWOL Snow party @ Harvey's
  Kip Yager @ Jake's on the Lake in Truckee
February 25 George Porter, Carl Denson, Mike Manigan's Big Organ Trio @ Crystal Bay Club
  Iration, Thrive, and Trevor Hall @ Montbleu
  G. Love and Special Sauce @ Harrah's
  Tahoe Skate Park party Feat. TheBrund and friends
  Idekay, Armed for Apocalypse, Pop Murder, Death Valley High @ Whisky Dick's
February 27 New Orleans Boogie show @ Jakes on the Lake
February 26 Slim Chance and the Hardly Can't Play Boys w/ Kountry Kittens @ The Grid
February 28 Roommate, IJV, and Dubfyah @ Crystal Bay Club
  Jellybread @ 7800
February 29 DJ RUNDOWN & I an I (Brainstorm)
  J-Boog "Leap year party" @ Montbleu
March 6  311 w/ The Dirty Heads

Every Week:
MONDAYS: DJ Sonar at Rojo's Bar
TUESDAYS: "Mindfull Massive" @ Whisky Dick's saloon -- Live Music every month
   Karaoke night at Rojos
WEDNESDAY: Dirty dubstep DJs @ Opal at the Montbleu, Open Mic night @ Rojo's
THURSDAYS: Shred Night apres ski party big screen snow flicks, lift tix, super drink specials, board games @ The Flight Deck at Tahoe Airport
    Dubstep DJ Billy Wonka and friends @ Whisky Dick's saloon
   Tony's Open mic @ American Legion
FRIDAYS:  Apres ski party @ VEX at Harrah's
SATURDAYS: Free indoor pool party @ Montbleu
   Live Jazz @ Tahoe Biltmore

THURS-MON: "Illusion Fusion" w/ Alex Ramon @ Horizon
    Improv @ Harvey's comedy show

Tahoe Snowcial 1/18-21

TAHOE SNOWCIAL

Heavenly Tahoe is hosting their 4th annual winter tech conference this year on January 18th through 21st.  They bill themselves as a "SXSW for the Ski Set" and besides a rocking list of entertainment acts including a concert by Young the Giant at Harrah's South Shore room, All the biggest names in social media will be there to talk about thier products and how you can use them to improve your standing in the social media world and promote yourself and your products in the skiing and tourisim industries up here.

I gotta say it's a pretty exciting list of speakers for me 'cuz I'm a social media freak myself:

I'm not only on YouTube, but also Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Google Currents, Yelp, Klout, AND Google+ besides having just about every Tahoe related android app there is on my cell phone.  Hell, I even have my own QR-code!  So I guess I'm uniquely qualified to tell you all about who's speaking at Snowcial this year and why you should be interested in what they have to say:

The headliner this year is going to be Joe Fernandez, CEO and co-founder of one of the most truely usefull social media sites on the internet: Klout.  If you've got a presence on a bunch of different social media sites, you get some feedback from each site about who follows you, who thumbs-up or plusses your post, and the like; but how do you know how much influence you have overall?  That's where Klout comes in: Klout aggregates all the information across all of your social media and boils it down to a couple of easy-to-understand score that updates every day so you can tell what subjects you're influencing people on and just how influential you are relative to all the other people in your network.  Like here you can see how I stack up against one of my friends: I'm more influential overall, but I'm mostly influential on Twitter while his influence is spread a little more evenly between twitter and facebook.  I gotta say that, for me at least, having the feedback of watching my Klout score go up and down over time has been one of the very most valueable tools for learning how to play the social media game more effectively and so influence more people across a bigger range of networks and ultimately get more exposure for whatever it is that you're trying to promote.

Next up is Jonathon Crowley from Foursquare.  Besides being a lifelong skiier and mountain man, Mr. Crowley is a leading expert on creating and monetizing digital content with partners like Fox and NBC.  Forsquare is a location service that lets you check in at a place and let all your twitter and foursquare followers know that you've gone somewhere cool like Heavenly Tahoe.  Foursquare is going to be providing one of the coolest special features for the event: an interactive map of all the events going on and who's attending each one.  You should all check out the cool map at http://www.tahoesnowcial.com/2011/12/snowcial-foursquare-list/ which has links to a lot of my favorite small businesses in Tahoe as well as check-ins for all the forsquare users attending the conference.

Next up on the list is Hope Frank and Justin Kitzner from Webtrends.  If you have a blog or a YouTube channel you're probably familiar with the analytics page that tells you how many people have been visiting your site, where they are, what they're browsing on, whether they're clicking the ads or not, etc.  For example I can tell you that my audience is mostly male and largely located in California and Nevada because YouTube tells me so.  But, If you're a big corporation like Heavenly, not just a blogger like me, you need an industrial strength solution that can tell you things like how much time people are spending in which parts of your android app and whether it's any different from what the iPhone users are doing; or to calculate in dollar terms what the return on investment in all these different social media products is, and WebTrends is the solution for those people.

Also speaking at this event will be several important travel industry CEOs to talk about their social media strategy and how it has shaped their business including our own Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts, the company that owns and operates Heavenly and Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resorts; as well as Porter Gale, former chief marketing officer of Virgin America; John Burns of Discovery.com, and and Mike Sloane, CEO of travel marketing company Amadeus.