LAS VEGAS IS STILL ALIVE

On August 2, 2010 something special happened for Las Vegas. The metro area of Las Vegas was ranked as America's Coolest City by Forbes Magazine (#1 ranking shared with New York City). One of the most interesting facts about this ranking was that it was an actual survey of over 2,000 real people, with real perspectives, all across America. In fact, Las Vegas ranked highest by Americans aged 18-34, even outranking New York City in that group. This was not a survey just about tourism, this was a survey about whether people actually thought a city was generally 'cool'.

Just think how many cities in the world would love to be called 'cool' by an independent survey (some cities would pay big bucks to be called cool by a major publication). The cool factor of Las Vegas is really a blend of its globally recognized brand, its strong creative culture, the strength of its citizens, and the beautiful diversity of of its workforce. We believe that the Forbes ranking points to the long-term viability and strength of Las Vegas both as a city and as a brand.

It does not mean that Las Vegas is just a brand for casino entertainment companies, but a brand that is starting to say: 'If you want to be a cool company, you need to locate in a cool city, and Las Vegas is very cool'. For example, Zappos.com, which is one of America's 'coolest' and largest online retailers of shoes located its headquarters in the Las Vegas metro area several years ago. The company is now a stand-alone multi-billion dollar subsidiary of Amazon.com, is still located in 'cool' Las Vegas, and has hundreds of genuinely happy employees making Las Vegas home.


OUR REASONS FOR LAS VEGAS OPTIMISM

One of the things that continues to bother us, in so many ways, is how negative people have become about Las Vegas from various corners. It seems as though being negative on Las Vegas is somehow 'in Vogue'. We take a different perspective. In our view, anyone who places a bet against Las Vegas will be placing a losing bet in the long-run. There have been many that have placed huge bets against Las Vegas before, and ultimately lost.

For example, if a company were to move its headquarters (or part of it) from Las Vegas to Asia, we believe that company would lose something very special. It will lose the respect of the global governments that see Nevada and Las Vegas as a place of creative innovation. It will be disconnected from a market that hosts over 36m people per year, and it will also lose that hard to describe 'it factor' that makes Las Vegas so very special. It's hard to quantify the value-add that Las Vegas provides to companies, but somehow it simply does.

Las Vegas is the coolest city in America and its now official. It has been the coolest since the 1950's, so it's no surprise to us. Much of our firm's work is in Asia, and its certainly a very dynamic part of the world, but Las Vegas continues to be a global hub for creative vision, risk taking, and testing new ways to enjoying life. There are so many reasons for the citizens of Las Vegas to be proud and happy for their city. However, things do need to bounce back economically and new job creation in the city needs to start in earnest. Ultimately the free-market will vote as to whether Las Vegas moves forward or not, but as long as the free-market sees Las Vegas as 'cool', the city will move forward. We don't have financial formulas or equations to justify that stance, but we hold that view.


THE LAS VEGAS REAL ESTATE CRASH

The Las Vegas residential real estate market has crashed over the last few years with prices of homes declining over 60% in certain areas from it's peak in the 2006-2007 era. However, we must note that from 2000 to 2005 the Las Vegas metro area posted some of the most dramatic increases in home prices across the United States. Yes, there are certainly numerous reasons to be concerned about the price of houses and its effect on the psyche of the citizens of Las Vegas. The prices of homes are on the minds of nearly every homeowner in the Las Vegas metro area.

However, we agree with the Forbes survey that although Las Vegas real estate has declined, it continues to be one of the finest cities in the United States to work and play. Over the long-run, the creativity, passion, and steadfast attitude of the people of Las Vegas will retain a core of 'coolness' that will contribute to the return of Las Vegas real estate prices to their rightful value. Ultimately, people want to live in cool cities and Las Vegas is now officially considered the coolest of them all. Therefore, long-term real estate values in Las Vegas should benefit from this cool brand factor even in the most dire of macro-economic times.

MOVING FORWARD

Las Vegas needs to begin a massive program for economic diversification into areas such as medical tourism, 24/7 .com business models, film/movies, and financial services. It needs to focus on economic diversification now taking full advantage of the fact that the country sees the city as being 'cool'.

We believe that this ranking by Forbes Magazine indicates that the long-term tourism trends, economic viability, financial strength and overall stability of the city is assured. Pessimism about Las Vegas is understandable, but we believe that it should be replaced with a optimistic view that the city is capable of quickly bouncing back.

Finally, we believe that Las Vegas has one of the most underrated and fastest growing Chinatown's of any major U.S. city. We encourage the readers of this research note to visit the outstanding Asian restaurants in Las Vegas located on West Spring Mountain Road on their next visit to the 'coolest city in America'.

Greetings from New York

Hi there!

From NYC I wish you luck with your assignement. The choice made by the various groups for their sample firms looks very interesting. Be assured that I will follow your blog.
Have a nice trip to Vegas and remember "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"

A different blog for group 2

Dear all,

Due to restrictions in our rights to modify the blog, we created a new one.

The new blog is called: http://group2nhtv.blogspot.com

Please visit this blog for our research.

Best regards,

Nathalie,
Tommy,
Mieke,
Niek
Ron

Group 2 research proposal

About: The Red Lobster is a casual dining restaurant with 680 locations in the USA. Started in 1968 by Bill Darden. The Red lobster tries to implement CSR by means of “giving back to the sea”. This means that they only serve seafood that is “sustainable” (available, affordable and high quality).

Goal: Finding out if the red lobster concept works in The Netherlands.

Methods: By using the 5 W’s and the 5 P’s we’ll describe the concept of the Red Lobster. using these conclusions it is possible to investigate the chance of success in The Netherlands.

Group 1 has chosen for...

...the Waffle House!
Evelien, Sanne, Tamara and Jelle take part in group one!

Our introduction will follow a.s.a.p.!

See ya!
Group One

Group six made their choice

Group six,

Danielle, Marjolein, Marielle and Lisa did choose for '' Mojo yogurt'' as company for the assignment ''weblog''.

The introduction will follow...

Greetings Group six

Group four made their choice!!

Group four,

Stephanie, Sanne, Stephan, Mathijs and Maarten did choose for "Ben and Jerry's" as company for the assignment "weblog", the introduction will follow as soon as possible.....

Greetings from team four

Group Three has chosen for REI Outdoor

Hello,

Group three has chosen for REI Outdoor.

Kind Regards,
Group Three
Wouter
Anouk
Maria
Bart

Leaving to the Grand Canyon!

Hey All!

We hope you had a great time in Flagstaff, just in letting you know: we are leaving to the Grand Canyon Saturday morning at 7 AM. We will meet in front of Gabaldon Hall to get on the bus together.

First days!

Hello Everybody,

First, I would like to give a compiment to the group. The group is really good and they helping each other. The student are from different departments of the NHTV, but they are really close now. The first impression of the USA is wonderful and friendly. The local people will helping you with everything. The first days were very good and is a good sign for the next three weeks. Hopefully we have a great time in the USA!!!!

Kind Regards!

Bart van den Bogaard

Branded Customer Experience/Experiencing the Brand

Disney started the trend ith the branded customer experience. Other examples: Southwest Airlines, MTV, Starbucks, Harley-Davidson, ESPN, Victoria’s Secret, IKEA, Nick-elodeon, Martha Stewart, and Target … and upcomers such as JetBlue, REI, Sephora, American Girl,and Amazon.com
Intersting other examples for your research are T.G.I. Friday's and Chuck E Cheese

All of thes companies are creating loyal customers by delivering service experiences that create value for customers beyond the product or services the company happen to sell.
Experiential brands touch deeper emotions. They understand “our need for experiences;” and they deliver their own set of values, beliefs, and […even] mythology. Think of Virgin’s passion-red backdrop and arrogant hand-painted word art. Here, the experience is equally mocking and dis-respectful. Think Nike … not about athletic shoes, rather about success, achievement, and victory
Example: A very hot experiential brand is American Girl – a very well crafted lifestyle brand for young girls, their friends, and their moms. Their robust and highly-interactive web experience [… check it out] embraces everything cen-tric to a young girl – from shopping, to unique personalities, events, programs, games, and the American Girl Magazin.
This highly-targeted brand’s mission is to renew and cele-brate a traditional young girl culture.

Experiential brands engage their target customers with interaction and levels of personalization and delivers the promise in a way which brings the brand alive.

The New Consumer

Dear students,

Do you feel as a New Consumer?

Are you an individual who focuses on creating your own identity and are you looking for self-expression, meaning and quality in life?

Organisation Summer Course 2010

The summerCourse will be organised for the 9th time this year! Meet the team behind the Summer Course:

Koert de Jager

Associate Professor in Tourism Experiences & Co-Creation

Koert will explain the assignment at the beginning of the Summer Course. He will tell you everything you need to know about Imagineering and Co-Creation.

Roeland Bottema

Lecturer Academy of Leisure

Roeland will be one of the supervisors of the Summer Course Arizona. He is also part op the preparation. At NHTV Roeland is a lecturer at the Academy of Leisure, specialising in Sportmanagement.

Jan Willem Proper

Associate Professor Academy of Urban Design, Logistics and Mobility

Jan Willem will be one of the supervisors of the Summer Course Arizona. He is also part of the preparation. At NHTV Jan Willem is Associate Professor in Transport and People Logistics.

Florian Muelken

Double Degree Graduate International Leisure Management

Florian Muelken is one of NHTV's International students. He has been part of many activities at NHTV, such as the International Tourism Students Conference, Educational Fairs in Germany and a Double Degree at the Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Florian will be one of the supervisors of the Summer Course Arizona.

Virginia van der Wel

Exchange and Double Degree Coordinator

Virginia van der Wel is also one of the supervisor's of the Summer Course. Currently she is the Exchange and Double Degree Coordinator at the International Office of NHTV. Together with Roeland, Virginia plays a part in the preparation of the Summer Course. She is your main contact if you have questions (summercourse@nhtv.nl)

Summercourse Program 2010

Monday 19 July
Flight to Phoenix and Transfer to Flagstaff at night

Tuesday 20 July
10.30 Campus tour NAU by NAU students
11.30 Arizona talk by Kathleen Krahn

Wednesday 21 July
10.00 Introduction Weblog by Florian Muelken
10.30 Introduction assignment part 1 by Koert de Jager

Thurday 22 July
8.30 Slide Rock
15.00 Media USA (School of Communication) by NAU lecturer Norman Medoff

Friday 23 July
10.00 Introduction assignment part 2 by Koert de Jager
12.00 Tour School of Communication by NAU lecturer Brandon Neumann

Saturday 24 July
07.00 Departure Rafting on Colorado River
13.30 Departure Grand Canyon / campground

Sunday 25 July
08.00 Breakfast
10.00 Hike the canyon

Monday 26 July
08.00 Departure with the bus to Flagstaff
13.30 Departure to Tempe, Phoenix

Tuesday 27 July
10.00 Campus tour ASU
11.30 Progress assignment

Wednesday 28 July
10.00 Managing a Motel by Super8Motel owner Vikas Patel
18.30 Base ball match: Arizona Diamond Backs

Thursday 29 July
09.00 Behind the scences at Sky Harbour Airport and lecture by Heather Lissner (of Phoenix Goverment)

Friday 30 July
10.00 Dutch consul by Siebe van de Zee
11.00 Progress assignment

Saturday 31 July Day free

Sunday 1 August Departure Las Vegas

Monday 2 August
08.30 Visit and Tour Las vegas Convention Centre by Mark Haley
Afternoon (optional) Hooverdam / Fashion Outlet

Tuesday 3 August
10.00 Behind the scenes of the Rio Hotel / Casino by Joe Scibetta / Juliet Osborne
+/- Departure to Tempe

Wednesday 4 August
10.00 Phoenix CVB by communication director Douglas Mackenzie

Thurday 5 August
10.00 Arizona Casino by Jon Jenkins
15.00 NAU Guestlecturer by Paul Wiener

Friday 6 August
11.00 Progress assignment
Departure free weekend

Saturday 7 August free weekend
Sunday 8 August free weekend

Monday 9 August
16.00 Afternoon: arrival back from free weekend

Tuesday 10 August
Transfer to PHX airport
Flight back home

Wednesday 11 August
Arrival in Brussels or Amsterdam

Presentatie Summer Course 2010

Presentation sc 2010

View more presentations from NHTV Summer Course.