News Briefs

Nevada Sets Tourism Record

Nevada welcomed 50.5 million visitors last year, setting a new record for the state, and bringing $40 billion to the state's economy, according to the Nevada Commission on Tourism. The revenue includes $10 billion from gaming.

The U.S. Commerce Department ranks Nevada as the fifth most visited state by travelers from overseas. Nevada's Commission on Tourism promotes the state worldwide, operating offices in China, the United Kingdom, Mexico, South Korea and Japan.

Dometic Sold to New Owners

Dometic, a leading supplier of products for recreation vehicles and the marine industry, has been acquired by BC Partners, a European private equity group, from EQT, a Swedish private equity company. Dometic was formerly a product line within the Electrolux Group.

Dometic, which has 4,400 employees worldwide, produces air conditioners, refrigerators, awnings, cookers, windows, doors and other equipment.

Major New Mountain Resort to Open

Active Mountain Resort, which is scheduled to open in British Columbia in the summer of 2006, will include a 300-acre motor sports park with a 2.6-mile road course, driving schools and an off-road vehicle park. The site is southwest of the City of Merritt, a drive of two and a half hours from Vancouver.

The 1,000-acre site also will include a resort lodge, town homes, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, water park, outdoor amphitheater, vineyards and winery, and trails for hiking and mountain biking. For information about the development, see www.activemountainresort.com.

Science Exhibit to Be Animated

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, Oregon, is teaming up with the Cartoon Network to develop Animation, an international touring exhibit that will debut at the museum in October.

Animation will be a 6,000-square-foot exhibit that will use art, math, science and technology to explore the animation process. Popular characters from the Cartoon Network will be featured in the exhibit. The exhibit will showcase all the skills used in animation from screenwriting and computer programming to sound effects and editing.

Grand Canyon Rooms Scarce

El Tovar, a 78-room lodge at the Grand Canyon's south rim, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and is sold out for the summer, but Xanterra, which operates El Tovar and other lodges at state and national parks, said rooms are available elsewhere in Grand Canyon.

Xanterra says the greatest availability of rooms is during the first two weeks of June, the last two weeks of August, the first two weeks of September, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas and any time during the months of November, January and February. If you want to spend Christmas in the canyon, reservations should be made now, because rooms will fill up during the next few months. For information, see the Xanterra Web site at www.grandcanyonlodges.com.

Hot August Nights Hires Director

Hot August Nights, which brings classic cars and oldies music to Reno, has hired Donald Schmid, former director of global event marketing for DaimlerChrysler, as its new executive director. Schmid most recently was president of the Parade Company, a nonprofit organization that produces major events in Detroit. Hot August Nights will be held this year from July 30 through August 7.

Fleetwood Travel Clubs Merge

Fleetwood Travelcade Club, a member-owned and run organization for Fleetwood RV owners, has been created through a merger of Club Fleetwood and the Avion Travelcade Club.

The merged club is open to all owners of Fleetwood trailers and motorhomes, whether purchased new or used. Sam Whitaker, who has been a Fleetwood owner for 15 years and has held several key positions within the Avion Travelcade Club, has been named incoming president. Whitaker said the club will enable RV owners to get together and learn about various aspects of RVing. Members will be able to participate in a variety of events, such as local, regional and national rallies as well as organized road trips and caravans. For information, call (877) 577-2560 or see www.fleetwoodclub.org.