Laughlin Reaping the Benefits of Hispanic Tourism

Laughlin Reaping the Benefits of Hispanic Tourism

Viva Laughlin! A City-Wide Hispanic Event Will be Celebrated in Laughlin October 7-10, 2005

LAUGHLIN, Nev., Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The second annual Viva Laughlin!, a city-wide Hispanic event, will be celebrated in the city of Laughlin October 7-10, 2005 thanks to the emergent efforts toward Hispanic tourism in Southern Nevada.

The Laughlin Tourism Committee and the LVCVA together with Pochteca EventsWorks implemented a strategy to attract this burgeoning Hispanic market to the city. The result delivered by the team was Viva Laughlin! -- a premier Hispanic entertainment event held during Hispanic Heritage Month in the month of October. The strategy developed by both organizations encompassed what Hispanics most enjoy: family entertainment, sports and music.

"We are extremely excited for the endless opportunities that the Hispanic community can provide to the growth and economy of our city," said Sean Hammond, director of player development and casino events at the Ramada Express. "Together with Pochteca EventWorks we have taken an active roll in effectively pursing the Hispanic community. Our outreach efforts are targeting key regional markets including Southern California, Phoenix-Mesa, and Las Vegas, areas which account for 25% of the total Hispanic population in the United States."

For the second year, Pochteca EventWorks has gathered an all star-studded cast to entertain guests during the four-day event. This year, to name only a few, the entertainment line-up includes GRAMMY(R) Award winning performers Jon Secada, performing at the Flamingo Laughlin; Freddy Fender, performing at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort and renowned comediennes Alex Reymundo, Joey Medina and Darren Carter performing at the Ramada Express Hotel & Casino.

More laughs will be followed by popular comedians Richard Villa, Rick Gutierrez, Armando Cosio and Sebastian Cetina at the Colorado Belle in addition to Eric Blake, Frank Lucero, Noe Gonzalez, and Sonora Dinamita-International Cumbia Sensation at the Edgewater Hotel and Casino.

For all sports fans, Viva Laughlin! is proud to present the amazing sport of Pro-Female Boxing featuring Elena "Baby Doll" Reid and Asa Sandell at Harrah's Hotel & Casino. Additionally, the Diego "Chico" Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo fight may be seen on Pay-Per-View at both the Ramada Express Hotel and Casino and the Edgewater Hotel and Casino.

Popular Colombian Tropical music star Yari More and his Orchestra will perform at the Colorado Belle while more musical sounds gathered on this spectacular festival include: Salsa, Cumbia, Cha, Cha, Cha group Orchestra Rumbaney performing at the Ramada Express Hotel & Casino, and Tejano/Cumbia band La Division and New Mexico's leading female duet (identical twins) Las Florecitas take their accordion driven Norteno/Tejano sound to the extreme at the Colorado Belle Hotel & Casino. Additionally, the Victory Plaza at the Ramada Express will convert into a nightclub featuring top Los Angeles DJ Boy London -- Jose Angel Mendoza. Musical entertainment may also be enjoyed with John Encinio & The Full House Band at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort as well as at the Golden Nugget with DJ Jesse O, DJ Charlie C and a concert featuring Revolucion.

Miss Hawaiian Tropic Latina Models will bring more excitement by showcasing the beauty of Latina women with great drink specials, and food contests at the Colorado Belle. The Hawaiian Tropic pageant is the #1 pageant system in the world and the most extensive promotion for an event of this nature.

For a full schedule of events, venue locations and ticket information, please log onto www.visitlaughlin.com/viva and www.pochtecaeventworks.net or call Mario Cobian with Pochteca Event Works at 213-745-7717.

Located 90 miles south of Las Vegas, Laughlin, Nev. is a unique resort destination with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere welcomes over 5 million visitors annually. This city by the river has grown to host nine resorts with affordable first-class accommodations and a multitude of recreational activities.

About the Laughlin Tourism Committee

The Laughlin Tourism Committee, a division of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, provides the strategic vision for the destination of Laughlin. It is responsible for marketing Laughlin to the Southwest and the world.

About Pochteca Event Works

Pochteca Event Works is the leading Hispanic Event Marketing, Promotions & Entertainment company servicing the largest and high-profile Latino properties nationwide. The company has successfully initiated and branded some of the countries most important Hispanic events in the United States such as Edward James Olmos Latino Book & Family Festival, the largest Latin expo in the U.S. and Fiesta Broadway - Los Angeles, the largest Cinco de Mayo event in the country and Fiesta Del Sol - Chicago, the largest Latin festival in the Midwest.

Source: Viva Laughlin!

CONTACT: Sacha Ferreira of Pochteca Event Works, +1-213-745-7717, sachaf@pochtecamedia.com

Web site: http://www.visitlaughlin.com/viva http://www.pochtecaeventworks.net/

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