Carson City reports mixed attendance across fall events; international participants and local spending noted
October 13, 2025 | Carson City, Ormsby County, Nevada
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Carson City tourism staff said fall events produced a mix of wins and shortfalls for the local economy, with some niche conventions drawing international visitors and generating room nights while other events fell short of attendance expectations.
Staff member reported that the Bronco Super Celebration took place over the weekend and that organizers expect roughly 150 registered Bronco vehicles and potentially up to 160 if same‑day walkups were included. "What's going on, everybody? My name is Mitch Creel from Wild Horses 4 by 4. We are out here at Carson City, Nevada for the Super Celebration Bronco event," said Mitch Creel, a participant whose recorded clip played during the meeting.
The event summary presented to the board emphasized trail access and proximity to hotels as selling points for off‑road visitors. Staff said the Bronco event worked with a local dealership as a host partner and that organizers expect growth over several years.
Other events produced varied results. Capital City Crushers — a group ride — is estimated to have more than 400 riders, staff said, and the Bonanza Kennel Club dog shows reported roughly 600 dogs and entrants from about 25 U.S. states plus Canada and one entrant from Japan. KaboomCon expanded from a one‑day to a three‑day show but drew far fewer vendors and attendees than planned, with staff estimating 400–500 spectators over the weekend. Sparrow’s Lockpick, a three‑day convention staged at the historic Nevada State Prison, was credited with generating 209 room nights and drew participants from the United States and several European countries; organizers are discussing a possible five‑year destination sponsorship to expand the event to about 200 attendees.
Staff described local economic impact from specialized conferences. On Sparrow’s Lockpick, staff said the organizer paid $1,650 per participant to register and that he spent “a hundred‑and‑something thousand dollars” in the local economy on food and services. Staff also said the event used a plaza hotel after an RFQ process and that multiple properties will be needed to accommodate future growth.
The presenter also corrected an earlier remark about the sheriff’s canine challenge. "That firefighter comment that I... mentioned about the canine challenge, that was inaccurate," staff said; the presenter apologized and said the previous slide incorrectly suggested teams dropped out because firefighters were fighting fires. The presenter said there was no impact to teams from firefighters in this event.
Staff told the board they will bring updated attendance and economic details at next month’s meeting as final post‑event surveys and reports arrive.
Less quantifiable impacts — such as positive feedback about the shooting range from visiting groups and expanded vendor partnerships — were highlighted by staff as reasons to pursue longer‑term event relationships.
Staff member reported that the Bronco Super Celebration took place over the weekend and that organizers expect roughly 150 registered Bronco vehicles and potentially up to 160 if same‑day walkups were included. "What's going on, everybody? My name is Mitch Creel from Wild Horses 4 by 4. We are out here at Carson City, Nevada for the Super Celebration Bronco event," said Mitch Creel, a participant whose recorded clip played during the meeting.
The event summary presented to the board emphasized trail access and proximity to hotels as selling points for off‑road visitors. Staff said the Bronco event worked with a local dealership as a host partner and that organizers expect growth over several years.
Other events produced varied results. Capital City Crushers — a group ride — is estimated to have more than 400 riders, staff said, and the Bonanza Kennel Club dog shows reported roughly 600 dogs and entrants from about 25 U.S. states plus Canada and one entrant from Japan. KaboomCon expanded from a one‑day to a three‑day show but drew far fewer vendors and attendees than planned, with staff estimating 400–500 spectators over the weekend. Sparrow’s Lockpick, a three‑day convention staged at the historic Nevada State Prison, was credited with generating 209 room nights and drew participants from the United States and several European countries; organizers are discussing a possible five‑year destination sponsorship to expand the event to about 200 attendees.
Staff described local economic impact from specialized conferences. On Sparrow’s Lockpick, staff said the organizer paid $1,650 per participant to register and that he spent “a hundred‑and‑something thousand dollars” in the local economy on food and services. Staff also said the event used a plaza hotel after an RFQ process and that multiple properties will be needed to accommodate future growth.
The presenter also corrected an earlier remark about the sheriff’s canine challenge. "That firefighter comment that I... mentioned about the canine challenge, that was inaccurate," staff said; the presenter apologized and said the previous slide incorrectly suggested teams dropped out because firefighters were fighting fires. The presenter said there was no impact to teams from firefighters in this event.
Staff told the board they will bring updated attendance and economic details at next month’s meeting as final post‑event surveys and reports arrive.
Less quantifiable impacts — such as positive feedback about the shooting range from visiting groups and expanded vendor partnerships — were highlighted by staff as reasons to pursue longer‑term event relationships.
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