Where to Go, What to See and Do, and Where to Eat during the Leadership Conference

BY Paul Rogers

The 2024 National Leadership & Education Conference marks the third time that VVA will have held a national event in Reno, and for good reason. The Conference hotel, the Silver Legacy, and the connected Eldorado and Circus Circus resorts, known collectively as The Row, comprise a city-within-a-city, housing just about everything attendees will need, from before the Opening Ceremonies Wednesday morning to the final event, the Saturday night Awards Banquet. Beyond The Row, surrounding Downtown Reno and the wider region offer myriad attractions for VVA members and their families.

The 1,700-room Silver Legacy is a good base to discover what the city of Reno has to offer. It’s the most modern of the three Row resorts, following a $47-million renovation in 2021, with a historical silver mining theme encapsulated in a 120-foot reproduction mining rig that forms the centerpiece of its casino.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport is just a six-minute drive to Downtown. The Silver Legacy operates a free shuttle that runs roughly every 30 minutes for most of the day and can be tracked on your smartphone. Alternatively, ride-share services should arrive within five minutes at most times of day with fares around $18. The sheltered ride share pick-up area is outside of the airport’s D Doors at the north end of Baggage Claim.

Self check-in using the Silver Legacy’s lobby kiosks is straightforward, with staff nearby to help, or you can check in on the Caesars Rewards app. At 42 stories, the hotel is the tallest building in Downtown Reno, but elevators are plentiful and prompt. Mobility scooters are available for rent at the bell desk across the lobby from check-in. They are provided by a third party and early reservations are recommended. To do so, call 775-329-4777 and ask for the bell desk.

The Silver Legacy and its sister properties are wheelchair and scooter-friendly, with gentle ramps flanking most stairs and wheelchair lifts next to lesser-used flights. Service dogs can be exercised at the Biggest Little Dog Park at 151 W. Commercial Row, around a quarter mile from the Silver Legacy.

My 17th floor room was sleek, spacious, and pristine with its cream and chocolate décor and a panoramic city view framed by the Sierra Nevada foothills beyond. The room was quiet, night and day, and everything worked.

Paul Rogers/The VVA Veteran

The Silver Legacy boasts five restaurants and six bar/lounges, plus two Gordon Ramsay eateries. There are seven restaurants and cafes at Eldorado, plus two more and a food court at Circus Circus, as well as multiple coffee shops. Many Reno restaurants offer senior discounts, but you’ll usually need to ask your server when you sit down to be sure.

In addition to expansive casinos – the Silver Legacy alone features more than 1,000 slot machines, 48 table games, and 30 sportsbook TVs – The Row includes the Carnival Midway at Circus Circus. True to that property’s circus theme, this is a family-friendly collection of carnival games and a nostalgic, 5,300-square-foot arcade.

The daily free circus acts at Carnival Midway – acrobats, clowns, aerialists and more – are impressive, but be aware that they consist of just a single performance lasting less than five minutes. Circus acts take place at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.

For quality stand-up comedy, head to the Laugh Factory inside the Silver Legacy, which is open Thursday through Sunday. If golf’s your thing, try the hi-tech Topgolf Swing Suite at Eldorado, where you and up to 11 friends can be immersed in virtual reality experiences. To unwind in the August sun, there’s the Silver Legacy’s 8,000-square-foot pool deck with its temperature-regulated pool and hot tub. The adjacent Spa at Silver Legacy includes a steam room, sauna, massage, and more. There’s even a full-service salon and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Paul Rogers/The VVA Veteran

Downtown Reno is dominated by The Row, which spans six blocks. Otherwise, the compact main strip of North Virginia Street is a mixture of faded casinos, some of which also serve inexpensive basic meals, as well as gift shops, and a couple of retro motels. While the area is being rapidly gentrified, with much construction underway, Downtown Reno still has a yesteryear vibe similar to Downtown Las Vegas. Both pedestrian and vehicular traffic tend to be light, but the area never feels deserted.

South on North Virginia Street is the big, bright “Biggest Little City in the World” arch. The original 1926 arch is now on Lake Street, a few blocks away. Just across the river is Powning Veterans Memorial Park, a well-maintained quarter-acre space surrounding a statue of General Jesse Reno, for whom the city is named. Memorials to the fallen from all major conflicts involving American forces are interspersed with flagpoles. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists 23 men from the local community who died in that conflict.

If you forget any essentials and don’t want to pay resort boutique and convenience store prices, there’s a Walgreens a half-mile north of the Silver Legacy on Virginia Street.

Paul Rogers/The VVA Veteran

Things to Do:

NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM
1 Museum Dr. 775-333-9300
automuseum.org
Based around the car collection of Reno gaming pioneer Bill Harrah, the extensive National Automobile Museum is just a mile from the Silver Legacy. It includes cars from the early days of the automobile, celebrity-owned and movie cars, hot rods, and racecars, with many displayed among recreated period storefronts. Senior admission is $13.

BASEBALL AT GREATER NEVADA FIELD
250 Evans Ave. 775-334-4600
greaternevadafield.com
Just four blocks from the Silver Legacy is Greater Nevada Field, the home of the Minor League AAA Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate, the Reno Aces. During the Leadership Conference, the Aces will be facing off against the Las Vegas Aviators at this well-kept 9,000-seat stadium. There’s dedicated ADA seating and a limited number of wheelchairs.

DOWNTOWN RENO RIVERWALK
renoriver.org
Reno Riverwalk is made up of shops, bistros, art, and entertainment along the Truckee River. Try The Eddy, a novel community space hosting bars, art, yard games, and music in and around converted shipping containers.

NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART
160 W. Liberty St. 775-329-333
nevadaart.org
Occupying a striking, airy structure a mile from the Silver Legacy, the Nevada Museum of Art is comprised of a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, a shop selling design-focused and artisan pieces, and an excellent café. The entire museum is wheelchair accessible, with courtesy wheelchairs available. Discounted senior admission is $13.

At the Row:

THE BREW BROTHERS AT ELDORADO
The Brew Brothers is a busy brewpub, recently named “Best Beer Selection” and “Best Live Music” in several Best of Reno polls. Even if you’re not there for drinking or music, there’s good food, including wood-fired pizza, salads, burgers, ribs, sandwiches, and homemade soups.

CENTRAL CAFÉ AT SILVER LEGACY
If you roll into Reno late at night or are leaving early in the morning, this 24/7 eatery is the place to fuel up. Plenty of seating and swift service leaves the focus on an imaginative menu of American and Asian-influenced fare, including classic breakfasts, burgers, Vietnamese crispy chicken, and Vietnamese noodle soup.

CIRCUS CIRCUS FOOD COURT
While not the largest of food courts, this quartet of counter-service eateries is The Row’s most affordable dining option, comprising The Habit Burger Grill, Panda Express, Piezzetta Pizza Kitchen, and Yogurt Beach. The prices, like $12.99 pizzas at Piezzetta, are a pleasant surprise in a resort setting.

EL JEFE’S CANTINA AT CIRCUS CIRCUS
El Jefe’s offers tacos, fajitas, and inspired plates such as Tequila Chicken and Quesabirria. Drinks include micheladas, margaritas, specialty cocktails, and draft and bottled beers.

HIDDEN PIZZA AT ELDORADO
Hidden Pizza is open only on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m., for Sicilian-style pizza and old-school pizzeria vibes. Order by the slice, pair with your favorite drink, and discover why Chef Ivano Centemeri is popular with locals and visitors alike.

ICHIBAN JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE AT ELDORADO
Billed as “the best tasting show in town,” Ichiban’s charismatic chefs prepare entrées at your table. A local favorite for more than 40 years, it was voted “Best Japanese in Northern Nevada.”

LA STRADA AT ELDORADO
La Strada is best known for its mushroom ravioli, which made Food Network’s list of “Best Pastas in the Country.” Nestled within The Row’s ultra-contemporary setting, this quiet spot does an admirable job of echoing classic Italian architecture and ambiance, with slick service that can handle groups of any size.

MADAME BUTTERWORK’S CURIOUS CAFÉ AT CIRCUS CIRCUS
A breakfast and lunch staple, Madame Butterworks is open from Saturday-Tuesday. Unpretentious yet hardy breakfasts are the mainstay, including omelets, waffles, steak and eggs, chicken confit, and potato waffles.

MILLIES AT ELDORADO
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Millies is open from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. Warm and welcoming, this spot, named after the mother of the Eldorado owner and founder Don Caranor, offers breakfast and dinner items, in a quaint setting.

ROXY AT ELDORADO
With a European ambiance and bistro menu, Roxy’s made the DiRoNA Award list of Distinguished Restaurants of North America. Meat, poultry, and fish dishes are prepared in a wood-fired oven, and the knowledgeable staff provides guidance on ordering fine wines and liquors.

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE AT SILVER LEGACY
This Ruth’s Chris offers the usual aged USDA prime beef, as well as vegetarian, keto, and gluten-free options. All this is complimented by upscale décor, including striking geometric chandeliers and unique artwork.

SUSHI SAKE AT ELDORADO
Sushi Sake specializes in traditional rolls and nigiri, special plates, and rice bowls, along with sake, Japanese beer, and specialty drinks.

GREAT FULL GARDENS
555 S. Virginia St. 775-324-2013
www.greatfullgardens.com
Serving breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, Great Full Gardens caters to diners who are vegan, gluten-free, and Paleo. The healthy American menu focuses on local ingredients. GFG serves specialty beers and wines and offers veterans a ten percent discount.

LIBERTY FOOD & WINE EXCHANGE
100 N. Sierra St. 775-336-1091
www.libertyfoodandwine.com
Liberty serves hand-crafted, shareable plates and quality wine and cocktails, featuring local organic produce. Best known as a dinner spot, it is also open for lunch Friday-Sunday and has a 4:00-6:00p.m. weekday happy hour.

LOUIS’ BASQUE CORNER
301 E. 4th St. 775-323-7203
louisbasquecorner.com
Authentic Basque dinners served family-style are Louis’ specialty, including shrimp and tongue Basquaise, oxtails, lamb chops, and sirloin steak. The founder was a French World War II veteran who opened his namesake eatery in 1967 as a testament to his Basque heritage. Open for lunch and dinner, with a 10 percent veteran discount.

TRUCKEE BAGEL COMPANY
538 S. Virginia St., Ste B 775-420-5903
truckeebagelcompany.com
With a 10 percent discount for veterans, this ADA-compatible spot in the heart of Reno serves breakfast favorites including a multitude of New York-style bagels, hot or cold sandwiches, and Eggs Benedict. Great for breakfast or a light lunch, Truckee Bagel closes at 2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 3:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

WILD RIVER GRILLE
17 S. Virginia St. 775-284-7455
Nestled against the Truckee River in the historic Riverside Hotel building, Wild River Grille offers creative contemporary cuisine and a welcoming staff. During the sunny days and balmy evenings of the Leadership Conference, the patio will be hard to beat, with views of the river and foothills beyond, plus a full bar inside.

What's on Tap

BY Marc Leepson

As always, a wide range of informative seminars will take center stage at the 2024 VVA National Leadership & Education Conference in Reno. But Conference participants also will be able to hear from and interact with an array of special guests, starting with the Opening Ceremonies Keynote Speaker, Brittanie Ngo.

A civilian IT employee at the U.S. Air Force’s Material Command at Edwards Air Force Base in California and a volunteer in the U.S. Army Component Command’s California State Guard Cyber Unit, Brittanie Ngo escaped Saigon with her family in 1975.

She is an accomplished speaker, and has been a strong supporter of active-duty military and veterans, especially Vietnam War veterans. Among other things, she’s given Keynote speeches at many Honor Flights and hosted Vietnam War veterans appreciation events in California.

“I look forward to the opportunity to express my gratitude [at the Leadership Conference] to, and interact with Vietnam veterans—my favorite people in the world that I owe my life and freedoms to,” Brittanie Ngo told us.

Continuing a VVA tradition that began at the 1987 National Convention, we will honor Vietnam War veterans and veterans’ advocates for their accomplishments and their service at the Conference’s final event, the Saturday Night Awards Banquet. This year we will recognize four outstanding individuals:

Clare Christiansen, a Pan American World Airways stewardess who volunteered to fly on chartered passenger jets for R&R flights into and out of Vietnam in 1966-68, during the height of the war, will receive the President’s Award for Supporting the Troops in Vietnam. “I am thrilled to be considered as one of the recipients of this award,” Christiansen said. “I consider those years the most rewarding time in all my years with Pan Am. What an honor it was to fly with those young men who were serving their country in an unpopular war.”

Bill McCloud, a VVA life member who served a 1969-70 tour of duty in Vietnam with the 147th Assault Support Helicopter Company, will receive the Excellence in the Arts Award. McCloud, who teaches U.S. History and Political Science at Rogers State University in Oklahoma, also is a poet and the author of two books. He is best known for What Should We Tell Our Children about Vietnam? which he wrote in 1989 while preparing to teach a class on Vietnam War history at Pryor Junior High in Oklahoma.

To do so, he sent hand-written letters to veterans, writers, politicians, and military leaders asking the question that became the book’s title. He received answers from many prominent figures, and the book contains the words of 128 of them. That much-heralded book—which The Los Angeles Times in 1988 presciently called a “remarkable historical record, one that will be of value to scholars for years to come”—is still in print.

Receiving the Excellence in the Arts Award, Bill McCloud said, “is a great honor. It’s one I never expected to receive and one I greatly appreciate. To think that I’m being recognized for my work in keeping alive my story and that of my brothers and sisters makes this award especially meaningful. I’ll be forever grateful.”

Jan Daley, a prolific singer/songwriter who joined the Bob Hope Christmas tour in 1972, will receive the President’s Award for Entertaining the Troops in Vietnam. During her long, storied show business career, she has appeared on countless TV shows, including The Tonight Show, The Merv Griffin Show, The Dean Martin Show, and The David Frost Show, and has toured with George Burns, Rodney Dangerfield, Don Rickles, and Bob Hope. Daley continues to record and perform today. In 2023, she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame—and had a smash hit with her song, “The Way of a Woman.”

“When I did the USO tour, I was always thinking of my dad, an Air Force pilot who didn’t come back from World War II, hoping that he’d be looking down on me proudly,” Jan Daley told us. “So, for this award happening now, it’s very moving and means a great deal to me because of my father. Whenever I can help veterans,” she said, “I’m there.”

Bob Parsons, the self-made entrepreneur, marketing wizard, and philanthropist best known as the founder of GoDaddy, will receive the Vietnam Veterans of America 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Parsons, who grew up in Baltimore, joined the Marine Corps in 1968 at eighteen, and served in Vietnam as a rifleman in the 1st Battalion/26th Marines operating out of Quang Nai Province. A month into his tour he was seriously wounded after touching off a trip wire while walking second point. After recovering from his wounds and finishing out his tour of duty, he mustered out of the Marine Corps, came home, graduated from college, started a family, and had success after success in the business world, including his latest venture, Parsons Extreme Golf (PXG).

His service in the Vietnam War “shaped me in so many ways,” Parsons writes in his new autobiography, Fire in the Hole: The Untold Story of My Traumatic Life and Explosive Success, “and it changed me to the core. What I witnessed and what I went through and how I survived is a big part of who I am today. I am certain that had I not gone through Vietnam I wouldn’t have accomplished all that I have.”

Bob Parsons will be signing copies of his book on Saturday morning following the end of the Closing Ceremonies. You can read our review of Fire in the Hole in Books In Review.

Where to Go:

In addition to being the “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno is a gateway to a wider region on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains full of tourist attractions. So, if you’re driving in for the Leadership Conference or renting a car, consider arriving early or lingering a while afterward to explore.

LAKE TAHOE
Only an hour’s drive apart, Reno and Tahoe are so closely associated that the area’s international airport and tourism office bear both names. Lake Tahoe is one of America’s great destinations, winter and summer—startlingly beautiful with great beaches and amazingly clear water. Nearby South Lake Tahoe has casinos, restaurants, gift shops, and entertainment. The annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival will be wrapping up during the Leadership Conference, with lakeside performances set against the scenic mountains.

CARSON CITY
Just 30 freeway miles south of Reno is the small Nevada state capital of Carson City. Founded in 1858, Carson City has a few museums and a laidback retro charm. It’s also worth visiting nearby Kings Canyon Waterfalls, a five-minute drive west of downtown to take in its 25-foot cascade. Seventeen miles south of Carson City, the little town of Gardnerville includes the long-established yet affordable Carson Valley Golf Course and Sharkey’s Casino, a local favorite for gambling and dining on prime rib.

VIRGINIA CITY
Virginia City is a must for authentic silver mining history. A 40-minute drive from Reno, this former boomtown lives up to its “Step Back in Time” motto. Once boasting a population of 25,000, the town today has fewer than 800 people who live in this National Historic Landmark District that attracts more than two million visitors annually. The town’s allure lies in its restored buildings from the 1860s and1870s, flanked by old-time board sidewalks, the Silver Terrace Cemetery with Victorian-fenced plots, and plenty of gift shops, saloons, and eateries.

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