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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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3

Sexy Image Hurts Vegas as Companies Back Off

Sin City bad match for chastened America

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(Newser) – Las Vegas has spent years feasting on its naughty image, but Sin City is going hungry in hard times, BusinessWeek reports. Home prices are at half their 2006 peaks, and unemployment has hit a lofty 9.1%. Vegas is reminding businesses that it’s still an attractive convention destination, but to little avail. Companies are going elsewhere “for no reason other than Las Vegas is viewed as overindulgent,”said a Wynn executive,

The hugely successful “What Happens Here, Stays Here” campaign has made Vegas a toxic destination for hurting companies. Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo moved meetings out of the city after Barack Obama associated such trips with gaudy bonuses. "You are not going to be able to give out these big bonuses until you pay taxpayers back," Obama said. "You can't take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayers' dime."

Tourists take pictures in front of the Las Vegas welcome sign in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009.
Tourists take pictures in front of the Las Vegas welcome sign in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
In this Dec. 3, 2008 file photo, Elvis impersonator Jesse Grice walks down the Fremont Street Experience while waiting for a music video shoot in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008.
In this Dec. 3, 2008 file photo, Elvis impersonator Jesse Grice walks down the Fremont Street Experience while waiting for a music video shoot in Las Vegas, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
This March 28, 2007 file photo shows The Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
This March 28, 2007 file photo shows The Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A huge Celine Dion concert advertisment poster hangs February 7, 2003 on the side of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A huge Celine Dion concert advertisment poster hangs February 7, 2003 on the side of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.   (Getty Images)
Bai Ling arrives for the premiere of
Bai Ling arrives for the premiere of "What Happens in Vegas" in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
A woman with hat and cigar enjoys the pleasures of Las Vegas.
A woman with hat and cigar enjoys the pleasures of Las Vegas.   (Shutterstock)
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3 comments
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Mad
Mar 8, 09 12:06 AM CST
Vegas is a burned out whore. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Mar 8, 09 12:46 AM CST
Hi, Vegas.
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NutsInNY
Mar 8, 09 7:44 AM CDT
If a tree falls in Vegas does it make a sound? Reply
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