Las Vegas Worries Its ‘Sin City’ Image Is Hurting Business Travel

Monday, February 16, 2009
By Oskar Garcia, Associated Press

Las Vegas (AP) - Sin City is worried that its well-honed style is crimping its business.

Born of carefully crafted slogans -- "What happens here stays here" -- and smiling, sequined showgirls, the image of a 24-hour adult Disneyland with free-flowing booze and casino chips is making the tourist destination seem radioactive to companies keen on not appearing frivolous as they seek government bailouts.

In the past two weeks, at least four major companies canceled meetings worth hundreds of thousands of dollars -- not because of costs but because of appearances. Even President Barack Obama questioned the propriety of flying off to Las Vegas if taxpayers were helping foot the bill. the rest