Homeward Bound

We had a very productive trip spreading the message about Las Vegas and the new British Airways service. As I get ready to board the inaugural flight, I look forward to seeing you all again back home in Las Vegas when I arrive.

Preparing to board the inaugural flight with British Airways CEO Willie Walsh (left center), Rossi Ralenkotter, showgirls and British Airways ambassadors

There were so many highlights on this trip – meeting my London counterpart Mayor Boris Johnson, lunch with British Airways Chairman Martin Broughton, our signature event Thursday that wowed so many people. All of this and being in one of the greatest cities in the world for the first time.

London City Hall

Good things take time and are worth waiting for. New air service to Las Vegas is definitely one of those good things, in fact, it’s a great thing. My colleague Rossi Ralenkotter and the LVCVA team began cultivating the relationship with British Airways 10 years ago.

Backstage at Lion King, which also plays in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay

Right now, the UK is No. 1 source of overseas visitors to Las Vegas. As of today, Las Vegas is now connected to 45 European cities through London Heathrow, and that is phenomenal. Not only that, each British Airways flight will generate an economic impact of $260,000 per flight – that’s $96 million annually for Las Vegas!

I know Rossi is proud today, as I am, to witness and be a part of the airline’s first inaugural flight from London to Las Vegas.

I am looking forward to seeing you tonight and I thank you for your support.

Oscar B. Goodman
The Happiest Mayor in the Universe

Invitation to Vegas

It is certainly no secret that I very much enjoy meeting new people – in Las Vegas or anywhere else in the world. I took the opportunity on Saturday to get out and shake a few hands. These are the people who are potential visitors to Las Vegas and I thought I’d extend a personal invitation and the news about the new non-stop air service.

Palace of Westminster at River Thames

We drove to some scenic and historic landmarks where there were sure to be travelers from all over the world. Knowing that not many people were likely to walk up to a guy in a suit, I made sure to bring the fabulous Las Vegas show girls with me.

In the guard box at St. James Palace

Buckingham Palace

I brought a supply of my famous casino chip business cards and I handed them out everywhere I went, along with a Las Vegas lapel pin that blinks. They are a great way to make friends and remind people what a great place Las Vegas is to visit.

Big Ben

Representatives from the Lion King invited us back stage Saturday evening to talk with performers and stage hands since the show also plays in Las Vegas. We had some laughs and took some photos. You may see them in publications very soon, if you haven't already.

Enjoy the photos! Tomorrow we depart London Heathrow on British Airways inaugural flight to Las Vegas.

Oscar B. Goodman
The Happiest Mayor in the Universe

Only Vegas

It’s no doubt during my tenure as Happiest Mayor in the Universe that I have attended many, many events in Las Vegas. Last night, 5,000 miles away from the "Entertainment Capital of the World" -- Las Vegas, I was pleased to meet many people who were just as excited about Las Vegas as if they were already there. Everyone had a story. The evening had energy and buzz! All who attended said there sure aren't events like this any more. I told them we have them every night in Las Vegas.

Our celebrity guest DJ Paul Oakenfold was a big hit, of course, and we were thrilled when Mel B arrived. The former Spice Girl, who has appeared in Las Vegas in Peep Show at Planet Hollywood, is lovely and quite gracious.

Wow! What an evening!

Me with Paul Oakenfold and Mel B

Mel B with British Airways ambassador and showgirl

Mel B with showgirls and Elvis

Me with Richard Tams of British Airways

You may think that we would have met with all the media in the UK already, but that was not the case. The more the better, I say! Lots of questions about the economy and MGM Mirage’s CityCenter, which is scheduled to open in mid-December. A lunch with Mr. Poju Zabludowicz, owner of The Plaza in Las Vegas, gave us the opportunity to talk about Downtown development.

One more full day tomorrow, and then on Sunday I’ll be returning back home to Las Vegas on the inaugural British Airways flight with CEO Willie Walsh and my two beautiful show girls.

Oscar B. Goodman
The Happiest Mayor in the Universe

Another Great Day in London

Hello! The Happiest Mayor in the Universe reporting once again from London. Every day I spend here is another day that we can tell the world about what a great place Las Vegas is to visit. Like I always say, I have the best job in the world.

The relationships we built here are incredible for Las Vegas, and I am looking forward to returning home on Sunday’s inaugural flight to speak with you in person at the press conference at McCarran.

One of today’s highpoints was the meeting Rossi and I had with Martin Broughton, chairman of British Airways. We had a wonderful lunch at Le Caprice, where I met the head chef who had recently returned from – you guessed it – Las Vegas. He stayed at Planet Hollywood and Wynn, and ate at some of our finest restaurants. The more people I talk with in my travels, the more I meet people who have been to -- and can’t wait to return to -- Las Vegas. During our lunch I found out that Mr. Broughton is scheduled to visit our fair city again at least once next year. Like me, not only is he a great fan of our town, but he loves the horses, too!

British Airways Chairman Martin Broughton, me

and Rossi Ralenkotter

Rossi and I in one of many media interviews since our arrival

We also met with even more media – they can’t get enough of Las Vegas. The day culminated with a special event we co-hosted with British Airways – another opportunity for us to sell Las Vegas. We are very pleased that DJ/producer and London native Paul Oakenfold was able to be our celebrity guest DJ for this event. Paul is now appearing at Rain at the Palms in Las Vegas – his first U.S. residency – and on tour with Madonna, and we appreciate his help in making this event even more special.

Signing off,

Oscar B. Goodman
The Happiest Mayor in the Universe

Spreading the Las Vegas Message

Today was very busy but exhilarating. The highlight was meeting my counterpart in London, Mayor Boris Johnson. The gracious mayor invited us to a reception at City Hall to review the city’s progress on construction for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. I was pleased to hear that Mayor Johnson has visited our fair city before. I presented him a key to the city and invited him to stop by the next time he’s in town.

Me with London Mayor Boris Johnson

I was joined at the reception by my colleague LVCVA President/CEO Rossi Ralenkotter. Together we had the opportunity to speak with business and government leaders about Las Vegas as a tour and travel destination, and the new non-stop service on British Airways. The UK, by the way, is the No. 1 international overseas destination for Las Vegas, which is why this new air service is a great win for our two cities on both sides of the pond!

The afternoon was filled with more media interviews, both radio and TV, including a visit to the BBC studios. Many of the questions focused on new development, the economy, international visitation, and exciting projects such as City Center.

On the set at the BBC Studios

On the set of Wedding TV

Given my background in the field of law, we were invited to watch court proceedings at Old Bailey, the criminal courthouse, where the barristers wear the traditional wigs while presenting their cases.

As those of you back home are well aware, our fabulous Las Vegas show girls attract attention wherever we go, so we had no problem crossing the busy London streets to get to the courthouse – they stopped traffic for us!

Me with Rossi Ralenkotter and our fabulous showgirls

In the evening, I had dinner with representatives from the International Rugby Board, and had further discussions about the International Rugby Tournament and Fan Festival that will be held in Las Vegas starting in February 2010. This event will bring thousands of fans from all over the world to Las Vegas to support their teams. During dinner, my pals from Bombay Sapphire stopped by. They have come up with a new recipe called the Goodman Gold "Double" Martini Cocktail. It was a real treat!

What a day! More to come tomorrow.

Regards,

Oscar B. Goodman
The Happiest Mayor in the Universe

Las Vegas Meets London

Greetings from across the pond to all my friends and colleagues at home in Las Vegas!

Mayor Goodman here reporting on the first day of my business trip to London to sell Las Vegas. I had a great flight on British Airways for my maiden visit to London. When I arrived at London Heathrow Airport, I was greeted by dignitaries from the airline. Las Vegas is so well known all over the world that there was even a taxi waiting for me with the Las Vegas logo on it.

In this photo: Me, and Richard Tams from British Airways with ambassadors

I kicked off the week's media interviews and business meetings today with a stop at the CNN studios -- the first of many interviews scheduled for the next few days. Tomorrow, a full day of interviews with media including the Telegraph and the BBC.

In this photo: Flanked by British Airways ambassadors; Rossi Ralenkotter, LVCVA; The Happiest Mayor in the Universe; Richard Tams, British Airways

It's an honor to represent Las Vegas to the world, and I look forward to this opportunity to help bring more visitors to our town.

Oscar B. Goodman

The Happiest Mayor in the Universe