Convention Center Of The Gods

A booking deal for a convention center isn’t always big news, but when the venue is part of a new AAA four-diamond resort with a golf course, hotel and casino attached – and when it makes a booking deal with Live Nation – it’s news.

Live Nation Southwest has signed an exclusive deal to book the 1,800-capacity convention center at Tucson’s Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort, LN regional chief Danny Zelisko confirmed to Pollstar.

The property is owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe and nestled in the Sacramento Mountains near Mescalero, N.M.

The casino and resort underwent a $200 million “rebuilding” in 2005 and boasts a travel center, championship golf course, ski facility and convention center that has already hosted several concerts and other events.

“This new partnership with Live Nation … allows us to expand our entertainment options tremendously,” marketing director Tina Lenz said.

Zelisko told Pollstar that Lenz was crucial in bringing the deal to Live Nation, having been involved in the opening of the Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre, or AVA, at Tucson’s Casino of the Sun. Lenz also worked with Zelisko when she was there.

Lenz moved on, but brought her Rolodex with her when she landed at Inn of the Mountain Gods and called Zelisko about booking the convention center.

“The place is really exceptional,” Zelisko said of the resort and its convention center. “The groups that have already played there love it and call wanting to return because the accommodations are great.

“The place has a hotel, casino right downstairs, and there’s fishing, hunting, skiing, golf, you name it. It’s nestled into these mountains and it’s just gorgeous.”