Longtime tourism icon Rossi Ralenkotter, who led an extensive campaign to turn Las Vegas into the world’s top visitor destination, has died, officials announced Friday. He was 78.

As CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Ralenkotter became the face of tourism in Southern Nevada and one of the state’s most dynamic and powerful figures until his abrupt departure from public life under the weight of scandal.

When Ralenkotter sat down with the Review-Journal in March 2013 to discuss his 40-year employment anniversary with the tax-funded LVCVA, he was upbeat and quick to point out the city’s appeal in the tourism market.

“They want the excitement of the brand of Las Vegas,” he said. “No one is ever going to be able to duplicate that. And that will be part of o

See Full Page