In today's Las Vegas Sun, Aztar Corp announced that had bought out the Jaffe family partnership. Aztar owns and operates the Tropicana Hotel, but they did not own the land. They have benn leasing the land on which it sits. That is the reason they have never put any serious money into expansion or renovation. The Jaffe family ownership goes back to the 50s.

Aztar management announced they would be looking at redeveloping the 34 acre property into possibly 2 different resorts, starting in 2003. Not trying to panic anyone here, but I know what it is to try to move this convention with short notice. The Aladdin was going to be around for the our annual show several years ago, so we were assured. Well, we had to pick up and move with only a few months notice to The Orleans. Trying to find convention space on such short notice in Vegas was a nightmare. I personally never regretted the move, but the timing of it was horrible.

I hope the Board will look into this so the 2003-2004 Convention Chair doesn't get hung out in the wind. Don't let history repeat itself here.It is not fun!!