Introduction Letter

Nevada Tavern Association

590 Shamrock Lane

Reno, NV 89509

Dear Fellow Tavern and Bar Owner:

I write to you today to offer an important opportunity for our industry here in Nevada. I am the owner of RedRock Bar located in Reno, Nevada and have been in the bar business for more than 17 years. Like you, I’ve poured blood, sweat, and tears into my business to make it a success. And yet, if this past year has taught us anything, it is that my business, your business, and our entire industry can be severely impacted if we don’t band together to defend our common interests. This is why I created the Nevada Tavern Association, a Nevada 501 (c) (6) trade association. I’m asking you to join the Nevada Tavern Association today to protect our mutual interests amidst growing legal, political, and economic threats to our businesses and livelihoods.  

As we look back over the past 18 months, we can agree that the tavern industry would have benefited by a well-organized, coordinated, articulate voice representing our interests in formulating the public policy that impacted us. We all suffered some loss of revenue because such an organization was not in place. Inconsistent, unfair, and sometimes capricious, decisions about our businesses were made without our collective input. Most of us took a large financial hit. Some were forced to go out of business.

It’s time to flip the script. We can no longer afford to rely on the often misguided or misinformed decision-making of public officials, even if well-intentioned, in the future. We need to organize and effectively voice our interests as business owners, and as employers of thousands of Nevadans who rely on our businesses for the jobs that feed their families and help make ends meet. Bars and taverns comprise a significant industry in Nevada. It’s time we unite like other Nevada hospitality industries to voice our concerns and effectively represent our shared interests through a unified organization.  

This past year, I was dismayed when a city representative came into my business and told me I had to close my business down because of COVID. Yet, the restaurant next door—which also sells alcohol—could remain open. I believe the difference was that restaurant owners have an association to represent their interests, because there is no logical scientific, health-justified reason to treat our two businesses, offering similar services, so differently. We’ve learned a painful lesson. Let’s not suffer unfair treatment again. 

Many of us are now getting back on our feet, putting people back to work, and recreating the environments and atmospheres that thousands of our customers enjoy. However, the “Delta” variant of COVID-19 may create a situation in which public policy decisions could again impact our businesses. We must be included in this discussion, and any other public policies that affect our industry. The most effective way to have this seat at the table is through a professional trade association, rather than as individual business owners without the time or means to do so.  

The need for robust membership with the Nevada Tavern Association is not just limited to COVID 19 or other future potential pandemics. There are other legal and political issues which also threaten us. For instance, pending before the Nevada Supreme Court is a case brought by the family of a couple killed by a drunk driver. The family’s argument before the court is that NRS 41.1305 is unconstitutional: This is the statute that protects all tavern owners from liability for the acts of adults who drink alcohol at our licensed establishments. Should the Nevada Supreme Court agree, this would be a devastating blow to our industry. The Nevada Tavern Association has been asked to file an amicus, or “friend of the court,” brief. We need your help now to do so!

I hope that these examples, as well as your gut business sense, convince you that we’re better off fighting together for our common interests through the Nevada Tavern Association. We’re asking for $300 in annual membership dues from each bar and tavern owner. This is an investment in the well-being and future of our industry and individual businesses. I certainly lost much, much more than $300 in business due to the lack of a trade association. We cannot be penny wise and pound foolish. Let’s build an effective and influential trade association that protects our financial interests. Membership dues will be used initially to retain high-caliber legal counsel who will prepare the amicus brief noted above.  We will also meet with legislators to reinforce the basic principles of individual responsibility that should protect a bar or tavern owner from legal liability, as well as rational public health related policies.  We will continually engage local government leaders to identify issues that could our industry. Membership will include a certificate, regular e-mail updates, information, and action alerts. We will conduct quarterly Zoom meetings, at a minimum, to apprise members of developments and efforts on their behalf. 

We are in this together! Let’s work together! Please join us today so that we can ensure we’re here tomorrow. As a fellow tavern/bar owner who’s been on the front lines on COVID-related issues and as a lobbyist who’s been successfully involved in many other legislative and political battles, I’m confident that together as the Nevada Tavern Association, we will protect our industry, thrive economically, keep thousands of people gainfully employed, and be an even more influential part of Nevada’s future. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 775-240-7619. This letter will be followed up by myself or my associate Jesse MenaI thank you in advance for joining us in these efforts.

Warmest Regards,

Kevin McGehee

Founder/CEO

Nevada Tavern Association