Sparks will be the vacation getaway of choice for a few executives this summer, but their play will be all work.

Representatives from Destination Development will be putting the city of Sparks under the microscope to assess the strength of its appeal in the tourism industry.

"The objective is to determine the effectiveness of the city's marketing efforts," said Adam Mayberry, City of Sparks public information officer.

The travelers will fly into Reno/Tahoe International airport and will look at Sparks though the eyes of a visitor.

Among other criteria, they will look at signage, the ease of getting around, the general appeal of the area and local things to do.

After two days and nights of careful observation, the representatives will host a workshop on Sparks’ appeal in the tourism industry.

At the workshop they will present their official travel details - A Branding Assessment Findings and Suggestions report.

According to Mayberry, the city is trying to assess Sparks' strength as a destination development.

Mayberry presented the project at Monday's city council meeting and said that it is only the first step in a long process.

"Branding is a long-term process and this is really just the first page," Mayberry said.

According to Mayberry, the assessment is being done in large part because of the Legends project.

"This (Legends) is the destination development that will really highlight Sparks and bring people from other states," Mayberry said. "It is important that we get this underway as we are becoming a destination area."

The assessment was requested by the Sparks Tourism and Marketing Committee, which is comprised of three members: Ron Smith, Ron Schmitt and Stephen Ascuaga.

The marketing assessment contract, and the executives’ trip as a part of that assessment, will be funded by $12,000 in hotel taxes.

Special events in Sparks draw tourists by the thousands. Hot August Nights and the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off draw a combined 1.3 million people to the streets of Sparks each year.