As The King said not so long ago…“If you see it once, you’ll never be the same again.”  Most of us in the meetings and events industry have seen it at least once over the years. Chances are you will get there sometime in your career to attend, produce or participate in an event. Make no mistake, Las Vegas is still THE destination for many corporations and associations that want their attendees to have a “legendary time.”

What makes working in Vegas so unique is the variety of entertainment options for attendees on or near the Strip, which is only part of the allure for planners and producers. With 150,000 sleeping rooms and over 10.8 million square feet of ballroom, convention and meeting space, there really aren’t comparable locations elsewhere in America – especially when you add gaming and shows. The potential bump in attendance (14% on average) just from announcing Las Vegas as your meeting destination is substantial. So for planners and producers, that means you have a few things to be mindful of.

Book early.

Currently, Las Vegas runs at 87.1% occupancy which it will continue to do for the foreseeable future.  As their advertising says, “Vegas Means Business,” so you can’t expect to slide in 12 weeks out and find the perfect space for your 1,200 guests in a hotel-adjoining property.

Know your budget limits.

The days of “aggressive discount pricing” in Vegas have gone the way of the Walkman, no longer realistic. Las Vegas offers the best of everything, and before you can even say “Danke Schoen,” your budget ceiling has been decimated. While you may get a great rate on sleeping rooms, you could see superfluous markups on everything from rigging, power drops, labor, catering, security, décor — you name it. Not all of the money is made in the casinos.

In Vegas, there’s something for everyone.

Literally. Most meeting and event planners are looking for “something different.” The number of Las Vegas venues are growing exponentially and the list of themes and amenities available are unimaginable. When considering Las Vegas as a destination, there will be tough decisions to make when looking for the right fit for your group. The selection ranges from high profile venues on the Strip to interesting and inventive places Downtown and on the fringe. New arenas and theatres open regularly, so the choices for hip and trendy entertainment allow Vegas to keep its position as the “diamond in the desert,” and remain especially attractive for large groups.

Local resources can provide some backup.

Technical direction and overall production expertise that synchronize with your team and event – including a clear understanding of your objectives – is critical to making the magic happen and ensuring a cost-efficient process. To maximize efficiency, you may choose to fly your core team members out and backfill some labor locally. The number of local, technically gifted labor in Vegas is strong and continues to grow each year. You may be pleasantly surprised by what can be “picked up locally.” As with any show, the flexibility and resourcefulness of your crew is paramount, so you want personnel who have pretty much “seen it all.” Las Vegas locals are part of the few who actually have and can tell the stories to back it up.

With the right planning and management, an event in Las Vegas is likely to be “legendary,” just as the King said…

“All you need’s a strong heart and a nerve of steel
Viva Las Vegas, viva Las Vegas.”

To learn more about how to make your next meeting or event in Vegas a success, contact Gregg at gregge@theswitch.us.