Is Anyone as Tired of Las Vegas as I am?
The RV Dealers Association Convention/Expo was, thankfully, the last time I get to visit that city in 2006. But, next year, I’ll be there again, and again and again. Most years, I’ll make at least four trips to the sin city. My record is six. That means I’ve made at least 15 trips in three years.
For some reason, Las Vegas is all the rave for RV industry meetings and shows. From what show organizers tell me, Las Vegas is the “ideal” city for conferences because it is easy to access from just about everywhere, the casinos have huge conference centers than can easily accommodate 60 RVs under one roof, and the casinos are big enough to house all participants and exhibits in the same location.
That may be true, but for those people actually footing the bill for transportation, lodging, food, taxis and entertainment, I don’t know if they’d buy that argument.
Once home to the $4.99 steak dinner and the $29 hotel room - all offered to attract people to a casino’s gambling tables - Las Vegas visitors today better bring plenty of cash. Hotel rooms are easily $140 a night, buffets are now $24, a good sit-down meal will cost $125 per person, and taxis are $20 from the airport to anywhere on the strip. When it costs a supplier $350 in union labor to hang a banner, or $120 to plug in a cord, or $50 to deliver a box, Las Vegas isn’t cheap.
Time is also money. When it takes 45 to 60 minutes to get my luggage and another 45 to 60 minutes to get a cab, my blood boils and it’s not due to the Nevada weather.
Even if you are an infrequent table gamer like me, you’ve had to notice that the minimum bets on any table at the conference centers hosting RV meetings is usually $10, if not $15. A few months ago at Caesar’s Palace, people were shelling out $25 or $100 chips at the roulette table. Don’t like gaming? Tickets to a good Vegas show will run $75 to $125 per person.
I wouldn’t mind visiting Las Vegas once or maybe twice a year. Las Vegas is a great venue for the RVDA Show, but there have to be other places in the 3,755,241 miles that make up the United States of America which will welcome an opportunity to host one of our trade shows. Here are a few that come to mind: Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Minneapolis, Nashville, Seattle, Memphis, Denver (even if you factor in the $40 cab fare) and San Diego.
How about it, conference planners, can we see a change of venue any time soon?
October 27th, 2006 at 4:56 pm
If everyone in the industry can go to Louisville, and get snowed on, then I have to think that there are more locations than Vegas, that can create a draw.
Vegas, Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Miami, Denver, Dallas, Phoneix…all have major airports and while I’m not a show producer and have the knowledge of facilities, I would think they should be able to handle RVDA.
October 25th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
Please, leave convention alone…..It gives us a chance to thaw out one more time before REAL winter sets in!!
October 20th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 15th, 2006 at 8:03 am
I think alternate years of East Coast, West Coast is a fair option.
I agree with your assesment of Vegas Greg. Maybe once every two years would be a better choice. For us to keep up with business while “out of the office” and other factors, we choose to travel via our motorhome. Vegas is so far for us from here in North Carolina.
October 12th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Great discussion on Vegas and the alternatives. As a show producer, we have found there are really only a handful of cities with facilities that can adequately handle our needs. Part of the issues center around draw. Most cities such as Cincinnati as mentioned by one of the contributors to this blog won’t draw enough people to justify the costs associated in running a show. Our company has successfully used New Orleans, San Antonio and Orlando with great success. In fact each of these cities have been used more than once. We also used Nashville and Atlanta with mixed reviews. Vegas is a draw for many and will more than likely continue to be so for some time.
Running shows is a challenge as well as a major cost. Getting it right is important. Vegas, for good or bad does draw the numbers and that is what the show business is all about. Having said this, we will alternate Vegas with other cities because we also know that people like variety and there are several cities that meet both the appeal and functionality required for a successful show.
October 11th, 2006 at 10:11 am
I agree, and what about the travel time from the North East. We spend two days in the air getting there and back. Increased security at the airports only adds to what already is a very long day. I have not participated in years.
October 10th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
What happened to the original plan to switch back and forth from the east one year to the west the next year. I thought Orlando and Nashville were both good venues and much less expensive.
October 10th, 2006 at 4:06 pm
Greg I agree with you as well, Las Vegas is way over done in this industury. Between the manufactors meeting there ,
Coaste RV, Stag and RVDA I get tired of it too.
October 10th, 2006 at 2:39 pm
Greg:
I agree with most of what you are saying…Las Vegas has gotten very expensive. I used to like to play Blackjack when bets were $3 - $5 and $100 would get you several hours of entertainment. Now at $10 - $15 during the day and a minimum of $25 at night I just don’t play anymore.
I do need to point out one thing…most of us dealers just go to Las Vegas once per year. RVDA is a learning experience as well as a reward for dealer principals and their staff for a job well done. Where you have been there 15 times in three years I have been there 15 times in 31 years as an RV dealer. Also, there are several quiet places to talk within the casino if you just look for them and not everyone there is nursing a hangover!
When it’s time to make the decision to attend the trade show, EXPO, convention or whatever each of us must try to calculate the return on investment. For the dealer it’s Dollars vs. Education/Enjoyment. For the vendor it’s Dollars vs. Sales/Good Will. Each of us will make our own choice, however next year if you are at RVDA I will reverse things and buy you a beer….but just one! Wouldn’t want you to get a hangover….*Grin*
October 10th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Hi Greg;
Right on!!
I haven’t made an RVDA meeting (or Coast, Winnebago, Thor, Fleetwood, etc…) in Las Vegas for about 3 years. The last time I went by myself, it cost over $1000 (and that doesn’t include the Convention costs or the gambling) and I said never again. The RVDA is a great meeting, but just not in Vegas.
I remember going there in 2001 (about 20 days after the terrorists attacked) and they had $1.00 Black Jack and Roulette tables. I had lots of fun, but didn’t burn my allowance up on the first night. That was fun.
We actually took our kids with us a couple of years!!
I absolutely would not do that again.
Now it feels like everyone is on the take, there are simply too many seedy characters and as you said, it was just terribly expensive.
I think New Orleans could be a great destination, or San Antonio, or going back to Orlando or Nashville.
October 10th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
Greg,
How true! Las Vegas might be fun for some, but mixing gambling with business is encouraging dealers and manufacturers to risk their hard-earned money unnecessarily and to indulge in bad habits. We have come along way since “houses along the river”, so why go that way again.
October 10th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
I am with you Greg this was my first time to this convention which I tought was very informational to my business. But after all the meetings unless you have alot of disposal income to get rid of this is the place. It would be nice if there was a more afordable place to meet were you do not have to starve to death. Any warm climate would be nice tho have this convention. Your ideas are just fine lets hope thay would agree and plan a new location.
October 10th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
I am “Vegased” out too, for the same reasons. The convention should be held where there is a “hub” for a major airline, to make it easy to get to from…anywhere. Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix are all hubs, and leaving from Toronto, say, does not have to be 9PM at night arriving at 2AM EST. With the SEMA show in November, the Coast Show in February each year, is enough Vegas for me. It is time to change, maybe a rotation of locations each year different. I’m with you Greg.
October 10th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
How about Cincinati, Ohio’s convention center.
October 9th, 2006 at 6:42 pm
Although much of what you have to say are important points, my experience with trade shows in many different cities leads me back to choosing Las Vegas as my favorite - as it seems to be for many of those choosing sites for shows.
There are lots of interesting places to visit in North America - but… as far as being there for trade shows and conventions - Las Vegas is hard to beat - it’s convenient; its a place that many of those that we want to attend the shows are interested in visiting (again and again); it’s an easier trip from the airport to hotels than almost anywhere; it has lots of entertainment options that are easy to get to; it offers a wide range of choices for meals out; the unions are relatively easy to deal with, much more so than some other cities; the convention and hotel facilities are relatively easy to work with, and are professionally equipped to host conventions and shows; and it’s a relatively easy and inexpensive place to fly to.
All in all, it’s pretty hard to argue with the popularity of Las Vegas for hosting trade shows and conventions - and, as mentioned earlier - those people that we WANT to attend shows and conventions are usually more interested in returning to Las Vegas than any other city - and that’s a really important point to keep in mind - where do our customers want to go?
October 6th, 2006 at 3:15 pm
How about New Orleans
October 6th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Greg:
I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of Las Vagas. I get tired of the constant ring of slot machines in every business (not just casinos). I am there to do business. I don’t think the extensive night life is condusive to that. Where do I find some place quiet to discuss businees there? Is my client too hung over to make a business decision? There are many other cities that are great convention spots.
How about San Antonio, TX? I noticed it was absent from your list. San Antonio offers a great facility, the Henry B. Gonzales convention center. Has the Alamo, the river walk and a host of world class eateries and night clubs. The weather is moderate 8-9 months a year. San Antonio also has a modern airport with most major airlines servicing it. Golf courses are plentiful and prices range from $20. to $140. per round. Give San Antonio consideration for your next convention.