Trade Show Expo Blog

Where has the year gone?

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 18:51:00 +0000

It's been a while since I posted something on this blog. This is just a test for now!

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:59:00 +0000

Drones? Robots? Wrist Phone? Give me a high-tech bed any time

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:58:00 +0000

LAS VEGAS — A funny thing happened on the way to eat a free lunch at the Las Vegas Convention Center this week.

I was at the International Consumer Electronics Show walking around in the press area looking for a place to sit, rest my feet and eat my complimentary box lunch.

Across the press luncheon there was a door with chairs and as I peaked in someone invited me inside and said the presentation would start in 10 minutes.

Sounded fine to me and I was not in a hurry and I did see there were more boxes of lunches. My lunch box was in a show bag and out of site. The woman pointed to the boxes and said something like, “Grab a lunch and please have a seat.” Well, I am not one to turn down a second free lunch. I grabbed a turkey sandwich box and sat down.

I realized I was in the Sleep Number presentation and about to hear the latest and greatest news about sleep technology. The presenters showed photos and talked about the new technology within the comfortable mattress.

This was the introduction to the Sleep Number x12 bed. I never realized how much tech could be stuffed into mattress.

This was no ordinary bed. This was the new x12 bed with voice command and designed to help anyone get a great night’s rest. It has a computerized monitor and each side has its own controls for couples.

There is also a program to help snorers like me who may need an adjustment in the middle of the night. If one person snores too loud, his spouse could just tell the x12 to raise the mattress and change the snorer’s breathing and hopefully lessen the sounds.

Some bed. However, with a price tag of north of $7,000 I doubt I will ever find this bed in my home.

People in the audience had questions about security of the information used for the bed. Some people are actually afraid that by sleeping on this bed the government may tap into your sleep pattern and check to see if you are actually sleeping or out gathering government secrets. The NSA has made Americans quite nervous it seems.

There was also a question of whether this bed record who actually sleeps in the bed and whether the activity is monitored. The answer is simple: just turn it off and no one will know who did what in the bed and how many positions were used. I doubt the bed is that smart but I do wonder how nice the air cushions would feel while watching TV.

I may go looking for this bed later this week and see how the mattress feels. I may not be able to afford the bed but I can afford a few minutes to lie down and imagine what it would be like to have this bed in my home. I’d like to know my Sleep IQ.

The Dodgers are on a roll...

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:41:00 +0000

Another great come-from-a-little-behind win by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Adrian Gonzalez hit a three-run homer, Andre Ethier and Jerry Hairston Jr. added solo shots and the streaking Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-9 Tuesday night for their fifth straight victory and 22nd in 27 games.

CJ the chimp to spend another night in northern Nevada

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 06:11:00 +0000

CJ the chimp to spend another night in northern Nevada

Ramsay Steak Opens Friday, May 11

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:37:00 +0000

LAS VEGAS (April 20, 2012) – Internationally-renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay announced that Gordon Ramsay Steak, his first restaurant in Las Vegas, will open Friday, May 11 at Paris Las Vegas. Gordon Ramsay Steak will offer guests a fresh, high-energy modern steakhouse environment that playfully transports guests from Paris to London.

“The space is bold and innovative, and we've put together a strong team who together created a contemporary and fresh menu,” says Chef Ramsay. “I can't wait to open and start welcoming guests to my very first Vegas-based restaurant.”

David Hoenemeyer, president of Paris Las Vegas, looks forward to welcoming Gordon Ramsay to the resort: “I am incredibly pleased with the restaurant that Gordon Ramsay and his team have created at Gordon Ramsay Steak. The space is one-of-a-kind in its design and energy; my mouth waters simply reading the menu.”

On the evening of May 11, Ramsay will participate in Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit’s Grand Tasting where Gordon Ramsay Steak will serve small bites to thousands of guests from its newly fabricated booth, stylistically representative of the restaurant. Attendees of the event will be treated to a selection of some of Ramsay’s traditional favorites such as the roasted beef Wellington served with potato puree and butter-glazed root vegetables, pan-seared Haddock with Irish potato broth and sticky toffee pudding. This will be Chef Ramsay’s first year participating in the culinary event at Caesars Palace Garden of the Gods pool oasis.

Gordon Ramsay Steak’s menu, carried out by new Executive Chef Kevin Hee, who has trained under the Gordon Ramsay Group, will showcase Ramsay’s interpretation of traditional American steakhouse dishes with a hint of modern flair intertwined with many contemporary classics. The menu will change seasonally drawing on the best product available at the time giving visitors new tastes upon every return. Diners can choose from starters either “From Sea” or “From Land” with dishes like butter-poached Maine lobster, fried oysters and smoked beef tartare with Guinness-infused mustard seeds. Main courses offer a wide selection of grilled items such as a large range of Wagyu beef, various cuts of dry-aged steaks, veal, Kurobuta double pork chop and an assortment of seafood choices.

Missing my chance to meet Captain America

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:05:00 +0000

I am addicted to trade shows and when I can’t get to a certain show I will look online for news and information about trade shows not taking place in Las Vegas

The one show that has eluded me year after year is Comic Con — the annual convention of popular arts with special guests, themes and anniversaries, and programming. It is the ultimate gathering of science fiction characters, comic book heroes and the celebrities who portray them in films.

Most of the characters are the attendees who travel to the San Diego Convention Center to participate in the convention. The press enjoys covering this event because there is never a shortage of costume-clad sci-fi fans. This year the show is going ape with the release of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” on Aug. 5.

More than 125,000 fans have descended upon the Convention Center this week, dressing up like their heroes, which this year will include vampires, werewolves, zombie-killers and demon-hunters featured in recent and forthcoming comic books, TV shows, movies and video games.

Hugh Jackman was photographed at Comic Con passing out movie poster to hundreds of fans. Most fans know him as Wolverine of X-Men films of he has been promoting “Real Steel” his latest action film about boxing robots.

According to press releases, Jackman is Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring.

This film will most likely appeal to males. From the trailers it looks like the Rock ’Em Sock ’E Robots of my youth have taken over the silver screen.

I wouldn’t mind donning my Star Trek uniform and spend a day walking among Captain America, the Hulk or Spiderman.

Las Vegas does host the Star Trek Convention but it is not the same since Star Trek: The Experience shut down at the Hilton.

Las Vegas meanwhile has a beauty show in Cosmoprof North America, a show shoe from WSA and the ASD merchandise show taking place this month.

I may not get to rub elbows with Captain America but next month I will get chance to listen to President Bill Clinton who is the keynote speaker for the Summer 2011 Las Vegas Market at the World Market Center on Aug. 1.

Live long and prosper.

Healthcare exhibit industry on an upswing

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:16:00 +0000

I am addicted to trade shows so when an association makes a rare stop in Las Vegas I make an effort to visit and check out the exhibits. For the first time ever the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association held its annual meeting at the Wynn in Las Vegas. The June 25-28 meeting offered a great opportunity to learn about the association and learn about the industry.

There were a few exhibitors who had also exhibit at the annual Exhibitor show held in Las Vegas during the spring so a few companies were able to reuse some of the elements from its booth from that show in March. MG Design and Elements were two companies that had a familiar branding to me since I also visited their booths at Exhibit2011.

One education session gave me some insight into the state of the health care exhibit industry and, according to HCEA’s marketing research and communications manager Frank Skinner, the industry is on a small upswing but many companies are using less space at trade shows and spending less money.

The average square footage for large shows dropped from 200,000 to 130,000 square feet during the past year.

The Wynn was a great location for a show of this size. The exhibit show floor was located just a few hundred yards from the education sessions, but for some reason Las Vegas is not among the top cites for the health care exhibit industry.

“For 14 years Orlando has hosted an new healthcare meeting every five days,” Skinner said, adding that other popular destinations are Washington, D.C., San Diego and New Orleans.

I managed to walk the floor and talk with some exhibitors who demonstrated their products.

Congratulations to two exhibitors for winning best booth awards during the show. Kaon, No. 122, was the best small booth with its under 10-foot-by-10-foot exhibit. The best large booth award went to Crêpes á Latte Catering for its attention-grabbing booth. Not only did their booth look good, but the coffee and mini cupcakes were delicious.

Coffee must be very much accepted in the healthcare industry because I could not help but notice that there were a few exhibitors offering cups of java for attendees. Markey Coffee Communication caught my attention with it special blend of coffee brought from the United Kingdom.

For the first time, the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) will have the attendance at its Annual Meeting professionally audited by an independent, third party auditing organization.

The 2011 HCEA Annual Meeting, to be held June 25-28, 2011, in Las Vegas, will be audited by the not-for-profit organization BPA Worldwide, therefore providing HCEA with complete and accurate attendance and demographic data about its meeting.

The audit will be a census-based, independent validation of verified meeting attendance. BPA Worldwide will confirm and validate show attendance data for HCEA based on verified registration, demographics and geographic coverage. Thanks to Jennifer Palcher-Silliman for making it possible for me to attend.

Overall a great show with decent attendance. I will have to wait for the audit to be complete before knowing how many healthcare professionals attended but I think the association should be pleased with the results.

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 23:33:00 +0000

I just connected everything through PING and I hope it works!

Freeman makes industry-changing deal with Wheelhouse Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:30:00 +0000

LAS VEGAS — In an announcement that will change how some general contractors will conduct business, Freeman and Wheelhouse Solutions announced today that Freeman will has acquired Wheelhouse, an experiential marketing services firm comprised of three companies – Champion Exposition Services, George Fern Company and Immersa Marketing.

Joe Popolo, CEO of Freeman and Wheelhouse CEO, Bob Priest-Heck made the announcement that was posted onto YouTube and can be be viewed on Trade Show Expo's website as well by clicking this link..

The combination of these two companies will form the premier experiential marketing firm, operating under the Freeman name.

As of today, Champion will be integrated into Freeman. Fern, a leading exposition services company, and Immersa, a leading experientialmarketing agency, will operate as individual brands under Freeman.

There had been talks of this acquistion for days but not much could be found on the Internet until today. Calling this the next step to the future on its company blog, Freeman bring together a large group of industry talent that will be sure to change the face-to-face industry in Las Vegas and across the country.

Perhaps it was the recession that triggered tallks of this decision but it goes to show how the industry is evolving.

Other companies may wondering who they can team up with to provide better customer service and keep their piece of the industry pie. It is a good move for Champion and Fern but only time will tell if this acquistion will be accepted by the unions and trade show managers.

Read more on TSE's Website!

Licensing Expo missing its Tony

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:54:00 +0000

I am addicted to trade shows because it is a great way to meet people who enjoy conducting face-to-face business meetings.

The tradeshow industry has allowed me to shake hands or at least be in the same hall with some of the biggest names in film, televisions, sports and politics.

With the Licensing Expo taking place at the Mandalay Bay this week I could not help but feel a bit sad with the absence of one of the most gracious men I have ever had the chance to meet in person.

Tony Curtis had been one of Las Vegas most popular residents but he was more than just and actor. He was an author and artist as well. Although a bit frail during the last few years of his life he continued to make public appearance. He was a regular celebrity at the Licensing Expo held every year in Las Vegas.

As ill as he may have been he still managed to show up to promote his artwork, sign a few autographs and say hello to his fans. Unfortunately, last year was his final appearance at the Las Vegas trade show.

Curtis, the son of a Bronx tailor and star of such films as "Sweet Smell of Success," and "The Defiant Ones," passed away Sept. 29 of last year. He was 85.

I enjoyed watching him sitting in his wheelchair, talking with his fans and still able to flirt with the many women who waited in line to get an autograph, a kiss and a photo with the American film actor.

I was in awe of him because I had always been a fan of his films. “Some Like It Hot” is one of my favorite films. I liked all of his films and I have tried to watch as many of them as I could.

For years I thought he was Harry Houdini until I began to understand what films were all about. I even liked his guest appearance as Stoney Curtis on the Flintstones cartoon series.

That episode debuted in 1965 but I caught it in syndication in the early 70s as a youth growing up in Los Angeles.

I know his presence at Licensing Expo is missed. There is an empty booth where he would have welcomed attendees to his table.

I did managed to say hello to him while taking his photo at the show bit I could never get close enough to shake his hand.

Although his brand is not include with the list of exhibitors at this year’s show, hopefully his brand will return to the show so that a new generation of fans can continue to become acquainted with Curtis.

John Wayne, Elvis and Jim Morrison are still popular draws for fans so I am sure Curtis will always have his following.

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:47:00 +0000

U.S.A.! U.S.A.! not just a chant but also a brand

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:28:00 +0000

I am addicted to trade shows but when I received an invitation to attend the 11th Global Travel and Tourism Summit held in Las Vegas last month, it was hard to pass up.

I confess I did not originally know what the Summit was about but I this was a great chance to attend a an event at the Aria Resort and Casino, so I managed to procure a press credential for the May 17-19 gathering of leaders. The list of speakers and guests was a Who’s Who of Global travel leaders that included CEOs and VP’s of various international hotel, travel and tourism companies, members of President Barack Obama’s cabinet, heads of various internet travel companies and the President of Mexico Felipe Calderón.

This was the first time this Summit was held in Las Vegas and just the second time the United States hosted the annual meeting organized by the World Travel & Tourism Council. It was a great opportunity for Las Vegas to showcase itself to the Global travel community.
Representing and welcoming nearly 1,000 delegates from 65 countries to Las Vegas were Mayor Oscar Goodman and Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO and President of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

“But basically what Las Vegas is all about is it’s about fun in the evening and about doing serious business in the during the daytime,” said Mayor Goodman as during his brief time on the stage.

One press conference I attended was by the Corporation for Travel Promotion membership panel who discussed what it is doing to bring more tourism to the United States. It is a fact that the U.S. has seen fewer overseas visitors every year since the Sept. 11 attacks.
People used to come here for the mountains, beaches, cities, cuisine, historical monuments, or just to take in a baseball game or a Broadway play. People have their own reasons for visiting the U.S.

The U.S. did not need to promote itself but lately many tourists have been perhaps afraid or unsure of traveling to Los Angeles, New York, Miami or even Las Vegas.

The new Corporation for Travel Promotion is trying to increase travel to the States and have formed a public and private partnership between the government and the tourism industry, including the heads of Diamond Resorts International and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in Orlando.

Its board members say every state needs to pull behind the power of the U.S. brand to entice people visit.

But the question seems to be just how do you promote a country as large as the United States?

“Each state is still going to promote itself and its iconic landmarks,” according to Caroline Beteta, president and CEO, California Travel & Tourism Commission.” Beteta says the CTP will also promote those same icons to attract first-time visitors.

"We need people to be thinking about America," says Beteta, who is also the vice chairwoman of the CTP. "If they're not thinking about America, they'll never consider California.”

Las Vegas has a lot to market to the global travel community beyond the casinos, sun and swimming pools. Las Vegas is a one-stop global tour with its own Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower and erupting volcano.

Luring tourist to America will be the task at hand for Jim Evan, who during the Summit was announced as the CEO to run the Corporation and develop all the marketing programs to attract millions more visitors to the U.S.

Evans is a long-time industry leader with strong marketing and CEO experience and a successful record of coalition building, which is extremely important given the need to align the priorities of 50 states, hundreds of destinations.

Currently the CTP is launching "Destination America" — an international ad campaign including TV spots, print ads and websites to educate the world about the rules for entering the United States.

The 12th Summit is scheduled to take place in Tokyo on April 17-19, 2012. That is a bit too far for me to travel.

However, after a few days at the Global Summit I was convinced I needed to see more of America myself. I think I will start with Red Rock Canyon, Mount Charleston or the Bellagio Fountains.

Huffington Post: Keith Olbermann's New Right-Hand Man

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:40:00 +0000

		Keith Olbermann's New Right-Hand Man
	Keith Olbermann has named David Sarosi as the executive producer of the new incarnation of "Countdown." Olbermann and Current TV, where the program launches on...

National Hardware Show 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Mon, 30 May 2011 21:26:00 +0000

National Hardware Show 2011, a set on Flickr.

Steven Spann Trash Artist at HD Expo 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Mon, 30 May 2011 21:14:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Sat, 21 May 2011 16:56:00 +0000

A few moments with Rossi Rallenkotter during the

Global Travel and Tourism Summit held recently in Las Vegas.

Hardware versus IT Clouds

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:21:00 +0000

I am addicted to tradeshows, which is why the month of May is so much fun and yet so busy.

Both the National Hardware Show and Interop were in Las Vegas and I managed to spend a little time at both. It was interesting to see the differences between the two tradeshows.

Sure there are the obvious similarities of the aisles of graphics, booths and carpeting but it was the differences that stood out as I went from the Las Vegas Convention Center to see grills, drills and staple guns and over to Mandalay Bay Convention Center for fiber optics, clouds and data management.

Interop is great for computer networking, technology and security systems but I felt a bit lost understanding the future of IT. This was a show for Windows people and I have always been a Mac man.

I always enjoy the NHS for its tools, garden decorations and the latest in garage technology. It is like walking into a huge hardware store without price tags. I understand do-it-yourself projects and I like to know there is new heavy duty cleaning wipes available to help me clean up.

What I like about Interop is how well the press is treated. There are plenty of computer stations to file a story and lunch is catered.

At the LVCC I had to settle for slice of pizza at the food court but the NHS media relations staff does send out plenty of stories to keep me up-to-date with information.

While at the NHS I got to meet NFL Hall-of-Famer Jack Youngblood from the Los Angeles Rams and I took photos of television star and Sears spokesman Ty Pennington. Celebrities always bring attention to a booth.

Interop General Manager Lenny Heyman spent a few minutes with me to talk about his show. I also sat down with Michael Kushner, the vice president digital media strategy for UBM Studios, to discuss the future of virtual tradeshows. UBM is the company behind Virtual Comdex and is on the cutting edge of virtual events.

I also notice a difference in the noise level of both shows.

The Las Vegas Convention Center is a cavernous facility but I had no problem talking with exhibitors and hearing the various presentations being delivered.

The exhibitors at Interop, meanwhile, seem to be competing for attention. Every exhibitor must have had a stage with microphones, visual aids, speaker systems and models ready to sit you down for the next presentation. The noise level was a bit much and it was difficult to hear or understand a few of the presentations I sat down to listen to.

As for tchotchkes, I walked from Interop away with T-Shirts, USB drives and a small beanie dog. From NHS I received a cap, a tool apron, and toilet cleaning tabs. I also came home with a small MAG-Lite flashlight but I got that from ONPATH Technologies — an Interop exhibitor.

This week is aimed at tourism and hospitality with the Hospitality Design Expo Show at the Sands Expo meanwhile over at Aria Resort & Casino in City Center is The Global Travel & Tourism Summit.

See you on the floor!

Ty at NHS

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Sun, 15 May 2011 21:27:00 +0000

Taken by Trade Show Expo http://www.flickr.com/photos/38099572@N02/5713456519

Dog day Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:02:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:47:00 +0000

Taken by Trade Show Expo http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/5713457627_dc6f3b8cd6_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Mon, 09 May 2011 02:01:00 +0000

Taken by Trade Show Expo http://www.flickr.com/photos/38099572@N02/5574646414

Moss

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Mon, 09 May 2011 01:57:00 +0000

Justice finally served

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Thu, 05 May 2011 19:06:00 +0000

I am addicted to tradeshows but I always keep my eye on the news and when the news hits the fan it is hard to concentrate on other things in life.

News of the death of Osama bin Laden was a huge victory for the United States and should change the course of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

it is a mess over there and I am glad to be an American living in Las Vegas.

Yet, it is hard to hear of news from this past weekend and not think back to that awful morning in New York. I was working for a tradeshow publication here in Las Vegas. I was still new to the industry and trying to get my head around pop-up modules and double-deck booths.

The events that transpired that early Tuesday morning will always be fresh in my memory. Everyone remembers where he or she was when the World Trade Center towers came crashing down.

Now everyone will remember where they were when they heard the news about the Navy Seals who stormed a compound in Abbottabad and killed the most hated man in America.

It was justice served.

Perhaps this is not the place to discuss the events that took place in another American city or in a small town in a country I will never visit, but it goes to show the reach that one man had and the effect his decision had on a city this evil man probably never visited.

When the planes hit the Towers in New York all planes were grounded and McCarran Airport and the Las Vegas Convention Center were placed on high alert.

Tradeshows, conventions and tourism came to a halt that day and Las Vegas’ economy was crippled.

Comdex was expected to give its usual boost to the Las Vegas economy but after the attacks there was talk of canceling Comdex all together.

Comdex was expected to draw upwards of 200,00 attendees to its November Show. Comdex picked up some attendees in the days leading up to the show but final numbers came in at 110,000 attendees. The tech boom head reached its peak and in June 2004, Comdex cancelled the 2004 exhibition in Las Vegas.

According to news accounts, McCarran was averaging more than 3 million passengers a month until the number dropped to 2.1 million in September 2001 and remained below 3 million until March 2002.

Gaming revenue for Clark County fell from $650 million in August 2001 to $595 million in September and stayed below year-ago levels until February 2002.Hotels were discounting rates like car dealers to maintain occupancy levels, which had fallen from 90 percent to about 70 percent.

One evil man can be blamed for the dismal economic figures for that year. Now he is gone and while New York continues to rebuild at Ground Zero, Las Vegas continues to rebuild its tradeshow and tourism economy.

It is hard to believe that one man could create such world-wide terror but now that he is gone, it is my hope that we can work to solve other issues that directly effect us as Americans living in Las Vegas or anytown, U.S.A.

As a I watch President Barack Obama lay a wreath at Ground Zero I look ahead with hope for a peaceful future and a prosperous trade show business. I do know there is much more work to do and peace will not come easy but catching Osama is something President Obama can mark off his bucket list.

See you on the floor!

It takes a village to rebuild a resort

noreply@blogger.com (Trade Show Expo) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:34:00 +0000

I am addicted to tradeshows but sometimes it is good to go where there are no tradeshows and just take in the scenery.

One of my favorite places to visit is Lake Las Vegas located about 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

It is a nice, quite and secluded place to walk around and do a little window-shopping.

Unfortunately there are fewer and fewer windows for window-shopping these days at MonteLago Village Resort at Lake Las Vegas.

Not long ago it seems there was a lot of talk about Lake Las Vegas and all the million-dollar homes surrounding the lake including one owned by singer Céline Dion.

With two luxury hotels, a casino and a boutique shopping area, the resort seemed like the ideal spot for locals and tourist to gather for concerts, events, golf or meetings. My wife and I had a chance to spend a Fourth July weekend there and enjoy a concert and fireworks.

Then the resort was hit with an assortment of financial problems and in March 2010 the MonteLago Resort and Casino shut down and 177 casino employees lost their jobs.
Recently we revisited the MonteLago Village and took a stroll to see how the economy has affected the man-made lake experience.

It was, in a word — sad — but there is hope for the small shopping, dining, and events site but it may take some time for the village to gain the popularity it was building upon a few short years ago.

Intrepid Gaming LLC was recently granted a temporary business license by the Henderson City Council to operate the Casino MonteLago.

Las Vegas-based Intrepid Gaming applied for a non-restricted gaming license and a liquor license in February. According to reports, the Nevada Gaming Commission has not approved the gaming application so far.

The doors are shut and a fence is around the perimeter of the property keeps people away from the closed building. Reopening the casino would be a huge boost for the resort village that has been on a continual rebound since the 3,600-acre Lake Las Vegas development went through bankruptcy proceedings more than two years ago.

A year ago, Pacific Capital Management, acting on behalf of Signal Butte Investors LLC., acquired the condominium lodging operations of Lake Las Vegas’ MonteLago Village Resort from Intrawest Hospitality Management.

Aston Hotels & Resorts was brought in to manage the 210 condominiums that are available as rentals in the three-acre waterfront parcel. Signal Butte Investors has owned MonteLago Village’s retail and restaurant operations since June 2007. MonteLago Village has a total of 347 condominiums.

Shortly after the casino closed the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas, a five-diamond hotel, closed its property adjacent to the casino and hope dimmed further for the troubled resort community as another 340 employees lost their jobs on May 2, 2010.
There is some good news for the village.

Last September Dolce Hotels and Resorts breathed new life into the property when it announced that it would be taking over the property and unveiled plans to reopen the 349-room nongaming hotel.

Ravella at Lake Las Vegas opened its doors in February and has been busy booking guest and hosting meetings.

During our walk around the village there were a few people from the Society for Human Ecology was holding its conference. It was good to see a few people with conference badges walking about during our walk throughout the village.

There are not many shops open and there is no market at the village. A kite shop and breakfast café are gone and many storefronts are empty. Sections of the walkway and landscape looked a unkept and the lake itself had lost some of its appeal.

Although the casino has been closed, MonteLago Village continues to host special events such as the Village Easter Celebration this past weekend. Jazz on the Lake returns on May 7 and is free to the public. Other events are listed on the MonteLago Village website www.montelagovillage.com.

The Website describes the resort as “the perfect place to spend your weekend or a midweek getaway. … The Mediterranean-styled resort is ideal for family getaways, weddings, business conferences and much more.”

It may be one of the best-kept secrets for meeting planners. I just hope more people discover the old world charm of the village and that better days are ahead.

See you on the floor!