Readers Speak: This Didn't Stay in Vegas

Does what happens in Las Vegas really stay in Las Vegas? Apparently not, at least when it comes to tradeshows. Contributing Editor Gary Tufel asked tradeshow professionals about their most interesting experiences ever in Las Vegas.

"The first time we held the Gourmet Show in Las Vegas in 1995, one of our exhibitors, Corning, held an actual wedding in their exhibit booth. I had to meet the bride and groom at the door with badges to get them through security. It was the first time either of my parents had seen a tradeshow, so they thought this kind of event was usual."

Susan Corwin, Vice president, show manager, George Little Management

"All of our keynote speaker's books were stolen two days before she showed up for her speech and book signing. We had to have 1,500 books flown in via next-day service. They made it to the hotel just in time for her to have her signing right after the keynote lunch. The best part of it all was that she did not know that this happened, and she thought she sold 3,000 books in one week."

Robert Kolinek, President and CEO, Helen Brett Enterprises

"A few years ago, we had a request from one of our largest exhibitors, a concrete pump manufacturer, to allow one of their customers to get married after show hours in their booth on a pump truck. The customer was a pump operator who was going to marry his high school sweetheart. Both had previously been married and had gotten back together after many, many years.

"We of course said yes and, after the show closed on the second day, the bride and groom were escorted to the booth where they climbed up on the concrete pump truck and said 'I do.'

"Only at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas."

Tom Cindric, Director, Hanley Wood Exhibitions, World of Concrete/Construct

"The most interesting thing that ever happened to me at a show in Las Vegas was going for my first helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, when we were at Exhibitor Show in 2001 and took a side trip.

"I remember the pre-flight butterflies and thinking it would be like flying in a twin engine airplane. I was surprised by how truly different it was. At first I felt vulnerable in a small vehicle flying so high. We were astonished to fly straight at a mountain side and just crest its peak. Then the valley opened out below us and that's when the adrenaline rushed. The view of the Grand Canyon was amazing."

Gwen Parsons, Senior vice president, Nomadic Display

"My surreal experience involved calling a business associate one morning who was staying at the Monte Carlo Hotel. Preparing for the day ahead, I had CNN on in the background as I phoned my associate. As we were discussing our upcoming meeting, I noticed a breaking-news alert on the TV. I asked my colleague if he knew his hotel was on fire, and told him to immediately turn on his TV. Seconds later, he was notified by a hotel employee that he needed to take the stairs down to safety.

"That was a Vegas experience that neither he nor I will forget anytime soon."

Charles Allen, Chairman and CEO, The C.W. Allen Group

"I used to be group director of the ASD/AMD (Trade Show — Las Vegas), responsible for the event held in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Aisles had been laid so tightly that one was nearly impossible for attendees to find because it was tucked behind one of the building's massive support column footings. This situation frustrated exhibitors but, with a show the size of ASD/AMD, changes that potentially impact 100-plus booths are difficult to make.

"Prior to the upcoming event, I worked with Sam Spalding, senior account manager at GES, and jointly developed a plan to shift two entire show aisles approximately four to six feet so that sight lines would be improved. The results were happier exhibitors, attendees that could find booths and GES picked up additional access for forklifts."

Howard Friedman, Strategy and business development consultant, HF Tradeshow Consulting

"Being around the Nightclub & Bar (Convention & Tradesow) and watching people enjoy the nightclub atmosphere in the middle of the day. The noise, confetti, and food and beverage make for a really fun tradeshow. Buyers and exhibitors have a great time while conducting business, and Las Vegas is the perfect city in which to enjoy this show."

Myrna Rogers, Senior sales manager, GES Exposition Services