looper1010

Solutions Specialist

Breaking my Vegas cherry for my FIRST in-person conference. Any tips and guidance for travel and meeting prospects?

Like the title says, I'm heading to Vegas for the first time and first in-person sales conference!! I am super stoked to break my Vegas cherry!

I've gone to virtual conferences and hosted webinars but it's not the same...

I'm planning on looking up the companies/people I want to meet and sending them intro emails.

Any other tips on how to prep for a conference: what to bring, what to wear, how/when to approach, etc.

Travel tips like reward points or money saving tips are also welcomed! I plan on asking to stay longer for personal time and exploring Vegas.

For context, this will be an HR conference.

Vegas, here I come 😎🎲!!!

👑 Sales Strategy

😎 Sales Skills

35 comments

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CoorsKing

WR Officer

Retired King of the Coors Knights

1) most conferences are at MGM properties. Get M-Life. I have racked up so many points they pick me up in a limo and I get a free upgrade to a penthouse or the presidential. You also get discounts at restaurants and can skip the lines for most good clubs.

2) It’s less formal than you think. Most people will be in a tshirt, so no need for a full suit.

3) Vegas conferences are fucking packed. Send your prospects an email in advance with your phone # and say you will text them when you get there. It will be near impossible to spot them in a crowd.

4) most business gets done at the bar. The conference floors are loud AF. Pull your prospects aside or take them to dinner.

5) Wear comfortable shoes, Cole Haan’s are clutch.

6) Bring face moisturizer. Trust me. It’s a desert, and the shit in the showers there dries you out like none other.

7) Get a 24hr gym membership, the hotel gyms are garbage and there is one right off the strip.

8) Don’t gamble too much. Set yourself a limit and go to fucking bed when you pass that. Pick games like black Jack or craps where it will last you longer, and milk the “free” drinks they bring to the table.

9) I am currently drunk. Wine tasting in Sonoma. I’ll add to this list tomorrow, happy birthday America.

Sincerely - someone who has probably made 20+ Vegas trips for work and has seen and done some shit.

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

Thank you, this is an amazing post! I had no idea how crowded it could get. The texting is a great tip to get ahold of prospects!

And thanks for the tip about doing the real business during wining and dining. I was about to do a rookie move and talk to them AT the conference *face palm*

And thank you for the MGM rewards tip. I knew stuff like that existed but didn't know exactly what they're called.

(Female) I guess I'll pack some biz casual dresses and not try to be too formal. I was worried about the wardrobe so this is great to know!

They're not sending the whole team. It looks like I'm the only one going so all these mentoring tips are really helpful. I wish I could send you multiple upvotes!!!

Have an amazing time in Sonoma!

CoorsKing

WR Officer

Retired King of the Coors Knights

No worries. I have never been to an HR conference, just the standard like half a million SaaS person ones so your may be less crowded!

the IT ones are packed and so loud you leave with a sore throat from yelling all day so cough drops help some times.

I recommend flats vs heels for sure based on what my female colleagues have said.

Bring an extra set of clothes too, sometimes by the end of a day staffing a booth it’s nice to change before you go out/meet people.

Bring a nalgene as well or some other refillable water bottle.

that’s all I got for now, I remember more when I sober up haha

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

Thanks, I'll follow those tips, BigMeech! I'll be pitching software and keep and extra set of clothes to go out!

bassinshaps

Politicker

Territory Sales Manager

Hope you went to twomey while you were in Sonoma. One of my favorite pink noirs is their 2015 Anderson Valley. Not expensive. Just tasty.

Tres

Politicker

Account Executive

This is pure gold!

paddy

WR Officer

Director of Business Development

Stay away from the black jack tables.

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

I'll place a personal loss/win limit for myself 🤞

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Adding to BigMeech's list:

1) If you wear monthly contacts, bring eye drops and your case filled with solution. Your eyes will get dried the fuck out.

2) Agreed on the suits but definitely still dress it up a bit. Don't be like @paddy at a baseball game.

3) Some of the hotels PUMP in AC. I love it but if you get cold easily, you might want to think about attire accordingly.

4) Bring Claritin or something similar if you're somebody who picks up colds/sinus infections. The dry, recycled, extra air will fuck you up.

5) Avoid going out and partying all night if you have to do shit in the morning. Hangovers seem to hit harder there.

6) There are inevitability late night big group drinking sessions that spring up informally. Per Meech's point - not a bad place to get things done

7a) Use the blackout curtains in your hotel. They are a godsend for sleep.
7b) Set a shitload of alarms and a wake up call or your blackout curtains will let you stay asleep forever.

8) On the gambling front, keep an eye on table minimums and such. Some of the casinos move them a lot but you can usually find a $10 minimum around the corner from the $25+ minimum tables.

9) The casinos are massive and designed to be confusing. Given that this is your first time there, I recommend taking a few laps to get the lay of the land before anything happens where you're staying/where you'll be spending time

10) There aren't clocks anywhere. Wear a watch.

I'll disagree on the gyms being garbage but I basically exclusively do cardio so I'm very low need in that area.

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

Thanks, I don't frequent casinos so I wasn't aware about table minimums. That is great to know!

Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

Best tip - TAKE ME WITH YOUUUUUU

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

The War Room should have a Vegas meetup!!!!

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Holy fuck would that end with somebody in prison and another so hungover he or she was in a wheelchair.

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

A wise man once said to make the decision that would result in the best story!

beerisforclosers

Politicker

Account Manager

God speed. @BigMeech and @CaneWolf did a great job. A few quick adds because it seems we've all had some experiences in Vegas...

1. On the dress code front, layer it up. Be ready for it to feel like 120 if you have to step outside then 40 in the more air conditioned parts of the buildings.

2. Step outside. The first time I went I stayed in the connected casino mayhem and barely saw the sunshine. There was no day or night. Just oxygenated casino and brief respites of sleep. Getting a little dry desert air outside will help you feel normal.

3. As a girl - if you're going to wear heels, carry some flats in your bag. You will walk miles.

4. Not sure how big your company is but expect eyes and ears everywhere. What happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas when it's a work conference.

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

Thanks for tip number 4! I'll stay on good behavior 😅. It doesn't seem like they're sending out the whole team, maybe 2 or 3? I'll def be on my own for a bit. I'll be sure to pack flats with my heels!

MaximumRaizer

Politicker

Sales Manager

most business gets done at the bar. The conference floors are loud AF. Pull your prospects aside or take them to dinner.

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

ISR

Get a 24hr gym membership, the hotel gyms are garbage and there is one right off the strip.

Kinonez

Celebrated Contributor

War Room Enthusiast

1. If you are not a gambler, don't gamble!!
2. Do all your research before getting to Vegas, trust me once you are there the last thing you want to do is research, it's good to review though.
3. Avoid the tourist traps, the best way is always ask the bartender for tips on where and when you should be.
4. Enjoy! it is business, but have fun, sometimes we are soo hooked on the business we forget about ourselves.

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

Thanks, I'll talk to the bartenders and look for info just like an rpg!

Kinonez

Celebrated Contributor

War Room Enthusiast

Hahaha you get it!! That's where I got the idea from!

SADNES5

Politicker

down voters are marketing spies

Like Meech, get numbers to text as well as LinkedIn connected early and often. Some of the best deals I've had have been waiting in the lunch line. Hawk that shit. Talk to everyone your competition does.

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

That's a great idea - LI connect. Who'd the thunk the lunch line. I'll keep that in mind!

GDO

Politicker

BDM

Only been there non-professionally but Vegas:
- think about the weather
- fun place but think about the fact that you’re there to do a job.
- it s a labyrinth, practice your routes upfront

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

I didn't take into consideration the dryness of the weather. I'll def pack some lotion and stay moisturized!

RandyMoss

Politicker

Account Executive

I've also found that video poker can be a nice, inexpensive way to scratch your gambling itch if you are having trouble following table games like craps and blackjack. Some people hate it, some people swear by it - it's all about personal preference, and there are still servers that will come around and give you drinks while you are playing! No matter what you end up deciding to play, I would give your server at least a $10 chip and ask them to check on you however often you would like. That will help them remember you and then they will want to take care of you!

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

Oh, I love this! I forgot you can tip with chips!

AnchorPoint

Politicker

Business Coach

The girls on the promo cards are not the ones that will show up at your door... just sayin...

looper1010

Celebrated Contributor

Solutions Specialist

Did you learn this from experience?

AnchorPoint

Politicker

Business Coach

sage advice my friend.

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

MDR

I am currently drunk. Wine tasting in Sonoma. I’ll add to this list tomorrow, happy birthday America.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I love the Vegas ❤

MR.StretchISR

Politicker

ISR

Best tip - TAKE ME WITH YOUUUUUU

Mr.Floaty

Politicker

BDR

Diet and a regular exercise routine are the most important things. All about consistency. Lots of great material on Youtube for home workouts that you can use without having to spend a cent. You can DIY a lot of things, but some investment in home workout equipment would be a good idea.

Cyberjarre

Politicker

BDR

Most of these have lots of videos brought out specifically for COVID home workouts with no or minimal equipment

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looper1010

Breaking my Vegas cherry for my FIRST in-person conference. Any tips and guidance for travel and meeting prospects?

35 comments

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