Vegas Conference

So I will be going to Vegas next week for a Gem and Jewelry Conference. My company will not be having a booth, so we are just going to go from booth to booth chatting with the different companies.


I want to get some meetings lined up before we get there so I am reaching out to every company that is listed as going.


Since I have never gone to a conference before, is doing something like this frowned upon?


Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to reach out, but I am wondering what all you savages do if you don't have a booth and go to a conference.


On a side note, I want to gain 10 lbs when there from all the delicious food. I know the Bellagio has a good seafood buffet, but does anyone have other suggestions for the delicious ocean bug carcasses.

🔎 Prospecting
🥫 Consumer Goods
12
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
7
☕️
I appreciate this practice as someone who has had a booth in the past. Get something specific on the books and drop by or go grab a coffee off the floor. The breaks are always welcome.

As for food: STX in the Cosmo is *chefs-kiss*
jefe
Arsonist
3
🍁
It's always nice to know someone will be coming by to actually speak with you as the day drags on.
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
1
Business Development Manager
Thanks Powered. I'm glad I'm on the right path for reaching out before hand to get something in the books. I will definitely be checking out STX.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
2
☕️
My bad, it's STK! STX sounds like a Styx cover band.
jefe
Arsonist
0
🍁
🤣 it really does, doesn’t it?! STK sounds much more appetizing.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
7
🦊
Where is the conference being held?
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
3
Business Development Manager
It's at the Venetian. And Lol to WCK. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
2
🦊
That's my favorite place to stay. Unfortunately my favorite restaurant closed in there. Tons of other great places to eat though.
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
1
Business Development Manager
I'm not staying there unfortunately. I will be at Resorts. It's not too far away and is quite a bit cheaper in price. 
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
4
sales
I try to get a copy of the attendee list and then I will email or call them all personally to just let them know I am coming by. It's super informal but if they go, 'oh hey yeah' then I can have a good conversation that may become a lead.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
This is a really good tip. Thanks for sharing it. I haven't been to a conference in a few years.
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
4
sales
Always lead with something gentle like, 'you guys try'n get lit?'
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
HAHAHAHA!!!! I approve this message.
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
1
Business Development Manager
I have gone down the directory list and sending out emails and calling. But "You guys try'n to get lit" is epic. 
paddy
WR Officer
4
Director of Business Development
Not frowned upon at all. Attending a conference whether you have a booth or not shows the intent is there from everyone to improve their processes/network/sell. Be a nomad bruh
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
2
Business Development Manager
Nomad Squad in the house. Thanks uncle Paddy.
paddy
WR Officer
1
Director of Business Development
You got it champ
jefe
Arsonist
3
🍁
I think this approach will be well received. It can really suck standing at a booth and not getting a ton of engagement, which will certainly happen to everyone at least during lulls.

Having the knowledge that someone is interested in coming and speaking with you can fire them up. Definitely go for it!!

Been awhile since I've been to Vegas so can't comment on the food, but if you've got some extra time on either end I've always enjoyed the day parties.
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
1
Business Development Manager
Day parties?? I've never been to Vegas before. Is this a normal thing?
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
Basically a night club in a pool during the daytime. I think most of the big hotels on the strip have them. Rehab at Hard Rock used to be a huge one.

I saw Calvin Harris spin at the pool at the Wynn and it was AMAZING. Definitely recommend if you can make it happen.
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
1
Business Development Manager
Oh man, if I wasn't so fat with moobs I would try to check one out. 
BmajoR
Arsonist
3
Account Executive
I would love a post-conference report on your seafood related findings, and of course how the conference went. 
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
1
Business Development Manager
Would you like the official report, or the TLDR?
BmajoR
Arsonist
2
Account Executive
Full report on the seafood, TLDR on the conference hahaha. I'll be in Vegas next month for pure leisure so I'm really looking forward to coming back 10+lbs heavier. 
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
0
Business Development Manager
I can handle that. I might have gone crazy if I had to to a TLDR on the seafood and a full report on the conference. And a month, wow. That will probably be a pretty epic trip
butwhy
Politicker
1
Solutions Engineer
Wicked Spoon is great in Cosmo, and Four Seasons has a sneakily good buffet with a beautiful pool area that feels like you escaped to LA for a moment. I have heard great things about the buffet in Bally's (from a person who got kicked out of there even after giving a 3k tip), but I am unsure if it is open again yet. 

Edit: oh - not just buffets but seafood? Morimoto in the MGM is one of my favorite meals I have ever had in my life. 
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
1
Business Development Manager
How do you get kicked out after leaving a 3k tip? I think this is the story that the entire WR needs to hear.

And I will definitely check out Morimoto. How can I not with a recommendation like that. 
butwhy
Politicker
2
Solutions Engineer
He is a lawyer who is single with no kids, so outside of insane work hours, he makes so much money he is bored with it and goes to Vegas regularly with his guy friends and spends around 15k of cash in a light weekend. 

I went to Vegas recently with 7 other people who don't gamble, drink, and wanted to spend the entire time at the pool (not my scene, and I found that rather frustrating). He was there too, and without his guy friends was a bit dour about the priorities of the group. So he taught me the art of tipping in cash, some better restaurants (Mayfield Supper Club is amazing btw), and he told me some insane stories of his past boys trips, including that one. He apparently went to this buffet, where it is unlimited bottles of Perrier champagne, and after 7 bottles, was causing quite a rukus. He tipped them 3k in cash, but on his way to the bathroom made a "joke" about "Hakkasan Bitches" and next thing he knew, he was being escorted out. He still is unsure whether he is banned there or not, but he thinks not. 
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
0
Business Development Manager
Jesus. $15k on a light trip still sounds pretty awesome.

I never knew there was an art about tipping in cash. What was the one huge lesson you learned from his teachings?

And I have no idea what "Hakkasan Bitches" mean. I googled Hakkasan and all that came up was a restaurant in London. lol
Lucy710
Politicker
1
Channel Account Manager
In the industry I work in, our 2nd largest conference is in Vegas and appointments are preferred if you want to talk heavy business! Highly encourage, as some work the booths in shifts- so if you need a specific someone, best to get them at the time they are there!
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
0
Business Development Manager
Awesome. Thanks so much Lucy. I never thought about split shifts for booth work, but that makes so much sense. 
SADNES5
Politicker
1
down voters are marketing spies
Stalk the people you really want to sit down and chat with that are "too booked up".

Get behind them in the food line at lunch/break. Start talking there. I have closed often with this. 
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
1
Business Development Manager
Ohhhh........ Great idea. Excuse me Sir/Madame, it seems like you left your fresh, unopened beer right here. 
sellingsellssold
Politicker
1
SDR
Remember to have fun the Bellagio is amazing, but set a limit and boundaries for yourself as you are still “working”
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
0
Business Development Manager
I don't really drink, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Unless I break loose and go crazy. The main thing I want to do is eat. lol I will play some poker, but because it is a work trip, I will try to be "Professional". No flipping out and ripping apart pocket aces when they get cracked, stripping down and mooning the villain. 
LordBusiness
Politicker
1
Chief Revenue Officer
Setting up and managing the booth can be a heavy and time consuming lift for those folks at the event, if you are Going to cold approach, must make sure you “feel it out” and their booth is in a downtime moment. For meetings, try snd ask for time outside of event hours.
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
0
Business Development Manager
Great advice. I am sending emails out this week so I don't disturb people when they are busy. 
AnchorPoint
Politicker
1
Business Coach
The exhibitors may have an issue with you trying to sell them at the show - especially if you are not exhibiting. Refer to those types as "carpet baggers." Remember, they have spent the money and invested the time and resources to spread their message in a limited amount of time.  When you interrupt that flow to make a "sales call", you are disrespecting their intention. If I was the exhibit captain, I would throw you out and ask the show management to do the same. 

Now, if you want to set an appointment that does not interfere with that flow - during breakfast, lunch, or afterhours.. that is golden.  
6

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