LAS VEGAS — Clean ’17 is known as the best place to learn and network with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees.
Since this event is only staged every two years, you want to get as much as possible out of the experience, notes management firm Riddle & Associates.
There is a lot to take in with over 200,000 net square feet of exhibits, 30 hours of educational sessions and, of course, the excitement of Las Vegas.
Having a plan of specific things you want to accomplish will guarantee you take away the best parts of Clean. Riddle offers some tips on how to make the best of your show experience:
Prioritize your goals. Write down the accomplishments you would like to achieve while at the show. Whether it is attending a specific educational session, learning about new technologies in the industry, networking with other professionals, or purchasing the latest equipment or product.
Create an action plan. With such a large variety of exhibitors, it is important to plan those you want to visit. It will help keep you on track and make sure you see exhibitor booths primary to your goal. You can see the floor plan and vendor www.1canadianantibiotics.com list online at www.cleanshow.com to help create your action plan.
Attend Clean “University.” Among the most sought after activities at Clean are the educational sessions. More than 20 classroom sessions are available that cover an array of industry-related topics. Classroom sessions generally run from 8 a.m. through 10 a.m. daily, and there are afternoon sessions on the exhibit floor.
Discover something new. Take time to browse the showroom floor for new and innovative exhibitors that may not be on your priority list. With 400-plus exhibiting companies, you are likely to find something new that can benefit your business.
Write it all down. Four days of intense education, vendors, and networking is a lot for anyone to take in. Taking good notes in educational sessions and about the exhibitors you visit is key to utilizing this information once you leave Clean. Create a system to keep up with it all.
Enjoy the city. Las Vegas is one of the top travel destinations in the world. There is much to do and see unlike any other place on Earth. Enjoy all Las Vegas has to offer.
Apply what you learned. Take home everything you learn at Clean to apply to your business. For any co-workers, colleagues or business partners who could not attend Clean ’17, be sure to share your new knowledge.
ALL ABOUT TOWN: LAS VEGAS
Beyond the Clean Show, there are great eats, sights and more.
Take a good look at all there is to do in the City of Lights. Awash in neon at night is cool in both vibe and temperature. After the show closes each day, get out and enjoy yourself!
“Las Vegas is celebrated for its entertainment, fine dining, and opulent hotels,” notes Riddle & Associates. “This town is one of the top three destinations in the U.S. for business conventions, and this is its sixth time hosting the Clean Show.”
Gambling is everywhere, and you may catch the fever and put down some chips at your favorite games of chance while at Clean ’17. But there are shows, too. And Riddle has an idea for you to get in the swing.
“The culture of Vegas is famous for its burlesque and variety shows, and there are many up and down The Strip, but if you want to get a taste of what Vegas is all about, Vegas! The Show is located in the Saxe Theater at Planet Hollywood,” Riddle says.
There are also many “off-the-beaten-path” sights to see in Las Vegas. If you will be in town a few days before the show or staying a few days after, try the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden, which, according to its website, combines horticultural prowess with spectacular design, changing with the seasons.
Currently, the Garden has on display its Japanese Spring arrangement of 65,000 flowers and a Japanese-inspired walkway design. It runs until June 3 and will be followed by the Summer Garden beginning June 10. In between, though, you’ll have to find other local flavors to try.
Another option is enjoying dining outdoor at the six-acre promenade known as “The Park” located between New York-New York and the Monte Carlo. The 40-foot, LED-lit Bliss Dance sculpture is a nod to feminine energy and a key feature to the wonderful spot.
If you want to discover a little bit of the old romping days of the town, stop by a vintage locale such as Sam Boyd’s California Hotel & Casino. It’s located two blocks from Fremont Street. There, you’ll rekindle the rambunctious days full of wild times and high rollers. Or try to!
Dining options in Vegas vary from simple street vendors to world-class restaurants, notes Riddle.
“For the best bang for your buck, consider visiting any buffet in Vegas during your stay. The buffets offer all-you-can-eat dining experiences with an incredible array of food. Expect to pay $25-$65 from breakfast to dinner respectively,” it says.
For fine dining, Las Vegas is home to many famous chefs and international chains.
Each Clean ’17 official hotel boasts its own restaurants and food courts. Most hotels have at least one exceptional dining facility on site, according to Riddle.
Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip are among the most elaborate and exotic in the world.
“The Clean Show’s ‘official’ hotels allow exhibitors and attendees to enjoy the camaraderie of other attendees. Official hotels are: Bally’s, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, MGM Grand, Vdara, Cosmopolitan, Westgate, Paris, Tropicana, Renaissance, and Wynn/Encore,” it says.
Reminder of transportation tips from Riddle: The Las Vegas Monorail is another great transportation option that connects many hotels on The Strip. It travels from MGM Grand on the south to the SLS Hotel on the north, with stops along the way at Bally’s/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah’s/The LINQ, Westgate, and the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Cost is $5 for one ride, $12 for an unlimited one-day pass, and $28 for a three-day unlimited pass, Riddle
indicates.
VEGAS HISTORY
And now a little history: Las Vegas’ name means “the meadows” in Spanish, “because of the extensive green areas and artisan wells that were found throughout the area in 1829,” Riddle says. “Nevada became a state
in 1864, but it was not until 1905 that Las Vegas was established by the railroads.
“Hoover Dam, a great tourist attraction only 33 miles from Las Vegas, began construction in 1931 and the city’s population grew from 5,000 to 25,000 because of the many jobs the dam brought to the area.”
Since the demographic was mainly men working on the dam, local businesses started casinos and “showgirl” theaters to entertain workers; thus, the birth of Las Vegas’ celebrated entertainment district.
LAST-MINUTE TIPS
Don’t forget that you will be in the middle of the desert during your stay.
“High temperatures and scorching sunshine are the Las Vegas norm in June. Be sure to bring good, comfortable walking shoes and light clothing (both business and casual). Vegas is no place for high heels, especially on the trade show floor where you will do lots of walking at the Convention Center,” Riddle notes. Walking one city block might be one-half mile.
Bottled water is valuable during the long, hot days to stay hydrated. Avoid overpaying for water at the hotel by going to a convenience or grocery store.
And for the smoke-sensitive: Be cautious about standing or walking through the casinos. Although many restaurants do not allow smoking on the premises, smoking in casinos is allowed.
So much going on — besides all the booth action of Clean ’17, just waiting for you — absorb all you can. Take advantage of the very best of your great drycleaning industry. Have fun! Be safe! Viva!
If you missed the earlier parts of this story, you can read them here: Part 1 — Part 2
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].