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which hotel?

Isn't part of the reason to have it in Vegas is because of its attractions? Why have a convention in a city like Vegas then set up "obstructions" to wandering around places like the Strip? May as well just have it in another city then.
Not quite. I meant that if it was TOO easy to walk out the door to the attractions then there might be (1) increased resistance or difficulty for some people to attend TAM, especially if it is on a corporate or scholarship dime; and (2) lower actual attendance at the convention presentations.

We once had a computer users' convention at a hotel adjacent to a theme amusement park and golf course. We found the presentations more poorly attended than expected because people were sloping off for 9 holes, or for a few rides on the roller-coasters, etc. There were also complaints later from a few corporates about such "unnecessary temptations"...

Put simply, make it such that if people want to "do Vegas to the max", they will find it better to organise it for before or after the convention, or out-of-hours.
 
What is the name of the one next to the Stardust? On the south side? Because I think it is also getting knocked down. I think it's the one that says "Cold Beer & Dirty Girls" on the marquee.
It's the Frontier and I think it has seen better days. I don't know about the faciilities; I walked through their casino a bit while at TAM and was not impressed.

I agree with AntiqueHunter about the Orleans. Also, it is close to the airport.
 
I would like someplace with some stuff at the hotel to do. And maybe a nice indoor pool. Pools are fun! Even though Rebecca was sure it was warm enough to swim outside, somehow the Stardust didn't agree. Also some better restaurants (though you can't beat the Peppermill).

The Riv sounds great. I have to admit I liked the Tuscany because the rooms were big, and they let us take over the bar area. It wasn't much of a walk to the strip, and I don't care what is offered outside, I'm sticking for the meeting! We do need a place for the forum party!
 
Harrah’s has six properties in Las Vegas with meeting facilities. I checked out each one briefly. Here are my findings and opinions on each:
  • Bally’s can easily accommodate an event the size of TAM. The location is excellent as it is near the center of the strip. Room rates are definitely higher than Stardust (which is true of most all hotels South of it), but not too outrageous.
  • Flamingo can also accommodate a TAM sized event, but only in their largest room. The location is also good and central. Room rates are comparable to Bally’s.
  • Caesar’s Palace, being a much larger hotel, will have no problem with capacity. However, the room rates as well as the conference rates are definitely going to be a big negative factor. It is “The Palace” after all.
  • Paris so far is the least accommodating with 828 person capacity in classroom setup. This is certainly not a good choice for a growing event. Paris is connected to Bally’s and their room rates are usually a bit higher than Bally’s but less than Caesar’s.
  • The Rio has a tremendous amount of capacity with 153,000 square feet (14,214.16512 square meters). Now that they are a Harrah’s property, the room rates may not be as flexible as they once were (like Antiquehunter said).
I also looked at the Riviera and it also has plenty event space. I suspect the room rate would be comparable to the Stardust.
 
yes, but how do the cocktail waitresses look?

And do they have the new "Welcom Back Kotter" themed slot machine?

Actually the Riviera sounds nice. wait, I just made a joke! (cool!)
 
*snip*
The Riv sounds great. I have to admit I liked the Tuscany because the rooms were big, and they let us take over the bar area. *snip*

But they also forced that guy at the musical instruments (I hesitate to call him a musician) on us in the bar. That alone would be reason enough for me not to return. ;)
 
I strongly suspect that we are looking at 1100+ participants next year.

That's a loooooot of people to shovel into one conference room.
 
Then it will probably have to be multi-streamed, with only a few plenary sessions, perhaps?
 
Then it will probably have to be multi-streamed, with only a few plenary sessions, perhaps?
I hope not.

As far as hotels goes, Tuscany was quite OK. And it definitely was less of a walk (1 block) from the Tuscany to the strip (and that was right smack in the middle of the strip) than it was from the Stardust to either Treasure Island (three blocks) or The Stratosphere (8 blocks?).
So whoever is complaining about having to walk a long way to see Vegas is going to be happier with something in a location like the Tuscany than with something in the Stardust area.

Not to mention that after day one, you've seen the Wynn, the Frontier, maybe even Treasure Island and Venetian. On day two, you might have gotten as far as Ceasars Palace or Bellagio. On day three, you're cabbing anyway, or walking for at least half an hour to get to a hotel you haven't seen yet. Going to MGM or Excalibur on foot is at least a half day excursion, while from the Tuscany, those day two and day three tours would be in the order of 15 minute walks.
 
As far as hotels goes, Tuscany was quite OK. And it definitely was less of a walk (1 block) from the Tuscany to the strip (and that was right smack in the middle of the strip) than it was from the Stardust to either Treasure Island (three blocks) or The Stratosphere (8 blocks?).

While technically 1 block (in that there were no intervening streets), it is worth noting that your 1 block was about a half mile walk. It's also worth noting that the new Hooters Casino is closer to the strip than the Tuscany!
 
While technically 1 block (in that there were no intervening streets), it is worth noting that your 1 block was about a half mile walk.
Which is about the same distance as the Fashion Show Mall was from the Stardust.

It's also worth noting that the new Hooters Casino is closer to the strip than the Tuscany!
I think it's about the same distance actually. Although I haven't found a map to positively confirm that.
But at least your Hooters Casino is close to the airport (close enough to hear the engines roar).
 
IIRC, the problem with the Orleans (unfortunately, as it looked really good), was that they couldn't accomodate all of the expected TAM5 attendees in their conference facilities.

I think it's probably going to be at the Riviera.
 
Hooters is really a no go. Try to convince your company or school that you really ARE just going to an educational conference, and get them to write a check to "Hooters". We could all fly Hooter airlines too!
 
IIRC, the problem with the Orleans (unfortunately, as it looked really good), was that they couldn't accomodate all of the expected TAM5 attendees in their conference facilities.

I think it's probably going to be at the Riviera.
You are correct, The Orleans' biggest room, the Mardi Gras Room, can only hold 800 people in classroom configuration. The Riviera has two rooms with 2900 person capacity each in classroom configuration.
 
If you can have plenary sessions, why have multi-streamed?
I think you are confusing the ability to fit everyone in one room with the requirement to run more presentations than we have time and/or room for.
 
I never checked on the size of the Orleans convention facilities - my bad. I made the (incorrect) assumption that an 1800+ room hotel had a whopper of a convention center. Whoopsies.

Oh well - if its the Riv at least we can go across the street and watch the construction teams building new hotels... ;)

-AH.
 

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