We are officially less than one month out from CES 2018 and there is definitely a buzz in the air. Every year in early to mid January, the tech-obsessed descend on Las Vegas for one week packed with the latest and greatest to enter the marketplace. As a frequent CES exhibitor on behalf of my clients, this is a week filled with both excitement and exhaustion. And for those CES first-timers, there is much to look forward to – but it can be confusing as well.
As you prepare, here are some tips to help you along the way.
Where to Stay
First and foremost, if you don’t already have a hotel room booked or an Airbnb rental set up, you should be scrambling to find something – ANYTHING. I have stayed both on and off the strip and personally, staying on the strip is easier. There are numerous restaurants and shops close by and renting a car is not a requirement. One hotel that is a great option is the MGM Grand – it offers access to the Monorail that stops at numerous hotels, there are amazing restaurants featuring food from world renowned chefs, it’s centrally located on the strip, and it’s a classic.
Other great hotels include The Cosmopolitan and The Venetian.
How to Get Around
With CES taking over most, if not all, of Las Vegas, getting from one place to another can be tough. Luckily, there are shuttles going to and from the hotels, casinos, and show venues (Las Vegas Convention Center, Sands/Venetian, and ARIA). While these lines are also long, the shuttles are much more efficient than waiting on a taxi line or joining the crowded Uber and Lyft areas.
Where to Eat
Las Vegas is chock full of amazing food and with the ubiquitous nature of brand events and client and partner dinners, you will likely get a chance to dine at one of the city’s gems.
For breakfast meetings, generally the hotels are a good plan. You can enjoy a hearty meal that will keep you full and get you in and out quickly without having to rush to find a Starbucks in the exhibition halls with the longest line you have ever seen.
If you have time for lunch, a fast food style eatery is usually your best bet in the exhibition halls. I would try to stagger the time you go, to avoid the 12 pm – 1 pm rush.
For drinks and appetizers, the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay is a cool lounge that is great for meetings. There are a variety of different areas and rooms that can accommodate any size party, and the balcony offers a breathtaking view.
When it comes to dinner, some of the top places include Julian Serrano, a Spanish tapas restaurant at the ARIA, Tom’s Urban, a tavern style restaurant in New York New York, and China Poblano, a restaurant in The Cosmopolitan that features Chinese and Mexican cuisines.
