All In

I am not a fan of Vegas.

I don’t gamble. The inescapable noise of slot machines, throbbing-bass music and overzealous voice-overs promoting this or that spectacle drives me crazy. Showgirls do nothing for me, nor do those Thunder from Down Under guys. I love trying new restaurants, so there’s that, but too many of them are so overpriced that it’s almost distracting. Vegas is the kind of place that I was excited to see once, just to experience its unique over-the-topness. But it ain’t my scene.

Yet I go back, because Vegas is trade-show heaven. Exhibit space and hotel rooms are plentiful, and it’s an easy draw, because people love to revel in its glitzy character and escape the ordinary. I get that, even if I don’t share their enthusiasm.

So for me, it’s all about getting perspective. From a socioeconomic view, these annual visits to the Strip have been enlightening. And sobering. Last year, I think a lot of us touched down at LAS with trepidation, wondering what we’d find at the other end of the cab ride. It wasn’t as bad as I’d feared, but still, the vibe in the casinos, on the streets and on the exhibition floor was undeniably quieter. The skeletal shapes of half-built properties felt ominous.

So what will the vibe be this year? Better? Worse? Or more of the same?

We’ll find out soon enough, but no matter what, even I can’t wait to see the latest Vegas showstopper: CityCenter, and, more specifically, its Crystals shopping complex. This behemoth, star-studded design marvel is irresistible, isn’t it? It’s huge! It’s audacious! It’s redefining what Vegas architecture and style is all about! And it’s opening in a rock-bottom economic climate. Admit it. You can’t look away.

Whether this biggest of Las Vegas gambles pays off or craps out, the design work on display here is worth the price of admission alone. (Click here to read Steve Kaufman’s excellent article on the Crystals project.)

This is Vegas, baby. Go big or go home. What makes this town a good fit for our industry especially (regardless of your opinion of the Blue Man Group) is the opportunity to see a new restaurant here, a new retail shop there, all done with distinction and a design-first point of view. While the offerings may be fewer in recent years, they haven’t dried up completely. And that’s worth coming back for.

Which is a good thing. My next Vegas trade show is in two months.