Tricks of the Trade: Secrets to Thriving at Your Next Live Event LAS VEGAS Las Vegas

Tricks of the Trade: Secrets to Thriving at your Next Live Event LAS VEGAS Las Vegas

In this eBook, two of our live event veterans – Jason Karoll and Chad McNeal – share insider tips on everything from labor to places to eat after the workday is done. Before you hit the road, read up so you can rock this city like a local and a veteran.

Dimension Design creates branded assets and environments for the world’s most respected marketing agencies, exhibit houses, production companies and business brands.

www.dimensiondesign.com 224.435.2060

Tricks of the Trade: Secrets to Thriving at your Next Live Event Las Vegas Convention Center Labor Considerations

In the past, Las Vegas was fairly user-friendly. Recently though, unions have tightened their control over events in the city. Especially rigorous are the regulations governing electrical services.

If you haven’t exhibited in Las Vegas for a (Note: Some of the tightening of unions while, be sure to review your Exhibitor Service and their rules regarding work for events and Manual carefully for rules and regulations. trade shows have resulted from the increased Nevada is a right-to-work state, but that use of non-union workers at some hotel doesn’t equate to having the liberty to do convention centers on the Las Vegas Strip.) as you please within its convention centers.

DIMENSION DESIGN ON-SITE SERVICES On-Site Services offers installation/ dismantle supervision and hands-on fabrication for Dimension Design environments in Las Vegas.

Tricks of the Trade: Secrets to Thriving at your Next Live Event Local Trades Stagehands/Riggers, Electricians, Teamsters and Carpenters

LABOR, FREIGHT AND RIGGING ELECTRICAL • The Teamsters Union (Local 631) has jurisdiction over the • The electrical union IBEW (Local 357) does electrical work, installation, dismantling, touch-up painting and repairs for all hangs signs that are either lit or rotating and works on any part exhibits unless this work is performed by a full-time employee of the booth that includes electricity (back-lit headers, light of the exhibiting company. If full-time company personnel boxes, clip-on lights, plasma screens and A/V equipment). are utilized to set up an exhibit, they should carry positive • Exhibitors may plug their equipment into the one 20 amp/120 company identification, such as a business card, a medical VAC receptacle per booth and hang up to four small clip-on identification card or a payroll stub. lights per booth. • Teamster labor may be hired either through the event’s • An electrician must be called for any increase in electrical general contractor or through an exhibitor-appointed service. Electricians also hoist all Teamster-assembled contractor. signs weighing more than 300 pounds at the Las Vegas • Teamsters are also responsible for freight handling, including Convention Center (LVCC) and over 200 pounds at the the loading and unloading of all trucks and the handling of Sands Convention Center. all machinery (unloading, uncrating, skidding, leveling and • Electricians are responsible for all under-carpet distribution of the reverse process). electrical and communication wiring (coaxial cable, fiber optics • Exhibitors may “hand-carry” material, provided that they and telephone). do not use material handling equipment to assist them. • The list goes on, but you can assume that if electricity When exhibitors choose to hand-carry material, they may is involved in any way, IBEW (Local 357) in Las Vegas will not be allowed to access the loading dock/freight door areas. enforce their right to work on it. • Stagehands/Riggers IATSE (Local 720) handle programmable • Also note: At the Las Vegas Convention Center, there is a theatrical lighting, productions, related rigging and audio/ ban on certain halogen lamps. Halogen lamps are limited to visual components. Suspended trusses that contain dimmable 75 watts and must be of the sealed variety. Your Exhibitor or programmable lighting (with or without legs), studio or Kit will have more details. motion picture lighting, sound system projectors, video walls, special effects equipment and laser lighting are required to be installed and removed by stagehands. WORKING HOURS • When it comes to hanging signs in Las Vegas, please note Straight time in Las Vegas is 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PT, Monday that if it is not electrical (handled by the electricians), general through Friday. Lunch is 12:00–1:00 p.m. While the general contractors will assemble, supervise, install and remove all contractor usually offers rates for overtime and double time, hanging signs. However, after a show, general contractors many independent contractors offer only a single overtime will often drop these signs and simply abandon them. It would rate because it is generally necessary to pay more qualified be wise to have an exhibitor-appointed supervisor oversee labor personnel at a higher scale in order to retain their services. the hanging signwork so that someone will know how to Since this is the labor pool that makes up the resources of pack the signs at the event’s conclusion. exhibitor-appointed contractors, they often offer only straight time or overtime. Stagehands assemble all signage that attaches to trusses. Teamsters will assemble ground-supported or “dead-hung” signage, which is hung from static point(s) directly to the ceiling without the use of trusses.

Tricks of the Trade: Secrets to Thriving at your Next Live Event Helpful Hints For the Las Vegas Convention Center

For an easy way to drop off packages and to get in and out of the Central Hall, go to Door 9 off of Joe W. Brown Drive.

If you’re staying at the Westgate Hotel, exit the hotel through the SuperBook® sports betting parlor. Head right on Joe W. Brown Drive and enter the Central Hall through Door 9.

The ESCA WIS ID badge program is currently being utilized in the Las Vegas Convention Center, and a WIS badge is required for entry into the exhibition halls after clearing normal event security. If you have an Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) badge, you can eat in the cafeteria, which offers $5.00 meals.

If you’re looking for a Starbucks®, you can find one next to the entrance to the North Hall, next to the cafeteria.

Tricks of the Trade: Secrets to Thriving at your Next Live Event

3 2 1 Entertainment Restaurants and Hotels, Tricks oftheTrade: hotel quiteabitsinceitisclosetoourLasVegas location. typically costaround $60to$100 pernight.We stayatthis quite nice.It isawayfrom thecrazinessofStrip. Rooms a hotel.The rooms have beenrecently renovated andare 20- to30-minutedrivethe“Strip,” thisisalocalgemof If youare workingintheHenderson area ordon’t minda 1301 W. Sunset Rd., Henderson, NV89014 Sunset Station Hotel from $150 to$220pernight. were updatedafewyearsback.Generally, rooms range Hotel. The Casino isoldandoutdated,buttherooms decent hotel.It’s across thestreet from theSands/Venetian lodging andwanttobewithinwalkingdistance,thisisa If youare workingattheSands,haveasmallbudgetfor 3300 S. LasVegas Blvd., LasVegas, NV89109 Treasure Island – JasonKaroll the LVCC andtheSandsConvention Center. ” facilities. It isalarge, cleanhotelandaquickdriveto “This hotelisgoodforlong-termstaysandhaslaundry 370 Hughes Center Dr., LasVegas, NV89169 Residence Inn Hughes Center HOTELS

Secrets toThriving atyourNext Live Event

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concierge-level loungeaswell. to theLVCC. There isgreat diningin-house andawonderful places are withinwalkingdistance.It isalsoashortcabride amenities atadecentprice.Many attractionsanddining Located offthe hoteloffersallthe Strip, thisfull-service 325 Convention Center Dr., LasVegas, NV89109 Las Vegas Marriott – Chad McNeal take youtotheStrip.” $100 pernight.The LasVegas Monorail stopshere andcan Some rooms havebeenupdatedandoftencostlessthan Center. Its décorandspacioushallways reflect agrandpast. is thatit’s justashortwalkfrom theLasVegas Convention Presley whenhewasintown); thereal attractionofthishotel “The old‘LVHH’ andformer LasVegas Hilton (hometoElvis 3000 Paradise Rd., LasVegas, NV89109 Westgate and theviewisamazing. convenience andluxury. Rooms havebeenupdated, amenities. You don’t havetopayStrip pricestoget Also offthe Strip, thiscost-effectiveoptionoffers great 160 E.Flamingo Rd., LasVegas, NV89109 Westin LasVegas

RESTAURANTS A Goyemon Sushi House F STK 5255 S. Decatur Blvd., Suite 118, Las Vegas, NV 89118 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109 If you want great sushi that’s not at Strip prices, this is an Located in the Cosmopolitan Hotel/Casino, it’s a bit pricey ideal option that definitely will not break the bank. “All-you- but features a very cool atmosphere with a DJ. can-eat” usually means mediocre fish and lots of rice, but what this place offers is top-notch. F Holsteins Shakes and Buns 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109 B Gordon Ramsay Burger 3667 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109 This glammed-up burger joint at the Cosmopolitan offers gourmet burgers, boozy shakes and beers galore. Have a craving for a burger and want it done right? You can get it “right” on the Strip, and you will walk away full and F Secret Pizza satisfied. Burgers, truffle fries and delectable shakes make 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109 this a nice end to a long day at the convention hall. The name speaks for itself. Pies, slices and salads are served with beer and wine in an unmarked spot inside the Cosmopolitan. If you are up C THE Steak House late, hungry and near the Cosmo, you need to find your 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109 way to Secret Pizza. You will be glad you did! This local secret is a hidden jewel for great steaks at old Vegas G Pot Liquor BBQ prices. It’s located in the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, but 6587 S. Las Vegas Blvd. B-196, Las Vegas, NV 89119 don’t let that deter you. Pot Liquor BBQ is Vegas’ first true, contemporary American D Firefly Tapas smokehouse inside the Town Square that serves authentic 3824 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89119 Southern-style barbecue with a contemporary twist. This fantastic place for tapas is a short walk or drive from the H Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers LVCC. 1120 E. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89119

E Four Kegs Sports Pub Fast food, but delicious! They only serve chicken fingers, but 276 N. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107 (North Vegas) if you have to feed a small army, they offer very large platters of fried chicken fingers, coleslaw, crinkle-cut fries Best stromboli around! “’Nuff said.” and Texas toast. This is a staple for every trip to Vegas!

E 95 N Downtown 15 Las Vegas

515 E. Sahara Ave. S. Las Vegas Blvd. 6 C 4 ★Convention Center E. Desert Inn Rd. 2 D S. Decatur Blvd. Decatur S. S. Jones Blvd. S. 5 1 H E. Flamingo Rd. F B Paradise Rd. Paradise

W. Tropicana Ave. A W. Hacienda Ave. S. Sandhill Rd. S. McCarran International Airport ★ Dimension Design 3 G E. Sunset Rd. 215