IAFE Convention 2015 Insider Tips amazonaws com
IAFE Convention 2015 Insider Tips Take it from us, spending a lot of time in Las Vegas at many, many IAFE Conventions, we’ve seen it, we’ve done it, we’ve been asked about it! The following are our best tips on how to make the most of your time (and money) and get all the benefits of the Convention! WHAT TO WEAR Business casual is by far the typical mode of dress, but you will see everything from suits to jeans. You’ll see a lot of fair folk wearing their shirts with the embroidered fair logo. While the weather is nice in Las Vegas, you might want to bring a jacket if you plan to leave the hotel in the evenings. The most important thing is to wear comfortable shoes – the hotel properties and Convention spaces are huge; you’ll do a lot of walking. Don’t forget your FitBit or other steptracking device; we will have a step challenge! STAYING HEALTHY Las Vegas is in the desert and combined with the climate control in the hotels you easily and quickly can become dehydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water (convenient stations available in every meeting room) at all times to stay ahead of it! Also make sure to use lip balm and body lotion throughout your stay. Join in for the fun of our Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, and Cardio Wake-Up for delegates (6:00AM – 7:30 AM, Monday and Wednesday) Practice good hand hygiene – wash thoroughly and frequently. If you are faced with illness, please contact the IAFE staff immediately. The air is very dry in Las Vegas. If you can, bring a small humidifier for your room. PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE The IAFE Annual Convention and Trade Show is the premiere event of the “fair world” and thus needs to meet the needs of a wide range of members – from small, all-volunteer fairs to those with 1 million+ attendance and paid staff. So, when you look at the Convention Program you will almost always wish you could be in at least two places at the same time! Our advice: Review the schedule thoroughly and download the IAFE app before you arrive – then mark your priority sessions. If several members from your fair are attending, consider assigning sessions to each so that your fair benefits from the most exposure to new ideas. CAN’T-MISS CONVENTION ACTIVITIES In addition to the educational session schedule, we encourage you to make plans to attend these activities: General Sessions – On Monday and Wednesday.
Trade Show – Be sure to allocate sufficient time, because with 400 vendor and service booths, you need plenty of time to see it all. Education Center – You can witness what your peers are doing in Agriculture and Competitive Exhibits programming when you peruse the notebooks submitted in the contests. Winners of communication categories like print ads, posters, and advertising specialties are also on display. Zone Meetings – Get to know others in your region and discuss your Zone business – Open to all members. Ment-A-Minute – Under 40? Come meet possible career mentors. Awards & Reception – The presentation ceremony features winning fairs (the showing of the TV ads are always a highlight) and is followed by complimentary beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres.
WHAT TO BRING Plenty of business cards – networking is the hallmark of the Convention. You’ll be meeting a lot of new people and you’ll want to keep in touch with them throughout the year. SECRETS FROM THE INSIDERS & STAFF PICKS Fremont Street Experience: (http://www.vegasexperience.com/) If you’re a first-timer to Las Vegas, its well worth the taxi trip (or, for a less expensive option, take the Deuce Bus) to visit Fremont Street and experience the amazing lights and sound! ZAP!!!: A lot of static electricity is generated because of the dry air and walking on carpets. Touch something in the room before you touch a computer. Boarding Passes: You can print your boarding pass for departure in the Cyber Café on the Trade Show floor. Airport Shuttle Services: Shared rides, stopping at several locations. Be sure to allow sufficient time for arrival and departure. Ship it Home: The Business Office (very close to the IAFE Office in The Paris Hotel) is open to meet your needs for shipping items back home. ABC Stores: (Two of them!) In the “Miracle Mile Shops” next door to The Paris Hotel. You can get fresh fruit, snacks, adult beverages, and personal supplies. M&M World: (http://www.mmsworld.com/locations.aspx) Worth the walk down the strip toward the MGM, especially if you love M&Ms! Walgreen’s: Closest location is less than a 1-mile walk from The Paris Hotel (there’s one to the right and left). Groupon/LivingSocial: Check out Groupon (www.groupon.com) and livingsocial (www.livingsocial.com) deals before you leave for Las Vegas – you can find some great deals on food and activities. Zappos Tour: (http://www.zapposinsights.com/tours) The tour is free but you must register in advance. WHERE TO EAT Some Convention days are jam-packed, and you might not have a lot of time for lunch. If you’re short on time, look for some of the quick-service options in Bally’s hotel (Nosh, located by the elevators to the Pacific/Las Vegas Ballrooms, or numerous options in The Avenue Shoppes on the lower level of the hotel). JJ’s Boulangerie and La Creperie in The Paris main shop walkway
both have relatively quick service options and are close to the Convention area. See more Bally’s and Paris restaurants listed below. Various discounts and deal coupons from both The Paris and Bally’s hotels will be available for all delegates – pick up your savingscard at the Registration Desk. Of course, Las Vegas is famed for its wide range of restaurants, so take time to explore and, if time permits, venture off The Strip for dinner. Your delegate registration will include tickets for a light continental breakfast on Monday, November 30th and Wednesday, December 2nd. Paris Hotel Restaurants Burger Brasserie (Weekday Menu – http://bit.ly/1qBZJ2M, Weekend Menu – http://bit.ly/1rI1iw5) HEXX Kitchen & Bar (Menus – http://bit.ly/1cS3Sxw) Mon Ami Gabi (Menus – http://bit.ly/Mnf6wR) Martorano’s (Menu – http://bit.ly/1Ap6LRh) Gordon Ramsay Steak (Dinner Menu – http://bit.ly/1FDtgCi) Eiffel Tower Restaurant (Menus – http://bit.ly/1F1ykMi) Café Belle Madeleine La Creperie (Menu – http://bit.ly/1iCThIZ) JJ’s Boulangerie (keep your cup for a free refill!) Le Café Ile St. Louis (Breakfast Menu – http://bit.ly/1HmTAxt, Lunch Menu – http://bit.ly/1ekUSlG, Dinner Menu – http://bit.ly/1K9szjX) Le Village Buffet (Buffet Prices – http://bit.ly/1Hzxs8k) Yong Kang Street (Menu – http://bit.ly/1Q1tGEf) Bally’s Hotel Restaurants BLT Steak (Menu – http://bit.ly/1ITymeU) Sterling Brunch (Buffet Menu - http://bit.ly/1HzyOQE) Sea: The Thai Experience (Menu – http://bit.ly/1pHZSk0) Tequila Taqueria Buca Café Italiano Nosh Sbarro Java Coast Nathan’s Famous
And last, but not least….Don’t Be Shy! You will feel right at home at the Convention, even if it is your first time visiting. There’s always a friendly face, someone from a fair so incredibly like yours (small or large), that you’ll instantly have a lot to talk about and share.
Trade Show – Be sure to allocate sufficient time, because with 400 vendor and service booths, you need plenty of time to see it all. Education Center – You can witness what your peers are doing in Agriculture and Competitive Exhibits programming when you peruse the notebooks submitted in the contests. Winners of communication categories like print ads, posters, and advertising specialties are also on display. Zone Meetings – Get to know others in your region and discuss your Zone business – Open to all members. Ment-A-Minute – Under 40? Come meet possible career mentors. Awards & Reception – The presentation ceremony features winning fairs (the showing of the TV ads are always a highlight) and is followed by complimentary beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres.
WHAT TO BRING Plenty of business cards – networking is the hallmark of the Convention. You’ll be meeting a lot of new people and you’ll want to keep in touch with them throughout the year. SECRETS FROM THE INSIDERS & STAFF PICKS Fremont Street Experience: (http://www.vegasexperience.com/) If you’re a first-timer to Las Vegas, its well worth the taxi trip (or, for a less expensive option, take the Deuce Bus) to visit Fremont Street and experience the amazing lights and sound! ZAP!!!: A lot of static electricity is generated because of the dry air and walking on carpets. Touch something in the room before you touch a computer. Boarding Passes: You can print your boarding pass for departure in the Cyber Café on the Trade Show floor. Airport Shuttle Services: Shared rides, stopping at several locations. Be sure to allow sufficient time for arrival and departure. Ship it Home: The Business Office (very close to the IAFE Office in The Paris Hotel) is open to meet your needs for shipping items back home. ABC Stores: (Two of them!) In the “Miracle Mile Shops” next door to The Paris Hotel. You can get fresh fruit, snacks, adult beverages, and personal supplies. M&M World: (http://www.mmsworld.com/locations.aspx) Worth the walk down the strip toward the MGM, especially if you love M&Ms! Walgreen’s: Closest location is less than a 1-mile walk from The Paris Hotel (there’s one to the right and left). Groupon/LivingSocial: Check out Groupon (www.groupon.com) and livingsocial (www.livingsocial.com) deals before you leave for Las Vegas – you can find some great deals on food and activities. Zappos Tour: (http://www.zapposinsights.com/tours) The tour is free but you must register in advance. WHERE TO EAT Some Convention days are jam-packed, and you might not have a lot of time for lunch. If you’re short on time, look for some of the quick-service options in Bally’s hotel (Nosh, located by the elevators to the Pacific/Las Vegas Ballrooms, or numerous options in The Avenue Shoppes on the lower level of the hotel). JJ’s Boulangerie and La Creperie in The Paris main shop walkway
both have relatively quick service options and are close to the Convention area. See more Bally’s and Paris restaurants listed below. Various discounts and deal coupons from both The Paris and Bally’s hotels will be available for all delegates – pick up your savingscard at the Registration Desk. Of course, Las Vegas is famed for its wide range of restaurants, so take time to explore and, if time permits, venture off The Strip for dinner. Your delegate registration will include tickets for a light continental breakfast on Monday, November 30th and Wednesday, December 2nd. Paris Hotel Restaurants Burger Brasserie (Weekday Menu – http://bit.ly/1qBZJ2M, Weekend Menu – http://bit.ly/1rI1iw5) HEXX Kitchen & Bar (Menus – http://bit.ly/1cS3Sxw) Mon Ami Gabi (Menus – http://bit.ly/Mnf6wR) Martorano’s (Menu – http://bit.ly/1Ap6LRh) Gordon Ramsay Steak (Dinner Menu – http://bit.ly/1FDtgCi) Eiffel Tower Restaurant (Menus – http://bit.ly/1F1ykMi) Café Belle Madeleine La Creperie (Menu – http://bit.ly/1iCThIZ) JJ’s Boulangerie (keep your cup for a free refill!) Le Café Ile St. Louis (Breakfast Menu – http://bit.ly/1HmTAxt, Lunch Menu – http://bit.ly/1ekUSlG, Dinner Menu – http://bit.ly/1K9szjX) Le Village Buffet (Buffet Prices – http://bit.ly/1Hzxs8k) Yong Kang Street (Menu – http://bit.ly/1Q1tGEf) Bally’s Hotel Restaurants BLT Steak (Menu – http://bit.ly/1ITymeU) Sterling Brunch (Buffet Menu - http://bit.ly/1HzyOQE) Sea: The Thai Experience (Menu – http://bit.ly/1pHZSk0) Tequila Taqueria Buca Café Italiano Nosh Sbarro Java Coast Nathan’s Famous
And last, but not least….Don’t Be Shy! You will feel right at home at the Convention, even if it is your first time visiting. There’s always a friendly face, someone from a fair so incredibly like yours (small or large), that you’ll instantly have a lot to talk about and share.
