SHOW NEWS: How to Cut Costs at Las Vegas

John Wolz

� Book early. The National Industrial Fastener Show/West is once again scheduled during the week of Comdex, the giant computer show that crowds Las Vegas. Hotels, shows and flights are likely to fill early.

� The deadline for hotel reservations at Paris and Bally�s is October 21. The show rate at the Paris is $172 per night, and Bally�s show rate is $152.
Last year rooms at Bally�s were cheaper registering directly online at Ballys.com. Recent Bally�s promotions have been as low as $49 per night. There are three discount chain motels near the fastener show: Econolodge on Flamingo Avenue (econolodge.com,), Days Inn Town Hall Casino & Hotel on Koval Lane (daysinntownhall.com) and Super 8 on Koval (Super8.com). There are a variety of other hotels nearby.
For those wanting to spend more, the Bellagio just across the street has lakeview suites as large as 3,000 sq ft for about $1,625 per night (bellagio.com).

� Exhibitors should order booth furniture and electrical and telephone service before the October 19 advance discount deadline.

� Register to attend for $30 by the October 19 deadline. It is $50 after the deadline.
After the October 19 attendee advance registration deadline exhibitors should contact show management to ask if distributor numbers are up or down from last year. Adjust booth staff accordingly. Save money by canceling hotel rooms if reducing staff and shipping fewer brochures and samples than last year. Add staff if distributor registration is up.

� Make flight reservations by November 5 for two-week-advance discounts. Booking earlier is advisable, because Friday the 22nd is the beginning of the Thanksgiving travel period. \ �2002 FastenerNews.com