In Vegas Preparing for the Summit
Linda, Chris, Ken and I are teaching two 2-Day TapRooT® Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis Course in Las Vegas this week. Ken will also be teaching the Equifactor® Equipment Troubleshooting techniques.
Teaching great courses isn’t all that we are doing in Las Vegas. Katherine, our meeting planner, also is here and we are planning the details of the TapRooT® Summit (Las Vegas on June 25-27, 2008).
I thought that I should let readers know what we are doing so that you can start your planning for the Summit. This isn’t planning for the technical sessions (that’s done and I’ll share that next month). This is planning for the location and the fun we are going to have.
First, we are at the Westin Casuarina at 160 East Flamingo in Las Vegas. The hotel is just a block and a half off one of the busiest intersections on the strip. An easy walk and you are at Bally’s, the Bellagio (and their fountains), and Caesars Palace.
The hotel is nice - great soft beds, double-headed showers, and a friendly staff. And the TapRooT® Summit rate ($155/night) is a good value.
The hotel has a small casino (compared to some of the mega-casinos). It will be easy to network with others attending the Summit.
What is there to do in the area at night after the Summit concludes? Tons.
Every time I come to Las Vegas I marvel at how much there is to do. The shows are amazing. Of course, there are the standard Vegas shows. But there are also Broadway shows, famous entertainers, magic, and comedy, including:
Toni Braxton
Cirque de Soleil (”O”, Mystere, Zumanity, KA, The Beatles-LOVE)
Bette Midler
Momma Mia!
Lance Burton
Penn & Teller
The Producers
The Amazing Jonathan
Blue Man Group
Spamalot
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom
Barry Manilow
Rita Rudner
Carrot Top
And that’s just the start!
Next, there’s shopping. Within walking distance from the hotel are the Forum Shops (designer stuff at designer prices) and the Fashion Mall (everything).
Also, there’s a never ending list of casinos. Bally’s, the Bellagio, Caesars, Harrahs, Rio, MGM Grande, Bill’s, Las Vegas Hilton, The Orleans, Flamingo, Excalibur, Paris, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, New York-New York, Planet Hollywood, Hooters, Venetian, Wynns, … it goes on and on. You could spend a week just visiting them all.
And the food is great. Every major casino has one, two, three, or four 4 start restaurants. The Forum Shops has several of my favorites including the Cheesecake Factory.
And we have our own entertainment at the Summit - the Wednesday night reception and exhibit.
Elvis (Greg Miller) will sign us a couple of songs.
Olympic Gold Medal winner Nikki Stone
An iPod Shuffle prize for best costume (come in 50s/60’s attire to win).
An iPhone drawing for timely attendance (must get timely attendance tickets during the day plus must be at the drawing to win).
And there will be some surprises (I’ll announce these as the Summit gets closer).
One last note. I’m going out to The Revere Golf Club - the Concord course - later today. I’ve heard the course is great, but I wanted to see it for myself. On Friday of the Summit, we’ll have a scramble golf tournament that’s great fun and a great way to meet more people.
I’m looking forward to the Summit. I hope you are starting your planing and looking forward the the valuable information you will learn and the fun you will have.
Hope to see you there.
The Summit web site is: