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6 Business Travel Tips: Vegas
20 April 2022 | Destination Tips
Heading to Vegas this year?
We don’t blame ya. There are tons of exciting expos in the calendar this year, often held at either the Las Vegas Convention Center, Venetian Expo & Convention Center, the MGM Grand, or at Mandalay Bay. Now mask wearing has been dropped in the US, and expos are clearly back in full swing, we thought we’d share with you some of our best business travel tips for Vegas.
Some amazing events to look forward to include:
Of course this year kicked off with the biggest expo of them all: CES, the most prestigious tech event in the world. Everyone who’s anyone was there.
Being the technology addict I am, I kept up to date on all the megatrends and read all the reviews. I read mixed reviews on the event itself. With no hands-on briefings, digital booths, and less people, was this event too soon? Or did smaller gatherings mean you could have better conversations?
Tip 1. The flight
Currently you can only fly direct to Harry Reid International Airport with Virgin Atlantic or British Airways.
| UK airport | Airline | Average flight time |
| London Heathrow | Virgin Atlantic | 10hr 30m |
| London Heathrow | British Airways | 10hr 30m |
As the demand for travel has exploded, flights have become very expensive, so for cheaper rates you might consider connecting flights, LA and JFK are two of the best connecting hubs.
Other ways to make savings: Don’t call us crazy just yet, but by offering your staff holiday and the chance to stay on and explore, you’re providing your travel manager with flexibility on dates and more competitive rates. Flights are notoriously more expensive Monday to Friday as airlines know that businesses will pay the price.
If your staff decide to explore surrounding areas such as LA, then your company might see additional savings as the flights would be connecting. Lastly, have you considered tagging on a supplier visit?
Pointer ➡️ McCarran has changed name to Harry Reid International Airport
Tip 2. Transportation
We recommend taking cabs in and around Vegas, especially at night. Or if you decide to hire a car, remember to remove all valuables from inside.
Everything seems pretty close together in Vegas, however because the strip is so busy, it’s needless to say that getting from A to B requires a bit of time and patience. On foot you often have to cut through casinos to get to your destination, which could make 800 meters a 20 minute walk.
It can take between 60 – 90 minutes to walk from the top to the bottom of the strip because the sidewalks alone see up to 41,000 people per hour during peak times. There is also a lot of traffic, according to Ladah Law Firm, there’s typically around 37,000 cars in the area.
Take a cab or shuttle from the airport to your hotel. Don’t be tempted to walk despite the short distance as the route isn’t particularly pedestrian friendly. Transportation from the airport doesn’t need to be pre-booked, although it never hurts.
Lastly the bus system is another option, predominantly used by locals.
Pointer ➡️ If you want to stay on the residents’ good side, avoid jaywalking at all costs.
Tip 3. Accommodation
We recommend picking accommodation that’s close to where you need to be, and checking to see if your expo’s venue offers accommodation. Staying on site could save a lot of hassle.
Also take into consideration the networking events you plan on attending, are these held in the same convention center as the expo? If not, you might want to look at accommodation closer to the networking events.
If you’re attending an expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, consider staying at:
- Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel is close to the convention center, 1 mile from the Las Vegas Strip and 3 miles from the Airport. This will set you back oughly £175 per night
- Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino costs £100 per night. Situated opposite the Convention Center, just a block from the Las Vegas Strip, and 3.5 miles from the Airport
The distance between Las Vegas Convention Center and Las Vegas Strip is approximately 2 miles, 10 minutes in the car. The best way to get from Las Vegas Convention Center to Las Vegas Strip without a car is to line 108 bus and line 203 bus which takes 32 min and costs $12.
If you’re looking for the full Vegas experience, here’s some of the most famous hotels on the strip:
- The Venetian Resort Home to the indoor gondolas. The Venetian boasts some of the largest suites on The Strip and has multiple pools in Italian-inspired gardens
- Mandalay Bay A 43-story luxury resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, featuring an 11-acre beach
- Bellagio The most famous of them all! Home to the the “O” Theater and the famous fountains
Pointer ➡️ If you have multiple staff attending the same event, consider looking at a multi bedroom suite, rather than lots of individual rooms. You could see huge savings by doing this.
Tip 4. Entertainment and eateries
Where do we even start? Casinos, shows, music, hikes, museums are all part of the Las Vegas experience.
Entertainment
If you find yourself with some unexpected free time, why not visit some of the famous free attractions, such as The Fountains or Fremont Street Experience. If you have the luxury of planning a night out, then see what shows are on at one of the iconic theaters in Vegas.
- The Fountains of Bellagio – iconic fountains choreographed with music & lights
- Fremont Street Experience – a pedestrian mall and attraction in downtown
- Cirque du Soleil – takes place at the “O” Theater at the Bellagio
- Hoover Dam – walk along the bridge or view it from a boat on Lake Mead
- Park Theater – for the hottest resident performers on the Las Vegas Strip
- Planet Hollywood – where Britney Spears famously performed for four years
- The Mob Museum – an immersive experience exploring organized crime and law enforcement
Don’t forget the Las Vegas Strip is just one part of Vegas. If you’re looking to venture out and find something showstopping to do, why not channel your inner Fear and Loathing (minus the LDS) hire a Chevrolet caprice, and take Route 66 to the Grand Canyon. Or cure that need for speed on a track with a supercar driving experience with Speed Vegas.
Eateries
Vegas has it all, from the big fast food chains such as In-N-Out Burger, to Michelin star restaurants such as Wing Lei, Picasso, and Restaurant Guy Savoy.
But if you’re looking for something quintessentially Vegas, Piero’s Italian Cuisine is the place to be seen. An original hangout hangout in the 80’s for politicians and celebrities including the Rat Pack. The famous restaurant was also featured in the film “Casino”.
Try The Peppermill for after hours drinks and deserts, or head there early to catch their daily happy hour from 3pm – 6pm. The Peppermill was founded in 1972 and famous for their oversized portions.
To summerise, there’s something for everyone.
Tip 5. Entry requirements
Covid
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and negative test required before departure. To gain access to most venues in Las Vegas, you are required to be fully vaccinated and may have to show proof of vaccination.
According to the US Embassy, all air passengers, regardless of vaccination or citizenship status, must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel to the United States.
From 19th April 2022, mask wearing has been dropped in the US. Most major airlines are supporting the rule change by allowing customers to make a personal choice on mask-wearing onboard between the UK and the US.
Visa
You will need to get an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which from experience, takes about 12-24 hours to come back.
According to NNU Immigration, Provided you hold valid ESTA authorization, the following activities will be permissible for visa-free travel to the US: Attending business meetings. Consulting with business associates. Attending business convention, conference or trade show as a delegate
Tip 6. Staying Safe
As we’ve mentioned, Vegas is extremely busy making it a prime location for pickpocketers. Saying this, you’re far safer in a crowded tourist area rather than down a back alley.
When traveling for work we’re quite often alone, so It’s important to keep yourself safe. Be mindful of the country’s laws, culture and current political system, and consider downloading apps such as Find My Friends and what3words to help keep you safe. It’s important to make note of the countries emergency number, and know where the nearest pharmacy is.
Your travel manager will have early access to live FCDO government updates, which means your TMC can alert you before anything hits public news, allowing us to be reactive, keep you safe, and take the appropriate actions.
Learn more about how we keep you and your staff safe on your travels here: echo.bravo benefits
We hope this article has been helpful and insightful. Please be aware COVID restrictions are forever changing, and some information in this piece may be out of date when you read it.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions, thank you for reading,
Chris | Founder | echo.bravo