Vegas Goes Virtual
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As our partners at GPS Destinations and Events gear up to launch a series of virtual networking events, bringing together qualified travel buyers with luxury hotels and destinations in a “virtual mini-trade show” setting, we’re highlighting all of the great Las Vegas experiences you can still have virtually in a celebration of all things online and live-streamed. While I do believe that live events will come back even stronger than ever in time, I also acknowledge that virtual events, Zoom meetings, and live-streamed performances are the way of the world right now. But these are all things to be embraced, not dreaded!
Virtual events are not going to replace live events—human beings are social creatures, and we crave in-person connection and interaction. Plus we all look forward to these big group gatherings in exciting destinations because they’re just plain FUN! But this is a unique opportunity to develop digital content and virtual programming that can further enhance in-person events and allow for even more opportunities to connect. This is not the “new normal;” instead, this is a new expansion of options for the Digital Era.
After participating in one of the demonstrations of these mini-trade shows, I am SUPER excited to be involved and have the chance to connect with planners and exhibitors across America! Sign up now to participate because space is limited, and catch me at the following virtual events until we can meet again “IRL”!
*Note: All events are 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST
8/31 Northeast Planners
9/3 Financial and Insurance Planners
9/10 Texas Planners
9/15 Northern California & Pacific Northwest Planners
9/24 Midwest A Planners
9/29 Midwest B Planners
10/12 Destination Spotlight: Las Vegas
As live events around the world were suspended indefinitely, Cirque launched CirqueConnect, an online content hub of 60-minute specials that includes best-of highlights and “behind-the-curtains” features. New specials are released each week so you can continue enjoying Cirque performances from home as live shows remain dark.
While the Neon Museum is open for guests (with limited tickets for social distancing), those who can’t make it out in person can enjoy the Neon Boneyard virtually through their brand-new “360 Virtual Tour.” Guests can also use the Neon Museum’s web app, which offers a “guided tour” of the museum highlighting some of its most famous and iconic signs and structures.
A beloved outdoor theatre series held each summer with the dramatic backdrop of Red Rock National Conservation Area, Super Summer Theatre has had to cancel its 45th anniversary season for 2020. But they’re still putting on a show to celebrate the last 45 years, featuring songs and memories from their first 45 years and songs from the upcoming season, starring Broadway, TV, and film actress and SST alumna Satomi Hofmann performing from her home in New Jersey. This live-streamed event will take place on Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m. PST.
The Mob Museum, as well as its basement-level moonshine distillery and speakeasy, is open to the public right now, but it also offers a host of digital experiences to enjoy from home. In addition to virtual tours of the museum itself, virtual visitors can also enjoy virtual community safety forums, video archives of past speaker events and presentations, and live streams of ongoing educational speaker series.
Live Streamed Concerts & DJ Sets
Over the last several months, live streaming concerts has become a popular way for musicians to stay connected with fans, as well as for the live events industry to continue generating some kind of revenue at a time when the industry had essentially evaporated overnight. In Las Vegas, smaller live music venues like Brooklyn Bowl, Backstage Bar & Billiards, and Fremont Country Club have all experimented with live-streamed rock, punk, jam band, reggae, and acoustic shows. Las Vegas’s robust EDM scene has also managed quite well in the live streaming era, as evidenced by the popularity of the fully virtual “Rave-A-Thon” version of Electric Daisy Carnival this year, which got hundreds of thousands of views.
Right now, we’re missing ALL of our beloved Las Vegas performers as every stage on the Strip remains dark. Still, you can experience a few of them virtually via live stream, like Piff the Magic Dragon in his Live From Las Vegas show online! This interactive, all-ages magic show is all-new, created specifically for online viewing, with never-before-seen tricks presented live from Piff’s studio in Las Vegas (aka, his garage). Sign up for the next event on Saturday, September 5 at 4 p.m. PST/7 p.m. EST. I have only one question: Will Mr. Piffles be there too????
The hip new DTLV retail, restaurant, and entertainment development Fergusons Downtown had been hosting popular monthly tasting events called “Pour in the Alley” to sold-out crowds prior to the pandemic shutting everything down. But, where there is a will, there is a way, and Pour found a way to bring the food and drink tasting experience into people’s home with virtual tastings conducted in partnership with local businesses like Garagiste Wine Room, Tacotarian, and Valley Cheese & Wine.
Mondays Dark
The show must go on, as the saying goes, and Mondays Dark has continued to produce their twice-monthly themed productions featuring an ever-evolving lineup of local musicians, dancers, and entertainers via live stream to benefit local charities. Recent showcases have included the music of Motown, Elton John, ’90s hits, and so much more.
Although Secret Burger is better known for bringing specialty one-time-only off-menu items and multi-course dining events to some of the best Las Vegas restaurants on and off the Strip, over the last several months it has also been helping hungry home-bound people bring the Vegas chef experience into their own homes with a “Cooking from Home” series featuring popular local chefs from hot restaurants like Mordeo, Good Pie, Sparrow + Wolf, DW Bistro, Golden Tiki, Graffiti Bao, and more. Simply purchase the package, pick up the kit, and follow along with the pre-recorded cooking presentation video link provided via email.
As the Las Vegas Philharmonic has been unable to perform for live audiences, they have been working to connect with audiences through digital channels: every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. PST, Music Director Donato Cabrera appears on Facebook Live with a different special guest, which has spanned a wide range from musicians and composers to chefs and professors. Videos of all of these discussions are available on the LV Phil’s website.
Titanic: The Virtual Experience
The Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor remains closed at this time, but you can still experience it virtually through the virtual experience, available in two different affordable price tiers with many bonus features that aren’t seen in the IRL exhibit.
While it is still unknown when the dancers of Nevada Ballet Theatre will be able to grace the stage again, NBT has introduced “Dance On with NBT,” a web portal with behind-the-scenes segments, performance highlights, dancer profiles, messages from Artistic Director Roy Kaiser, and more.
During the closure of all casinos in Las Vegas, Wynn posted a series of videos on their Twitter account highlighting the property’s incredible collection of classic and contemporary art. The videos are still there (scroll back to June for the most recent), and will give you a whole new appreciation for these impressive works when you spot them as you wander through the property.
Have you ever wanted to finger paint with a giraffe named Ozzie? The Lion Habitat in Henderson is currently open, but they’re still bringing the zoo to you with “Streaming Safaris” that include live-streamed finger painting sessions with the resident artist giraffe!
Missing the Strip itself? Take a 360-degree virtual tour of some of your favorite sights on the Strip with Las Vegas 360.