The Las Vegas Survival Guide

I’ve faced many significant challenges in life. Career challenges, family troubles, interpersonal relationship tribulations. But one stands high above the rest; surviving a business trip to Las Vegas.

Seamlessly blending powerful business performance with enjoying all this marvelous city has to offer isn’t for the faint of heart. And it’s a mission I take extremely seriously. Like chicken and waffles seriously. (Whoa, that serious!) And, with more than 80 trips to the neon jungle under my ever-tightening belt (I’m blaming you chicken and waffles), I’ve realized getting out of this city alive is a matter of Darwinian survival of the fittest tactics.

Here’s what I’ve learned in two decades of mixing business and pleasure in Las Vegas. Maximizing Vegas isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you follow these tips you may just make it through work and fun in this party paradise:

Hydrate – It’s easy to forget you’re in the desert when encapsulated inside one of the monuments to gaming. Though you may not feel thirsty, your body is dehydrating all day long from that super dry air. It’s essential to drink lots of water throughout the day, or else risk running low on energy and just not feeling right when 5pm hits. Seriously, I mean all day, not just if you choose to have some cocktails cocktailing.

Nap Time – A increasingly essential element of every smart Vegas trip as I’ve gotten older (why does everything hurt when I wake up?) While this may not always be possible because of time constraints, even lying in bed for 20 mins between day time work and evening corporate events will ensure you have energy to burn later at night. Vegas is in a time warp where 6pm to 9pm feels like eight hours, but 9pm to 4am, flashes by in what feels like 7.5 minutes. A nap will ensure you can make it through late night fun, while giving you some gas in the tank for the next day.

Steak or Sushi –  Vegas is full of great restaurants, and many are extremely filling. Like, I can’t believe I ate that whole ribeye, filling.  Now, that’s all great, if that’s what you want, but it could lead to a terrifying crisis. Your body will focus on digesting, making you sleepy. That could very much interfere with your ability to function if you’re looking to hit the clubs, gamble, or just have cocktails with friends or clients. I always have the heavy steak meal the first night in town since I am also adjusting to a 3-hour time difference coming from my east coast home and will be asleep on the early side anyway. For nights I am on the town I’ll eat something lite such as sushi, or ramen noodle soup. That helps me keep my pep. One must visit restaurant: Top of the World at Stratosphere Hotel, Casino & Tower, BW Premier Collection.

Save Those Steps: Try to stay near your hotel if walking. That hotel just next door isn’t nearly as close as you think it is. It can be a 20 minute walk each way just to get next door, and that uses up valuable energy. You’re probably already walking those 10,000 steps just attending your event and wandering that trade show floor, so save your steps for evening activities. Or better yet ride share somewhere in the evening. Speaking of rides and the Stratosphere, take the elevator more than 800 feet up to “enjoy” some of scariest rides ever created because they’re insanely high up in the sky.

One final thought; Being an expert takes time and patience, so don’t beat yourself up if Vegas wears you out. Remember, you’re not alone. In fact, just look at anyone boarding a departing flight from town and you’ll see exactly what I mean.