Barrels and bottles of booze, special effects to rival a Hollywood blockbuster, celebrities, artists and entertainers galore ... but above all, it was thoroughly educational.
The Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show’s return to Las Vegas last week was another big business party, chock full of speaker sessions, offsite “boot camp” tours and new products and services ready to boost the industry.
A stacked panel discussion on monetizing cannabis focused on the legalization ripple effect. The Shake It Up Classic & Flair Competition captivated everyone on the expo floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the new F&B Innovation Center offered live cooking demonstrations. We caught glimpses of comedian Ron White, Absinthe performer Melody Sweets and Bar Rescue star Jon Taffer; took in a hospitality uniform-focused fashion show put on by Waitressville; and learned that superstar DJ Diplo has joined the ranks of the Zuckerbergs and Winklevosses as an investor in Partender Inc. We sampled vegan-friendly Baileys almond milk liqueur, gelatin shots from Jevo’s shot-making robot and the new Summer Colada flavor of Ciroc. And for the first time ever, the expo closed with an awards ceremony where hundreds of vendors competed for prizes.
Of course, that wasn’t the absolute finale. There’s always the Nightclub & Bar Platinum Parties at Vegas’ hottest clubs ... but you don’t need to be told about those. You were there, too.