FIRST TIME ATTENDING?

TIPS FOR MAKING THE WSA SHOW A GREAT EXPERIENCE

WELCOME TO WSA!!! If this is your first visit, we would like to help you become acquainted with the WSA Show and how to best navigate this event. The "Media" section of this web site offers important information to help you register, secure lodging and plan your time in Las Vegas wisely. As the public relations agency for the WSA Show and The Collections at WSA, CGPR is here to help you. Please contact Katy Gaenicke at CGPR, 781-585-1717 or [email protected] for any questions.

Here is a selection of "best practices" from the show executives and media who have attended WSA in the past:

Explore the WSA web site prior to arriving: We suggest that you explore this web site before you arrive. You will already find a variety of resources including travel services (for hotel and air travel), floor plans for all venues (the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sands Expo and the Venetian Hotel), and information on upcoming seminars, special features and programs. This is also where you can pre-register for the show. By pre-registering (see below), you will be notified of all the upcoming announcements and up-to-date news prior to the show.

Pre-Register Process for Editorial Staff: To save time at the show, we recommend that you pre-register. The Press registration form is coming soon. Make travel plans well in advance: WSA can help you with flight and hotel information, but it is important not to wait until the last minute. Hotels and airlines become booked quickly. When you book early, you will be able to obtain better rates and more convenient hotel locations. The WSA Travel Desk has special pricing and room blocks at numerous hotels in Las Vegas for every budget. To book your travel online or call 800-477-5547.

Arriving at the Las Vegas Airport: Cabs are the easiest way downtown, but there are also hotel shuttles that take a little longer, but cost less. You can also share a limo for about $45.

Get to know the floor plan for each venue: This is a very large event and you will want to plan your days according to the locations of your appointments and the product and merchandising categories on which you focus. View the floor plans here.

Use the online planner to search the exhibitor list and floor plans to start mapping what you would like to see and where you have appointments. You can then print out your map and take it with you to the show. Once you arrive at the show, detailed show directories and buyers' guides will be available on site for further planning. This is a very useful tool, essential for saving time and energy.

Make appointments: Call and make appointments with the exhibitors you want to meet at least two or three weeks in advance of the show. Many PR professionals will be calling you to schedule appointments to meet with their clients. By booking ahead, you will see the brands that are most important to your media outlet. You can leave blanks in the schedule for drop-by appointments and just wandering the floor.

Bring your press credentials: At the media registration area, you will be asked for a photo ID (e.g. a driver's license or passport) if you have pre-registered. If you have not pre-registered, you must also present your business card from the publication that employs you that clearly presents you as editorial staff. NOTE/ATTENTION FREELANCERS: Freelancers MUST pre-register no less than 10 days in advance in order to enable the show's PR staff to qualify them.

Bring plenty of business cards. Most exhibitors will have press kits that contain all the information you need, however, we have found that many media prefer to have press kits mailed to them after the show so they don't have to carry them around and lug them home. Be sure to bring a healthy supply of your cards to facilitate this process.

Visit the WSA Onsite Press Room. At each venue, WSA maintains a fully staffed media center. With access limited to working media only, this room is a no-pitch zone and the place for editors to relax, conduct interviews, and write breaking news articles, if necessary. Working media are welcome to enjoy the convenience of the Press Room to:

  • Pick up tickets for the WSA Opening Night Event (prior reservations required)
  • Check your email (computers provided in the Press Room with free wireless Internet access; in addition, the entire show is a "wi-fi zone" so, if you have your wireless enabled laptop, you will be able to use it )
  • Pick up a show directory
  • Check the bulletin board for the latest events and press conference schedule
  • Get your copy of the WSAToday, the official "show daily" each day of the show (WSA is publishing the show daily this year)
  • Hold meetings and interviews
  • Enjoy a beverage
  • Pick up exhibitor press kits
  • Obtain information on the WSA
The telephone number for the press room will be provided a week before the event. But here's a cell number that will always work: 781-640-8387, and you can speak with Chris Goddard, president of CGPR, who can help you or steer you to one of her team members.

Lunch breaks: All the WSA venues have access to plenty of fantastic restaurants that serve lunch. The Venetian's award-winning restaurants include Delmonico Steakhouse, Piero Selvaggio Valentino, Wolfgang Puck's Postrio, Canaletto, Lutece, Royal Star, Taqueria Canonita and Thomas Keller's Bouchon. There are plenty of options for food, as each trade show venue also has food stands inside for light fare and snacks if you prefer to grab and go. For more information, visit www.visitlasvegas.com

Traveling to and from your hotel: Getting around Las Vegas is probably easiest by taxi. If you plan to take a taxi from any of the show venues, try to avoid rush hour periods which are at the end of the show day and just before dinner. Taxi lines at major hotels can be long. The Las Vegas monorail makes plenty of stops at the WSA official hotels. The monorail is open daily, and takes you directly to the Las Vegas Convention Center (the station is outside of the South Hall in the parking lot). The monorail route includes stops at: MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris, Flamingo, Harrah's/Imperial Palace, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton and the Sahara. Anyone from the Venetian can access the monorail at the Harrah's/Imperial station. It is open daily from 7:00AM to 2:00AM. Rates are $3 for one ride, $20 for 10 rides, $10 for an unlimited one-day pass and $25 for an unlimited three-day pass. For more information visit: www.lvmonorail.com.

Getting from one venue to the other during the show: The easiest way to go between the show venues is via the WSA Interconnect Shuttle, which will run continuously between the Sands Expo Center/Venetian and the Las Vegas Convention Center-South Hall every ten minutes.

Opening night entertainment: WSA's Opening Night "Shoe Party" is a highlight of the show. Tickets must be arranged in advance through the WSA web site or on your media registration form.

Restaurants at dinner time: We strongly recommend that, if you are interested in heading to any of the more popular restaurants in Las Vegas, you make reservations before you arrive. Las Vegas has recently exploded with first class restaurants including Aureole, Crustacean, Le Cirque, and Isis. For all dining options in Las Vegas, go to www.visitlasvegas.com.

Wear comfortable shoes: This is the shoe show after all so we would be remiss not to suggest wearing the most comfortable shoes you own. You're going to be on your feet all day long.

Drink lots of water: Drink plenty of water during the day. Las Vegas is a dry desert town and you'll feel the lack of humidity, especially when sleeping at night.

Las Vegas weather in February: For up-to-date weather, visit: www.vegas.com/weather.

Any Other Questions: Call us, we are happy to help. Please call Katy Gaenicke at CGPR at 781-585-1717 or email her at [email protected].