LAS VEGAS — It’s been six years since the World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning — the Clean Show — has taken place here.
Clean ’17 takes over the “City of Lights” June 5-8 (Monday-Thursday) for its 40th anniversary.
Once again, the Las Vegas Convention Center will house the show, but this being Vegas, attendees will want to make the most of their time off the trade show floor.
American Coin-Op reached out to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and to Clean Show management company Riddle & Associates to put together a Las Vegas “travel guide” for attendees.
From classic Vegas attractions to new entertainment options, attendees will be sure to have the trade show experience of a lifetime.
GETTING AROUND
First off, attendees need to get from McCarran International Airport to their hotels. Riddle says they can catch a taxi or a transportation shuttle. In addition, LASxpress is an airport shuttle service that can guarantee easy and fast transfer to and from your hotel and the airport.
Once on the Strip or downtown, Clean Show attendees who have been to the show in Vegas before know that it isn’t as short and easy as it seems to walk the area. (And let’s not forget that the daytime temperature in early June could exceed 90.)
On show days, Riddle says the Clean Show will provide a complimentary shuttle between most official hotels and the Convention Center. The shuttle will run approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. It will begin service at 7 a.m. on opening day (7:30 a.m. on remaining show days) and runs to 11:30 a.m. In the afternoon, it will run from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday.
After the show closes each day, it makes sense to take advantage of the city’s transportation options to save time and wear-and-tear on the feet.
According to the LVCVA, taxis are the main form of transportation used throughout Las Vegas. There is an abundance of them all over the city and, most likely, a few waiting within a taxi line at a hotel during all hours of the day and night.
One item of importance to note: Visitors aren’t allowed to hail a taxi from the street. There are certain areas for taxi pickups at hotels. Just look for the taxi line sign, usually near valet.
Uber and Lyft are also ways to get around the city. For those unfamiliar with these options, they’re both ride-sharing services where drivers will pick up riders in their personal car and transport them to their destinations.
The LVCVA recommends using ride sharing off the Strip, not while at a hotel property or looking to get to the Strip. Also, it recommends being aware of when “surge pricing” is in effect. A rider could end up paying $100 for a trip that could have cost $30 to $50.
Another option for getting around the Strip is the Las Vegas Monorail. It stops at seven locations along the Strip: MGM Grand, Bally’s/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah’s/The LINQ, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate and SLS Las Vegas.
The LVCVA says the Monorail is a good option for attendees of Clean at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Monorail also offers free shuttle rides at various off-the-Strip hotels. It has options for single rides, a day pass, and passes ranging from two to seven days. However, it does not run all night.
The Deuce is the name of Las Vegas’ public transportation that’s operated by the Regional Transportation Committee, according to the LVCVA. The bus runs throughout town, and there are two routes to take specifically for the Strip and Downtown. These are Deuce on the Strip, which will stop at about every property on the Strip, and SDX Strip & Downtown Express, which stops at about half as many stops as the other route.
Check back Tuesday for Part 2, featuring food and entertainment suggestions.
For Your Comfort
Riddle & Associates has assembled the following tips to make a Clean ’17 attendee’s Las Vegas experience positive from the trade show floor to the gaming floor:
- High temperatures and scorching sunshine are the Las Vegas norm in June. During the day, stay cool on the exhibit floor, and enjoy the city lights after the sun goes down and the temperatures begin to drop a bit.
- Be sure to bring good-quality, comfortable walking shoes and light clothing (both business and casual). Vegas is no place for high heels, especially on the trade show floor where you will do lots of walking at the Convention Center. Walking one city block might equate to one-half mile.
- Bottled water is valuable during the long, hot days to stay hydrated. Avoid overpaying for water at the hotel by going to a convenience or grocery store.
- If you are sensitive to cigarette smoke, be cautious about standing or walking through the casinos. Although many restaurants do not allow smoking on the premises, smoking in casinos is allowed.
- Casinos can be noisy with bells and whistles on each machine and shouts from lucky winners. If you prefer a quieter gaming experience, the card tables are a bit quieter than slot machines.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].