For those attending the Promax Station Summit next week for the first time, and even those who’ve attend every year, here are some tips for surviving and enjoying the annual dust-up in the desert.
According to Promax, 20% to 40% of the people at this year’s annual Station Summit next week at the Mirage in Las Vegas will be attending for the first time. So out of the roughly 1,200 who normally go to the desert dust-up, for many local TV marketing folks, it will be their first experience.
(By the way, make sure you read the interview Harry Jessell, TVNewsCheck’s editor, did yesterday with Promax CEO Steve Kazanjian and Station Summit VP Rick Swanson talking about this year’s summit, Promax Summit Targets Station Concerns, Needs.)
I find that fact that 20% to 40% of attendees are first timers interesting. I guess it’s because I see many of the same people I know there. Which is good because even experienced, lifelong local TV marketing folks benefit from the inspiration they get at the Summit.
But if you are attending next week for the first time, I want to know who you are. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] or call 817-578-6324 before you go or during the summit.
But for all of you who will are eagerly awaiting your trip to Vegas next week, let me give you some words of advice.
I feel qualified to impart some words of wisdom about this annual event because this is not my first rodeo. Before the Summit took root every year in Las Vegas, the annual Promax confab used to move around to different cities every year — Orlando, Toronto, Detroit, L.A., New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, to name just a few.
So here are some things to keep in mind as you pack for the trip to Vegas.
Attend everything you can. You may not be able to attend certain network or syndication meetings, but look at the schedule closely and take advantage of as many presentations as possible. If there are sessions scheduled at the same time, partner up with someone to divide and conquer and compare notes after.
Mingle and circulate. Don’t be a wallflower. Introduce yourself. Meeting others who do the same job as you is what the Summit does best. Take selfies, caption them and send them to me at [email protected].
Take lots of business cards. After every Summit, I have a whole collection that I use to refresh my memory of who I met, and what we talked about. And I have their contact information right in front of me.
Take notes. Certainly during the sessions, but also jot down your thoughts and impressions as you go through the days and nights.
Drink more water, less booze. There will be many opportunities to attend cocktail parties, happy hours and other free soirees during the Summit where free liquor flows liberally. Take it easy, eat more, pace yourself.
Stay in the hotel. I usually never leave the Mirage when I’m at the Summit. It’s bloody hot out there, and Vegas can be quite seedy on the streets outside the Mirage. There are plenty of fine dining spots right in the hotel. If you do go out, travel with a group.
Use the pool. The Mirage has a great pool, and I usually try and take a dip at least once while there. Mornings are best, but splashing around in the pool in the evening can be quite refreshing.
Enjoy the other hotel guests. You might find it incongruous to step on the elevator at the Mirage after a meeting and find your fellow passengers speaking some foreign language, with children in tow. It’s a resort, yes, you’re working but for most of the people there, it’s vacation.
Get a good night’s sleep. Late nights and early mornings for three or four days can wear you down. Pace yourself. And for those coming from the East Coast, beware of jet lag.
Take a light jacket. Yes, it’s over a 100 degrees outside, but the air conditioning can sometimes give you a chill.
Don’t hesitate to contact me during the summit, [email protected] or 817-578-6324. If you see me there, introduce yourself.
See you at the Summit.
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