Dubbed “Generation Next,” show management said the theme centers on the next wave of club ownership and management.
“This year, 2011, marks the 20-year anniversary of ED Publications as the industry’s trade magazine, and over the past two decades, we have seen a lot of changes in our industry,” ED Publisher Don Waitt said.
He added, “These aren’t the Charlie’s Angels big-hair days anymore; we’re in the Facebook world today, so it makes sense at this year’s expo to focus on what the future holds for our industry.”
The three-day convention will present two days of trade show floor action with 350 booths and is expected to draw more than 3,000 attendees including 1,700 club owners, general managers and club personnel from individual clubs and club chains.
Other expo attendees include liquor, beer and wine distributors; food and beverage companies; club furnishings and bar products companies; attorneys, architects, club brokers, insurance specialists and sound, lighting and staging companies.
The expo will also offer industry workshops for club general managers and other personnel that will follow an “Old School vs. New School” format to compare the best styles of management and marketing from then and now, according to the show producers.
In addition, new technologies available to club owners will be addressed in a “21st Century Toys” panel session along with the convention’s team of top-ranked First Amendment attorneys who will field a “Future Law” panel session.
“As more of our industry’s founders and leaders approach retirement age and their sons and daughters and most valued employees start to take over club operations, it will also be interesting to see how this ‘Next Generation’ of club operators run the business compared to how their predecessors did it,” Waitt said.
An expected highlight of the event will be the “Changing of the Guard” panel session where current club owners and their children who are also in the business will debate management styles and philosophies.
Attendees will also be treated to two nights of private, industry parties at Vegas nightspots and the ED Publications’ 2011 Awards show in a showroom hosted by a nationally known comedian.
The Expo is offering attendees discounted room rates at the Mirage for $85-per-night. Those interested can call (800) 499-6311 and ask for expo room rates.
