The 27th edition of the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, March 12-14, plans to take Las Vegas by storm — yet again. This year’s event includes a conference program, exhibit hall and, last but not least — parties.
The event’s education program was designed to refresh, rescue and revive bar and nightclub operators. On March 13, actor, comedian and nightclub owner Pauly Shore will provide the celebrity keynote address, “Continuing the Legacy of The Comedy Store Isn’t Always a Laughing Matter.” Shore will focus on The Comedy Store, which was opened by his mother, the struggles of owning the nightclub and his future plans.
Jon Taffer, industry consultant, president of the Nightclub & Bar Media Group, and star and co-executive producer of Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue,” will deliver the March 14 keynote address titled “No Excuses: Taffer’s Simple Science of Success.”
Additional presenters include the following: Distilled Spirits Council of the United States President Peter Cressy delivering a state of the industry keynote; industry veterans Tim Kirkland, Bob Brown and Shane Young heading up workshops; and session presenters, including small business nonprofit SCORE Foundation’s President Mark Dobosz, Yelp!’s Manager of Local Business Outreach Darnell Holloway and the Brewers Association’s Craft Beer Program Director Julie Herz.
The event also will feature sessions focusing on social media, marketing/promotions, operations, bartending, sports, food and more to choose from to benefit operators of a bar or nightclub.
On the show floor, attendees will have the chance to network with more than 600 companies representing new products, spirits, beers, wines, point-of-sale material and inventory control systems, games and other innovations. Companies and brands such as Heineken, Pernod Ricard, MillerCoors, Malibu Red, The Coca-Cola Co., Beam Inc., TurboTap USA, AMI Entertainment Network, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Modern Line Furniture and many more will be present at the show.
In addition to booths, high-impact show floor activities will include the Main Stage featuring Shake It Up! sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits, one of the nation’s largest bartender competitions, as well as entertainment acts and exciting demonstrations. Attendees also can experience special areas showcasing niche product categories including boutique brands and craft beers.
Celebrity appearances also are in the works during The Nightclub & Bar Show. Former NBA player Dennis Rodman will be at the show with hangover beverage Gtox, which has a booth on the show floor. Plus, attendees can see the winners of the 2012 NCB Awards Program and the owners of venues who earned a spot on Nightclub & Bar’s 2012 Top 100 list, all of whom will be given red carpet treatment.
The event also will offer attendees platinum parties and other nighttime activities where they can network and hang out at some of the most popular clubs in Las Vegas. The Nightclub & Bar Show is lining up platinum parties at XS, Marquee and Tao nightclubs. Musician Ne-Yo and Malibu Red will host the event’s Top 100 Party at Marquee in the Cosmopolitan on March 13.
The year also marks the return of the free Welcome Kick-Off Party at Caesars Palace, which is a networking event for all show participants. The event also will feature many happy hour activities and special offers from Las Vegas clubs including Lavo, Deuce Lounge, Diablo’s Cantina and Sugar Factory.
For more information on this year’s Nightclub & Bar Show, visit www.ncbshow.com.
