David Squires

A Few Closing Thoughts on Vegas

Only the headache, credit card bills, and the faint smell of cigar smoke remain.

Published

11 years ago

June 6, 2012

David Squires

AND SO, another Vegas Show week passes into history. And only the headache, credit card bills, and the faint smell of cigar smoke remain.

A few observations from the week:

I always enjoy hosting our readers at the SmartWork Media booth at the JCK Show. It may not be easy to find us in our distant lobby archipelago, but we appreciate those who make the effort.
Vegas weather: Does it have to be 100 degrees every day of the show, every year? This morning as we departed, post-show, temps were in the low 70s with an anticipated high of 88. Heavenly. Especially after a week of Hell.
Though not all areas were equally well attended, traffic on the main JCK show floor was probably as high as I’ve ever seen it. Opening morning, I tried to fight through the crowds entering the show to get to our booth … and had to give up.
Hate lines, hate crowds. If given the choice between being struck across the knees with a baseball bat and waiting in a 40-deep line for Starbucks, I would ask “How many blows from the baseball bat? And how quickly would they be administered?” I found myself frequently escaping the chaos of Mandalay Bay for the quaint, quiet environs of the Luxor, where lines are short and it always feels like 20 years ago.
Best concert: Carlos Santana at The House of Blues, on Sunday night, in the general admission area right in front of the stage. Got to watch a guitar god wring impossible sounds from his axe a mere six feet away from me. His soaring guitar leads nearly brought — okay, possibly did bring — tears to my eyes.
Most unlikely musical guest: K.C. and the Sunshine Band, who played at the Simon G party. (Heard great reviews for the party, as well.)
Celebrities caught at the show: Kelly Osborne, Pamela Anderson, Brooke Burke, New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks.
Personal realization #1: The only way to win in blackjack is to leave the table when you’re up. Simple to say, extremely difficult to do.
Personal realization #2: Despite the excitement, the week that I spend in Vegas is generally the worst I feel all year. Detox and fitness program to begin immediately.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”