Cvent CONNECT 2019

My next work trip took me to the lively and sinful city of Las Vegas... for some not so sinful activity. My manager Carrie and I went for this year's Cvent CONNECT 2019. Cvent is an event planning tool that is the literal lifesaver for event planners. CONNECT is their annual convention where they offer trainings, product reveals, and other great experiences. It's a great opportunity to learn more about the product, to network and connect with other event planners and hoteliers, and to get some ideas for our own personal events. 

I flew in the day before the event started and was able to have a night to just relax. The first official day was all about the educational sessions and program training. It was a long day of learning that ended with a walk down the strip and dinner at Trattoria Reggiano  in the Venetian hotel. Of course you get to see all the cool architecture in the hotels and all the crazzies on the streets. 

The next day was filled with shorter sessions (thankfully) and an opportunity to explore their Innovation Pavillion, which displayed new tech and features in the company. It's pretty cool to see how the brand is expanding and absorbing smaller companies that are sure to help the one-stop-shop experience of Cvent. I spent the night staying in my room to catch up on some homework and video editing. 

Now the third day was the fun day. It opened with a keynote speech from the one and only Abby Wambach, the all-time men and women's goal scorer and FIFA World Cup Champion! She was a great speaker and definitely a highlight of the trip. The the Tradeshow Hall was opened and I was able to complete my mission of gaining lots of ideas for out National Convention Tradeshow (which will be one of my main projects over the next couple of months). Then I took a tour of the MGM Grand where I got to see the arena and the VIP High Roller Sky Lofts. After that was another keynote speech from Chef and Humanitarian, Jose Andres. He was absolutely hilarious and one of the most genuine people I've ever seen on stage. Then I got the chance to clean up and get ready for a night of fun.
Carrie and I were invited to dinner at Bavette's Steakhouse and Bar by the New York City Convention Bureau. The food was so amazing and definitely something I'll never forget. Then, as part of the convention, Cvent rented out Hakkasan club and we danced the night away. After having a few too many drinks, we all thought it would be a good idea to go to Loser's, a country bar downstairs in the MGM. It was a great time and we met the singers who had some really dreamy voices. But of course, we paid for it the next morning. 

On the last day of my Cvent Vegas trip, we listened to one last keynote, Amy Cuddy, psychologist and renowned TED Talk (power stance) speaker. She was awesome and gave some really great tips on public speaking and owning your power. Then I was off! I went to lunch with Alex's Nina Christina and Nino Eddie (as mentioned in previous blog posts they just recently moved to Vegas) and their two beautiful kids, Sophie and Eddie, at LazyDog. Of course I had to spend some time with them! My trip to Vegas wouldn't have been complete without them! 

After some really delicious salad and heartfelt conversations, they dropped me off at the airport and I was off to San Diego. 

Cvent Connect 2019

Trattoria Reggiano

Bavette's Steakhouse

Hakkasan

MGM Grand

Losers Bar