Ramsay Steak Opens Friday, May 11

LAS VEGAS (April 20, 2012) – Internationally-renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay announced that Gordon Ramsay Steak, his first restaurant in Las Vegas, will open Friday, May 11 at Paris Las Vegas.  Gordon Ramsay Steak will offer guests a fresh, high-energy modern steakhouse environment that playfully transports guests from Paris to London.

“The space is bold and innovative, and we've put together a strong team who together created a contemporary and fresh menu,” says Chef Ramsay. “I can't wait to open and start welcoming guests to my very first Vegas-based restaurant.”

David Hoenemeyer, president of Paris Las Vegas, looks forward to welcoming Gordon Ramsay to the resort: “I am incredibly pleased with the restaurant that Gordon Ramsay and his team have created at Gordon Ramsay Steak.  The space is one-of-a-kind in its design and energy; my mouth waters simply reading the menu.”

On the evening of May 11, Ramsay will participate in Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit’s Grand Tasting where Gordon Ramsay Steak will serve small bites to thousands of guests from its newly fabricated booth, stylistically representative of the restaurant.  Attendees of the event will be treated to a selection of some of Ramsay’s traditional favorites such as the roasted beef Wellington served with potato puree and butter-glazed root vegetables, pan-seared Haddock with Irish potato broth and sticky toffee pudding.  This will be Chef Ramsay’s first year participating in the culinary event at Caesars Palace Garden of the Gods pool oasis.

Gordon Ramsay Steak’s menu, carried out by new Executive Chef Kevin Hee, who has trained under the Gordon Ramsay Group, will showcase Ramsay’s interpretation of traditional American steakhouse dishes with a hint of modern flair intertwined with many contemporary classics.  The menu will change seasonally drawing on the best product available at the time giving visitors new tastes upon every return.  Diners can choose from starters either “From Sea” or “From Land” with dishes like butter-poached Maine lobster, fried oysters and smoked beef tartare with Guinness-infused mustard seeds.  Main courses offer a wide selection of grilled items such as a large range of Wagyu beef, various cuts of dry-aged steaks, veal, Kurobuta double pork chop and an assortment of seafood choices. 

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Missing my chance to meet Captain America

I am addicted to trade shows and when I can’t get to a certain show I will look online for news and information about trade shows not taking place in Las Vegas


The one show that has eluded me year after year is Comic Con — the annual convention of popular arts with special guests, themes and anniversaries, and programming. It is the ultimate gathering of science fiction characters, comic book heroes and the celebrities who portray them in films.

Most of the characters are the attendees who travel to the San Diego Convention Center to participate in the convention. The press enjoys covering this event because there is never a shortage of costume-clad sci-fi fans. This year the show is going ape with the release of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” on Aug. 5.


More than 125,000 fans have descended upon the Convention Center this week, dressing up like their heroes, which this year will include vampires, werewolves, zombie-killers and demon-hunters featured in recent and forthcoming comic books, TV shows, movies and video games.

Hugh Jackman was photographed at Comic Con passing out movie poster to hundreds of fans. Most fans know him as Wolverine of X-Men films of he has been promoting “Real Steel” his latest action film about boxing robots.

According to press releases, Jackman is Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring.

This film will most likely appeal to males. From the trailers it looks like the Rock ’Em Sock ’E Robots of my youth have taken over the silver screen.

I wouldn’t mind donning my Star Trek uniform and spend a day walking among Captain America, the Hulk or Spiderman.

Las Vegas does host the Star Trek Convention but it is not the same since Star Trek: The Experience shut down at the Hilton.

Las Vegas meanwhile has a beauty show in Cosmoprof North America, a show shoe from WSA and the ASD merchandise show taking place this month.

I may not get to rub elbows with Captain America but next month I will get chance to listen to President Bill Clinton who is the keynote speaker for the Summer 2011 Las Vegas Market at the World Market Center on Aug. 1.

Live long and prosper.

Healthcare exhibit industry on an upswing

I am addicted to trade shows so when an association makes a rare stop in Las Vegas I make an effort to visit and check out the exhibits. For the first time ever the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association held its annual meeting at the Wynn in Las Vegas. The June 25-28 meeting offered a great opportunity to learn about the association and learn about the industry.

There were a few exhibitors who had also exhibit at the annual Exhibitor show held in Las Vegas during the spring so a few companies were able to reuse some of the elements from its booth from that show in March. MG Design and Elements were two companies that had a familiar branding to me since I also visited their booths at Exhibit2011.

One education session gave me some insight into the state of the health care exhibit industry and, according to HCEA’s marketing research and communications manager Frank Skinner, the industry is on a small upswing but many companies are using less space at trade shows and spending less money.

The average square footage for large shows dropped from 200,000 to 130,000 square feet during the past year.

The Wynn was a great location for a show of this size. The exhibit show floor was located just a few hundred yards from the education sessions, but for some reason Las Vegas is not among the top cites for the health care exhibit industry.

“For 14 years Orlando has hosted an new healthcare meeting every five days,” Skinner said, adding that other popular destinations are Washington, D.C., San Diego and New Orleans.

I managed to walk the floor and talk with some exhibitors who demonstrated their products.

Congratulations to two exhibitors for winning best booth awards during the show. Kaon, No. 122, was the best small booth with its under 10-foot-by-10-foot exhibit. The best large booth award went to Crêpes á Latte Catering for its attention-grabbing booth. Not only did their booth look good, but the coffee and mini cupcakes were delicious.

Coffee must be very much accepted in the healthcare industry because I could not help but notice that there were a few exhibitors offering cups of java for attendees. Markey Coffee Communication caught my attention with it special blend of coffee brought from the United Kingdom.

For the first time, the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) will have the attendance at its Annual Meeting professionally audited by an independent, third party auditing organization.

The 2011 HCEA Annual Meeting, to be held June 25-28, 2011, in Las Vegas, will be audited by the not-for-profit organization BPA Worldwide, therefore providing HCEA with complete and accurate attendance and demographic data about its meeting. 

The audit will be a census-based, independent validation of verified meeting attendance. BPA Worldwide will confirm and validate show attendance data for HCEA based on verified registration, demographics and geographic coverage. Thanks to Jennifer Palcher-Silliman for making it possible for me to attend.

Overall a great show with decent attendance. I will have to wait for the audit to be complete before knowing how many healthcare professionals attended but I think the association should be pleased with the results.

I just connected everything through PING and I hope it works!

Freeman makes industry-changing deal with Wheelhouse Solution

LAS VEGAS — In an announcement that will change how some general contractors will conduct business, Freeman and Wheelhouse Solutions announced today that Freeman will has acquired Wheelhouse, an experiential marketing services firm comprised of three companies – Champion Exposition Services, George Fern Company and Immersa Marketing.

Joe Popolo, CEO of Freeman and  Wheelhouse CEO, Bob Priest-Heck made the announcement that was posted onto YouTube and can be be viewed on Trade Show Expo's website as well by clicking this link..

The combination of these two companies will form the premier experiential marketing firm, operating under the Freeman name.

As of today, Champion will be integrated into Freeman. Fern, a leading exposition services company, and Immersa, a leading experientialmarketing agency, will operate as individual brands under Freeman.

There had been talks of this acquistion for days but not much could be found on the Internet until today. Calling this the next step to the future on its company blog, Freeman bring together a large group of industry talent that will be sure to change the face-to-face industry in Las Vegas and across the country.

Perhaps it was the recession that triggered tallks of this decision but it goes to show how the industry is evolving.

Other companies may wondering who they can team up with to provide better customer service and keep their piece of the industry pie. It is a good move for Champion and Fern but only time will tell if this acquistion will be accepted by the unions and trade show managers.

Read more on TSE's Website!

Licensing Expo missing its Tony

I am addicted to trade shows because it is a great way to meet people who enjoy conducting face-to-face business meetings.

The tradeshow industry has allowed me to shake hands or at least be in the same hall with some of the biggest names in film, televisions, sports and politics.

With the Licensing Expo taking place at the Mandalay Bay this week I could not help but feel a bit sad with the absence of one of the most gracious men I have ever had the chance to meet in person.

Tony Curtis had been one of Las Vegas most popular residents but he was more than just and actor. He was an author and artist as well. Although a bit frail during the last few years of his life he continued to make public appearance. He was a regular celebrity at the Licensing Expo held every year in Las Vegas.

As ill as he may have been he still managed to show up to promote his artwork, sign a few autographs and say hello to his fans. Unfortunately, last year was his final appearance at the Las Vegas trade show.

Curtis, the son of a Bronx tailor and star of such films as "Sweet Smell of Success," and "The Defiant Ones," passed away Sept. 29 of last year. He was 85.

I enjoyed watching him sitting in his wheelchair, talking with his fans and still able to flirt with the many women who waited in line to get an autograph, a kiss and a photo with the American film actor.

I was in awe of him because I had always been a fan of his films. “Some Like It Hot” is one of my favorite films. I liked all of his films and I have tried to watch as many of them as I could.

For years I thought he was Harry Houdini until I began to understand what films were all about. I even liked his guest appearance as Stoney Curtis on the Flintstones cartoon series.

That episode debuted in 1965 but I caught it in syndication in the early 70s as a youth growing up in Los Angeles.

I know his presence at Licensing Expo is missed. There is  an empty booth where he would have welcomed attendees to his table.

I did managed to say hello to him while taking his photo at the show bit I could never get close enough to shake his hand.

Although his brand is not include with the list of exhibitors at this year’s show, hopefully his brand will return to the show so that a new generation of fans can continue to become acquainted with Curtis.

John Wayne, Elvis and Jim Morrison are still popular draws for fans so I am sure Curtis will always have his following.