#1  Small meetings, big challenges

A meeting of 500 rooms or less is considered "small." When speaking with a hotel sales person, determine their experience level and property knowledge before working with them or you may find yourself chasing down the details once you're on-site.

#2  Short-term real estate purchase: Who's your neighbor?

When booking a meeting, think in terms of a short-term real estate transaction. Before signing the contract, find out who your neighbors are. You may discover that your group doesn't mesh with someone else booking the property for the same nights. Ask me sometime to tell you about the Scouts convention that booked alongside an adult film festival.

#3  Plenty of function space - but is it functional for you?

When a resort salesperson confirms that they have the meeting space you need, challenge it. Ask for details - location, ceiling heights, décor, size and most importantly, is it all in one area? Most of the major properties have 100,000 to 1 million square feet of space, but it has to work for you.

#4  You negotiated a great rate, but can you afford the place?

Sometimes you can find a great group rate at a top-of-the-line property. Before signing a contract, explore the costs for restaurants, entertainment, spa and other costs your attendees may incur. Don't put your group into a resort they can't afford. Being "house poor" will wreck everyone's visit.

#5  Give me a break, I need a night off!

Plan an open night so attendees can do their own thing. If you don't, they will anyway.

#6  Leave us alone, it's the weekend

If possible, avoid holding Las Vegas meetings over a weekend. The room rates are higher and some attendees will complain about losing personal time off. Arrive on a Sunday or Monday and the city will welcome you with open arms and provide much more attention.

#7  Make a decision - big shot or nobody?

Las Vegas offers dozens of "boutique properties," hotels with 500 rooms or less. You may find this environment more comfortable, but you'll have to live with two restaurants on the site versus 12 to 18 in the larger resorts, or one lounge instead of three or four, all with live entertainment, not to mention a smaller spa and workout facility. Smaller properties do tend to give small groups more attention because it's what they do every day.

#8  Local knowledge is priceless

Would you vacation somewhere new or return after a long absence without securing some local knowledge? Of course not! The same applies to organizing a meeting. In fact, it's even more advisable to secure outside assistance with all of the details involved. With over 60 hotels to choose from and world-class restaurants opening at an unbelievable rate, where do you begin to plan a successful Las Vegas group event? With local knowledge.