Viva Las Vegas!

Last Sunday, June 10th, I flew off to Las Vegas for my annual accounting marketer's conference.  Last year I was in Chicago for the conference and it was such a great conference that I was really looking forward to it again this year.  This year the conference was held at the Aria resort so I was super excited to stay in this fancy new hotel on the strip.

View looking out the left side of my room window that was floor to ceiling.

View to the right is the Monte Carlo casino. 

The first night I had dinner with fellow accounting marketer's from across the U.S. and it followed up with drinks in the Aria bars.  I also had a friend there that same weekend for the world poker series.  I met up with him because he wanted to teach me how to gamble.  I am not a fan of gambling as I don't like to gamble away my money.  If I lost $100 I would be super bummed because that could have bought me 8 or 9 beverages, or even a new pair of shoes.  My friend, however, was going to teach me how to gamble using his money so I was all in.  I only won $40, but did not learn how to gamble whatsoever.  We were playing craps the whole time and all I was being told was what number to roll and where to place my chips.  No reason as to why, but just to do it.  I need to know why in order to learn.  I did end up throwing the dice off the table on accident.  Hey, I was a newbie at this so throwing dice across the table with specific instructions was kind of nerve wracking.

The next day was filled with conference sessions that was followed up with a gala. 

With my communications specialist at the AAM Gala.

 At the gala they also announce the marketing awards for the year.  About two months ago I submitted two projects my department did this past year and I was hoping to at least win in one of the categories.  Following dinner and my one glass of wine, compliments of my one drink ticket, they announced the winner for the advertising campaign category.  It was my firm.  I was excited and went up to get our glass box for the "trophy."  Then it was time for pictures with the award. 

With our award for our very creative ad campaign we did for the restaurant niche.

After the excitement at the gala it was time to celebrate winning the award.  We headed over to the Mondrian Oriental for drinks on the 35th floor overlooking the Vegas strip.  This bar was AMAZING!  Very pricey, but oh so worth it. 

At the Mondrian Oriental bar on the 35th (I think it was the 35th) floor with my communications specialist.

My amazing view from my seat at the bar.

Following a great night of celebrating I still had to get up on Tuesday for the conference...oh, and Wednesday as well.  Tuesday night the accounting marketers went to STK (AMAZING by the way) for dinner and then Hyde lounge & nightclub for drinks.  Hyde was awesome as our table was right in front of the Bellagio fountains...AWESOME!  Following Hyde we went to the Cosmo hotel for some more drinks before we hit the hay. 

Our table was seriously so close to the fountains it was awesome.  We would catch the spray that came off the fountains. 

With my communications specialist at Hyde.  Enjoying the view, drinks and the fountains.

Wednesday proved to be an early morning and a long day.  After three nights out in Vegas with approximately 5 hours of sleep a night this girl was pooped and ready to head home.  In the Vegas airport on Wednesday night I saw a BIG celebrity.  How awesome is this picture? 

Me with Gene Simmons as he stood outside of a Starbucks waiting for his wife.  This was AWESOME for me.  I definitely acted like an insane crazed fan...not gonna lie!

I got home late Wednesday night to a vase of flowers from my mother for a congratulations for winning another marketing award for my firm.  It was such a nice surprise and ending to an awesome four days.

I had another great year at the association for accounting marketing conference.  I am already counting down the days for next years conference...and hopefully another award!