LAS VEGAS (KTNV) – For the first time in more than two years, the Nightclub & Bar Show returns at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The bar and nightclub industries were hardest hit during the pandemic, which is why these companies are so happy to be back in person for this show.
VIEW PARTICIPATION
In terms of participation, the show’s organizers are expecting more than 7,000 visitors, which is about 15% fewer guests compared to the 2019 show.
It is a diverse audience of exhibitors showing a wide range of products. Imagine everything nightlife related including booze, distribution, lighting, bar games, and more.
This event is in its 35th year in Las Vegas and the organizers couldn’t be happier to host it in person.
“Ultimately, a year or two year pandemic isn’t going to stop people from eating, drinking and socializing. That’s what we do as humans, ”said Alexi Khajavi, the president of travel and hospitality at Questex, the company that oversees the show.
“So it’s just a pleasure for us to bring all of these people back together, to do business, to learn a little about the industry,” added Khajavi.
COMPANIES RELATED TO LAS VEGAS
This year’s show features a number of local businesses and many more with Las Vegas market ties, including the Koloa Rum Company.
Based on the island of Kauai, one of their main goals is to bring their rum line from the Hawaiian Islands to the “Ninth Island” of Las Vegas.
Koloa recently partnered with the Las Vegas Raiders so you can taste their rum at Allegiant Stadium, Raiders games, and concerts and events this fall. Koloa employees say the reason they wanted to attend this show was to build their brand in Las Vegas and across the country.
“With our new partnership, we thought it would be a good time to restart the brand in Las Vegas and actually have some interactions with the nightclub and bar owners and buyers,” said Farrah Aviles, director of sales and marketing at Koloa Rum Company.
“Las Vegas is known as the Ninth Island,” added Aviles. “There’s a lot of Hawaii here and the Raiders have a beautiful new stadium. It’s a great organization. There is a lot of great synergy between Hawaii and the state of Nevada.”
Koloa rums are already available in Las Vegas. You can buy them at some local liquor stores, including some Total Wine & More and Lee’s Discount Liquor locations.
NEW TECHNOLOGY ON THE DISPLAY
There is also a lot of new technology to be seen at this year’s show. For example, 13 Action News came across Jevo, the first fully automated jello shot maker for any bar, restaurant or casino that wants to make and sell jello shots in bulk.
It’s basically the Keurig for jello shots.
You can choose your settings and fully customize the type of jello shot you want to prepare, then fill the jevo with the ingredients you need and in about four minutes you will have a tray full of jello shots ready for the fridge.
Tom Gayton, Sales and Operations Manager for Jevo in Nevada, explained his goals for showing the machine at the show.
“We’ve got to a lot of casinos and bars out here and it’s about getting known, like anything else. And people just need to know that they are there. When they don’t know it’s there, they “I’m not going to ask about it. When they see jello shots all over those fridges, more and more people are going to start trying them,” Gayton said.
Jevo rents its machines to casinos, bars and clubs from $ 299 per month, all inclusive.
It’s just one of so many new inventions helping the bar and nightclub industry recover from this pandemic.
The Nightclub & Bar Show will run at the Las Vegas Convention Center through Wednesday June 30th.
