The first episode of what could become a new, semi-regular podcast has been posted.
It doesn't yet have a name but the working title is 'Vegas Roundtable'. It's a gaming industry related podcast in a discussion format. Today's participants include:
Jeff Simpson - http://www.lasvegassun.com and http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com
David McKee - http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/blogs/dmckee/
Dave Schwartz - http://www.dieiscast.com
Chuck Monster - http://www.vegastripping.com
Thanks to all participants. The podcast is in my normal feed for 'The Worst Las Vegas Podcast' but it will probably move to a dedicated feed. Also, if anyone can think of a good name, drop them in the comments.
If you don't subscribe to the feed and want the direct URL, here it is:
http://media.ratevegas.com/35-roundtable_1-02_07_08.mp3
Comments
Great work and thanks to all who participated--lots of unique insights and perspectives. I look forward to more of these.
Okay... So, this thing needs a name. I've had several suggestions:
"Getting Rated"
"The Don McLaughlin Group" (this is pretty funny but will most people get it?)
I like the idea of keeping it in the "Worst Las Vegas" family. Maybe the "Worst Las Vegas Pundits Group."
Or "Rate Vegas Review."
The Pit Bosses? Sages of the Strip?
"Two Way Hard Five"
or
"Five Way Hard Three"
Hey guys - great work! very insightful!
I vote for Knights of the Vegas Roundtable. Get it?
"The Vegas Gaming Quorum"
"Heard on the Strip". I think Gaming Today stopped using that title for their Strip business gossip column after Chuck Di Rocco passed away. Wonder if you could use that, or is it too obviously ripped off from them? It's a take-off from the title of the Wall Street Journal's "Heard on the Street" column.
Anyway, I really enjoyed listening to some of my favorite Strip reports discussing the gaming business like that. Thanks for putting it together Hunter!
Excellent discussion of many aspects of the gaming business. A very interesting, knowledgeable group and a good selection of topics. I especially enjoyed the Columbia Sussex conversation with the potential suitors of the LV Trop property being named or at least talked about.
As one who believes Fontainebleau will be a great addition to Las Vegas, it was good to hear the strong support for the project.
Thanks, Hunter. Very informative. I hope you do more of these, and as Echelon progressives, its potential/viability should be re-examined; same with The Plaza if it gets going.
I don't have a name suggestion, but I sure like Mike_ch's "Sages of the Strip".
Well, I finially had a chance to listen to the podcast today, and really enjoyed it.
A few comments to a few comments...
I don't see Echelon changing their plans, I think it will get built exactly like what we have seen. Most of the foundation for the main hotels are already done. They will be moving skyward very soon, The parking garages are also already in full swing, with the main floor already being poured. So while small changes can and always do change, basically what you have seen, is what you will get, they are to far now to turn back.
I thought I too would give me input on the new up coming wave of properties. Without question, I think about anyone in their right mind, would have to find City Center the most interesting. Its a huge undertaking, and nothing has ever been done like it before. But having said that, I am most excited about Encore. It all comes down to styling and design basically. I have seen what MGM-Mirage has done to TI, Mirage, and Bellagio, and I have to be honest, I don't care for it. Other people might, and they might be making more money than they've ever made before. But I don't like them. MGM-Mirage has turned to such a contemporary styling, its seems like that is all they know how to do anymore. Look at TI, Mirage, the Spa Tower at Bellagio, MGM, Detriot, Macau. Its what they do, and if it sells fine, but I don't have to like it. I much perfer the styling Wynn and his team do. So for this reason, I find it very hard to be excited about CC, as interesting as it may be, I know it just won't appeal to me!
I really enjoyed the podcast. Interesting perspective from a varied group of people. As a frequent vegas tripper (shout out to chuck) I am excited mostly to see City Centre (canadian spelling) as it is going to be unlike any other development. Encore (or Wynn Las Vegas version 2.0) is likely going to be a well designed interesting place but essentially just the evolution of the Wynn brand, a bionic Wynn if you will.
"Worst Las Vegas Pundits Group"?
I'll go along with that.
I've finally finished listening to the podcast. Clearly, this is why the internet was created (By Al Gore, of course). One of the great ideas of all time, Hunter. My suggestion for shows in the future is to do one a month using a different member of your round table, and then getting them all together three to four times a year.
Is Vegas Roundtable taken?
I would think that for search purposes on iTunes you would want Vegas in the title.
Brian, I agree with what you say about MGM in regards to TI, Luxor, and MGM Grand. However, the places under Bobby Baldwin's influence are another story. Aside from the cafe, I'd say Bellagio is now as nice as it was circa 2000 or so. The only thing I can really complain about is a few worn out carpets in the shopping hall and the marquee needing some TLC.
Prior to recent events, Monte Carlo was on the way up too. That's really up in the air as to what they're going to do with the rooms on the top floors and of course the tower facade. Just about anything could happen there. We'll see.
We're recording another episode on Thursday afternoon. Should be posted shortly thereafter.
I think it's gonna be: Worst Las Vegas Punditry Group or something like that.
Now, I'm trying to determine if the show needs its own feed - this show is gonna be my primary podcasting focus so the WLVP feed will be somewhat dormant, though I may insert special features from Vegas from time to time, such as the video stuff I shot last time that I'm waiting to get back from the editing guy. I'm sorta leaning towards just having the single feed.
Let me make an obvious statement. The word "worst" means of the lowest quality possible. Joke or not, it still gives that suggestion. I don't think this podcast meets that criteria, and I'm afraid people who see that title won't listen to the new podcast.
I thought something like that, but since McKee seemed to like the "worst" tag, I figure the people partaking in this thing get the gist of the name.
Is it serious? Not really. But then again Steve F's podcast is the pretty much the Meet The Press of the Vegas-web. Hunter's is The Daily Show, if you get my gist.
Fantastic podcast - this turned out to be a great format bringing really informed people together - it still amazes me how much is happening every week in Las Vegas and the scope and scale of these projects have many dimensions to them.
Something I wanted to add - about the problems Columbia Sussex had in New Jersey where they lied to regulators and angered the culinary union. Unions are strong in New Jersey. It is illegal to even pump your gas in that state - it was a union demand to keep jobs even though gas prices in New Jersey are not any higher than other states.
John
Roundtable #2 is in the can. I should have it edited and posted later tonight.
Still haven't settled on a name. I get the less than enthused response to the 'Worst' of anything. I honestly feel like I haven't come up with the right name yet. Still thinking.