NAB 2017

Hi All..

I have a few questions about attending NAB hopefully in 2017, funds allowing..

Question 1: Do I need to pay to attend NAB?
Question 2: What is the cost to attend?
Question 3: Low cost hotels? Distance from NAB?

I have a US visa, so that is not a problem, would a normal tourist visa, multiple entry valid for 10 years allow me to visit NAB? I was in the US for 6 months in 2013.

I know NAB is huge, this is one of my bucket list things to do. Not sure I will get to do WWDC, but NAB/Supermeet is number 1..Saving so hard to attend, flights way too expensive from 10 0000 miles away!!

1 - No. They sell an exhibits only pass, but so many vendors hand out codes to get that for free, it is super easy to get a free pass. Next year, around Feb, drop me a line, I'll get you a code for a free pass.

2 - The price of travel, lodging, meals.

3 - The cheaper hotels are further away. Be sure to get a hotel on the Monorail line, or you'll be paying for taxi cabs. Do NOT rent a car, that's a huge hassle in Las Vegas, unless you plan to take some tours or sight see outside of Las Vegas. Some folks share rooms to cut down on hotels. Plan on USD $280-350 per night for a hotel. Las Vegas ain't cheap, babycakes. And that's just a fact of life.

I have always stayed at the Sahara, which closed, got renovated, and is now the SLS. Only 2 stops from the convention center on the monorail. And reasonably priced. It is a Starwood Property and I've been a Starwood member for over a decade, so I get some perks. Originally, when I attended the WEVA conventions in a previous life, I stayed at Bally's. Reasonable priced, on the monorail line, nice place.

The sooner you can book a room and flight, the cheaper it will be, in general. I literally lived on airplanes and hotels for many, many years for my work. If you've seen "Up In The Air" with George Clooney, that was how I lived, literally, for many years. I've been at the travel game way too long, but have a family now, so I try to stay home as much as I can. Except for NAB Show.

You'll also want to buy a $10 ticket to get into the Supermeet, and sign up for the FCP EXchange event. The FCPX Guru Gathering is, eh, ok, but not a must-see.

Warning, start walking daily for a month before you go. Get GREAT walking shoes. The Las Vegas convention center is HUGE, and NAB Show takes up every square inch of it. You'll be walking your butt off for real. TONS of walking, walking, walking, to see as much of it as you can.

If you're not a software developer, WWDC is easy enough to see online. It is just a series of workshops for programmers, with a great keynote speech event. That's all.

Start saving those pennies... I am...

Saving pennies is what I am doing, hopefully have enough for 2017, might have to make it 2018, will be using my tax credits to fund this, only way to save, 25% of every job I do goes to tax, and I get about 23% of the 25% back, a great way to ensure savings!!

some Casinos offer a free pickup service from the outer rims of Vegas ... from your 1* hotel to MGM or Paris, from there by monorail = no taxi ...

Yes, there are buses, but on a schedule that makes you wait and wait and wait, and limits your mobility. I'm a huge fan of the monorail. Geta 3 day unlimited pass, you're set to go anywhere worth going, almost any time (it does stop running from late at night to day break). Stratosphere is super inexpensive, and only a short walk from the SLS monorail station.