Star Trek Las Vegas: have any stories or tips?

[shyborg]

This will be my first time going, I'm excited and nervous for it. I even stepped out of my comfort zone to reserve photo-ops with Brent Spiner, Robert Picardo, and Jeri Ryan.

Last year at Mission Chicago, I struggled to interact with anyone initially. I still kick myself for being weird/robotic when I tried to give a compliment to the Women At Warp pod team. It took seeing a YouTuber I like to help me feel comfortable and open up. Hopefully, I'll have less trouble this time

 

[Ronald Held]

My advice would be to plan ahead which panels you want to see, and which autographs and photo ops you want.

 

[Finn]

Good luck. I've never been. I'd be too shy.

You will get plenty of advice from some folks who have been gone to many of them here.

Here's some links you might like to look at (hopefully some of the posts won't scare you away from attending_

Thread 1

Thread 2

Thread 3

Thread 4

 

[tomalak301]

I've gone to the convention every year since 2016 for the 50th (Minus 2020 for obvious reasons). It's a fun convention and I would suggest if you are on Facebook joining some of the convention groups. There is the Las Vegas Rio group and also the Convention Experiences group that posts events and different things you can do, like the newbie and solo meet up on the Wednesday before the convention, or other photo ops and parties. A lot of the conversations happen at the Masquarade Bar or IBar at the Rio and then you have the panels and vendor room to walk around. I would also suggest bringing snack foods like bars or nuts or something of that variety so you don't need to buy food at the convention, which can get a little pricy. Also, the more people you meet and chat with, the more you will have a great time. I also really recommend don't over schedule yourself. You are not going to see every single panel, so point out the ones you want to see and go from there. The schedule in the past as been released either the Friday or the Monday before the convention so it's not a lot of time to look at it, but you do have some.

 

[Rabid]

I went years ago and one of the best things was meeting up with friends I made on the Enterprise forum. Funny, three years later I think most all of us had faded away and stopped posting on the forum. I just recreated my account after being away for years.

They are going to try and sell you a lot of stuff. You don’t really need it. Take pictures instead.

Don’t expect friendly interactions with cast member you cross paths with. I will always remember the disdainful look I got from Tim Russ, just for saying hello. But my funniest moment came when I got on an elevator with Jeffrey Combs. He looked like he was about to go into a panic, scared of being trapped in an elevator with some overzealous Star Trek Fan who might want to ask for an autograph without paying. He kept staring at the floor and I pretended that I did not recognize him. When the elevator opened again he almost ran. I really felt sorry for him, being so afraid of his fans, yet needing them to continue making a living in his chosen business.

Oh, and my best day at the convention is the day I took a tour to the Grand Canyon. I paid about $400 for a day trip back then and wow, it was worth it. Bus from the hotel to a small airport where I flew over Hover Dam and landed at the canyon. Another bus to the walk out overlook where we had lunch, then a helicopter ride down to the bottom. There I got on a boat and went down the river. Then did it all in reverse.

 

[DonIago]

^Aw, maybe that was just Jeffrey's defective clone?

 

[t_smitts]

I'm more than a little envious. My own town has had some decent conventions over the years, but this is the big one. That, and, honestly, visiting Vegas in general is one of my bucket list destinations.

In terms of maybe asking questions at the panels, there's probably no question that they haven't heard a million times, but I do like to ask actors about roles they maybe don't get asked about so much. Everyone else asked Gates McFadden about Trek, but I asked her about doing one of the Muppet movies. Everyone asked Walter Koenig about Trek or Babylon 5, but I brought up "Moontrap", which was this low-budget sci-fi film that he made with Bruce Campbell in the 80's. I asked Robert Picardo about Gremlins 2 and he had a REALLY funny story. If I got the chance to meet George Takei, I'd love to ask him about working with John Wayne (he took some time off during season 2 of TOS to work with Wayne on a film called "The Green Berets").

Maybe consider getting an autograph from one of the lesser-known actors or crew. They probably don't get nearly as much attention and might actually appreciate it. Sometimes the object that you have for them to sign can be a conversation starter (such as a DVD for a non-Trek movie or show that they were in). I got Gerritt Graham (Quinn from Voyager) to sign a DVD set of "Gargoyles", for instance. Last fall, I got Garrett Wang to sign the magazine that comes with the Eaglemoss model of the USS Rhode Island, and I ended up being the one to tell him the company had gone bankrupt that summer.

I'm not sure how much time you have in town, but hopefully enough that you can experience a bit of Vegas itself. There's a lot to explore, like Fremont St, which is perhaps a bit more pedestrian-friendly than the Strip. (BTW, bring sunscreen and comfortable shoes!) I don't gamble, and I don't like the taste of alcohol, but, there are a couple of speakeasies, if you're into that. I'd love to try one of the high-end buffets, like the Wicked Spoon in the Cosmo or the Bachanal at Caesar's (apparently booking in advance is a good idea).

I've also heard that little things like snacks and drinks are cheaper the further you get from the Strip. Never buy a drink or souvenir at the hotel gift shop if there's a CVS or a Target nearby.

There's some really good Youtubers who have some good advice on what to do (or not do) if you're visiting Vegas. JacobslifeinVegas is a really good one to look up. Edited to add: Norma Geli has some suggestions for cheap eats, as well.

Enjoy yourself, and hopefully someday I'll be there to do the same!

 

[thribs]

I would practice your smile in the mirror. Get one you like and you can put on quickly. The last thing you need is you putting on a face you don't like.
I'm quite shy around people as well so if you keep to to the basics like greeting them and asking them about their trip it should be fine. I did that with Patrick Stewart and ended up talking to him about night trains for some reason. I don't even remember how the conversation got there.
With photos, you just have to say hi to them. You won't have time to say much else.

I'm also going to Vegas this year. I just bought myself a Boyz 12 t-shirt so I'm ready for my picture with Scott Grimes.