Budget saving tips for Congress attendees
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First up, attendance passes. Conferences regularly offer registration deals and the FIPP World Media Congress is no different. If you’re not yet a member – and if not, here’s more about why you should be – a full price Congress ticket is $2,850. Our early bird offer is live until 31 May 2019 and will save you $775.
Next, travel. Book your flight in advance to get the best deals. Skyscanner can compare all the available fares and sort by date, time, airline and number of connections. The usual money saving rule of staying over a Saturday night doesn’t really apply in Las Vegas. Any flight fare savings will be more than offset by incredibly high hotel rates over the weekend. Instead, the best savings can be had by those travelling on a Tuesday or a Thursday – just right for the Congress.
If you’re travelling internationally, consider connecting flights to get the best rates. Travelling to Las Vegas via LA or Toronto may help you reduce spend. Travellers coming via London can take advantage of the flight sale on now from British Airways. Lowest fares from London’s Heathrow or Gatwick airports to Las Vegas are £264, a 50% saving against the standard rate of £500-£700, and the sale ends on 21stMay. If you’re travelling from elsewhere in the US, consider the smaller airports in your area and watch out for regular flight sales from airlines including United and Southwest.
For hotel bookings, stay at the Congress venue, Planet Hollywood, and you’ll save travelling time and taxi fares. Remember, the Strip is 4 miles long and nothing in Las Vegas is as close as it looks. A discounted group rate of USD$149 per night plus tax and daily resort fee is available for 12 and 13 November. Book online here and use the reference SMFIP9.
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Savings can be had on smaller purchases too. Tell your taxi driver not to take the I-215 tunnel on your way from McCarran Airport to the Strip. It’s never the fastest route and will result in inflated fares. There are no banks and a very limited number of bank-owned ATM machines on the Strip so organise cash in advance of your trip, including small bills for tips. Expect to pay $3-5 per withdrawal from the casino-owned ATMs. As in every big city, take care of your valuables. Watch out for pickpockets around the Bellagio Fountains and other busy spots. And while it is customary in the USA to tip for service, don’t overspend. These tips on tipping from Vegas.com will help you understand the local standards.
Remember, though. There’s more to Congress than a cost-effective trip. As a Congress attendee, you’ll have the opportunity to learn, share, meet and do business with like-minded industry experts and peers. You’ll also engage with some of the leading vendors in the media sector to find out how their latest solutions could solve your current business challenges. As one previous attendee told us, “it’s the one place to learn about the international industry developments and to meet the key contacts in person, so it’s the best use of my time and money”. We think so too.
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