Agents and operators take part in three-day ‘Camp Vegas’ experience

Around 60 travel agents and tour operators from 27 companies enjoyed fun activities and game shows at the third annual ‘Camp Vegas’.

The three-day annual sales mission, hosted by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, was held at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire in the style of a ‘summer camp’ experience.

It included outdoor activities, educational game shows and board games designed to improve knowledge of the city and the state of Nevada.

Sales agents working for agencies including Hays Travel, Barrhead Travel, and DialAFlight, and for tour operators such as Gold Medal and Ocean Holidays, took part in the networking event with the LVCVA and 10 of its key partner companies, which all held presentations.

Partners included MGM Resorts, Caesars International, Resorts World and Virgin Hotels, alongside attractions such as Cirque du Soleil, The Sphere, and Maverick Helicopters.

Activities ranged from field archery, an aerial adventure, laser combat and educational activities such as ’Las Fabulous Game Show!’, with agents competing to create the best Las Vegas itinerary, complete with a specially-designed game board, croupiers and entertainment, for the chance to win an all-inclusive trip.

Fletch Brunelle, LVCVA vice president of marketing, said the UK continued to be Las Vegas’s top overseas market for international travel, with the event reaffirming the strength and continued potential of its relationship with the UK trade.

He said: “We had a productive time connecting with agents and travel professionals during our UK and Ireland sales mission that included stops in Dublin, Manchester, and London, and included our third instalment Camp Vegas in Nottingham.

“The energy was high, the turnout was strong, and the enthusiasm for Las Vegas was unmistakable. By creating these unique opportunities to meet face-to-face, we can better understand the needs of our partners and share all that our destination has to offer in a truly engaging way.”

Trade feedback to the event was positive.

Rachel Collett, product executive for Hays Travel’s tour operation Vista, said: "Camp Vegas was a weekend full of learning, networking, and fun activities. I work in the Vista product team at Hays Travel, which puts together the offers for our agents to sell, so it was really beneficial to meet the suppliers and hear directly from the experts.

“It’s definitely boosted my knowledge of Las Vegas and will be a big help when creating future holiday packages."

Lindsey Proctor, sales agent at Gold Medal, said: " A great mix of learning all about Las Vegas from the wonderful and informative hosts, outdoor activities providing a relaxed atmosphere to mingle and have some team camaraderie, and an abundance of fun taking part in the varied entertainment programme which consisted of game shows, board games, karaoke and plenty more.”