“For trade shows, intimate events and special services, Ray’s Las Vegas will provide you and your guests the ultimate Las Vegas experience… on budget. My guarantee.”

We’ve been working Vegas for years. We are headquartered in Las Vegas – we know the city and all it can offer to visitors and locals alike. We are in daily contact with the people who run and work this city. We put them to work for you so you can relax. It’s handled. We personally do all the negotiations for you, and we’ll save you money in every aspect of your event.

Whether you have ten people or 100,000, call us for your next event.

Take advantage of Las Vegas now. Prices are at an all time low.

We’re here for you.

— Raymond Shrader

Ray’s Las Vegas – 702-715-2725

]]> http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/welcome/feed/ 0 http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/aboutus/ http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/aboutus/#comments Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:39:45 +0000 admin http://www.rayslasvegas.com/?p=70

In June of 2000, I was hired as Executive Vice-President of a very large company in the Mid-West. I held my first two annual conventions in Minneapolis, as the company had done in the past. In 2002, I felt it would be profitable to move our event to a nicer climate with more entertainment and restaurant choices. We selected Las Vegas, Nevada. I knew that more of our prospective attendees and vendors would welcome the change. As we prepared for our first convention in Las Vegas, I realized that I was behind the proverbial eight-ball in terms of being prepared. I contracted multiple firms to help us in all areas of the Las Vegas convention market. Although they did an adequate job, they did not deliver my attendees and vendors the “WOW” factor of what Las Vegas stands for. Nor did they meet my budget, exceeding the budget set by a very large amount. These firms did not seem to know a lot about their city, either that or were reluctant to divulge other information about other firms who could also help me. Yes, they knew about the hotels who solicit them as prospective clients but they did not know about much else. I further researched why this was and learned that most of the “Corporate Event Planners” are located in larger cities other than Las Vegas. Yes, they do have representation in Las Vegas, but they are not headquartered in Las Vegas. They are not in daily contact with the movers and shakers who make the city what it is.

I decided that I needed to learn the city myself, make it a priority to know where the best hotels are to hold events, to align myself with top management of all of the venues that I would want to hold an event at and to make sure I was under budget every year. I held six events at different venues, was able to include live entertainment, had celebrity guest speakers, included a golf tournament and came in under budget. I decided in 2005 to resign my high-level position, move to Las Vegas and offer the services I did not have when I was scoping Las Vegas as my host city.

I will save you all of the time, hassle, and embarrassment in putting on an event that does not meet your company standards. I personally do all the negotiations for you. I will save you money in every aspect of your event. I am equipped to facilitate events from ten people to 100,000 people. You tell me your budget, how many attendees you expect and I’ll do the rest. I can create the theme, design the décor and execute any type of event for you. My guarantee to you is that I will not exceed your budget. My promise is to give to you my seven years of knowledge and research and make your event one that will raise the bar in your industry. You will set a new standard with your event. Please take a few minutes to review all the types of events I can do for you. Now is the time to book Las Vegas because the prices are at an all time low. Thank You.

Lana and Ray Shrader

Sami-Jo, Ray and Lana Shrader

]]> http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/aboutus/feed/ 0 http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/trade-shows/ http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/trade-shows/#comments Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:21:08 +0000 admin http://www.rayslasvegas.com/?p=59

The biggest is always the best, right? Wrong! I thought when I booked my first convention into Las Vegas that I would go with the largest expo service company in Las Vegas . Since my event did not have 100,000+ attendees, I became just a number in a whole sea of companies wanting expo services. Well I learned many valuable lessons from that experience. I no longer believe that the biggest must be the best. I have aligned myself with the greatest convention expo service company ever. My personal relationships with the General Manager and his staff has allowed me to save literally thousands of dollars for my clients and I have never had any problems in using this company in over five years. These folks care. They provide the highest quality of customer service, and they go the extra mile for my clients.

The same holds true for selecting your venue. I know which hotels work for smaller conventions, (ten to 399 rooms) and I know where to go for the larger events. My hotel and concert venues work with my clients to customize an event within the budget that I present. Whatever the event is, customer service is always #1 with my hosting venue. I use the venues I do because they care about my clients. Relationships ARE everything.

A sampling of custom trade show entrances we have designed

Actual trade show floor

My son, Jamie and I co-produced an event in Minneapolis, in 2002.
We concluded the three day event by swallowing fire.

I will arrange for almost any type of Intimate Event that you want to create. Whether you are combining an Intimate Event with a trade show or want to create an event for a local charity, fund raiser, grand opening or a premier, I can take the work out of the event for you. Events I have done in the past include:

I work with some of the most famous artists that are renowned for airbrush art, paintings, metal sculpting, custom jewelry and more. I will create an intimate setting for your event. I will have your event catered with refreshments to your specifications. No specifications, no worries. Tell me your budget and how many invited guests you will have and I will create the event for you.

Again, I have you covered for these types of events. I work with a couple of excellent memorabilia companies in the U.S.A. I can provide either autographed sports memorabilia or autographed items from the music industry and Hollywood. Whatever your charity is, I will customize an event that will give items in every price range and will also meet all of your charity’s specifications for the event.

This is always a crowd pleaser. Wine tasting events have been the most requested intimate event that I offer. You can hold this event for an “Opening Night Gala” or as a special reward for your attending vendors. I will have light–to-medium finger food and a large selection of wines for your guests to enjoy. You can go from simple to elaborate depending on the number of guests and the budget you set. I can arrange for venue “buy outs” so your event is private and intimate.

You don’t need to be booking a big event to be important to me. It does not matter if you’re having a small ten member meeting or a 100,000 invited attendees, the service level is the same. I treat every client of ours as if it is our only client. The services are the same and the quality is exceptional. We know that our best client is our repeat client. In my company, size doesn’t matter.

For many years I held a high profile corporate life in which I would search the world for a romantic and secluded spot that I could steal a couple of days from the corporate world and enjoy my wife without interruptions and without being recognized. I also of course wanted 7 star class and service in a world that sometimes treats travelers without any class. I was disappointed many times. I ultimately was able to find these places and not have to travel very far. You do not have to experience the same frustration that I did. Our level of customer service that we provide our clients is the same level I personally expect when I travel. The retreats that we have selected will show our clients the same 7 star treatment and will hold your identity in strict confidence. You will have all you needs, wants, and desires arranged before you ever leave your office. As with all of my services, I personally guarantee your complete rest and relaxation on your retreat.

Let us plan the perfect event for your class reunion. Whether it is a ten year or a 50 year event we will make sure that everything is in order. We will find the right hotel, find the right band, prepare the right food and make sure that beverages reflect what your theme will be. Leave the decorating to us also. You tell us your budget and how many guests you are inviting and send the invitations. We will take if from there.

Special Services is a catalog of many additional services we offer. These are typically add-ons to Trade Shows of other events that I create for you. By no means are these services required to create an outstanding event but by adding one, two, or more to your event, we can turn an outstanding event to the greatest event ever! A few of these are:

*  Extended Event Decorating
*  Creative Catering Planning
*  Celebrity Entertainment
*  Celebrity Motivational Speakers
*  Unique and Creative Event Advertising
*  Model and Hostess Services
*  Golf Tournaments
*  Photography and Video Services
*  Helicopter Tours
*  Event Security
*  Hospitality Suites

And many, many more…..

]]> http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/special-services/feed/ 0 http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/my-guarantee/ http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/my-guarantee/#comments Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:14:10 +0000 admin http://www.rayslasvegas.com/?p=34

I personally negotiate all services and pricing for you. You will always work directly with me and all events are tailored and created exclusively for you. I have spent countless hours establishing my vendor base. These vendors are honest, hardworking companies that give exceptional service at very competitive prices. I require seven-star service from every vendor I use. Nothing less will be accepted. I audit all invoicing before the contracts are signed. All change orders are signed by the vendor, you (the client), and then countersigned by me so that everyone understands what your desires are. My final guarantee is that you will never exceed your budget unless you add services to the final agreement. All charges are discussed and approved by you, the client. I value you as my client and I work very hard to earn your business. My values and standards are high and I deliver what I promise.

- Raymond Shrader

]]> http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/my-guarantee/feed/ 0 http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/testimonials/ http://www.rayslasvegas.com/2009/03/testimonials/#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:03:16 +0000 admin http://www.rayslasvegas.com/?p=142

                            

“Dear Raymond,

It was wonderful to see you again! Our entire team is thrilled to continue our relationship together. Congratulations on a magnificent job of coordinating the Floor To Ceiling event. You did it again!

Raymond, it is always a joy and honor to work with you. You are a man of great talent and great integrity… a truly powerful combination.”

~Kathy Ireland

“It was a delight to speak at the Floor to Ceiling Expo in Las Vegas. I wanted to take a moment to commend you on an outstanding job in coordinating the entire event. I make 120 to 140 presentations each year. This event was one of the finest I have been a part of and one of the most seamlessly coordinated. Your communication from the very beginning was excellent. Your follow up on the details was perfect. To be honest, I would love to clone you.

Congratulations on putting together a program that included lots of information, motivation and loads of value for each attendee. The trade show was first class and the vendors and attendees alike found it to be a big win/win.

Ray, you are very good at what you do and I would recommend you to anyone wanting help in putting together a first class conference.”

Rick Olson, President Rick Olson Seminars

As a resident of Las Vegas and also having most of my professional event management career right here, I can be your local eyes and ears for you and your client. I know that most of you are located in cities other than Las Vegas and although you have your local contacts, are you getting the “straight story”? I will not only offer you an un-biased look into all the hotels, venues, attractions and restaurants, but I can help you with as much or as little of your event that you want me to manage for you. I can even handle your site visit with your client. I keep in touch with the entire event aspects of Las Vegas on a daily basis.

I can offer assistance with any vendor dilemmas. I work with a complete group of the finest vendors in Las Vegas. My vendor partners have earned their spot on my referral list. They are indeed the best-of-the-best.

Do you want to do something special for your client for all of the continued business they give you? Call and ask me about the Ultimate Las Vegas Experience. It is the sure way to say “Thank You” to your client in a way never before offered.

When the need arises, please feel free to contact me and let me assist you.