We are excited to once again host our live events at the Bellagio Las Vegas from Thursday, March 24th through Wednesday, March 30th. We have a full slate of live events on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Tom, Darik and myself will be around the next three days to host live Main Events or anything else. We have one ballroom each day, so it's easy to slip in live auction leagues, OCs or even Cutlines for the hell of it if you'd like. We have Main Event leagues scheduled each night at 5 PT, if we can get it done.
The Bellagio is always interesting to deal with because their space is so in demand, and thus they don't like to finalize contracts until 60 days out or sometimes even 30 days out. We had space reserved, but it's always nice when we can get the spacious Bellagio or Grand Ballrooms, but that won't be the case this March.
There is a huge convention at the Bellagio that same weekend that we'll be there and they have the majority of the space in the Convention Center. They've even reserved all of the Spa Tower suites and penthouse suites. If you are looking to stay there, don't delay because from what I'm hearing this convention is filling up everything. I'm sure room rates won't be reduced and we do NOT have a room block there. I know some folks are staying at Park MGM or Aria that weekend, so check those out if you're interested because it's a quick, free Tram ride over to the Bellagio.
The space we have now, unless something else opens up, is the DaVinci ballrooms and the Raphael Ballrooms. Both are right next to the Spa Tower, so if you are staying there I'd definitely request a room in the Spa Tower. If you are coming from the Tram, the DaVinci ballrooms are right at the bottom of the escalator off the Tram. It's ideal if you are coming from that side of the Bellagio. If you come from Caesar's or even the front lobby from the Strip, walk all the way to the end of the Convention Center (past the Business Center, past the Bellagio Ballrooms, past the Wedding Chapel and past the Grand Ballrooms) and you'll find the DaVinci ballrooms right around the corner to the left.
We will host all of Thursday's, Friday's and Sunday's live events in the DaVinci ballrooms. We can host four live events at once there and if we have anything else we'll move to the Raphael ballrooms. We have a total of seven ballrooms on Saturday, so we will cap off the Main Event at 105 teams and 7 leagues. Get in if you plan on coming to Las Vegas because we've had 7 leagues each of the last few years in LV.
The DaVinci ballrooms are nice because there's a nice area just outside the ballrooms to sit, while overlooking the pools. The Grand Ballroom is just around the corner, as well. I will try to get a suite for some of the Friday and/or Saturday parties, but they aren't allowing a lot of people in the suites and right now it's tough to even get one. But I'll stay on it.
There is no vaccine mandate in Las Vegas, but I'm sure the Bellagio will require masks throughout the convention center and in the casino. However, once in the ballrooms we will be fine. The ballrooms will be shaped like they were in 2019, not twice as big as we've had them in 2020 and 2021. Plan accordingly.
We already have a nice crew signed up for Las Vegas and already have sold out the Platinum League, the Diamond League, the Diamond Auction League and multiple auction leagues and Main Event leagues. I'm convinced that if MLB resolves its differences with the MLBPA soon that we'll have a record crowd for Las Vegas. It's like everyone is ready to bust out and enjoy the camaraderie and competition again, and hopefully we'll be in a better place with coronavirus by March 24th. That's the hope.
If you have any questions about Las Vegas, let me know. But we are signed, sealed and delivered for the Bellagio Las Vegas during Sweet Sixteen of March Madness. I look forward to seeing everyone and making this an unforgettable weekend/week of live events. Welcome to our 19th straight season in Las Vegas for NFBC live events and may the owners and players get their shit together soon!!!
Let's go.
