Vegas ST Experience is back according to SciFi wire:
“SCI FI Wire confirmed today that a contract has been signed with CBS/Paramount to reopen the Star Trek The Experience exhibit in Las Vegas on May 8 —starting with at least a new restaurant and retail shop—to coincide with the opening of J.J. Abram’s Star Trek movie. …”
Let the rejoicing begin!
You and I must be on the same wavelength! I posted about this in another thread a few weeks ago but it’s good that they have a solid date set now. I’m glad they will be back, it’s one of the few things to draw me to Vegas. 
I’ll be glad to sit down at Quark’s again for a drink…or three.
Let’s see what erupts with Neonopolis. Right now we had a story in The Las Vegas Review-Journal talking about how hard tourism-related industries here have been hit. The US President is not regarded highly as of late and Mayor Goodman may well bill him for the economic damage he caused to this area.
Went to this a few years ago. It was big fun. Glad to hear it’s back.
Vegas isn’t being hit any worse than anywhere else in the U.S. and they will bounce back, they always do. Your Mayor needs to bill the man now living in Texas, he’s the one that caused the mess we’re in now. No one can fix this after only 50 or so days in the top seat.
I read an interesting article that said that the tourist industry in the US is being hard-hit by the scrutiny banks and other bailed out companies are canceling due to public pressure. Upscale hotels and resorts that are used to counting on corporate gigs are no longer able to count on these financial boons.
Interesting, since a good portion of the exhibit is currently here at the Detroit Science Center for the next few months.
This article locally may be relevant: http://www.kvbc.com/global/story.asp?s=10000639
I watched the report last night with the playback of the President speaking publicly at a rally in Elkhart, Indiana. The currently serving President did indeed say on-camera that visits to Las Vegas were a very bad idea in today’s business climate. George W. Bush had nothing at all to do with the matter especially if the current administration is apologizing in the matter.
This piece is also relevant: http://www.lvrj.com/business/41196542.html
The common theme tying together event cancellations has been fear of public reaction in light of the President’s remarks in Elkhart. Whether it was meant that way or not, that was how it was perceived by a decent part of the public. While the President may have only been in office for roughly fifty days, he seems to have had several opportunities for inartful speech leading to situations like this.
Alpaca Herder, the President’s comments not withstanding, given the actions of the head honcho’s at comapnies being bailed out are what has caused their fear. Continuing to give bonus’s as well as corporate retreats while at the same time begging for money pissed off a good number of the populace. They should be scared.
Believe it or not, I can actually tie this back into BSG and reference Tom Zarek. In the first season episode Colonial Day, Zarek quite legitimately asked why the gardener on Cloud Nine kept gardening. Zarek outright questioned why anything was continuing at all.
In the realm of business whether it be retail or finance, you have to have some incentive or motivation to continue. While altruism might have fueled the efforts of that gardener on Cloud Nine, it is hardly the norm in this world or BSG’s universe. Although it may not be pretty, incentives like bonuses and trips are what helps keep people motivated to keep going. When I worked in retail, we had plenty of contests just to try to keep us motivated and moving on the floor. The prizes usually weren’t cash but they were still sought.
The funny thing is how cheap flights are to Vegas and how much meeting spaces cost. If you held a meeting in Henderson or Boulder City, you’d be away from many to most casinos and could still have a productive function. Combining incentive drives above with Horatio Alger myth is what helps actually keep things running. Unlike that gardener, things don’t keep going necessarily just because that is all people know.
[skips the political debate]
I’m very glad to hear this good news about the ST:Experience. A very great relief. Someday soon I may be able to visit, finally.
I am well aware of the reasons that bonus’s & what have you are done during normal business. However, when you stick your hand out begging for money, the people you borrow the money from expect you to take that money & put it towards the day to day running of the business. That is the reason the loan is asked for in the first place. In the interest of fiscal responsibility, business conventions & bonus’s are frivolous expenditures.
If it’s all up and running next year we should have the 2nd annual GWC meet-up there. 
That would be AWESOME!
Got any Dabo chicks this time around?
Have to wait and see what they add. It definately won’t be the same as the old Experience. Can’t wait to see what they do as far as changes/updates.
That might be the one thing that could exceed the awesomeness of this year’s Meet-Up.
Drinks with the GWC gang at Quark’s (which already feels, in my memory, like a place I grew up in). The mind boggles.
Another article about the Neonopolis that mentions the Experience opening in May.
Well now it sounds like they will not be opening in May and no staged opening but still planning on ST:EXP going in next May. The following is from a forum member post on Startrek.com:
Posted: April 03 2009, 3:53 pm
Hello All,I just wanted to let you all know that I have spoke with Mr. Joshi of the Neonopolis this week. ?The plans for the Experience is set for May 2010. ?There will be no staged opening this year. ?Unless he is lying to me, I would think that STTE will not be ready until the 2nd Abrams Star Trek movie is ready.
Yes, if you have not heard, talks are already in the works for a second movie by Abrams and his crew.
But back to STTE, we will all have to wait. ?I have tried to establish a time line, but no luck. ?Design and planning is underway.
I will keep you all posted.
Best Wishes,
Ed
Neonopolis has had multiple years of financial troubles itself. Sudden disruptions of tenants by the owner’s representative probably doesn’t help things. It really sucks that it was a frakking art gallery in the case. See:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/27/neonopolis-boss-fires-arts-center-president/
We’ll see what erupts. I hope ST:EXP returns to Las Vegas whether within Neonopolis or elsewhere.