Toto, I don't think we're in Exmouth Market anymore
It took nine and a half hours (along with a beef stroganoff, choc ice, chicken wrap and cheese roll) on a very toasty plane, but the eagle has finally landed. The Beam Team is now settled in the Mirage Hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard, getting ready for the Consumer Electronics Show.
CES is the largest tech show of its kind, and the convention centre will be filled to bursting with gadgets that may or may not be the big thing in 2009. Technology companies from around the globe will tomorrow begin clamouring to make the news about their latest product heard, and the world's media will be desperate to be the first to break the big stories. In between working hours, Vegas will offer medieval-themed bars (complete with real-life jousting displays) and steaks the size of your suitcase.
Walking down the strip, it's easy to wonder why the world's largest and arguably most significant technology convention happens in a place that, let's face it, borders on the ridiculous (the Excalibur hotel is surrounded by its own rollercoaster, for Pete's sake). But, the fact is, Las Vegas is the perfect place for the show - because here, just like the great technology innovators, people dream big.
Let me give you an example: in our humble hotel, along with a casino, several restaurants / bars and a pool area which features 'European style' sunbathing, there is a *dolphin research centre*. Yes, after your breakfast of pancakes and apple crumble, you can go and have a look at the baby dolphins. Some bright spark had an idea, and even though it was crazy they went ahead and did it anyway.
You see, Vegas doesn't say 'hmmm, maybe we could do that.' It says, 'of course we can!' And that's what makes it perfect for CES. Both aim to excite, amaze and inspire, and strive year on year to be bigger and better than before.
So, CES, here we come. Have a nice day, now.