Confession time: Each year we join more than 36,000 other retail professionals on the sojourn to ICSC’s RECon, the retail industry’s biggest and best conference. We hunker down to gain new insights, meet amazing people, catch up with clients…

…and never venture outside the walls of the convention center.

And that’s just sad.

After all, we’re going to Vegas. The destination that draws millions of tourists annually who come to shop, eat, explore and spend. In fact, it’s thanks to the more than 240 major shopping centers that this city is able to pull in billions of dollars in annual retail sales.

So this year, let’s make a pact to enjoy a little more of Las Vegas in the midst of deal making. There are plenty of great places to wow prospects, enjoy a good meal with clients and solidify relationships outside of official show hours.

Sound good? If so, keep reading for our short guide to a great time in Las Vegas—RECon style. Whether you’re looking for ways to fill small pockets of downtime or creative ideas for networking, this is the list to use. Print it, bookmark it and commit to using it!

Take a Retail Real Estate Tour

Las Vegas is known worldwide for its shopping. According to one recent count, an impressive 59% of the city’s 39.7 million visitors shopped during their stay—likely because the biggest retail attractions are situated within resorts.  It’s worth taking a detour for a first-hand look at what makes several of the area’s most successful shopping centers so appealing:

• The Brooklyn Bridge replica at New York-New York hotel, a pedestrian-friendly dining and shopping area
• The Shoppes at Crystals, a couture center complete with an indoor art walk
• Bally’s Las Vegas, an open-air shopping promenade across from the famous Bellagio Fountains

Enjoy Some Good Grub

Las Vegas is a food mecca, with more celebrity chefs and fast-expanding franchises than you could possibly imagine from within the confines of the Las Vegas Convention Center. As you plan and schedule your meetings for the conference, here are our top picks for meals on the town:

• Shake Shack, where you can indulge in the atmosphere that’s helped the brand amass a cult-like fan base
• Carbone, which has an uber-classic atmosphere that’s guaranteed to impress an important prospect or client
• The plaza at Monte Carlo, which offers a great case study in open-air concepts

Get a Rooftop View

RECon rightly demands a lot of time and attention, leaving little space for enjoying much of Las Vegas itself. But while you won’t have time to cruise The Strip, you can see it from the sky. Skyfall Lounge, located on the 64th floor of Delano Las Vegas, is a great place to get 180-degree views of the city and sunset-inspired beverage choices.

So…

Which of these will you explore first? Still not sure you’ll have the time to step away? Fill out the form below to schedule a time to meet with eSite Analytics, and we may be able to bring a little of Vegas to the convention center for you.

Are you headed to RECon 2016?

Let’s meet! Fill out the form below and a member of our team will reach out to set up a time to connect.