If there is only one show people can attend every year, I tell them THIS is the one. The only way it's possible to not do business is if you're trying REALLY hard.
Everyone (or most everyone) is at the same hotel, the events are mostly onsite, and the distractions are much less than other venues. You can literally sit in the lobby for a full day at this show and do more business and see more people than you can being in Vegas for 3 days.
You shouldn't be begging your boss to go, HE should be INSISTING that you go.
