2012 Olympia - Is it worth going to now?

[wes]

I'm considering going to the Olympia this yr.
Any opinions on how to get the most bang for the buck if I go.
Should  I go? How has it been the last few years?

[Fortress]

I've been numerous times, but haven't in some years. Never have I paid out of pocket.

I would have really gotten excited to go when I was a teenager and excited about the sport of bodybuilding, but I can't say I care one way or the other if I ever again witness this or any other BB event.

I do enjoy hitting some expos, like the Arnold, for the strongman and powerlifting quasi-events, but this is about it.

[wild willie]

I attended the Olympia in 96...97....98...99...and 2000. It was always a great time....Loved the contest and also the Expo......but bbing has changed and I have no desire to go anymore.

[stuntmovie]

Howard, I'm no longer much of a pro bodybuilding fan so I usually pass on the prejudging and finals competitions unless I am given a compt ticket but I actually enjoy the EXPO itself on both days and I usually attend the Press Conference for at least half of it before getting a call back to the blackjack or craps tables.

If you do attend the the prejudging or the finals you should pay the extra bucks and sit up front otherwise bring a pair of binoculars because that damn Orleans Arena is pretty damn huge and the cheap seats are too far away. You'll be watching it on the screens if your seat is half way back from the stage.

I'd also suggest that you pay the few extra bucks and book a room in the Orleans for the sake of convenience  and the ability to  be where it all takes place .... Except you'll have to depart the hotel to attend the Expo with is about 3 miles away.

All hotel room fees go up during Las Vegas weekends and during events and conventions such as this so you have to expect to pay more than you would during the non-busy meet week periods.

Weekend rates are usually 3X more than mid-week rates and even the buffet prices can be doubled because they simply call it "Steak Night" or "Fish Night", but whatever they call it, the price is increased by 50 - 100%.

SO what you all experience while in LV is not typical for us who live here.

The hotel casinos give us locals tons of free stuff just to get us inside hoping that we'll lose more than they gave and that the out of state visitors will think that the casinos are full of gamblers.

Actually the casinos are full of locals getting their weekly free stuff which includes real money, or gambling coupons, or free meals, or two-fors, or logo caps, or T-shirts, or gas, or alarm clocks, or tire pressure gauges, or  fly swatters (those cheap bastards!), or movie tickets, or flashlights, or thermometors , or toms of other stuff that makes decent Christmas for friends who you only know on a first name basis.

SO here is what I recommend :

a. Book a room at the Orleans  fpr Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights.
b. Attend the Press Conference and the Meet the Olympianns in the hotel.
c. Attend the EXPO at the LV Convention Center on Friday and Saturday and talk to everyone.
d. Watch the contest of your choice that is held  during the EXPO on Friday if I'm not mistaken.
e. Attend the IFBB prejudging and/or the finals if someone gives you a ticket or if you spend the big bucks and sit up front.
f. Have a buffet lunch or dinner or two at the Orleans. It's pretty good for the price.
g. Get away from the hotel and go to Ellis Island and order the Steak Special which you won't find on the menu and ask for a $5 match play coupon.

Actually you'll discover that there ain't enough hours in the day to do all you'll want to do while in Vegas that weekend but give it a try anyway.

Unless you're an old couch "yam", you'll have a great time enjoying yourself. ( I can't spell potato.)

[littledumbells]

I'm considering going to the Olympia this yr.
Any opinions on how to get the most bang for the buck if I go.
Should  I go? How has it been the last few years?

Wear a pair of chaps, nothing else. You'll get banged and a few bucks

[Natural Man]

I'm considering going to the Olympia this yr.
Any opinions on how to get the most bang for the buck if I go.
Should  I go? How has it been the last few years?

you re gay, so it's always worth going for you.

[Tito24]

tons of better ways of spending money then going to a bbing show

[Dr Dutch]

tons of better ways of spending money then going to a bbing show

Visiting him in Rome, maybe ?

[Ron]

The 2012 Olympia weekend is one of the best for the sport of bodybuilding and most definitely worth it.  But I guess the question needs to be - are you talking about the contest or the entire weekend?   The 2012 Olympia contest is considered the best of the best in terms of pro bodybuilding, and bodybuilding fans from all over the world come to Vegas, to enjoy the weekend and go see this contest.

For people in the supplement industry, it is a must to come. Many of the new products are showcased here at the expo, as well as a chance to meet your favorite competitors and more.  MMA, Powerlifting and other events are still coming and it is only getting bigger.  I know a ton of buyers from various stores, gyms and others venues who come just to check it out and have meetings.

For companies, to is very important to have a booth here, because this is where a lot of distributors from around the world come to check things out.  Lots of meetings go around at the convention center, at conference rooms, where distributors, customers meet supplement companies, and make deals.  I personally know lots of people that come to Vegas from Australia, Germany, England, South Africa, Israel and many more places.  It is becoming the premiere expo for showcasing supplements in our industry.  This and the Arnold.

So yes, coming to the expo is great if you are a fan.  The press conference is always packed.  The Meet the Champions just keeps getting bigger and bigger each year.  And the shows represent the best of the best.  So if you are a fan, this is the place to be.

Everyone that goes really enjoys it.

[gracie bjj]

i would like to go to the olympia one day, also the arnold classic would be cool. so far the biggest show i went to was the mr america contest back in early 80,s, i think it was 82. saw tim belknap and leon brown there

[MB]

Buy VIP tickets if you go.  Watching on the big screens isn't worth it and it'll still cost you a lot of money.

[jude2]

Howard will love the VIP tickets and staying a the Orleans is a must.

[Howard]

Howard, I'm no longer much of a pro bodybuilding fan so I usually pass on the prejudging and finals competitions unless I am given a compt ticket but I actually enjoy the EXPO itself on both days and I usually attend the Press Conference for at least half of it before getting a call back to the blackjack or craps tables.

If you do attend the the prejudging or the finals you should pay the extra bucks and sit up front otherwise bring a pair of binoculars because that damn Orleans Arena is pretty damn huge and the cheap seats are too far away. You'll be watching it on the screens if your seat is half way back from the stage.

I'd also suggest that you pay the few extra bucks and book a room in the Orleans for the sake of convenience  and the ability to  be where it all takes place .... Except you'll have to depart the hotel to attend the Expo with is about 3 miles away.

All hotel room fees go up during Las Vegas weekends and during events and conventions such as this so you have to expect to pay more than you would during the non-busy meet week periods.

Weekend rates are usually 3X more than mid-week rates and even the buffet prices can be doubled because they simply call it "Steak Night" or "Fish Night", but whatever they call it, the price is increased by 50 - 100%.

SO what you all experience while in LV is not typical for us who live here.

The hotel casinos give us locals tons of free stuff just to get us inside hoping that we'll lose more than they gave and that the out of state visitors will think that the casinos are full of gamblers.

Actually the casinos are full of locals getting their weekly free stuff which includes real money, or gambling coupons, or free meals, or two-fors, or logo caps, or T-shirts, or gas, or alarm clocks, or tire pressure gauges, or  fly swatters (those cheap bastards!), or movie tickets, or flashlights, or thermometors , or toms of other stuff that makes decent Christmas for friends who you only know on a first name basis.

SO here is what I recommend :

a. Book a room at the Orleans  fpr Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights.
b. Attend the Press Conference and the Meet the Olympianns in the hotel.
c. Attend the EXPO at the LV Convention Center on Friday and Saturday and talk to everyone.
d. Watch the contest of your choice that is held  during the EXPO on Friday if I'm not mistaken.
e. Attend the IFBB prejudging and/or the finals if someone gives you a ticket or if you spend the big bucks and sit up front.
f. Have a buffet lunch or dinner or two at the Orleans. It's pretty good for the price.
g. Get away from the hotel and go to Ellis Island and order the Steak Special which you won't find on the menu and ask for a $5 match play coupon.

Actually you'll discover that there ain't enough hours in the day to do all you'll want to do while in Vegas that weekend but give it a try anyway.

Unless you're an old couch "yam", you'll have a great time enjoying yourself. ( I can't spell potato.)

Thanks stunt that is some useful info

[Howard]

The 2012 Olympia weekend is one of the best for the sport of bodybuilding and most definitely worth it.  But I guess the question needs to be - are you talking about the contest or the entire weekend?   The 2012 Olympia contest is considered the best of the best in terms of pro bodybuilding, and bodybuilding fans from all over the world come to Vegas, to enjoy the weekend and go see this contest.

For people in the supplement industry, it is a must to come. Many of the new products are showcased here at the expo, as well as a chance to meet your favorite competitors and more.  MMA, Powerlifting and other events are still coming and it is only getting bigger.  I know a ton of buyers from various stores, gyms and others venues who come just to check it out and have meetings.

For companies, to is very important to have a booth here, because this is where a lot of distributors from around the world come to check things out.  Lots of meetings go around at the convention center, at conference rooms, where distributors, customers meet supplement companies, and make deals.  I personally know lots of people that come to Vegas from Australia, Germany, England, South Africa, Israel and many more places.  It is becoming the premiere expo for showcasing supplements in our industry.  This and the Arnold.

So yes, coming to the expo is great if you are a fan.  The press conference is always packed.  The Meet the Champions just keeps getting bigger and bigger each year.  And the shows represent the best of the best.  So if you are a fan, this is the place to be.

Everyone that goes really enjoys it.

Good points there Ron. I am at a point where I simply enjoy seeing a good show and enjoy the expo.