Travel Agent - September 10, 2007 - (Page 30)

Destinations Las Vegas a small management company in San Francisco and began representing the likes of former football great Jerry Rice (he’s now a Striker client), in such ventures as memorabilia sales. But then something dawned on him. “I looked around and saw how the limelight was on these guys,” he says. “I wanted to be the guy.” Well, the man he has been—for five years and counting—is the founder of Striker VIP, a Las Vegas host, concierge and event services provider. His in-town exploits are legendary. He recounts this past year’s NBA All-Star Weekend, which drew hordes of hedonistic revelers. “I have the world record for getting 350 people into Tao (an über-hot restaurant/ club in Las Vegas) for Jay-Z’s All-Star party,” he proudly says. The festivities didn’t end until 9 a.m. Steven Striker, founder of Striker VIP Just like the Las Vegas Strip, Striker Working With Agents didn’t build his kingdom overnight. It’s that kind of service that has travel “It took time and effort,” agents enlisting Striker—not to mention he says, and, most importantly, the 10 percent commission that connections. can be had. “Agents have started to Striker may come around,” Striker says. Why not? know the guy An agent with VIP clients traveling to holding the Las Vegas is well served to use Striker. clipboard at No doubt he has a better lay of the land, the door, sure, but he and your clients will appreciate your also knows the owner resourcefulness. of the venue and that’s what proves By October, Striker VIP will have in dividends. place an affiliate referral program Each client’s experience is personalthat can be accessed at www.strikervip. ized, and 14 hosts, employed by Striker com. “It will signify and clarify what VIP, navigate the affairs—day and we can do for agents,” Striker says. night—making sure that everything To contact Striker VIP, call 866-VIVAgoes off without a hitch. VIP or 702-895-8426. Las Vegas’ Inside Man Agents looking for an edge should give “Vegas’ Ultra Agent” a call BY DAVID EISEN deisen@questex.com H e goes by the name Striker. And, like the brevity of his handle, he can make all of your singular Las Vegas dreams come true. Drop the name at any hip club on The Strip, and watch the velvet rope drop; whisper the name to the maître d’ and one of the best tables will open up. Sounds more like a pipe dream, right? It’s not. For the past five years, Striker (who does actually have a first name, Steven, but hasn’t gone by it since childhood) has been the go-to source for clients wanting the extraordinary Vegas experience. Tickets to the hottest show, check; entry into the most exclusive club, done; dinner at a haute eatery, no problem: Striker is the guy to call. How It Works “It’s all about under promising and over delivering,” says Striker, who has been featured on a segment of The Today Show (Matt Lauer called him the “Ultimate Vegas Insider”) and counts the Maloof brothers as friends. “We separate VIP guests from the crowd— get them past the politics of exclusion. There are lines for everything in Vegas; we vanish the line and create personalized experiences.” In the Beginning It has taken time for Striker to cultivate his identity and attain his perch atop the Las Vegas food chain. He started out with 30 TravelAgent September 10, 2007 http://www.strikervip.com http://www.strikervip.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 10, 2007

Contents Editor's Letter News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week South America Rising: COVER STORY EUROPE: Undiscovered Croatia PACIFIC/ASIA: Chiang Mai: Hotspot of Northern Thailand LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas’ Inside Man Las Vegas News & Notes Las Vegas: The New Frontier PACIFIC NORTHWEST: A Gem on Oregon’s Central Coast FLORIDA: Hyatt Regency Miami Spruces Up Ensemble Update Agent Outlook: Cruising Today Nantucket Island Resorts Classified Marketplace Home-Based Travel Expo Update Advertisers’ Information People & Places Thailand Planner

Travel Agent - September 10, 2007

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