It seems we have now reached the point on the calendar when people who dislike Las Vegas make their annual post about how they wish that Black Hat / DEFCON / etc could be somewhere other than Las Vegas.
Look... enjoy what you want and visit where you like. But after three decades, maybe folk can accept the fact that this is where these conferences are located? They're not moving to NYC, they're not moving to New Orleans, they're not moving to some other equally inappropriate place.
Attend cons or don't attend cons, but either way it's possible to exercise your personal choice without yucking other people's yum. 🤷
By the way, I'm speaking as a person who did not like Las Vegas when I was younger... Mostly because (a) I didn't "understand" the vibe of this town and (b) I didn't know how to do Vegas properly.
Nowadays, however, given a little bit of understanding and experience, I do believe that you almost have to try hard to not have a good time in this town.
I'm not saying you have to like casinos.
I'm not saying you have to like crowds.
I'm saying that this is one of few glorious cities that literally has something for absolutely everybody, and if you are not finding something you like at a place to stay that is comfortable, you may have simply not discovered how to do Vegas your way yet.
You don't have to stay at the con hotel.
You can escape people so many ways at the drop of a hat.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and hope that I get to enjoy your company in a way that doesn't take too much out of you. 💚
My friends have been mystified for years why I enjoy Vegas, as I don't particularly drink, smoke, gamble, or go to strip shows. But I have a grand time in Vegas.
