Doug wrote.......

"Unfortunately those cans cost the club $3-$4 each after taxes, fees and service charges."

Then next year charge attendees $2 a can & have the club pick up the remaining cost per can. Start off with a 100 cans & see how that does. Surely the club can afford a couple of hundred dollars to provide attendees something. Do something instead of just having water coolers which from what I have read you can call them water warmers.

As to...

"they don't like the idea of a bar on the convention floor and even several dealers who told me they wouldn't even set up at a show if we had one."

And WHY exactly is that? They think those who partake are going to get drunk? It can't be because they are afraid that liquid will be spilled on their inventory, since water & drinks are allowed. And please stop making the walk out to the casino floor to get a drink sound like a short one. It is not, especially if you are going to make it a number of times. People want to get something to drink right there & then get back to enjoying the show.

Andy - Las Vegas

I'm trying to figure out why SP doesn't have a permanent beverage station (bar) in the hallway close to their large convention show rooms for all of their conventions. It wouldn't need to be stocked or staffed 24/7/365. They could keep it cheap by keeping it simple using iced coolers, or they could take the next step by installing refrigeration and beverage plumbing. Perhaps they tried the cooler bar concept in the past and it wasn't profitable.