The banquet was very good last year, speaker was interesting (albeit a little self congratulating, and some references may have been a little inside). Food was excellent, and they do a tradign session afterwards. Great fun (if interested in going get a hold of Splashbar)

You can buy chips outright (the venders encourage it ). You can sit and look thru the various chips for hours also. You can't buy and sell at trading sessions, but Splashbar is OK.

I didn't (still don't), bring what you can and you will be amazed. Go to trading sessions anyway, great place to learn and meet some great people.

Pretty Casual (banquet will have shorts to Tuxes, but casual is the name of the game). Close your eyes and imagine the people on the BB and how you picture them, do you see ties and suits?

No shuttle, but it is a pretty short walk to RIO where there is a shuttle to Harrah's (strip). A lot of people will cab it from Riv and they join up. Your welcome to ride with me, a cab ride split a couple of ways is pretty cheap.

If there is anything else just ask. It is a great time.