Las Vegas. June 7th–15th. Nine days in the desert city of sensory overload, where everything is bigger, brighter, louder—and wildly, wonderfully over the top. I was there for one reason: to sidekick.
As the VP of Community Development for WORKP2P—formerly known as Point to Point Transportation – we work with some of the biggest brands on the planet, managing global shipping and logistics (specific to events), so they never have to ask, “Dude, where’s my stuff?” But this trip was extra special. It was my first time working onsite for one of the major clients we service. And what an initiation it was.
Our WORKP2P team of sidekicks had already been onsite at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for weeks before I rolled in. My marching orders were clear:
Be helpful.
Be curious.
Be visible.
Capture the magic behind the scenes.
And talk to as many people as I could about BEATS WORKING – Winning the Game of Events podcast.
In other words, my dream job.
I’ve always loved content. Creating it. Capturing it. Shaping it into a story. It’s no secret that I also have the gift of gab. I can talk to anyone, anywhere, and love it. One thing we believe deeply at WORKP2P is to be a truth-teller and capture the learning from everything we do. Because when your motto is “make mistakes at full speed,” you learn A LOT. While I’m not a professionally trained photographer, I’ve had a camera in my hand since toddlerhood—and I’ve got a sharp POV and a strong brand vibe when it comes to seeing the world through the lens of my iPhone (and now, Ray-Ban Meta glasses…more on that in a bit).
This time, my goal was to document how our team of sidekicks works in sync, on a mission to put work first—aka, getting paid to practice getting things right.
In no particular order, here are 25 things I learned from my time behind the scenes at LE 25:
1. Nine Days in Vegas = 800 in Real Life
Vegas time runs on its own clock. I was grateful we stayed off the Strip at a sleek, still-smells-like-paint new hotel called The Element Las Vegas Summerlin, tucked inside Town Square Las Vegas. Uber drivers couldn’t find it on GPS, so I quickly learned to type “Guitar Store” as my destination. Pro tip: if you’re in recovery like I am, picking a hotel away from the constant cha-ching-cha-ching of the slot machines = peace of mind.
2. 15,000 Attendees = A TON of Stuff
I lost count of how many trucks rolled in, but our team sure didn’t. Watching the precision with which the WORKP2P sidekicks tracked, unloaded, sorted, and deployed everything—from show materials to swag to stadium setups—was a master class in logistics-as-art.
3. Set Up Takes Weeks, Tear Down Takes Minutes
One moment, it’s a bustling branded world; three days later, it’s an empty shell. The transformation was mind-blowing—and a poignant reminder of the intention that goes into creating an immersive attendee experience. Purpose-built environments, designed to inspire connection and culture.
4. Vegas in June is HOT HOT HOT
Shout-out to indoor air conditioning and full-blown gratitude for not having to load pallets in the 108-degree heat. This Emerald City girl was wilting on the walk from Uber to the entrance.
5. Safety Gear is My New Fashion Era
Who knew I’d feel so fly in fluorescent pink and yellow? Rocking a vest with 87 pockets made me question why this isn’t standard wardrobe. I didn’t get to wear the hot pink helmet I wanted, but I did keep my safety vest filled with Blow Pops, Sharpies, and a backup battery charger. (Aesthetic and practical.)
6. I’ve Entered My Fanny Pack Era
My BEATS WORKING podcast-branded fanny pack was on me 24/7. I’ve officially ditched the oversized purse. Freedom of movement and snack storage? Elite.
7. Comfort Sneakers = Critical Sidekick Gear
You don’t log 20,000+ steps a day in heels. Period. Per usual, I probably didn’t need to pack six pairs, but it did allow me to mix-up my look on the daily.
8. The WORKP2P Sidekick Team Is a Machine
These people are calm, cool, and caffeinated. Even when stuff goes missing or timelines shift, the team solves problems with grace, grit, and laughter.
9. Watching Libby Sundgren in Her Element Is Pure Joy
My work wife for life, ride-or-die, podcast co-host, and logistics queen. Libby could sniff out a mislabeled box from a mile away and remember where every piece of freight was at all times. I swear she’s got barcode vision.
10. I Miss Networking
Corporate mingling was my love language in my media days. Getting back into that game—asking questions, hearing people’s stories—was energizing. And now that the event genie has been let back out of the bottle, I don’t want to put her back in.
11. Best $40 Office Supply Ever: Mobile Charger
My multi-cord plug-in battery pack never left my bag. Lifesaver.
12. Ray-Ban Meta Glasses = Underrated MVP
Yes, the videos and photos were slick. But the surprise hit? The audio features. The glasses read me texts, emails, played podcasts, provided GPS directions, and even answered questions like “What am I looking at?” No earbuds needed. I felt like a tech-savvy ninja.
13. Hotel Hot Tubs: Underrated Wellness Tool
End of day soak = self-care. Also, hotel hot tubs are great places to meet other road warriors with fascinating stories. Many of which turned out to be working at the same convention.
14. Remote Work Perk: Solo Fun Adventures
I snuck away to the Pinball Hall of Fame Museum. For $10, I traveled through nostalgia, took a million content-worthy pics, and got my game face on. I love taking myself on dates alone. You guys, I think I’m the one.
Side note: Hey Pinball Hall of Fame – if you’re reading this, I’d REALLY love to help you with your branding, website, and social media. I have ideas. CALL ME! #willworkforquarters
PS: Here is the IG VIDEO of my time at the Pinball Hall of Fame.
15. Family Dinners Build Culture
We laughed, we swapped stories, and I got to know my coworkers beyond their titles and Teams video squares. Huge shoutout to Richard Miller for never steering us wrong on a menu recommendation and for delivering stories from the road with sparkle in his eyes.
16. Angela Kath Is the Blueprint
Two decades in, she’s the queen of calm project management. Watching her anticipate needs and deliver VIP-level service with a smile was inspiring. It was clear, the clients love her.
17. Sidekicks Show Up—No Matter What
One night after dinner, we got the call: items missing onsite. Without hesitation, the team loaded back into the F-150 and headed out. No drama. No whining. Just sleeves rolled up, safety jackets and game faces on.
18. Street Art is My City Ritual
Everywhere I go, I seek out murals. Vegas did not disappoint. Head down to Fremont Street and work your way back up the strip for some great camera shots. I also highly recommend a stop at The Neon Museum. My favorite museum in Sin City.
Go behind the scenes with my IG REELS: Fremont Street Art A + Fremont Street Art B + Neon Museum
19. New Places Spark New Ideas
Whether it’s BEATS WORKING, The Sober Curator, or my next big brainstorm, I find that different scenery unlocks fresh creativity. Call it the housekeeping effect if you want, but one thing is for sure… I want more.
20. Big Companies, Big Commitment to Culture
The sheer scale of the event blew my mind. I’ve worked events with 2,500 people before, but 15,000? Whole new universe. And at the heart of it was one goal: building community and keeping the culture on lock.
21. Logistics Is the Invisible Art Form
Great logistics look like nothing happened. But behind the scenes? It’s spreadsheets, pivot plans, sequencing, and perfectly timed deliveries. It’s magic. Silent, sweaty, satisfying magic.
22. Leadership Doesn’t Always Wear a Name Badge
Some of the most powerful leaders I met weren’t in C-suite titles. They were the ones asking, “How can I help?” and then doing the thing. That’s leadership.
23. Creativity Doesn’t Punch a Timecard
Some of my best content ideas hit at 11:47 PM while editing videos in a hotel bed, covered in granola bar crumbs. Inspiration isn’t 9–5. (And, it isn’t always sexy, a ‘hem.)
24. Being “the Media” is a Superpower
Holding a camera (or wearing it on your face) makes people open up. I don’t take that lightly. It’s not just about documenting—it’s about capturing, archiving, and curating culture.
25. Sidekick Doesn’t Mean Second Place
We’re the ones who make the magic happen. We lift, we lead, we light the way from the wings. We’re not background—we’re backbone.
Final Thought:
This trip was a whirlwind. A workout. A master class. And an invitation to lean deeper into the magic of this mission. Because getting paid to practice really does BEAT WORKING TO GET PAID! I got to connect, create, and capture the heartbeat of an event that brought 15,000 people together—and I did it with my fanny pack full, my camera roll overflowing, and my heart on fire.
One of my life mottos is the belief that the best is yet to come. Sidekick life is the best life. Being of service is the secret sauce. And for me? It totally BEATS WORKING.
Want to learn more about The Sidekick Way, the how and the way behind what we do at WORKP2P? I’ve got resources for ya!
The Intentional Course – I’ll be back to hosting weekly courses twice a week the week of July 21st. Registration is free. The best way to spend one hour a week is to get more intentional with your goals. I recommend only showing up if you’re genuinely committed to changing your life. 😉 Talk without action, well, that’s just noise.
Classy Problems – This isn’t another newsletter you’ll archive unopened. It’s a pulse. A signal. A daily nudge toward clarity in a world that overwhelms.
BEATS WORKING – Winning the Game of Candy, aka being pranked on at event location by Libby Sundgren
Starring Sidekicks AB, Greg Cogdill, and Angela Kath
Thoughts I had on my flight home from Vegas…as seen on The Sober Curator
SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! @ The Sober Curator – Seat 11A: The Addict Who Walks Away
I was sitting in seat 11C on my flight home from Las Vegas, and I found myself staring at the window seat just two seats over to my left, when I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
The man who walked away from seat 11A on Air India Flight 171. The only survivor. The one who lived.
Maybe it was the altitude. Or the exhaustion after spending nine full days in Las Vegas—the City of Sin, the capital of overindulgence and escapism—completely sober. Nine days navigating the chaos with clarity. Nine days in the heart of temptation, knowing exactly who I am and why I don’t drink anymore.
But as I sat there, buckled in at 38,000 feet, I found myself staring at that empty middle seat between me and the window—and I felt the presence of something holy and heavy.
