Why
he made the list: When I was selecting the list of the
Most Influential People in Las Vegas Nightlife, Mike Snedegar
was one of the absolute first people who came to mind to be included.
Because it isn't that he meets just one (1) of the five possible
(5) criteria of the list, it's that he meets damn near ALL
of the requirements: He is out networking and partying every waking
moment that he can be, is an absolutely perfect example of someone
who is constantly raising the bar of Las Vegas nightlife, everybody
loves the guy to death, I know him well, and he rose through the
ranks of Vegas nightlife quicker than almost anyone I've met.
How
you should know him: If you have ever attended
a celebrity filled event at Tao, seen that event on any nationally
televised show, read about it in 944, seen it on NapkinNights.com,
JackColton.com, or even heard some radio disc jockeys in London
talking about it - Mike Snedegar was probably involved. As the
marketing director of all things Tao Las Vegas, Snedegar is responsible
for putting the wheels in motion that make Tao one of the top
clubs on the planet and keep Las Vegas as the entertainment destination
that absolutely everyone wants to be a part of.
I actually
caught up with Mike weeks ago, but have been too far behind schedule
to put up the interview that tells the world what makes one of
the most influential people in modern Vegas nightlife tick. Someone
should arrest me for crimes against humanity! Anyway, I'll skip
through the apologies and get straight to the interview:
JC:
How long have you lived in Las Vegas? If not from here originally,
where did you move from and what brought you here?
MS:
I have lived here in Vegas for almost 6 years, and I love it more
than I can put into words. I think as far as Vegas is concerned,
you either love it or hate it. I love it. I moved here from Kentucky
with my boyfriend Kevin Dailey. I had family here and we wanted
a change.
JC:
How did you get your start in the nightlife industry?
MS:
Mike Fuller, I owe him my career. My first year here
in Vegas was hell, I hated it. I couldn’t get a good job
to save my life because as we all know, “it’s all
about who you know”, and I didn’t know anyone. Finally
after a year, I got hired as a busboy at the Foundation Room thanks
to Derek Silberstein. I started off in the restaurant, but was
attracted to the lounge side. Especially on Mondays, when Mike
Fuller was doing his Godspeed party, which at that time was still
new. I asked to start working that event bussing tables. I eventually
started talking with Mike and head VIP host Justin Fralick, who
was so good to me. Justin really went out of his way to introduce
me to people and showed me what being a host was all about. Mike
began having me do promotions and started giving me a ground base
to work with, Justin I watched and learned from. After a while
I was made a VIP host, and then eventually Head host for Mondays.
During this time I followed Fuller and Derek Silberstein from
Foundation Room to ICE Nightclub. There I got to work with Neil
Moffit, CEO of Godskitchen, who was great and I learned a lot
from him. After 3 years of VIP hosting I began to want something
more, that’s when I met Jason Strauss and switched gears
into Marketing and Events.
JC:
Give me a brief “resume” for yourself?
MS:
2002-2005 | Foundation Room, VIP Host
2004-2005 | ICE Nightclub, VIP Host
2005-2006 | 944 Magazine, Nightlife Columnist
2005 – Present | Eye On Vegas, Nightlife Columnist
2005 – Present | TAO Nightclub, Marketing/ Events/ Celebrity
Relations
JC:
You definitely have skyrocketed through the Vegas nightlife
ranks, no doubt about it. What challenges did you face to get
to the level of success you are at now?
MS:
The same challenges that most everyone faces, starting
at the bottom and working your way up. I may act like a princess
but I paid my dues sweeping the floor like everyone else and I
wouldn’t change that.
JC:
What do you feel your most important accomplishments have been
thus far?
MS:
Coming here with no money and no friends, sticking it
out and making it happen.
JC:
Talk to me about motivation. What keeps you at the top of your
game, and inspires you to constantly innovate?
MS:
I feel like we are in another Golden Era for Vegas right
now, in my opinion we are the new nightlife capital for America.
Being in the mix of this and having the weekends that I have always
keep me wanting more. Being in my twenties in Vegas right now,
there’s nothing better.
JC:
Tao Las Vegas is one of the most talked about clubs in the world,
and is featured in the national media on a daily basis. What do
you think are the main reasons for this?
MS:
I think media wise it has to due with celebrities, as we are a
celebrity obsessed culture, myself included. TAO brought an East
coast way of nightlife to Vegas. The architecture and design of
the space is still amazing to me. But , in the end its all about
service and that’s a key focus at TAO in every department.
JC:
You work pretty closely with Jason Strauss. Is he always
so calm and collected?
MS:
Actually yes, I’ve yet to see him lose his cool
at work. Needless to say he knows what he’s doing and keeps
his composure even in the most intense situations. He’s
amazing at what he does and I’ve learned a lot from him.
JC:
I see you in magazines hugging and kissing ‘A-Listers’
all the time. Who is your favorite to have in town, and why?
MS:
Paris Hilton, she always makes the night more interesting
and there a very few people who get a crowd going like she does.
In my opinion a night isn’t a “Great” night
in Vegas without her dancing for the crowd to complete it. Paris
and other celebs have done a lot for putting Vegas clubs on the
map as far as media is concerned. I also love Janice Dickinson,
she’s become a friend and I can always count on her to tell
me the honest truth which is very refreshing. Her stories of Studio
54 enthrall me. Pauly Shore is a lot of fun to hang out with to.
JC:
Alright, you’re going to need to think back for this one.
Most memorable thing that you’ve experienced so far?
MS:
One Word: MADONNA. And being in a recording studio with Justin
Timberlake was hot to. But to be honest, I look forward to my
weekends with my DJ friends the most. That’s the fun part
for me. And Sunday when I sleep.
Your
Take On Things:
JC:
What do you feel are the most important elements a nightclub should
have to help ensure its customers get their money’s worth?
MS:
Being comfortable. At least for me anyway, that’s what its
about. Wherever you feel the most at ease is where you tend to
gravitate to the most. That comes from everyone from the DJ to
the security guard.
JC:
What is your LEAST favorite thing about the Las Vegas nightlife
industry?
MS:
How much it reminds me of High School.
JC:
At least you get to sit at the cool table! Ha. What are the top
five clubs in Las Vegas according to you?
MS:
Well not counting the one I work for (Tao),
I like every club for different reasons. But, I would have to
say Body English is my
version of “CHEERS”. I have my own seat that I sit
in every time I go, in the DJ booth, and all the bartenders and
cocktail girls know exactly what I drink. Everyone from the hosts
to the busboys really seem to enjoy working there; and you can
tell that when you go there. That makes a big difference in your
experience as a guest, I’ve found. The vibe inside is something
I crave on my day off. There’s nothing like about 2am when
the Patron sets in and Vice drops “What You Know”
by TI on the Sunday night crowd. I love LIGHT
too. It runs like a machine and I’ve never had a bad experience
there. I love TRYST,
it’s so classy and they have the hottest staff. Jesse and
Cy Waits are 2 of the nicest people in Vegas. PURE
is amazing, the VIP stage is always fun and the energy in the
room is electric. JET
is a lot of fun as well - the light and sound there are the best
in Vegas. Empire Ballroom,
of course, I know it well. And of course the Rhino and Crazy Horse
too!
JC:
Its 5AM and you are hungry. Where are your favorite late night
spots to eat?
MS:
Hobo’s & Gypsies is great (of course), Mr. Lucky’s,
and a lot of times we end up at Grand Luxe.
(Editors
note: Hobo and Gypsies is located on Tropicana near the Interstate
15 on ramp, Mr. Lucky’s is at Hard Rock, and the Grand Luxe
café is at Venetian. Go there.)
JC:
Have any advice for tourists wanting to go out?
MS:
Yeah, show up when the club opens. You’ll have a lot easier
time getting in.
JC:
I’ve got guides, reviews, and scandals. What else should
be included on JackColton.com to better prepare tourists for their
trip?
MS:
Tips to recognize scam artists who are selling them fake passes
into nightclubs. Perhaps a list of what NOT to wear. And tips
for picking up girls to wait in line with bachelor parties. ?
JC:
Thanks for your time and for all that you do!
Much
Respect,
Jack
Colton
Colton@JackColton.com
