Do you like them tall and skinny? Curvy? Broad? Tiny? Surprising? In Las Vegas those words might apply to… well, lots of things. However last week the words described the variety of digital signs on display at Digital Signage Expo 2015.

The Las Vegas Convention Center was the setting for the world’s largest and longest running conference and trade show exclusively dedicated to digital signage. The trade show portion of the event featured digital signage hardware, software, networks, delivery and content from around the globe. DSE was launched in 2004, and ExpoNation’s 2015 event, we’re told, was the largest to date.

Digital Signage Expo also featured pre-and post-show educational events, general conference seminars, roundtable discussion groups, free presentations in on-floor theaters and more than 200 exhibitors. As is my practice, the attached video is a visit to the trade show.

I’ve attended this event before and I returned because I’ve loved looking at the gorgeous digital signs on display. The theme of this year’s show was “Wow is Now” and in many cases, this is very true. I was amazed at the complicated network of “stuff” on the back of one of the largest signs on display. I also lingered to take in Realfiction’s display of holograms.

Attendance at DSE was estimated to be about 9000 people. Obviously, March is a great time for conventions in Las Vegas. DSE was one of three conventions at the Las Vegas Convention Center on the same dates.

NOTE: I asked my husband to pick me up from the trade show at the back of the Westgate Las Vegas, formerly the Las Vegas Hilton. The local press had talked about the many changes planned for the Westgate and I wanted to see what was new there. (One can walk from the Las Vegas Convention Center to the Westgate fairly easily.)

The Westgate is an older facility and definitely needs investment, but as a casual visitor on the first floor only, I noted only a new bar as one enters the casino and a former poker room now called the “Ultimate Fan Cave” (it’s smoke free) across from the sports book. Otherwise, the musty smell was still there and despite three conventions next door, the casino was virtually empty — save the always-popular (and huge) Westgate sports book.

Outside, as I waited for my husband to pick me up, I noted the “housekeeping” in the area — terrible. A dirty bench and an even dirtier and cracked container for cigarette butts does not give a great impression. I understand millions will be spent at the Westgate on everything from rooms to the convention areas, but from what I saw last week, a visitor to the Westgate may conclude not much has been accomplished…yet.