INTEL: Las Vegas pins a big hit, but lack availability

Look closely, and you’ll see the new talk of the town.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s employees all wear a pin that says “Las Vegas” on their lapels. For years, the “Las Vegas” was in cursive. Recently, the authority released a new version of the pin in a blocked style reminiscent of how Las Vegas is written in other travel board marketing materials.

The pins themselves are famous. People ask all the time how to get one or where to buy one, but you can’t. The only way to get one is to become employed by the convention authority.

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OK everyone, time to dust off your Members Only jokes.

The iconic jacket brand is making a comeback, thanks to two entrepreneurs who decided it was time to bring the sexy back. Fashion industry veteran Jaggi Singh and wireless expert Ron Malhotra are bringing the brand out of the ’80s into the modern era with slimmer fits and a rotating color selection.

Members Only’s repertoire also will be expanded to feature mobile device cases, sportswear and clothing designed for the millennial generation, including the men’s Made in America Sportswear collection.

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Sorry diving aficionados, but DEMA won’t be back in Las Vegas this year.

No, the annual Diving Equipment Manufacturing Association show is to be in Orlando, Fla., from Nov. 6-9 at the Orange County Convention Center. In 2012, it was at the Las Vegas Convention Center, complete with mermaids, underwater jewels and local dive companies in attendance.

The show last year brought about 12,000 people and 650 exhibitors. The industry-only trade show alternates between Orlando and Las Vegas every other year, and has plans to be in Las Vegas at least through 2016.

So don’t fret. It’ll be back in 2014.

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Expect more Crazy Pitas to come.

Crazy Pita Restaurant Group has plans to open three restaurant locations in Southern Nevada, in addition to its 6-year-old store at The District at Green Valley Ranch.

The eatery specializes in fresh casual Mediterranean food. Owner Mehdi Zarhloul said the new locations will be inside Town Square, the Fashion Show mall and the Shops at Summerlin once the latter opens.

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s on a roll.

Soon, seven locations will open, adding to the brand’s Southern Nevada portfolio. The first in the set will open in Pahrump at 1541 E. Highway 372.

The additional stores planned to open in 2013 are: two in North Las Vegas featuring drive-thrus; one on Bonanza and Pecos roads; and three in Henderson. On June 1 a Tropical Smoothie opened inside the Stratosphere, marking the company’s 22nd Nevada location.

“When I opened the first store locally in Henderson 12 years ago, my sights were set for success, but at that time I couldn’t have dreamed that we would have grown to nearly 30 locations by the end of 2013,” said Dina Mitchell, Tropical Smoothie Café area developer and marketing director for Nevada. “It is worth repeating that much of the success comes from the hard work of the franchisees and their employees, along with our very loyal customers.”

The company now has three Strip locations.

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