The business lunch is alive and well in Las Vegas — and it’s still where deals get warmed up before they get signed. Here’s how to walk in prepared and walk out with a stronger relationship.
Do Your Homework First
Know who you’re meeting. Five minutes on LinkedIn tells you their role, their recent wins, and what you have in common. Pick a restaurant that fits the relationship — quiet enough to talk, close enough to their office to be considerate. In Vegas, that also means booking ahead; convention weeks fill dining rooms fast.
Master the Small Talk
Don’t open with the pitch. Ask about their business, their week, what’s keeping them busy. Listen more than you talk. The goal of the first fifteen minutes is comfort, not commerce. When the conversation turns to business naturally, you’ll both know.
Mind Your Manners
The basics still count. Phone away and face down. Order something easy to eat. Don’t order the most expensive thing on the menu, and if you extended the invitation, you pick up the check — no wrestling over it. How you treat the server tells your guest more about you than anything on your résumé.
Close With a Next Step
Don’t let a good lunch evaporate. Before you part, agree on one concrete next step — an introduction, a proposal, a follow-up call. Then confirm it in writing that afternoon while the conversation is still fresh.
Looking for your next lunch companion? Meet them first at a local mixer — browse upcoming events on the Network Vegas calendar.
