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VIP Day 2026 — Location Decision Hub
Living analysis. Updated as we soft-poll guests and lock dates.
Last updated: 2026-06-09 14:00 ET
📍 Recommendation
Austin, TX — late Sept / early Oct 2026
Highest natural guest density + lowest travel friction for the CA/FL/Vegas clusters + native habitat for creator-economy whales.
🗺️ Geographic Heat Map of Guest List
| Region |
Guests |
Whales |
Inner Circle |
Notable Names |
| Texas (Austin/Dallas) |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Codie Sanchez ⭐, Ryan Deiss, Kim Jimenez, Anthony Morrison |
| Southern CA |
5 |
1 |
4 |
Ed Mylett, James Wedmore, Maria Wendt, Sean Malarkey, Caitlin Dougan |
| Las Vegas |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Alex Hormozi, Ryan Pineda, Sean Cannell |
| Florida |
4 |
0 |
1 |
Fernando Cruz (Miami), Amanda Tress, Graham Cochrane, Joe Simonds |
| Nashville/SE |
2 |
0 |
2 |
Amy Porterfield, Jenna Kutcher |
| NYC |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Marie Forleo |
| International |
3+ |
1 |
0 |
Kim Constable (N. Ireland), Kate Pope (AUS), Mel Robbins (Boston-area) |
⚖️ Aspen vs Austin (the original question)
| Factor |
Aspen, CO |
Austin, TX |
| Resident guests | 0 | 4 |
| Whales who'd say yes | 0–1 | 2–3 |
| Travel friction | High (DEN connect, Sept weather risk) | Low (direct flights from CA/FL/NY) |
| Vibe match | Wrong tribe (finance/VC) | Native habitat (creator economy) |
| Event tailwind | None | ACL = wrong tailwind (music fest, not creator) |
| Cost | Very high | Moderate |
Verdict: Austin wins on every factor except "aspirational destination feel". Reconsider Aspen only if VIP Day becomes an 8–12 person whale-only dinner.
🎯 Better Anchor Events (ranked by guest-list overlap)
1
Funnel Hacking Live Strong recommend
Sept–Oct 2026, location TBC. Single biggest overlap — 8–12 of our guests already attend. Host VIP Day 36hrs before, same city.
2
F1 USGP weekend in Austin
Oct 23–25, 2026. Magnet for Codie / Deiss / Hormozi tier. "While I'm in town" hook.
3
Miami around Don't Die / health-creator window
Pulls Tress, Mylett, Constable, Truvani's Devin Duncan.
4
Nashville (June / Sept)
Porterfield + Kutcher home turf.
5
SXSW (March 2027)
Too far out for Sept SamCart launch warming.
📊 Soft-Poll Tracker
| Guest |
Asked |
Response |
Notes |
Date Updated |
| James Wedmore |
Not yet asked |
— |
— |
— |
| Sean Malarkey |
Not yet asked |
— |
— |
— |
| Ryan Pineda |
Not yet asked |
— |
— |
— |
| Ryan Deiss |
Not yet asked |
— |
— |
— |
| Maria Wendt |
Not yet asked |
— |
— |
— |
🏨 Hotel / Venue Outreach Tracker
| City |
Venue |
Contact |
Outreach Status |
Response |
Notes |
Last Update |
| NYC |
The Fifth Avenue Hotel ⭐ |
sales@thefifthavenuehotel.com · events@thefifthavenuehotel.com · (212) 231-9400 |
Emailed |
— |
Top NYC pick. Aman Group, 153 rms. |
2026-06-15 |
| LA |
The West Hollywood EDITION ⭐ |
weho.edition@editionhotels.com · (323) 953-7000 |
Emailed |
— |
6,500+ sq ft event, Sunset Blvd. |
2026-06-15 |
| LA |
The Lighthouse — Venice Beach 🆕 |
(Ophelia has direct contact) |
Emailed |
— |
Private creator-vibe venue, Venice Beach. Added by Ophelia 6/15. |
2026-06-15 |
| San Diego |
Fairmont Grand Del Mar ⭐ |
granddelmar.salesinfo@fairmont.com · (858) 314-2000 |
Emailed |
— |
5-star resort, 20K+ sq ft event space. |
2026-06-15 |
| Las Vegas |
Four Seasons Las Vegas |
catering.vgs@fourseasons.com · (702) 632-5000 · RFP form |
Emailed |
— |
Non-gaming, top of Mandalay Bay, separate entrance. |
2026-06-15 |
Ask sent to all 5: 75-100 person VIP event, mid-Aug to first week of Sept 2026. Event-only budget $50-100K (space + F&B + AV). Courtesy group rate for guests — no room block guarantee or attrition. Combined attendee social reach 30M+. Need: F&B minimums to waive space rental, menu tiers at $200/$300/$400 pp, AV pricing, courtesy group rate code.
📝 Decision Log
2026-06-09 — Bridge — Initial recommendation: Austin late Sept/early Oct, FHL-anchored if dates align.
2026-06-09 — Ophelia — Pivot to 4-city shortlist (NYC / LA / SD / Vegas), boutique/luxury hotels with banquet space.
2026-06-12 — Sam Lemon — Budget confirmed: $50-100K event-only. Guests pay own rooms + flights. Courtesy block, no attrition.
2026-06-15 — Ophelia — Outreach sent to top 4 hotels + The Lighthouse (Venice Beach) added as 5th LA option. Awaiting responses.