Now a fixture on the Vegas cuisine scene, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours' Donald Contursi's first impression of that glittery entertainment oasis was both jarring and inspiring.
"It was culture shock,” he recalled, "but Vegas is a place of opportunity."
Contursi's first glimpse of what would become his future happened in 2001 when, at 18, he left his native Chicago to join is mother Connie in Las Vegas.
While earning his bachelor’s degree in business management and minoring in communications at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Contursi worked for two years in a local battery store.
“I loved mastering the products and anticipating customers’ needs,” Contursi said. “Hospitality was my natural next step.”
Following double shifts at Planet Hollywood, he scaled the heights of the Vegas dining scene as a top-selling server who specialized in designing off-menu culinary experiences for customers.
Of Greek-Italian heritage, Contursi, like mythical Icarus, burned his wings with a customer and lost his job. Unlike Icarus, however, he did not drown in the sea but found a new direction.
“My eureka moment came from discovering a deep-dish pizza tour operator in Chicago,” he said. “In Vegas, I had gotten deep into the local restaurant and bar scene—why not share my knowledge and passion with other people?”
In 2015, he launched Lip Smacking Foodie Tours. Ten years later, his ever-evolving menu of VIP-style culinary tours has become an essential Vegas experience. Having hosted close to a quarter-million group and leisure customers to date, Contursi dishes on his continuing recipe for success.
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Jeff Heilman: Congratulations on your anniversary. What are your biggest 10-year takeaways?
Donald Contursi: Milestones include getting coverage in my hometown Chicago Tribune newspaper early on and all the partnerships with major resort and off-Strip restaurants in Vegas that I have formed along the way. I am also proud of having evolved the ability to plan and seamlessly execute multiple concurrent large group programs in a single day, along with expanding tours to 12 other cities.
Jeff Heilman: As you have scaled up your programs for IMEX and other industry events throughout the year, how have you maintained your appeal for groups?
Donald Contursi: The fundamental proposition is unchanged, starting with uniquely mixing dining with an engaging and fun experience. Memorable events equate to successful events. To resonate and have a real impact with guests, an event should be exciting and new. You want to impress your group and stand out. Experiencing signature bites at three top Vegas restaurants in one night with your table waiting and seamless VIP-style service delivers just that. Plus, our tours organically foster conversation and networking as seating arrangements change at each restaurant.
Jeff Heilman: You have many repeat corporate customers. What brings them back?
Donald Contursi: Our tours are not “one and done” but constantly evolving and expanding. We provide a unique service that groups cannot receive without our expertise. How we deliver that service is critical. Planners want to collaborate with a company that understands their goals and priorities, is well organized and offers a turnkey solution for their program. We always wow our guests, and I can confidently guarantee that every group leaves happy.
Going forward, my focus is on solidifying Lip Smacking as the go-to food tour company for corporate events throughout the U.S. This includes educating planners on the many differentiators between partnering with us versus non-specialized corporate food tour operators.
Jeff Heilman: It is also important to recognize your community influence and involvement includes three years as a governor-appointed commissioner for Nevada Commission on Tourism, supporting the LVCVA on international sales missions, serving on local boards and wide-ranging philanthropy.
Donald Contursi: I take immense pride in having an impactful role in the “Entertainment Capital of The World.” Navigating and learning my way forward has been fun and I now enjoy helping and mentoring others who are motivated and willing to contribute their creative ideas to push Las Vegas forward.
