USS LAS VEGAS VOLUNTEERS WITH DECOMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF STTE

LAS VEGAS – STAR TREK: THE EXPERIENCE – Volunteers from the crew of the USS Las Vegas were recruited by Chad Boutte, Operations and Marketing Director for STTE, to assist in the Decommissioning Ceremony for Star Trek: The Experience on Monday evening, September 1, 2008.

Boutte contacted the captain of the Vegas, Paul Walker, and asked for assistance so that the staff of STTE could be honored with a ceremony and acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication they all have put forth over the last 11 years. Fourteen members of the Vegas crew were happy to donate their time and effort for such a worthwhile event.

Suzie Plakson, who played several roles on the various series, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and called each staff member’s name. Each staff member then walked the red carpet to the podium and received a gift bag from the Experience. The crowd honored each staff member with applause and thanks.




After the entire staff had received their gift, they all came back out for a final curtain call and bowed to the audience. With that final gesture, the curtain was released on each side of the entrance, which marked the official closure of the event. The staff spent some time behind the curtain visiting and consoling each other and then proceeded to the Captain’s Lounge for a VIP Party that lasted well into the night.


The ceremony marked the end of an 11 year run for Star Trek: The Experience. Over the years thousands of fans have made the pilgrimage to STTE to be immersed in Star Trek and enjoy the fantasy of flying through space and almost being assimilated by the Borg.


Many of the fans have expressed sorrow and are hopeful that some incarnation of STTE will be created again in the future, although neither CBS, nor Paramount, nor Cedar Fair has announced any official plans as of yet.