Las Vegas Weekly

February 11, 2010 · 11:32 AM

Terry Fator to cut ribbon to open entrepreneur and tech expo

By Robin Leach

Terry Fator performs at IBM's Information on Demand Global Conference 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

An entrepreneur is an individual who takes his or her own idea and sees it through to success after overcoming odds and naysayers along the route. If ever that definition applied meaningfully, it has to for Terry Fator’s 25-year battle to become an “overnight” success.

Terry has told me in previous interviews that he never ever gave up believing that one day he’d hit superstardom, and the dream came true when he was the $1 million winner on America’s Got Talent Season 2 in 2007, and then landed a five-year, $100 million contract headlining at The Mirage as singer, comedian, ventriloquist and celebrity impressionist. His is the largest showbiz deal in The Mirage’s history.

Now Terry plans to encourage other entrepreneurs and help promote that spirit in the Silver State. A week from tomorrow, he will cut the ribbon to open Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology’s 3rd Annual Expo at the South Point. Some 100 exhibitors have already booked space, and Dave Archer, CEO of NCET, said: “He’s an incredible example of what can be achieved when you take an active role in pursuing your dreams.”

Terry’s grand opening was on March 14, 2009, and now his first anniversary gala and VIP/celebrity party is set for March 13. He will unveil that night an exciting new puppet to his lineup of custom character ventriloquist dolls.

Recently, Terry met a 12-year-old Las Vegas resident and his family through the Make-A-Wish Foundation that the entertainer supports. Andrew’s wish was to attend Terry’s show and meet the star because it’s his dream to become a ventriloquist. Terry purchased a professional “vent figure” as a surprise for Andrew and called all the puppet-makers that he knew. When Andrew and his family were invited to Terry’s show, the youngster was called onstage and presented the gift.

After the opening of the expo, Terry travels to L.A. on Feb. 21 to appear in the Los Angeles Police Concert Band’s Tribute to the USO at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills. The salute to men and women in uniform will raise funds for the LAPD concert band and the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX. Terry will join host Stacy Keach, Kimberley Locke, Christian Slater, Buzz Aldrin, James Woods, Alan Thicke, John Schneider, Scott Bakula, Connie Stevens, Pat Boone and Nancy Sinatra at the fundraiser.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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