Originally Posted by
black_widow
I've worked Superbowl twice and Mardi Gras twice.
Both were definately worth the travel and the effort. I made bank and had a blast all the way around. But I stayed at hostels and with friends, so my travel expenses were pretty much non-exsistant (gas and food) and I just did Superbowl then stayed for awhile afterwards, then went to Mardi Gras both times so it was like one lonnnng trip. I made bank, and while at the time it was a LOT more than I was making at home, now that I look back on it, it was a LOT of money (in the thousands) but not something that I couldn't pull off here in LA on a good weekend. I think it all depends on where you work currently.
All in all, definately hit up a Superbowl. Tons of fun, lots of money, lots of celebrities. I gave a dance to the Ying Yang twins at one once. Lots of football players with lots of money too--lots of "making it rain" and lots of VIP hours. Mardi Gras is fun too--I personally am MADLY in love with New Orleans and I try to make it down there at least once a year, but it's a little bit more crazy and dark and there is less money I think. Definately a lot of PEOPLE, but less high rollers and big spenders down there. But, more FUN, at least for me, and definately more interesting. I always stay at the India House Hostel down there when I work and it's a really cheap (think $20 a night) alternative to a hotel during Mardi Gras. If you book in advance, you get those cheap rates, and they have private rooms as well (for a higher fee) if you're squeemish about sleeping in bunk beds in the same room with other people and sharing bathrooms. They are really open minded too and let you come and go whenever you please, which sometimes hostels aren't really good at, and something that is a problem if you are working til 4am.
I would like to hit up some more "big events" across the country next year, but besides these two that I listed, I'm not too familiar with any others. If anyone has worked any other big events and found it profitable and fun, let me know too!