Sasha Rincon-Camacho was only a teen when she decided what profession she wanted to pursue when she grew up—and, it wasn’t the typical answer for a girl her age. “My mom worked for one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world, and she took me to one of the annual Christmas parties when I was 13,” explains the Brooklyn, N.Y., native. “When I walked around the office, I kept seeing all these ads on the walls for Colgate, Pepsi; I remember leaving that party knowing what career I wanted. I wanted to be in advertising and marketing.”

At 17, she got her first advertising job as an intern at a Manhattan firm. From there, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, majoring in advertising and communications and continued working in her field. Then one day she decided to move, literally. “No joke, it was like Coming to America,” she said. “I turned the globe, put my finger down and that’s how I chose Las Vegas.”

Nearly 20 years later, she’s now the director of marketing and communications for House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Rincon-Camacho and her team help drive the House of Blues brand—creating campaigns, working directly with the singers and bands that perform, and promoting new offerings. “It’s all about how we get the HOB message out there, how we give visitors a great experience, how do we help give them a memorable vacation experience,” she said.

In Vegas, she’s held various management

positions, and four years ago joined HOB. She was promoted to director in June 2016. “After nearly 20 years—I have a long history but I’m grateful for all of it,” she said. “I still love it—so much, yes, since I was 13. I couldn’t imagine being in any other industry.”

Midnight Rider

One of the biggest benefits about visiting House of Blues, says Rincon-Camacho, is that you can spend a whole evening under one roof—you can have dinner, catch a concert, chill inside the lounge and have some great cocktails, she said. HOB recently released a new cocktail menu with a dozen delicious creations all named after famous songs, like the Midnight Rider. This cocktail is mixed with Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, and sweet and sour mix. It is topped off with a splash of soda and garnished with a crisp apple chip.