It would be awesome to have the Fan Faire closer to the East Coast again. There might be a different assortment of people attending. At least they (we) would have a better chance of affording it and/or having the time to conveniently make the trip. I know that isn't really up for vote this time again, but maybe it will help to say so for some time in the future. It is cheaper for Sony to send their personnel to Las Vegas than to the East Coast, but my guess is that other expenses would be lower and at least even it out. With that said, August 4-9th isn't great for me because that's the week school starts for us and that Friday would be the first day with kids. There's no way they'd let me off for Fan Faire. I might even be laughed out of the principal's office for even asking. By the time I flew out there on Saturday and back on Sunday for the weekend portion of Fan Faire, not much time would be left to enjoy the convention. People with kids might have the same issues I do with getting them started in school.
As far as Bally's or Hilton, it doesn't matter really in the long run. It is handy to be on the strip for some of us, because (believe it or not) we are tourists and we do want to see and do things. Not all and especially not East Coasters take their vehicles to drive around. Cabs are expensive and buses are inconvenient. Walking is the best option. It would be a hike from the Hilton.