By E.C. Gladstone, Photographs: Tomas Muscionic

n the ongoing battle for position and publicity, Las Vegas nightclubs love to promote their buxom bottle servers, hipster DJs and thick-necked hosts as the stars of their shows.

But behind the scenes are players whose influence on the multimillion-dollar industry is at least as great—if not more so. After spending an "almost lost weekend" at this year's Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, E.C. Gladstone clinked glasses with master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, visionary nightclub designer Thomas Schoos, emerging tastemaker Jack Colton and tireless promotions director Steve Philiposian, four people who truly make our night.

THOMAS SCHOOS: THE VISIONARY

Every first-time visitor to Tao, the restaurant/lounge/ nightclub/beach club at the Venetian, is undoubtedly struck by its impressive and incomparable interior design. Many, though, don't stop to think that there is a person behind that design.

His name is Thomas Schoos.

"Tao is about a multiculture sense indulgement," says the 40-year-old German-born Schoos, who has a way with words that is almost as seductive as his way with spaces. "It doesn't matter if they're a year old or 100 years

old, people like to touch, feel, taste, see, hear."

While there's nothing mediocre about any element of Tao's operation, it would be absurd to deny the importance of design in its success (especially since Schoos didn't just decorate the place, but also played a part in the layout and functionality) ...

STEVE PHILIPOSIAN: THE STRATEGIST

The United States Air Force might seem like an unusual background for a career in nightlife, but Steve Philiposian sees a strong connection.

"The nightclub world is almost parallel to the military," says the former staff sergeant. "Very clear lines of authority, clear responsibilities, and clear sets of rules. If you start breaking rules in the military or the nightclub world, you get yourself in a lot of trouble."

That may seem a little serious for a field filled with booze and babes, but Philiposian, now promotions coordinator for the N9NE Group clubs at the Palms (Rain, Ghostbar, Moon, the Playboy Club and the Palms pool), is a prime example of the dedication that it demands.

"A lot of people think we just come in and hang out, and then the party happens," says "Pooly," as his friends and faithful clients call him. "That's not how it is. There's a lot of very nonglamorous stuff—a lot of dirty work ..."

TONY ABOU-GANIM: THE SCIENTIST

Master chefs are universally praised and celebrated for their culinary creations. But master bartenders? Unless they are the show-offy "flair" performers, their work rarely gets much credit. Tony Abou-Ganim is on a mission to change that.

"We're trying to right the wrongs of the last 40 years, the artificial mixes and short cuts," says Abou-Ganim (pronounced "ahboo-gannem"). "If you're going to make a strawberry daiquiri, why not use fresh lime juice, simple syrup, fresh strawberries and a nice rum? I'm not re-creating the wheel; this is how things were done 100 years ago."

Abou-Ganim, 47, has been a Vegas resident since 1998, when he was hand-picked to create a variety of original libations for the Bellagio resort's restaurants, bars and lounges—an act that has had a continuing ripple effect on Sin City's cocktail culture. Many of our top bartenders were mentored by Abou-Ganim, including three of the five finalists in the 2007 Nightclub & Bar Convention's Battle of the Mixologists. He also created original cocktails for Vegas' Nob Hill, Sushi Roku and BOA Steakhouse (which just won Las Vegas Life's Epicurean award for best cocktails the second year in a row), and consulted with Vegas heavyweight Mario Batali. But his influence can be seen in nearly every serious bar, lounge or club on the Strip ...

JACK COLTON: THE LEADER OF THE PACK

Though the Vegas nightlife industry attracts every kind of personality, Jack Colton might be the most unlikely major player imaginable. Sociable but far from a schmoozer, Colton is the antithesis of the typical Vegas hustler.

Yet, after barely a year in operation, his website, jackcolton.com, has become a top destination for clubgoing visitors and locals alike, and claims to refer as much as a half-million dollars in business to Vegas venues every month. And all this is made possible with a four-digit marketing budget and a one-man staff.

"It definitely hit at the right time," says Colton, with a mixture of pride and surprise. "When I tried it out, people started to respond immediately."

What's the hook? Jackcolton.com tells the truth, featuring reviews and blogs that praise clubs that deserve it. "I only promote the venues that I would go to," says the 25-year-old entrepreneur. "If I get bad feedback via e-mail, I will send it to a club, and if I keep getting it and they don't fix anything, then I won't work with that club." Some places have responded positively.

Others, says Colton, "are so busy that they don't care." You won't see many recommendations to those spots on his site ...

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