By Steve Grasso
Gaming resorts and destinations are making significant investments to reimagine their offerings for MICE groups as the segment continues to drive increased business.
“Pechanga Resort Casino offers exceptional value to MICE groups, delivering the same world-class amenities and options found in Las Vegas or other major cities—without the hassle,” says Sutisa Spellman, Director of Sales and Catering. “Our experienced team of professionals works closely with clients to customize and tailor events to meet specific needs. Every detail is seamlessly executed by our catering experts to create a flawless experience.”
In 2025, the California property will undergo a complete renovation of its 21,500-sf Grand Ballroom, aligning it with the modern design of its 40,000-sf Summit Ballroom. The transformation will include updated carpeting and lighting, as well as state-of-the-art smart screens.
“Pechanga Resort Casino stands out for its unmatched flexibility in customizing meetings and events to meet the unique needs of every group,” says Spellman. “What truly sets us apart are the variety of atmospheres we can offer for different occasions, providing planners with endless options to craft the perfect experience. Our four-diamond status ensures a luxurious experience at a surprisingly affordable price point. We also pride ourselves on exceptional culinary offerings, with three dedicated banquet kitchens led by expert chefs.”
Amenities at Pechanga include a 25,000-sf spa, 4-acre pool complex The Cove, an 18-hole golf course, 200,000 sf of gaming space, 150,000 sf of meeting space, 14 onsite restaurants and 1,100 guest rooms. Pechanga has recently announced a partnership with The Venetian Resort Las Vegas to provide guests of each resort with access to the benefits, amenities and casino club member rewards of the other. Guests of both properties will receive exclusive invitations to events, promotions and special offers.
“Meeting planners today are focused on delivering hybrid and technology-enhanced experiences that maximize engagement and accessibility,” says Spellman. “The integration of cutting-edge technology, such as live streaming, interactive platforms and advanced audio-visual setups, has become essential to meet the demands of a more tech-savvy audience. There is also a growing emphasis on holistic wellness, reflected in the demand for health-conscious meal options, mindfulness breaks and event schedules that promote a better work-life balance.”
“Atlantic City probably offers the best value for a quality four-star guest room that you will get at any destination in the United States,” says Gary Musich, President and CEO, Visit Atlantic City. “You’re paying under $200 for our rooms, most of which are new, throughout most of the year, and in this day and age, that in itself is value. We’re really a smaller city, but we have a meetings, trade show and convention market that’s bigger than a significant number of larger cities. We also have an incentive program for new business coming into the city that’s based on number of contracted guest rooms. It could drive as much as $10 per contracted room back to the meeting planner to be able to utilize elsewhere—whether it’s in attendance development, offsetting costs in the buildings or utilizing any transportation.”
Over the past 18 months, the casino properties and hotels in Atlantic City have invested around $900 million in upgrades, room renovations, expansions, new restaurants and theaters. Ocean Casino Resort has invested $75 million in upgrades, including 12 floors of new hotel rooms and suites, bringing its total to 1,860 rooms, while the Golden Nugget has launched a multimillion-dollar renovation project to upgrade its hotel rooms and suites with new furniture and remodeled bathrooms. The Atlantic City Convention Center, already LEED Gold-certified, is set to invest $77 million in improving its energy efficiency. The center offers 486,600 sf of convention space and 32,000 sf of pre-function space.
“When you look at the amount of business Atlantic City has on the books for the next 10 years, it’s more than it’s ever had,” says Musich. “Secondary cities are more appealing right now, as the cost has become so prohibitive in larger cities. We have an interest in growing this market, so our value proposition is significant. Our capabilities are as big as any tier-one city with the amount of rooms we have, the square footage and the brands that are here. We’re on the Atlantic Ocean, we have a world-renowned Boardwalk and a food product that is good anywhere. Not just in the casino properties with the big name chefs, but our local product here is also incredible, such as historic restaurants like Doc’s Oyster House and the family that’s owned it for 100 years.”
“Today, planners face increased demands with fewer resources, and collaboration and partnership are essential to delivering exceptional experiences for attendees,” says Reina Herschdorfer, Director of Marketing, National Meetings & Events, Caesars Entertainment Meetings & Events. “The Caesars Entertainment team, with years of expertise, is happy and ready to share innovative ideas and valuable suggestions. Planners bring their in-depth knowledge of their programs, while our Convention Services Managers offer unparalleled insights into the properties and destinations. They work with so many programs from so many different organizations, they see and experience it all. This strong partnership ensures optimal outcomes, with every experience meticulously customized to meet the specific needs of each event.”
Caesars completed a $435 million transformation of its former Harrah’s New Orleans to become Caesars New Orleans in October 2024. The four-diamond property has added a new 340-room Caesars Tower as well as a 54-room Nobu Hotel to its offering to make nearly 800 guest rooms total. Also added is a 3,500-sf bar and lounge called Octavia, which connects the new hotel tower with the casino. Dining options include Louisiana’s first Nobu restaurant, Emeril’s Brasserie by local favorite Emeril Lagasse, and a celebrity-driven food hall featuring options by Bobby Flay, Buddy Valastro and Nina Compton. The property offers more than 20,000 sf of meeting space including a 4,000-sf ballroom.
Caesars has also invested more than $400 million in updates to its Atlantic City properties, which includes the addition of more than 2,500 new guest rooms to Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. Caesars Atlantic City has renovated all guest rooms in its Ocean and Centurian Towers as well as its swimming pool, and has also added a new Nobu Hotel as well as a Nobu restaurant.
Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino added the 756-room Versailles Tower to its inventory in 2024, following a $100 million investment. Among the new dining options is Marche, a new restaurant concept by James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel.
Harveys Lake Tahoe began a $160 million renovation and rebrand in October 2024, which will include a complete redesign of its lobby, meeting space and Mountain Tower. A soft refresh is also planned for its Lake Tower, which saw a full renovation in 2020. Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen restaurant is also set to undergo an expansion in summer 2025.
“Event trends are leaning towards healthier food options and including non-alcoholic botanical beverages, which we offer on our catering menus in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Reno/Tahoe,” says Herschdorfer. “Planners are increasingly opting for herbal and floral infusions, tinctures and tea-based drinks to offer sophisticated, wellness-oriented alternatives. On the food front, the focus is on nourishing small bites focused on fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables, and Instagrammable moments. Plant-based options continue to grow in popularity, with dishes featuring ingredients like quinoa, lentils and chickpeas, as well as plant-based meat alternatives. Providing savory options on breaks in addition to less sugary options assures attendees are more alert and engaged. These trends cater to the growing demand for wellness-focused and engaging event experiences.”
“Fontainebleau Las Vegas brings a legacy of luxury to the Strip, offering distinct and iconic elements tailored for Las Vegas,” says Kurt Wuebbenhorst, Sr. VP of Sales, Catering and Event Services. “And for us, that means we’re offering something truly unique with new elements chosen specifically to guests visiting Las Vegas. Our live entertainment offerings continue to evolve and we’ve got exciting developments for the property for 2025, with new restaurants and retail concepts opening in the new year, including Cantina Contramar, Hall of Excellence, Zimmerman, Boucheron and more.”
The 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened in December 2023 with 3,644 guest rooms and more than 550,000 sf of meeting space. In addition to a 105,000-sf ballroom, one of the largest in Las Vegas, the property also features a 3-level, 90,000-sf theater with generous pre-function space. The property features an elevated 6-acre pool deck with six distinct pool experiences, five bars and a restaurant, as well as 150,000 sf of gaming space and the 55,000-sf Lapis Spa.
“Today’s planners prioritize personalization, convenience and innovation,” says Wuebbenhorst. “They are also drawn to dynamic, experiential conventions that go beyond traditional formats. They seek immersive environments that foster social engagement and create shareable moments as well as a renewed focused on wellness. Fontainebleau Las Vegas meets this demand by offering venues that embody the excitement of a new addition to the Las Vegas landscape. Complementing this is the wellness focus of the property, which offers state-of-the-art amenities and personalized treatments to help guests recharge amid their events and meetings.”
“MGM Resorts offers great value for MICE groups by providing a seamless, all-in-one experience for planners and attendees,” says Stephanie Glanzer, Chief Sales Officer & Sr. VP. “Our integrated properties across the country ensure attendees have access to world-class dining, entertainment, spas and attractions, all under one roof and through one contract. We collaborate closely with our planners to understand their priorities and customize successful events and packages tailored to their specific needs and preferences. MGM’s vast array of offerings ensures we meet the needs of today’s planners while still delivering the best value possible.”
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City has undergone several recent transformative projects with more in the works. A $55 million redesign of its MGM Tower was completed in late 2023, reimagining more than 700 of the property’s guest rooms and adding The Overlook, a 9,060-sf venue on the tower’s 32nd floor. Featuring 28-ft floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views over the Marina District and Atlantic Ocean, the new venue is ideal for corporate events. In 2025, Borgata will reinvest in its casino floor and add a new Asian dining concept, as well as a new bar experience showcasing a curated selection of rare liquors from around the world.
“Planners exhibit great creativity in utilizing our resorts and maximizing our unique venues and ‘wow’ experiences,” says Glanzer. “We want planners to remain focused on dreaming up the most memorable and exciting experiences for their attendees while our team works closely alongside them to execute each event with top-notch service and great attention to detail. Each resort has phenomenal catering and technical services and teams full of artisans, designers, planners, entertainers and logistics personnel to assemble all elements of an amazing event. We also have comprehensive Internet and technology options across our properties. Our mission is to provide a worry-free experience and create memorable events for our meeting planners.”
“What sets The Venetian apart from other resorts is our unmatched combination of space, service and tailored offerings,” says Tony Yousfi, Chief Sales Officer. “Even as the largest resort in the U.S., with over 7,000 suites and more than 2.25 million sf of dedicated meeting and convention space—the most of any Las Vegas resort—we offer planners unmatched flexibility. Our property is purposefully designed to cater to both intimate meetings and large-scale conferences. We also provide comprehensive onsite production services, including rigging, lighting, banner hanging and a full range of rentals, giving access to everything you need to execute your vision without ever leaving the property. The Venetian provides a one-stop solution that blends convenience with exceptional service, making it the ideal choice for planners.”
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is in the midst of a $188 million renovation to its Venetian Convention and Expo Center, which is set to be completed in 2026. The refreshed interior design will feature a new color palette, Murano glass chandeliers and brass sconces. On the technology side, the convention center is upgrading to Crestron-powered systems including enhanced lighting, audiovisual capabilities and advanced digital screens throughout.
The property is also reimagining its culinary program with a focus on sustainability. The resort’s Food Rescue Alliance, in partnership with The Just One Project, rescues surplus food from events and redistributes it to the community to help combat food insecurity. The initiative not only contributes to a sustainable future but also supports The Venetian’s participation in the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities by 2030.
“Our virtual planner tool is a valuable resource for event planners seeking to craft memorable experiences,” says Yousfi. “It enables them to explore and personalize our diverse range of event spaces through interactive 3D virtual tours. Once you’ve refined your vision, simply submit your design, and our expert team will collaborate with you to bring it to life. Our seasoned event planners are committed to handling every detail, ensuring flawless execution for meetings, conferences or special occasions. We’re here to help create impactful moments that will leave a lasting impression on your attendees.”
visitatlanticcity.com/planner-resources; caesars.com/meetings; fontainebleaulasvegas.com/events/meetings-and-conventions; mgmresorts.com/en/groups-and-weddings/meetings.html; pechanga.com/meet; venetianlasvegas.com/meetings