[ON LOCATION] LYDIA GREGORY
From Las Vegas’ evolution into the “Greatest Arena on Earth” with the massive success of the recent Super Bowl LVIII and last year’s record-breaking Formula 1—to name but two of its splashiest wins—to the continued expansion of its already vast square footage of meetings and events space, the opening of unique venues and the ever-growing numbers of new and upgraded hotel properties, this metropolis shows no sign of slowing down.
When big sporting events hit Las Vegas, the wins have a trickle-down effect that benefits not only the city coffers, but also meeting planners looking for out-of-the-ordinary venues to offer their clients. “[What] happens as a result of these major events is it creates a critical mass of capacity throughout the year that is then available for meetings and trade shows,” says LVCVA CEO Steve Hill.
Already on planners’ radars are Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile Arena, which have been joined by the Las Vegas Grand Prix Pit Building at Grand Prix Plaza, now a venue for events 48 weeks out of the year. The 4-story building offers 300,000 sf—all customizable. It includes an expansive rooftop terrace that has three 941-sf LED displays and a programmable screen visible from planes and helicopters, ample terraces, elevator and escalator access, gourmet finishing kitchens and 14 garages that can be converted into hospitality suites, pop-up restaurants and more—the planner’s imagination is the limit. The building sits on the 39-acre Grand Prix Plaza, an entirely paved outdoor space that can be used for temporary event structures, concert stages and outdoor activations. (As of press time, the Grand Prix Plaza was still working on a direct meetings and events website.)
On the drawing board for 2028: The Oakland A’s stadium, proposed as a 30,000-seat ballpark with an onsite hotel.
Still svelte from its most recent renovation, Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace is the quiet place at the heart of the action that’s Caesars Palace. Tucked away next to its homonymous restaurant, the kintsugi-inspired design offers guests statement pieces and sleek, modern lines with every creature comfort a traveling executive could want. It’s also steps away from the new Peter Luger Steakhouse, the brand’s first outside of New York. With its beerhall setting and family-style tables, it’s the perfect spot for wheeling and dealing over great lager, excellent wine and even better steaks.
MGM Resorts has poured money into the refresh of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center—over $130 million, according to VP of Sales, Catering and Convention Services, Ernest Stovall—and it is nearing completion. The investment, he shares, includes new openings in the F&B realm, as well as customizing the entire conference center and performing a major digital upgrade, including Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout and a series of digital walls that can be customized not only for marketing and advertising purposes, but can also broadcast a keynote speaker, current shows or even a big game during a small reception, creating a perfect networking opportunity.
The ultra-luxe Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened with a glitzy splash in December 2023. “It’s a new hotel, a new vibe, a new aesthetic, a journey that’s easy on the meeting attendee,” says Carmen Rubino Jr., VP of Sales at the hotel. And it’s the journey that’s one of the many things that separates this new property from others on the Strip.
For starters, attendees arrive at a glamorous lobby (or private VIP check-in), not directly into a casino, although Fontainebleau has the second-largest casino in Las Vegas. Here, it’s all about the vertical: The hotel’s 25-acre footprint means there’s less walking to get from A to B. “We’re pretty tight,” says Rubino. “It’s really a boutique hotel that just happens to have 3,644 rooms.” Of those, about 10 percent are suites. There’s also a “hotel within a hotel” concept for VVIPs, the Fontainebleau Fleur de Lis.
The opulent meetings offer includes 550,000 sf of fully customizable indoor and outdoor meeting and convention space, with 57 meeting breakout rooms, four ballrooms, three boardrooms, a business center and six dedicated freight elevators—a boon for exhibitors. Come spring, you can add in the 6-acre pool deck with a 36,000-sf Dayclub.
Attendees at the Fontainebleau can also enjoy the Lapis Spa & Wellness space, a massive fitness center with just about every cutting-edge piece of equipment they could want, two levels of luxury shopping venues (opening this spring) and 36 dining outlets. A note about the restaurants and bars: Much like the property itself, these spaces can welcome volume but have a uniquely intimate, elevated feel about them.
While Las Vegas has no shortage of VIP suites, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention those at Palms Casino Resort, particularly the themed specialty suites, Sky Villas and legendary Hardwood Suite, just down the hall from a world-class recording studio. Accessible only by an elevator stop on a private floor (we were sworn to secrecy), this 10,000-sf getaway is sought after by A-listers, celebrities and C-suite clients for its ultra-privacy, two king bedrooms, pool table, hidden whiskey room, private basketball court, 24-hour butler service and way, way more.
And, of course, there’s nothing more “extra” than the Sphere, which debuted late last year. This mega-high tech, immersive entertainment venue can accommodate 20,000 standing and seats 17,600, plus it has 23 VIP suites and other clubs. The Grand Entry and its immersive galleries alone can hold 3,000 attendees. Another of its many pluses? It connects directly to The Venetian Expo.
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