DepositPhotos.com

Start with a beautiful destination with convenient access, mix in rigorous health & safety protocols, sustainable practices, wide-ranging venues, versatile meeting spaces and state-of-the-art A/V capability. Flavor with live entertainment, world-class spas and opportunities for retail therapy. Sprinkle the legendary services of an expert on-site meeting team over all.

With this gaming resort recipe in hand, meeting planners can increase the odds for meeting success without rolling the dice when planning gatherings in 2022 and beyond. Coast to coast and North to South, gaming resorts offer elevated guest experiences designed to leave lasting positive impressions and results for attendees.

Silver Linings

Despite the abrupt economic downturn in the meetings and events industry over the last two years, gaming resorts have discovered a bevy of unexpected benefits as well. When introducing the results of the 2022 Global Meetings and Events Forecast sponsored by American Express Global Business Travel, Gerardo Tejado, American Express Global Business Travel’s senior vice president of value development and general manager of meetings & events, noted that: “Recovery will not be a straight line, and we can’t get there by simply repeating what we’ve done in the past.”

That said, undoubtedly one significant benefit of the industry’s collective pause has been creating space for mindful reflection on best practices moving forward. Leading the list of requirements among gaming resorts? Implementation of rigorous health & safety protocols to provide peace of mind for returning attendees.

Caesars Palace’s 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis is a popular special venue attendees will enjoy.

Lauren Parker, director of catering & convention services at Encore Boston Harbor, A Wynn Resort, describes the results: “Encore Boston Harbor was among the first hotels in the world to become Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED with Forbes Travel Guide. This comprehensive facility verification helps ensure guests can book with confidence at a resort that has consistent and robust health-safety procedures in place. Being Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED with Forbes Travel Guide is a testament to our continued effort to offer our guests the latest health-safety advancements in addition to our five-star resort experience.”

Steve Blanner, senior vice president of hotel sales for Wynn Las Vegas, echoes that his resort also put in place a beefed-up health and safety plan during the pandemic pause. “While the pandemic forced many challenges upon resorts and those in the hospitality industry globally, Wynn Resorts was a leader in our COVID-19 response with a robust health and safety plan, and a strategic plan to maintain our team and dedicated employees.”

For dining services, this means food-service presentations were adapted to consider the comfort level of guests and meeting attendees as fully in-person meetings returned, Parker says. “Buffets have been modified to offer server-attended items, individually presented salads and unique dessert experiences. We have adapted custom menus to create ‘build-your-own’ Bento-box style breakfast or lunch.”

In addition to changes in food-service preparations, Parker also recognizes that the pandemic pause gave chefs time to think more creatively. “The slower periods of the past year, due to the pandemic, gave our chefs time to reimagine their menus, innovate dishes with unique pairings and reintroduce their venues with a fresh perspective,” he says. “The time to dine together has arrived. Our guests have been thrilled to come together and embrace the new concepts, and taste what they had been missing for so long now. Great cuisine is best shared with friends.”

Due to the need to follow all required and recommended protocols and increased flexibility with contracted groups, Danielle Rosa, West Coast regional sales director for Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, identifies an additional benefit of the downtime the last two years. “We have found that with more flexibility with groups and resort guests, they are more likely to show loyalty in return. So, we have actually seen longevity out of the pandemic with our clientele.”

So, too, has been a heightened focus on sustainability. As also noted in the 2022 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, “The environment will be a priority for most meetings and events programs in 2022,” according to the study, which says, “83% of respondents said their organizations take sustainability into account when planning meetings and events,” adding, “the sustainability practices most cited by respondents were minimizing paper usage and applying energy-saving and waste-reduction measures for their 2022 meetings.”

Blanner has witnessed the spotlight on environment firsthand at Wynn Las Vegas as more companies require stringent sustainability parameters. Consequently, Blanner says, “We’ve taken that feedback and invented solutions without compromising our commitment to service. The result is a state-of-the-art event with an immediate and measurable impact that clients can be proud of. The entire meetings and convention space is powered by 100% renewable energy, making the property the first resort in Las Vegas with the ability to offer this valuable benefit.” Notably, the gaming resort’s proactive sustainability solutions earned the property a spot on Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Awards 2022 List. For Wynn’s client base, Blanner sees sustainability as a positive trend with “more and more taking advantage of our Zero Carbon, Zero Waste Event Service program, which ensures the most sustainable event possible.”

Closures and limited group capacities at gaming resorts provided yet one more benefit over the past two years by allowing properties to renovate and/or expand facilities with minimal, if any, disruption to guest services. Here are a few of the classic properties and new developments planners can expect when returning to in-person events at the following gaming resorts:

Atlantis, Paradise Island offers 300,000 sf of outdoor venues in 21 function areas that integrate the unique features of the resort’s waterscape, beaches and other landscapes. Photo by Barbara Kraft

Atlantis, Paradise Island

When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge come calling, it’s time to roll out the red carpet at Atlantis, Paradise Island. Sleek, sophisticated decor and spectacular panoramic views of the Caribbean set the stage for the couple’s luxurious penthouse retreat at The Cove, one of five hotels at the resort. But you don’t have to be “official” royalty to enjoy the resort’s exceptional “white-glove, Bahamian service” in a paradise where elegant, world-class yachts dot the harbor under endlessly blue skies and innovative global cuisine is standard fare.

Aqua adventures abound from strolls along 5 miles of white sandy beaches, to roller coaster water slides and dips in 20 swimming areas with 11 different pools. Or visit marine-mammal habitats at Dolphin Cay (pronounced “key”) to support the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, which provides solutions to marine-life challenges. Golfers can ply their skills at the 18-hole, par-72 Ocean Club Golf Course or sign up for a private lesson at the resort’s Golf Academy. The resort’s state-of-the-art Atlantis Casino features 85 gaming tables and more than 700 of the latest slot machines. Attendees can relax after a day of classes and meetings with an escape to the award-winning Mandara Spa for a rejuvenating body treatment.

More than 500,000 sf of flexible meeting and event space provides boundless possibilities for meetings and conferences whether in ballrooms, board rooms or hospitality suites. The space includes 300,000 sf of outdoor venues in 21 function areas that integrate the unique features of the resort’s waterscape, beaches and other landscapes.

Wynn Las Vegas

Wynn Las Vegas continually invests and develops creative, exciting new amenities, dining options and live entertainment offerings to keep the resort experience fresh, fun and of the five-star value, Blanner says. Among the new developments, with “the two-level expansion of our meetings and conventions space, we offer our clients 560,000 sf of flexible space, integrating the lush gardens, greenery and water features of the resort to make your next meeting or convention memorable,” he adds. This “seamless integration” of indoor and outdoor spaces provides stunning surrounding views, whether of Wynn Golf Club’s 18th fairway and waterfall or Encore Beach Club with a nightclub that opens onto a 45,000 sf outdoor pool deck. Planners can also opt for sunlit suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor patios, or dazzling displays of top-tier sound and lighting in clubs or the 1,480-seat Encore Theater.

In other new developments at Wynn Las Vegas, they are reimagining the property’s signature Lake of Dreams, with “12 high-tech artistically diverse new acts combining magic, lights, film, music, sculpture and puppetry.” The Aft Cocktail Deck and Bar Parasol are also slated to open later this year to round out the on-site cocktail collection.

An expansive pro shop and all-new putting green await avid players at Wynn Golf Club’s 6,722-yard, par-70 championship course, designed to accommodate all skill levels. After a day of friendly competitive play on the course, two Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awarded Spas invite guests to refresh and rejuvenate. The contemporary new aesthetic at The Spa at Wynn “evokes the serenity of nightfall” for ultimate mind and body relaxation.

The casino offers 1,800 slot machines and a wide variety of table games, luxurious high-limit salons, poolside gaming, a state-of-the-art sports book, and claims Las Vegas’ preeminent poker room.

While the company continues to elevate the guest experience with new offerings, Blanner says, “What makes the guest experience so unique at Wynn are the employees and the level of service that is performed every day to ensure that the guest’s experience has gone above and beyond their expectations. The attention to every detail, the dedication to our clients and the passion for service that our employees are known for are what elevates our resort and keeps meeting-goers returning.”

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

Reno’s reputation as a Tier-2 destination is quickly gaining ground as a “tech hub” for new companies relocating from California, Rosa says. This means, “We will soon be a Tier-1 destination, and price points will begin to reflect that.” For planners seeking affordable destinations with the attractions of a top-tier destination, however, “we are currently offering luxury resort amenities all at a valued price point.”

Understanding that gaming can be a sensitive attraction for some group attendees, Rosa says, “We have chosen to keep the two separate, which appeals to both types of event attendees. It is there for entertainment or never has to be seen.” In fact, Rosa points out, “We are Reno’s only property that offers gaming while keeping the resort and meeting space separate.”

Acclaimed as Reno’s premier AAA Four Diamond property, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino is located in the MidTown RED district, with proximity to top dining experiences, shopping and entertainment in the heart of Reno. Resort dining options range from fine dining, including Asian delicacies at Chi, to casual at Cafe Milano, open 24/7, and quick bites at Cafe Espresso. “Our restaurants and bars really pride themselves on having some of Reno’s best custom cocktails, featuring spirits from some of our local distilleries,” Rosa says. “We work with these local bars to showcase their great variety of amazing IPAs and microbrews that can be added to the event bars to showcase what Reno is now known for.”

In addition to on-site gaming, when fully open, the property offers 10 restaurants, 17 bars and lounges, two large outdoor heated pools, a 9,000-sf fitness center, arcades and nightly entertainment. The resort’s award-winning three-story, 33,000-sf luxury Spa Toscana reflects charm and modern amenities in Mediterranean architecture, and services that include 24 treatment rooms, full-service salon and spa cuisine.

All 106,000 sf of meeting space — with enhanced energy conservation — has been remodeled and completed as of early this year. The three ballrooms include the Tuscany Ballroom, Northern Nevada’s largest clear-span meeting space at 62,000 sf, while the stunning two-story Executive Boardroom and intimate White Orchid Private Dining Room offer space for smaller gatherings. The resort’s 1,621 guest rooms include those in the Peppermill Tower, which are undergoing remodeling with anticipated completion in late summer. Remodeling of the 600-room, all-suite Tuscany Tower launches in summer 2023, with completion slated for January 2024.

Encore Boston Harbor, A Wynn Resort

“Accessible by land or sea, Encore Boston Harbor is a five-star waterfront property conveniently located minutes from Logan International Airport, which makes the location a valued destination for groups, whether traveling from out of state or driving in locally,” Parker says. “The property’s three premium harbor shuttles connect guests to and from the resort with stops along Boston Harbor. A waterfront arrival experience is certainly a luxury amenity unique to Encore Boston Harbor.”

The 27-story tower features scenic views of historic Mystic River and outer Boston Harbor, as well as 671 luxurious guest rooms with expansive suites, and the largest standard rooms in New England at 650 sf. Among the room amenities: voice-activated curtains and lighting, bedside consoles for charging devices and an Alexa virtual assistant.

Exclusive entrances to the 50,000 sf of convention space, which includes the 37,000 sf Picasso Ballroom, 10 versatile meeting spaces and an executive boardroom, allows attendees to enjoy the adjacent casino or bypass the area for those who wish to do so. Encore Harbor’s 210,000 sf gaming space features more than 2,700 slot machines and nearly 200 tables games. An additional seasonal 21,000 sf of outdoor space overlooks picturesque manicured gardens and the Boston Harbor, while the year-round, 6-acre Encore Harborwalk provides pedestrian and bike paths, viewing decks, an event lawn for concerts, waterfront dining and more.

New on site is the state-of-the-art WynnBET Sports Bar, featuring more than 60 televisions and a 10-by-123-foot immersive video wall. Describing the scene, Parker spotlights: “A 15-seat, full-service bar with tabletop video poker sits in the middle of the venue, while dining and lounge seating surround the space with more than 40 VIP seats and reclining media chairs providing the ultimate viewer experience.” Enhancing the sports theme, “An extra-large spherical digital display exhibits the top sports scores from around the world and suspended sports equipment, a collection of trophies, classic sports accessories, and a collage of historical images of local sports heroes and events decorates the space.”

Stunning artwork, glowing floor lanterns, and the fragrance of Yuzu and White Tea, invite guests into the 26,000-sf Spa and Fitness Center and full-service salon, offering both relaxation and rejuvenation.

Fifteen unique restaurant and lounge venues feature fine dining and fast casual cuisine, as well as bars offering a selection of imported and local craft beers, and premium spirits. Special tasting menus and events showcase the chefs’ culinary wizardry in such offerings as Surf & Turf for Two and Fratelli Rush Hour four-course meal.

The Oculus at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood’s Guitar Hotel. The resort offers 150,000 sf of gaming space with 195 tables, including a variety of games, such as blackjack and mini-baccarat. Courtesy photo.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood (FL)

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood has undergone a $1.5 billion resort-wide expansion and now offers 120,000 sf of meeting and convention space. The resort’s meeting space includes a 38,000-sf exhibition hall large enough to host trade shows, conventions and large corporate groups. Adjacent to the pre-function space that features vaulted ceilings, chandeliered ballrooms and marbled atriums, the setting offers the perfect location for every event, from productive business meetings to social affairs. With 46 unique spaces, the flexible meeting space can be reconfigured to accommodate groups as large as 5,000 or smaller, more intimate groups of 15. Additional event space is available at DAER South Florida, the resort’s nightclub/dayclub complex. DAER is a 44,000-sf, customizable space that includes an indoor nightclub; a day club with resort-style pool oasis and bungalows and a rooftop bar.

The 13.5-acre pool lagoon offers activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding and more — perfect for team-building activities or for those attendees looking to just cool off. Attendees can also blow off some steam at Hard Rock Live, the resort’s concert venue that offers unobstructed sightlines from every seat in the house. With Hard Rock Live and a comedy club with weekly programming, attendees will find plenty to do. True to the brand, live music can be found at the resort’s signature bars, ranging from jazz sounds to upbeat rock cover bands and everything in between.

The resort’s casino features 150,000 sf of gaming space with 195 tables, including a variety of games, such as blackjack and mini-baccarat. The casino also offers 3,100 of the most popular slots, as well as video poker, video roulette, electronic roulette and electronic craps. A premier destination for players around the world, the resort is home to a 45-table Poker Room with an eight-table, semi-private area. The Poker Room is open 24/7 with first-rate amenities, including more than 50, 65-inch HD televisions to catch all of the sports action, a private cage with five windows for accessibility and delicious food selections for players on the go.

Caesars Entertainment

Caesars Entertainment offers more than 1.9 million sf of meeting space and nearly 40,000 hotel rooms across 33 properties in 12 states. That variety allows the company to cater to every taste. In Las Vegas, the venues include the iconic Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, The LINQ Las Vegas Hotel + Experience, Flamingo Las Vegas, Bally’s Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.

Caesars Palace offers 300,000 sf of meeting space, which includes the 51,000-sf pillar-less Octavius and Forum ballrooms, each of which can handle as many as 5,555 guests and can be reconfigured into up to 25 separate breakout rooms. The Augustus Ballroom, at 36,260 sf, offers countless configuration possibilities, while the 28,592-sf Palace Ballroom features an expansive pre-function area, service hallways on three sides and direct access to freight elevators. The 4,100-seat Colosseum — with one of the world’s largest LED screens — and the 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis are two of the popular special venues attendees will enjoy that can bring a twist to any meeting or event.

The LINQ Las Vegas Hotel + Experience, geared toward small to medium-sized groups, offers 31,034 sf of high-tech meeting space that can be configured for 10 to 1,000 attendees. The LINQ Promenade and The High Roller are available to help create truly memorable experiences.

Harrah’s Las Vegas offers a 25,000-sf conference level and unique venues such as Harrah’s Showroom, the world-famous Improv Comedy Club and Carnaval Court. Looking for more space? The hotel is directly connected to the CAESARS FORUM convention center, which offers more than 300,000 sf flexible space, the two largest pillar-less ballrooms in the world, each at 110,000 sf, and a 100,000-sf outdoor plaza. | AC&F |