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When it comes to finding venues that have something for everyone, event planners say gaming resorts check just about every box. Besides convenience, the amenities and attractions available in and around them make it easy to curate unforgettable experiences for event attendees.

Exceeding Expectations

When planning events for an organization like Certified Angus Beef, it goes without saying that food and beverage are a key factor in choosing a site. As the company’s senior director of brand experience and education, Nikkie Allen wouldn’t usually consider a gaming resort to host its largest event, but she says Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY, exceeded every expectation.

In her role, Allen oversees the planning and execution of Beef Bash, the organization’s annual conference. The event brings together partners from the beef industry — from ranchers to packers, to food service and retail professionals — to celebrate their successes from the past year and look ahead to what they can expect from the industry in the new year. Last year’s event drew 675 attendees.

“When selecting a property, food and beverage is very important to me,” Allen says. “I need to find a culinary team who can kind of check their egos at the door and collaborate with me and my team. We don’t offer standard menus for our events. We take our select cuts of beef and get really creative and trendy with our menus. It looks different every year. And we feed our attendees very, very well,” she says with a laugh.

All F&B menus are a customized collaboration between Allen’s team and the venue’s culinary department — and it’s important that Allen finds a resort whose staff is up to the challenge. “I don’t know if we ever open a banquet menu,” Allen says. “We might use the event’s culinary team for breaks or snacks, but we create all of our menus using select cuts of beef. We are food and beverage, which is why this part of an event is so very important.”

She says her team is used to developing and curating its own menu concepts, but this time, Turning Stone’s staff came ready with their own suggestions. “Sometimes our chefs will say: ‘Here’s what we think we’re going to do.’ Their team had the most incredible ideas, though — we sat back and said: ‘Okay, let’s do your idea.’ So much of our program … came from them instead of from us. It was a real breath of fresh air for us.”

Palmer Food Service, one of Allen’s food partners, initially recommended Turning Stone. “This was our first event at that venue. It totally stood out,” Allen says. “For someone to call out a property like that — myself and my director of culinary went there and they knocked our socks off. Their culinarians knew exactly what we were looking for.”

As a special touch, Allen’s team incorporated cultural elements into the program as a nod to the Oneida Nation, the Native American tribe which owns and operates the resort. “That’s something unique — cultural dynamics we don’t get everywhere we go,” Allen says. The spouses’ luncheon leaned heavily into the Oneida culture, as the menu centered around foods that came from the tribal community. Native dancers performed during the meal, and the final dinner was led with a cultural prayer. “We leaned into what’s unique about Turning Stone,” Allen adds.

She admits it made her a bit nervous that the venue was in upstate New York rather than a major hub, but ultimately, Turning Stone was the perfect choice. “Our audience is global, and we were in Syracuse — not Vegas or Denver. Once people were there, though, they felt that spark. They knew they were taken care of.”

Certified Angus Beef drew 675 attendees to its annual conference at Turning Stone Resort Casino. The company’s final dinner — an experiential event — took months to perfect with the help of the resort’s staff. Courtesy of Nikkie Allen

Although Beef Bash was held at a casino resort with stellar amenities, the impact of the culinary experience and top-notch hospitality far exceeded any of the venue’s gaming aspects. Allen says they don’t typically repeat properties, preferring to hold the event at a unique destination every year.

“But I will say we’ll be back at Turning Stone,” Allen insists. “Their team was completely centered around hospitality, and everything we did was collaborative. We think big with everything we do, and I know not everything is possible. But I don’t think I ever heard the word ‘no.’ I heard ‘Let’s see what we can do,’ and they would come back with what they could do in the parameters of our request. They had a true partner mentality.”

With 125,000 sf of meeting and event space, three golf courses and five hotels, Turning Stone is well equipped for events of every size, and according to Sarah Just, director of sales and conference services, her team is excited to bring dreams to reality. “We view this as a playground, and we get so excited to help planners activate what’s here. I would tell planners to leverage their service manager about what you’re thinking and let us help you bring it to life,” Just says.

Location, Location, Location

When David Morrell, president of Ridgeline Mechanical Sales, was planning an incentive trip for about two dozen contractors who had reached their sales goals, Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, AZ, had everything he was looking for in a destination.

The popular Barrett-Jackson auto auction — the focal point of the trip — was taking place in the city, so finding a resort nearby was key. “We focused on contractors who were big into cars. Talking Stick made sense because of its location and the casino. It gave the guys the opportunity to eat, relax and unwind in the casino,” Morrell says. “The location was the main reason we chose Talking Stick, but the more we started investigating [it], the choice of restaurants, casino and shuttle to the auction were big pluses. There were a lot of benefits to staying there.”

Besides going offsite to the auto auction, the group enjoyed an event at Top Golf and had some fabulous meals. “One of the biggest benefits to staying at a casino resort is it keeps everyone on site,” Morrell adds. “We wound up socializing and running into other members of our group throughout the night. It was a great central meeting point.”

Michael Maggart, director of sales at Talking Stick, said the beautiful atmosphere makes the resort a popular choice for groups. “Most of the meeting space has an outdoor scenic patio. Our food and beverage is outdoors. With all of the sunshine we get here in Scottsdale, we really focus on our meeting guests being able to enjoy the outdoors,” Maggart says.

For groups looking to incorporate the casino aspect a bit more, Talking Stick offers a private poker room, as well as private classes for those looking to learn the game. “I think our clients love the idea of coming in, having their meeting, having food and going on the gaming floor as a group,” Maggart says.

Events on a Grand Scale

With its dozens of options, Las Vegas is, of course, a popular destination for gatherings. However, when staging events for a few thousand attendees, venue size matters, and MGM Resorts International’s diverse portfolio of properties gives planners a broad scope of choices to fit any need.

Stephanie Camilleri, director of global sales events for cloud computing company Nutanix, has returned to MGM’s ARIA resort three times to host the company’s Sales KickOff (SKO) event, which regularly draws a large number of people from around the globe.

“The ARIA really stands out,” Camilleri says. “The room type is fantastic — it always feels like it’s a new, premier place to be. It’s an extension of how we treat our sales organization. The meeting space works out perfectly for our sweet spot of 2,000 attendees. They really get into that ARIA experience.”

More importantly, Camilleri says, the venue’s F&B is top quality. A highlight of the SKO itinerary each year is awards night, when all those in attendance are served a plated dinner. “For the staff to handle that — it’s a real standout for us. There aren’t many places that can serve 2,000 people a plated dinner and still maintain the quality of food and presentation.”

Camilleri says the hotel’s event staff has been a great partner. “[The team] at ARIA gives you the ability to think outside the box, and being solutions-oriented, they’ll say: ‘Give us some time to figure it out. How can we make it happen, to give you the experience you want?’”

According to Stephanie Glanzer, CMP, chief sales officer and senior vice president for MGM Resorts International, her organization continues to make bold investments in their properties, This includes a $300 million remodel of the MGM Grand, as well as working with Marriott to convert an iconic property into a W Hotel, along with remodels and upgrades at other properties.

“MGM Resorts offers an unparalleled setting for meetings and events, with expansive, state-of-the-art venues designed to accommodate gatherings of all sizes,” Glanzer says. “Planners can benefit from a seamless experience, with access to over 4 million sf of flexible meeting and convention space across our multiple Las Vegas properties.”

Enjoying the Scenery

Event planners looking for something different might want to consider casino resorts in more under-the-radar locales, which also offer beautiful scenery and unbeatable amenities.

One option that delivers it all is the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, CA, located in the heart of Southern California’s wine country. Among the largest gaming resorts in the U.S. — with more than 5,000 slot machines, 152 table games and 200,000 sf of gaming space — the resort features about 20 banquet rooms that can accommodate anywhere from 10 to 2,000 people.

There is also a range of dining choices onsite, from upscale eateries to more casual, pub-style fare. “We are a four-diamond resort and have an amazing culinary team — the food here is spectacular,” says Lissette Kerby, national sales manager at the resort. “We recruit the best of the best chefs and culinary experts and bring them here.”

Mexican, Italian, Asian and Thai cuisines are all available onsite in traditional sit-down settings, and for more cost-conscious food options, there’s also the Temptations Food Walk, a food court with international flair located right off the main casino floor.

Guests will notice design touches inspired by the natural surroundings of the resort, which is wholly owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. One of the only true Native American spas in the country, Spa Pechanga is a great option after a busy day of meetings, learning and networking. The facility boasts 17 treatment rooms and a full menu of services, including a selection of Native Offerings that include all-natural ingredients. Among the one-of-a-kind choices are a Prickly Pear Scrub and the Journey of the Payómkawichum, a zero-gravity soundscape relaxation experience.

If event attendees wish to venture off property to explore Temecula or participate in excursions such as wine tastings, hot air balloon flight adventures or grape stomping competitions, Visit Temecula Valley frequently partners with Pechanga Resort Casino and other local venues to curate unique experiences.

Head West for More of the Best

Another gem for events out west is Nevada’s Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe, which offers 14,000 sf of onsite meeting space. For larger gatherings, such as corporate meetings, expos and trade shows, the Tahoe Blue Event Center is conveniently situated right across the street from the resort.

“The hotel is ideally located in the center of all Lake Tahoe has to offer,” says Missie Kelly, executive director of sales and marketing, hotel and casino division, at the Golden Nugget. “The breathtaking scenery, combined with Golden Nugget’s distinctive venues, resort amenities and exceptional culinary talent, create an unparalleled experience for gatherings and events of all kinds.”

The Golden Nugget, which can accommodate attendees in both indoor and outdoor meetings spaces, features the largest outdoor pool in Lake Tahoe. The resort also recently began an extensive renovation. Among its new features, the Saltgrass Steak House was added as another dining option, and new guestrooms and suites are planned for the next phase. They also plan on adding VIP suites and private VIP check-in.

At casino resorts, gaming can either be the main attraction or an exciting amenity for meeting guests, and this gives planners flexibility. It’s also a way for attendees or corporate groups to come together in a different setting and engage on an equal playing field.

“There is something for every kind of player, whether it’s penny slots or high-stakes table games — everyone is guaranteed to find their favorite way of testing their luck!” Kelly says.

Unique to Golden Nugget casinos is the 24K Select Club players card program, through which guests can quickly accumulate tier credits, comp dollars and slot points at any of the seven Golden Nugget casinos nationwide. These can then be redeemed at any of the more than 600 Landry’s, Inc. restaurants, or at any Golden Nugget casino. With this, the hotel can work with planners to create customized experiences beyond the standard meeting or event.

More Options on the East Coast

On the East Coast, Resorts World Catskills in the beautiful Catskill Mountains is a roughly 90-minute drive from New York City, making it easily accessible for groups based in Connecticut and New Jersey. Meghan Taylor is senior vice president of global affairs and public relations for Resorts World New York, the hotel’s parent company.

“We’re a four-season destination — whether winter, spring, summer or fall, we have something for everyone,” Taylor says. “Beyond the amenities on our property, we work closely with Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, a performing arts center situated on the site of the original Woodstock. With the amenities and flexibility we offer, beyond what’s on the casino floor, we’re a great family destination, as well.”

The venue features two buildings — the Resorts World Catskills All-Suite Hotel (featuring Five Diamond suites in a U.S. Green Building Council LEED-certified structure) and The Alder, an extension of the venue’s casino resort campus that houses its event space.

The Resorts World event area has seven fully equipped conference rooms and over 48,000 sf of customizable meeting space. Maureen O’Brien, the hotel’s vice president of sales, hotel and marketing, stresses that the venue offers a lot of meeting space flexibility, as well as a creative event staff, and it can work with many different price points.

Planners should lean into the resort’s casino aspect, as two visiting groups recently did. One of the pits on the casino floor was converted into Learn to Play, with stations set up for attendees to receive instruction on roulette, blackjack and Texas Hold ’em poker.

“We had 400 people split into two different sections, and our dealers talked for four hours on the different games. It was so much fun,” O’Brien says. “We’ve also taught Mah Jongg. We’re in a casino — why not play off that? Everyone is engaged and has a great time because you’re on the casino floor with real dealers and having fun.”

Of course, meeting attendees can try their luck at a different game.

The resort is also home to the Monster golf club, designed by legendary golf course architect Rees Jones, and this year, it’s hosting several big events. “Rees Jones is the best of the best,” Taylor says. “We’re so excited to be hosting a Legends LPGA Tournament.”

Monticello Motor Club is another major partner. “The easiest way to explain this group is it’s a high-end racetrack for fancy cars,” Taylor says. “Folks coming in to use Monticello Motor Club are [helicoptering] themselves in from the city. It’s a great opportunity for adrenaline junkies who love fast things. Our resort plays right into that. We’re fortunate to have a lot of cool and unique experiences right around where we are here in the Catskills. We really do what we can to maximize everyone’s time. We’re able to go beyond providing a venue. We can curate unforgettable experiences the guests will remember.”

Whether your group wants to stay on property or go further afield to do some exploring and sightseeing, gaming resorts and their surrounding areas truly offer something for everyone. C&IT