The renovated main entrance at Caesars Palace. Photo by Tory Kooyman

Where can you plan a corporate meeting or incentive event in a location that truly has something for everyone? Why, Las Vegas, of course.

“This shining city in the desert has continually reinvented itself, setting new standards by delivering top-notch amenities and offerings that exceed customer expectations time and time again,” says Lenny Talarico, CEO at Lenny Talarico Events. “Las Vegas possesses a unique ability to attract meeting and incentive programs, a feat few other destinations in the world can match.”

Indeed, as Talarico explains, since the mid-20th century, Las Vegas has been known as “the world’s playground,” drawing meeting and event attendees eager to indulge in its luxurious resorts, dining establishments, entertainment and sports attractions.

“The city boasts an unparalleled diversity of luxury accommodations, including some of the most iconic hotels in the world, such as Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Wynn Resorts, The Venetian, Aria and Mandalay Bay,” Talarico says. Additionally, Las Vegas offers world-class culinary experiences from renowned chefs, attracting gourmands from all over the globe. The city is also home to premier shopping and spas, and is a mecca for entertainment. These reasons alone are enough to convince any savvy meeting planner of the value that Las Vegas has to offer.”

Lenny Talarico Events offers event planning and execution services for a range of events, from social gatherings to non-profit functions. However, the company’s primary business focus is on serving the corporate market, with a specialization in meetings and incentive events.

“Leveraging our background in the live entertainment field, we strive to incorporate dynamic elements into nearly every experience we produce,” Talarico says. “I’ve been fortunate to work on a wide variety of client projects, each with their own unique objectives and solutions. In fact, I’ve played a role in Las Vegas resort openings since The Mirage in 1989, up to Resorts World in 2021.”

Throughout his career, Talarico designed event experiences that have helped launch resident shows for iconic performers like Bruno Mars, Cher and Lady Gaga, as well as staging the opening of the 20,000 seat T-Mobile Arena.

“Some of my most memorable corporate events include producing the annual Event Industry Council Hall of Leaders ceremony at MGM Resorts over multiple years, as well as executing the World Travel and Tourism conference on behalf of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority,” Talarico says. “I’ve also organized incentive programs for clients across diverse industries, such as finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals and multi-level marketing organizations.”

One unique evening that Talarico orchestrated several years ago for a national retailer’s brand featured a visit to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway where attendees were surprised as the Flying Elvis descended from above to start a mock NASCAR race.

“Of course, the client’s branded car triumphantly won the mock racing experience,” Talarico says. “Regardless of the project, my approach is always to understand the client’s objectives and help them tell their unique story using the many tools Las Vegas has to offer. By finding the right mix of accommodation, venue, culinary offerings, entertainment and technology, I strive to create an unforgettable experience that sets Las Vegas apart from any other destination. It’s this commitment to excellence that keeps Las Vegas at the top of the list for event planners and attendees alike.”

The Fortuna Pool at Caesars Palace. Courtesy Photo

Joe Pol, event producer and founder at MoonShakers Productions, says that, in general, the city of Las Vegas has seen a great boom post-pandemic, for both business and leisure events.

“It has truly experienced the perfect storm, in terms of what the city has to offer, not only to business professionals, but also to families and single travelers,” Pol says.

From a geographical point of view, everything attendees can hope for is within reach. As Pol explains, Las Vegas has made great effort into making the city a destination for all, both on and off the Strip.

“The resorts offer great spaces for conventions, meetings and social events, and many wonderful non-resort venues are available within the Las Vegas Strip’s reach,” Pol says. “The phenomenon of artist’s residencies, celebrity chef’s restaurants and sporting events has made Las Vegas the perfect destination. While the casual traveler might enjoy a nice afternoon poolside or a visit to Hoover Dam, business travelers can unwind by catching a show or a nice meal during their downtime. Many corporations offer their associates these perks in order to boost morale, and promote harmony and teamwork within their company. Everywhere you turn, there is something for everyone.”

MoonShakers Productions is a full event planning company. As such, Pol and his team have developed events for many local and non-Nevada- based corporations from the ground up.

“Our clients have relied on us to orchestrate cocktail and dinner events, as well as corporate meetings, UNLV events and Clark County School District events at such venues as Caesar’s Palace and Aria, to name a few,” Pol says. “Building an event from the ground up is a gigantic undertaking, especially with clients that travel from out of state. It is our mission to not only develop and present our clients with a perfect product, but also to create a wonderful and memorable experience.”

MoonShakers Productions held an event last year in which attendees had to be shuttled from the Aria Resort & Casino to a specific destination off the Las Vegas Strip. The event coordinators escorted the attendees via shuttle buses from Aria to said destination 15 minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip where they were met with an exquisite three-piece string orchestra, breathtaking atmosphere and a wonderful dinner hosted by Wolfgang Puck. It was truly a night to remember.

Robin Kleban, senior vice president at George P. Johnson (GPJ), a company that specializes in event and experience marketing, agrees that there’s just something about Las Vegas and it’s not solely the spectacle of the Strip.

“It’s the unique combination of so many factors: the ease of doing business, the proximity of properties to the airport and to each other, the expansive choice of venues of all shapes and sizes, and the limitless possibilities of entertainment for event attendees,” Kleban says. “There’s truly something for everyone.”

The team at GPJ has worked with Caesars Entertainment for years.

“We’ve supported client events from small-scale surround activities to large-scale conferences. Each project had its own set of dependencies and requirements,” Kleban says. “Our most recent initiative was held at CAESARS FORUM. It was a large-scale conference with two waves of about 18,000 attendees each. The event had everything from a sizable show floor to breakout rooms, to self-standing activations and even merchandise stores.”

Resorts World Las Vegas has more than 250,000 sf of flexible space, six ballrooms, and a 5,000-capacity theater. Courtesy Photo

Successful Events in Las Vegas

Choosing the right partners for an event can make all the difference between its success or failure. However, Talarico points out that it’s not just about finding a service provider to execute the logistics of the event. It’s about finding subject matter experts who can bring unique perspectives and value to the table.

“As a savvy planner, it’s important to understand those differences. While a service provider may have the technical skills to execute certain tasks, a subject matter expert brings a deep understanding of the industry, the latest trends and best practices,” Talarico says. “They can offer guidance on how to achieve the desired outcomes, create memorable experiences for attendees and demonstrate ROI to stakeholders.”

Pol’s advice to potential businesses and corporations considering hosting an event in Las Vegas is to be as transparent as possible with the event coordinator. “Do you want to showcase the city as the entertainment capital of the world, or as an undiscovered natural oasis? Do you want to present team-building activities, such as off-roading and rock climbing at the Red Rock Canyon, or delicious food tastings and helicopter rides above the Las Vegas Strip skyline? Do you want to host meetings in spacious and conveniently located [spaces] within the Las Vegas Strip resorts, or at outdoor botanical gardens in Springs Preserve to escape the everyday hustle and bustle?” Pol asks, adding, “All in all, anything is possible in Las Vegas!”

And Kleban advises that because Las Vegas has so much to offer, it can be overwhelming if you aren’t grounded in a strategy. “You really have to know your audience and design the event around them,” Kleban says.

Tropicana Las Vegas’ conference facility can be divided into as many as 38 breakout rooms and includes a 25,000 sf ballroom and a 55,000 sf pavilion. Photo by Marshall Williams

“Las Vegas has everything you need to make a meeting successful, from great airlift, world-class resorts and convention centers,” adds Usha James, CMP, VP of Operations for Shoptalk & Groceryshop. “With an abundance of space to fit any program size, it’s a natural attendee draw, which is great for your room pickup. You definitely can’t leave out the great weather.”

Each year, Shoptalk unites retail decision-makers. Hosted at Mandalay Bay, the world’s biggest, most influential and rising retailers and brands convene at Shoptalk for unrivaled business-critical connections, conversations, insights and extraordinary shared experiences to reimagine the future together.

“This year, we introduced a game changer … Meetup at Shoptalk: the largest and most advanced meetings program to ever exist in retail,” James says. “With 50,000 meetings completed, there is simply no better way to make lasting connections.”

And while the decision to host an event in Las Vegas can seem daunting with all the options, it is important to choose a true venue partner who is willing to change and grow with you.

“Embrace what the property has to offer and don’t fight the Vegas aesthetic,” James says. “Think outside the box and use spaces in unorthodox ways to create more compelling experiences.”

Venetian Meetings offers more than 2.25 million sf of featured event space for any occasion. Courtesy of The Venetian Resort® Las Vegas

What’s New In Las Vegas

The city of Las Vegas seems to consistently be renewing itself. From brand new hotels and resorts to innovative sports facilities, to the renovation of gems that have been favorites for years, Las Vegas is always be introducing something new.

Mandalay Bay

Mandalay Bay recently invested $100 million in renovation its convention center to reflect the evolving needs and preferences of contemporary meetings. The remodel includes significant technology upgrades, including new Cat6 Ethernet cabling, dynamic digital signage and a fresh, new design complementing Mandalay Bay’s tropical ambiance.

Bellagio

One of the favorite locales on the Strip, Bellagio recently announced details surrounding the $110 million transformation of all rooms and suites within its luxurious Spa Tower. Following the resort’s remodel of guest rooms in its main tower, the Spa Tower redesign is slated for completion this fall, with the first collection of rooms available for guest stays this summer.

New York-New York

A $63 million room remodel has also recently been announced by New York-New York. Expected to be completed this summer, the remodel includes redesigned accommodations, including motifs that celebrate the Big Apple, such as faux brick walls and up-graded in-room amenities.

MGM Grand. Photo by Shannon Keene / 501 Studios

MGM Grand

The Studio Tower at MGM Grand will also be undergoing a room remodel, expected to be completed this winter. Boasting mid-century modern aesthetics, the new rooms will offer a respite  for business and leisure travelers.

Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace’s multimillion dollar remodeling of its main entrance now offers a dramatic and lavish experience for meeting and event attendees. In addition to redesigned gaming areas and a new Galleria Bar in the lobby, the  arrival area also boasts a 15-foot-tall Carrara marble statue of Augustus Caesar, hand-painted artwork of Roman gods gracing the ceiling and a chandelier with 70,000 crystals to welcome attendees.

The Venetian

When it’s time for meeting attendees to relax and unwind, they can head to The Venetian Resort’s newly European-inspired renovated pool deck, complete with sculptural art pieces, delightful gardens, private plunge pools and awe-inspiring amenities.

Tropicana Las Vegas

With Bally’s recent acquisition of Tropicana Las Vegas, meeting planners can continue to rely on the longstanding venue’s historic role in the meeting and events environment in Las Vegas. One of the most celebrated spaces for meetings is the Tropicana Las Vegas Havana Room, which boasts 40 unique banquette-seating areas. An ideal spot for both intimate gatherings and soirees for hundreds, the Havana Room also boasts state-of-the-art AV technology for corporate presentations and experiences.

Allegiant Stadium

Another unique Las Vegas venue, Allegiant Stadium, is not only home to the Las Vegas Raiders, but also is available for private events. It has become a favorite location for planners, thanks in part to its 10 different event spaces that can host everything from small 25-person events to over 65,000-person venue buyout. C&IT