< PreviousCAESARS FORUM rom the neon lights of Las Vegas to Atlantic City’s historic pier, Caesars Entertainment’s coast-to-coast empire is continuously evolving ensuring attendees never have the same experience twice. Caesars Entertainment is home to 50 first-class proper- ties across 20 destinations. With iconic brands well-loved by regular meeting attendees and planners, Caesars con- tinues to elevate its offerings at each of its destinations with new conference spaces, celebrity restaurants, exclu- sive entertainment options and more. Catch up with everything the empire debuted already in 2022, and get a sneak peek at what’s to come for the rest of the year: NEW EVENT SPACES, NEW RESTAURANTS The newest addition to the Caesars Entertainment family, CAESARS FORUM, with 550,000 sf of confer- ence space, hosted the 2022 NFL Draft, welcoming thousands of ecstatic sports fans. For the ultra-high- profile event, the FORUM created an enormous stage for the draft and stretched its outdoor space, including nearby Linq Promenade parking lots, to accommodate the massive audience. Located within direct access to 8,500 hotel rooms at Harrah’s Las Vegas, The LINQ and Flamingo, CAESARS FORUM provides the two largest pillar-less ballrooms in the world, modern design and flexibility. In close proximity to CAESARS FORUM, the world of celebrity chefs has taken over Paris Las Vegas with a constellation of star-studded restaurants debuting at the property. The world-renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened a second Las Vegas location for his eponymous Nobu restaurant. Two restaurateurs you’re as likely to see on TV as in the kitchen, Lisa Vanderpump and Bobby Flay, debuted their new Paris concepts — Vanderpump at Paris and at Bobby’s Burgers. Not to be outdone, cu- linary legend Martha Stewart’s first-ever restaurant, The Bedford, recently also made its debut. AMAZING ENTERTAINMENT Another legend making his Las Vegas debut is EGOT- winner John Legend, whose “Love in Las Vegas” residency at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino runs through October. Sharing a theater with the crooner and providing her own flavor of boot-tapping entertain- ment is country music sweetheart Miranda Lambert, with her “Velvet Rodeo, the Las Vegas Residency” engage- ment in September. In addition to massive meeting spaces, decadent eateries and extravagant entertainment, Caesars Entertainment has not failed to update the backbone of any visit: the accommodations. Harrah’s Las Vegas’ rooms and casino floor have undergone extensive ren- ovations. Meanwhile, Bally’s Las Vegas is undergoing a complete transformation from its exterior to its rooms 3911 KOVAL LANE LAS VEGAS, NV 89109 TEL: 855-633-8238 MEET@CAESARS.COM CAESARS.COM/MEETINGS CAESARSFORUM.COM BEST OF THE BEST CELEBRATING THE themeetingmagazines.com 50 ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2022and casino floor to reintroduce itself as Horseshoe Las Vegas by the end of 2022. At the flagship Caesars Palace Las Vegas, the com- pany earlier this year wrapped up multimillion-dollar improvements on a revamped porte cochère and main entrance, redesigned gaming areas and a new lobby bar. The property’s main entrance was rebuilt from the ground up. A soaring dome and barreled ceiling now welcomes guests, along with a dramatic, 15-foot tall statue of Augustus Caesar. The hotel-within-a-hotel at Caesars Palace, Nobu Hotel, has also undergone renovations to all of its 182 rooms. The more modern, residential feel takes design inspira- tion from kintsugi — the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold epoxy. NORTHEAST IMPROVEMENTS In Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment is in the middle of a $400 million master plan investment, where it owns and operates three of the region’s preeminent casino des- tinations — Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and Tropicana Atlantic City. The improvements, ex- pected to wrap up in 2023, include remodeled room tow- ers; freshly appointed interior design elements; enhance- ments to the casinos’ gaming floors; new dining concepts with acclaimed restaurant partners and much more. The plan is to bolster Atlantic City’s position as a Las Vegas- style destination market with a focus on revitalizing the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk. The first phase of the project, a $170 million renovation of guest rooms and suites at Caesars and Harrah’s, debuted last summer. Caesars Entertainment refuses to rest on its laurels. Book a meeting, conference or event now at any prop- erty nationwide and enjoy world-class amenities such as celebrity-chef restaurants, exciting nightlife, shopping and exclusive high-quality entertainment, all delivered with impeccable service. | AC&F | FACTS & FEATURES Connected Total Guest Rooms: 8,500 Total Square Feet of Meeting Space: 300,000+ Convention Center FYI: CAESARS FORUM, the newest addition to the Caesars Entertainment family, features 300,000 square feet of meeting space, the world’s two largest pillar-less ballrooms, and direct access to 8,500 hotel rooms. SEPTEMBER 2022themeetingmagazines.com 51 ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESANYTHING BUT BUSINESS AS USUAL caesarsmeansbusiness.com | 855-633-8238VISIT DETROIT/ HUNTINGTON PLACE CONVENTION CENTER D id you hear? TIME magazine named Detroit One of the World’s Greatest Places for 2022! That’s just the beginning. There are so many reasons why you should plan your next meeting here. It starts with our city’s authentic social and cultural fabric and vibrant multicultural community. Detroit’s rich diversity, in every sense of the word, plays a big part in the city’s unique vibe. Our Arab American community — the largest in the U.S. — is celebrated at the only Arab American National Museum in the country. Detroit’s distinction as one of the country’s largest Black- majority cities is chronicled at such cultural institutions as the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the newly expanded Motown Museum. Even our legendary Avenue of Fashion shopping district has the country’s largest number of Black- owned businesses. Detroit also is home to a thriving Latinx community, complete with highly sought-after restaurants, art and cultural events. Detroit has unique meeting spaces for any size group. Meet at the Detroit Zoo, or among historical inventions at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, at the beautiful Fox Theatre or dozens of other places. Each has its own unique amenities to make your convention curated and unforgettable. Detroit’s new and reimagined hotels are changing the way meeting attendees rest and restore. From the Shinola Hotel with its unparalleled design, to the chic Aloft Detroit at The David Whitney, to the renovated Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, there’s a hotel for every budget. After meetings are done for the day, Detroit knows how to show you and your attendees a great time. Get out and stroll the Detroit RiverWalk, named two consecutive years as the Best Riverwalk in the U.S. by USA Today’s Top 10. From world-class cultural attractions such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, to James Beard award- winning restaurants, to basement-level speakeasies, Detroit’s history and character shine throughout each establishment. A significant part of Detroit’s appeal as a meeting destination is the award-winning Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Every day, it offers more than 1,000 total flights, including 140 nonstop flights. Located about a 20-minute ride from downtown and most of the suburbs, it makes getting to, from, and around the area quick and easy. Detroit is the ideal meeting destination for organizations that value sustainability. To help planners create authentic events that reflect Detroit’s culture of sustainability, Visit Detroit can provide: • Suggestions for event speakers and breakout sessions, so attendees hear from Detroiters who are making a difference in the city. • Connections to businesses and individuals that help immerse attendees into the city’s culture, including artists, nonprofits and worthy charities. • Advice and resources for environmentally sustainable meetings. The Visit Detroit team is here to help you plan an unforgettable meeting in this one-of-a-kind city. Contact us and let’s start planning today. | AC&F | VISIT DETROIT | 211 W. FORT STREET: SUITE 1000, DETROIT, MI 28226 CONTACT: SUSAN RICHARDSON, V.P., GROUP/CONVENTION SALES | TEL: 313-202-1938 SRICHARDSON@VISITDETROIT.COM | VISITDETROIT.COM FACTS & FEATURES Total guest rooms: 40,000 Meeting space: Huntington Place offers 2.4 million sf Convention Center FYI: Huntington Place is a LEED Gold Certified facility; it’s living green roof is home to fresh herb gardens and honeybee hives BEST OF THE BEST CELEBRATING THE themeetingmagazines.com 54 ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2022It’s about time others are seeing Detroit for the amazing place it is. Our one-of-a-kind city is winning major meetings, conventions and sporting events — including the 2024 NFL Draft — with unique oerings and a committed work force. Come experience what everyone is talking about and plan your next meeting in Detroit. PHOTO BY CHARLES FALSETTI Learn Why Detroit. HART PLAZA WALKABLE DOWNTOWN POWERED BY SMALL BUSINESSES EASY FLIGHTS IN AND OUT #1 RIVERWALK BY USA TODAY LEED CERTIFIED HUNTINGTON PLACE TIME NAMED DETROIT ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES COME SEE FOR YOURSELF DETROIT. BIG THINGS HAPPEN HERE. DMC1017X22_AC&F_2022DistinctiveAchievementAwardWinner_Print_FINAL-8-24-22.indd 18/24/22 4:32 PMTHE WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER F rom small groups and breakout meetings to events with up to 42,000 attendees, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (WEWCC) is a state-of-the-art facility equipped to handle it all. The WEWCC, an anchor of the District of Columbia’s hospitality and tourism economy, hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in direct economic impact. One of the most energy-efficient buildings for its size, WEWCC is the first convention center in the world to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating. It also boasts a range of mixed-use exhibit spaces and the largest digital signage network of its kind in any U.S. conference facility. Located in a pre- mier destination filled with cultural, culinary and artistic delights, every event has the potential to become history-in-the-mak- ing. Seamlessly unite locals and visitors from around the world to experience the best of the nation’s capital. EXPLORE INSIDE Visit Shop Made in DC, a retail initiative with a mission to showcase local makers and artists, dine at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a city landmark renowned for its famous “half- smoke” chili dog, and browse a 130-piece permanent art collection valued at more than $6 million. EXPLORE OUTSIDE Easily access nearby first-class hotels, dining options, and the METRO, check out diverse neighborhoods with one-of-a-kind attractions, and coming in fall 2022, the exterior of the WEWCC will be transformed with new lighting, world-class art, retail kiosks and more. HIGH-TECH SANITATION In addition to achieving the WELL Health-Safety Rating and GBAC Star Certification, the WEWCC has also deployed a UBTECH’s ADIBOT UV-C sanitizing ro- bot. The robot is armed with hospital-grade UV-C tech- nology, which inactivates 99% of all viruses, bacteria and mold spores. The technology disinfects meeting spaces quickly to help sanitize the air and line-of-sight surfaces. Make your next event happen here. Learn more at EventsDC.com | AC&F | 801 MT. VERNON PLACE NW WASHINGTON, DC 20001 CONTACT: STACEY KNOPPEL, VICE PRESIDENT, SALES | TEL: 202-249-3177 SKNOPPEL@EVENTSDC.COM | EVENTSDC.COM FACTS & FEATURES Connected total guest rooms: 940 Total square feet of meeting space: 198,000 sf Convention Center FYI: From small groups and breakout meetings to events up to 42,000 attendees, the WEWCC is a state-of-the-art facility equipped to handle it all. BEST OF THE BEST CELEBRATING THE themeetingmagazines.com 56 ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2022Why settle for anything less than the Walter E. Washington Convention Center? This extraordinary 2.3 million-square-foot facility is equipped to handle events of all sizes, from small groups and break- out meetings to events for 50 to 42,000 attendees. One of the most energy-efficient buildings for its size, and the first convention center in the world to achieve the WELL Health- Safety Rating, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center includes a range of mixed-use exhibit spaces. Memorable Moments Happen Here 2.3 million sq ft facility 198,000 sq ft of meeting room space 77 meeting rooms 52,000 sq ft ballroom Make your next event happen here. Learn more at EventsDC.com Enjoy: @EventsDC@TheEventsDC @OfficialEventsDCMILWAUKEE’S WISCONSIN CENTER T he Wisconsin Center — conveniently located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee — broke ground on a $456 million expansion project in October 2021. With an expected completion date of early 2024, the center’s growth ushers in a renewed era of accessibility and innovation for the city. A perennial favorite among meeting planners, the cen- ter is well underway on an expansion that will more than double its size. Once complete, attendees can expect to experience 24 new meeting rooms (for a total of 52), a 300,000-sf exposition hall, a new rooftop ballroom, a solar roof, gender-neutral bathrooms, six new loading docks (for a total of 22), and 400 indoor parking spaces. All are com- pleted with the Wisconsin Center’s signature Bold, Proud, Experience-Obsessed level of service. Incorporating new cutting-edge ameni- ties and initiatives, this project is also expect- ed to support more than 2,300 FTE jobs throughout Wisconsin. Expanded operations at the center are esti- mated to bring in an additional 100,000 unique visitors annu- ally. “From meeting plan- ners to support staff to ballrooms and kitch- ens, every aspect of the center is growing to meet the unique needs of our clients and visitors,” says Marty Brooks, Wisconsin Center District president and CEO. “It’s no secret that Milwaukee is known for its world-class facilities and venues. But in 2024, the Wisconsin Center will raise the bar even higher.” TURNING TO THE FUTURE With years of planning and preparation for the ex- pansion project, the city of Milwaukee is primed to host events of national acclaim. “These renovations have been in the works for over two decades,” says Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. “We’ve planned for a project of this magnitude from the day the convention center first opened. With this expansion, we cannot wait to welcome meetings and conventions from across the country to Milwaukee.” Word of the expansion has already garnered na- tionwide attention, including the Republican National Committee (RNC), which confirmed Milwaukee as the host city and the venues of the Wisconsin Center District for their 2024 convention. “Having the newly expanded Wisconsin Center fea- tured on the world’s stage during the 2024 Republican National Convention is an opportunity that cannot be un- derestimated,” Brooks says. With this announcement, Milwaukee becomes the first city to win back-to-back Democratic and Republican National Conventions since 1972 — this is due in large part to the cutting-edge innovations at the Wisconsin Center, as well as the world-class amenities and attrac- tions of Milwaukee as a destination. “I can’t wait to show the world what we all already know: Milwaukee is a sensational city with top-notch hos- pitality, and we are ready to give guests and attendees an amazing experience,” Brooks says. | AC&F | VISIT MILWAUKEE 648 N. PLANKINTON AVENUE, SUITE 220 MILWAUKEE, WI 53203 CONTACT: LESLIE JOHNSON, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES LJOHNSON@MILWAUKEE.ORG | 414-287-4259 VISITMILWAUKEE.ORG BEST OF THE BEST CELEBRATING THE CITYWIDE FACTS & FEATURES Total Guest Rooms: 19,539 Total Hotels/Resorts: 157 Total Meeting Space: 445,000 sf Convention Center FYI: Expect more in 2024; 445,000 square feet of meeting space; 52 breakout rooms; 400 indoor parking spaces and more right in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. Building More in 2024 themeetingmagazines.com 58 ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESSEPTEMBER 2022From conventions to campaigns and from championships to concerts—the Wisconsin Center District is where history is made and where unique events unite. Expect more in 2024. 445,000 square feet of meeting space. 52 breakout rooms. 400 indoor parking spaces, and more. Discover it all at visitmilwaukee.org/meet or scan the QR code.Next >