< PreviousCAESARS MEANS BUSINESS 7340661-8.125x10.875-mtg-insuranceadresize-v1.indd 14/17/23 11:39 AM Amwins’ opening reception was held at Wynn’s XS Night- club, occupying the venue’s inside and outside space, but the January desert night was chilly. She says space heaters were added, but next time, it will only be held inside. Another issue came up that Wynn’s staff handled well: Two nursing mothers were attending. “Wynn helped us turn their green room into a “mother’s room” for our attendees to use while in the convention space for meetings,” she says. “Our moms were very appreciative and made their working- mom balancing-act a little bit easier.” One of the destination’s biggest developments set to open this year will be the 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The 25-acre property neighboring the Las Vegas Convention Cen- ter’s West Hall had its groundbreaking in 2007. But in 2009, when the building was about 75% complete, the global down- turn halted construction. In 2021, Fontainebleau Development and Koch Real Estate Investments returned to complete the idled project with a $2.2-billion loan. With more than 550,000 sf of customiz- able indoor- and outdoor-space across five levels, including a 105,000 sf pillar-less ballroom, the 3,644-room Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer meeting planners many configurations and some of the most advanced digital amenities in the market. Nicole Ellickson, director of conferences & meetings expe- riences for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), says Las Vegas is a regular destination for the association’s roster of continuing education events and conferences. “There’s nothing you can’t find there, and whether they want to be at the pool, or shopping, or enjoy high-end dining, there is always something for everyone,” Ellickson says. “We can count on having some of our biggest attendance numbers in Las Vegas, so we put it in the rotation every three years, especially if we need to see an increase in the numbers.” Ellickson says CUNA turns to Caesars Palace for its events several times a year, as well as other Strip properties. Last fall, CUNA hosted its Operations & Member Experience Council and the Technology Council Conference at Caesars Palace, bringing 600 attendees to explore trending topics. “We wanted to do something unique, so we did a reception in a sectioned-off buyout of one of the casino floors at Caesars,” Ellickson says. CUNA also booked its World-Class Service Leader- ship School, which will return this year. Ellickson says, “They had experiences like a scavenger hunt each day, all focused on world-class service, with a facilitator showing how credit unions can find ways to bring service ideas together.” She jokes that CUNA can be a “space hog,” and that many destinations cannot justify the group’s room block for its meeting space. But in Las Vegas, space is rarely an issue. “Caesars has the space we need for each and every event; they have the layout and the size we need,” Ellickson says. “The Las Vegas properties are massive, and at most, the meeting spaces are always so far away, and [some] of them you have to walk through a smoky casino. For most events, our demographic is 50 years and up. They’re not into running up and down the stairs, or through a cloud of smoke. So we try to pick hotels where we can be in one tower, and at Caesars, the elevator drops right down to the meeting space.” ACCESS IS KEY TO SUCCESSFUL LAS VEGAS MEETINGS “I never hear complaints about airlift,” Ellickson says. “You can get in or out 24-7 and access to the Strip is easy. In a lot of cities, you have a 30-to 40-minute drive from the airport, but in Vegas the Strip is 10 minutes away.” themeetingmagazines.com 30 APRIL 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Nicole Ellickson Director of Conferences & Meetings Experiences, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) We can count on having some of our biggest attendance numbers in Las Vegas, so we put it in the rotation every three years. Former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman addressed attendees of the American Financial Services Association. COURTESY OF TOM MORANOCAESARS MEANS BUSINESS ELEVATED CULINARY EXPERIENCES WITH MASTER CHEFS Corporate events and trade shows at The Venetian ® Resort Las Vegas are unlike anything you have ever seen. Our Master Chef of France leads a talented chef team that crafts outstanding culinary offerings for every event customized to your needs, and with 2.25 million square feet of white canvas, you create a branded experience that will impress. Our innovative facilities, partnerships, and versatile spaces make The Venetian Resort a one-of-a-kind destination for events and trade shows. Visit venetianmeetings.com to find out more. The Venetian ® and other trademarks are used under license. Some planners may think of Las Vegas as being expensive, but there are options for every budget. “Las Vegas provides some of most reasonable room rates, and there’s either a res- taurant or something to do for everyone,” Ellickson says. “For anyone who hasn’t planned a meeting in Vegas before, take a risk and try it. It’s always such a big draw.” Still new after its mid-pandemic debut, CAESARS FORUM is a LEED-Silver certified conference center built to accom- modate more than 10,000 attendees. To achieve such certi- fication, a building must earn a certain number of points in categories such as energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor-air quality and sustainable materials. The facility, located under the landmark High Roller observation wheel, has over 300,000 sf of flexible meeting space and features large, pillar-less ballrooms. Outdoor events can be easy with its adjacent 100,000 sf plaza. “Meetings in Las Vegas are amazing,” De La Paz says. “Depending on your client’s budget you can do a simple setup that will be great for the attendees or you can take a sky’s-the-limit approach and it will blow your mind with AV and décor. Las Vegas is so impressive in this area that it’s hard to com- pete with them.” Sourcing Power Group oversees the annual Craig Wiggins Coaching & Consulting seminar, which brings 750 attendees to The Venetian Resort Las Vegas each September. “We’ve partnered with The Venetian Resort for our past five events due to their rooms all being suites,” De La Paz says. “All of the employ- ees are topnotch. They really go above and beyond to help as much as they can.” De La Paz continues: “The team on-property is the most important aspect for any client’s meeting or conference, and the team at the Venetian is amazing to work with. They make me look great as a planner when my client asks for last-minute room-drops or reservations at the toughest restaurants. This is where they stand out in my book.” Another of this year’s anticipated openings is the MSG Sphere at The Venetian Resort, built by the Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation, an entertainment venue that will hold up to 20,000 people. Featuring a 160,000-sf display that surrounds the audience, including the world’s highest resolution LED screen, the venue is scheduled to open later this year. “This will be Vegas’ game-changer,” De La Paz says. “It will host the best of the best in shows and music and it is accessed through an air-conditioned walkway connected to the Venetian’s meeting and convention space.” I & FMM themeetingmagazines.com 32 APRIL 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT COURTESY OF TOM MORANO (Top): An attendee interacts with Las Vegas characters. (Left): A speaker from a past event of the American Financial Services Association at the Bellagio in 2022.ELEVATED CULINARY EXPERIENCES WITH MASTER CHEFS Corporate events and trade shows at The Venetian ® Resort Las Vegas are unlike anything you have ever seen. Our Master Chef of France leads a talented chef team that crafts outstanding culinary offerings for every event customized to your needs, and with 2.25 million square feet of white canvas, you create a branded experience that will impress. Our innovative facilities, partnerships, and versatile spaces make The Venetian Resort a one-of-a-kind destination for events and trade shows. Visit venetianmeetings.com to find out more. The Venetian ® and other trademarks are used under license.themeetingmagazines.com 34 APRIL 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota has recently appointed Jennifer Hanna as senior sales manager to handle group sales. Before this position, Hanna worked for Marriott IndyPlace as market director of catering sales for several years. She also worked with Le Meridien Indianapolis and Azul Hospitality Group as director of sales and marketing, and elsewhere. Celebrity Cruises has announced that it has brought on board Keri Kane as their new charter sales manager for North America. This industry veteran has almost 20 years of experience as a full ship charter professional under her belt. Before this position, she worked for Royal Caribbean International in various positions. Terranea Resort hired Troy Wood as director of sales. Wood has more than 15 years of experience, most recently working with Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club and Spa. He also worked with Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in New Mexico, Hyatt Regency San Antonio in Texas, and elsewhere. Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point appointed Jean Schulte as director of Sales. This industry veteran has more than three decades of experience. Her last position was at Turtle Bay Resort as their director of group sales and incentive. She also worked at The Resort at Pelican Hill, Preferred Hotels & Resorts and KSL Resorts. Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which is set to open in the fourth quarter of 2023, has announced that it has welcomed several new members to its sales leadership team. This group of industry veterans includes Kurt Wuebbenhorst as their senior vice president of sales, catering and convention ser- vices; Carmen M. Rubino Jr. , as vice president of sales, and Nicole Schmitz as director of sales. Wuebbenhorst has previously worked with The Cosmo- politan of Las Vegas, as well as Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas and Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. Rubino Jr. rejoins the Fontainebleau after serving as their executive director of Hotel Sales. He also worked with The Cosmopolitan, Marriott International Convention and Resort Hotel Network, JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa, and elsewhere. Before this position, Schmitz was Senior Sales Manager at the Fontainebleau. She has also worked with locations such as Resorts World Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan and Waldorf Astoria. Bishop-McCann has promoted Justin Myers to vice president of client development. Before this new role, he was head of the commercial & hospitality client group at Bishop- McCann. Previously, he worked for a decade overseeing plan- ners for a Fortune 500 telecommunications company. He now will work on bolstering relationships and overseeing strategic sales and marketing. | CORPORATE LADDER | From unique meeting spaces and hotel accommodations to an exhilarating evening, a Universal Orlando meeting or event is perfect for groups of any size. Treat the team to great food, amazing surroundings and one-of-a-kind rides and attractions. It’s an event they won’t miss. And never forget. ONE DESTINATION. A UNIVERSE OF POSSIBILITIES. WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s22) TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2022 Hasbro. Sapphire Falls Resort TM & © 2022 UCF Hotel Venture III. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. U220907-1/DP UOMeetingsAndEvents.com RUBINO JR.WUEBBENHORST MYERSSCHMITZ SCHULTEWOOD KANEHANNAFrom unique meeting spaces and hotel accommodations to an exhilarating evening, a Universal Orlando meeting or event is perfect for groups of any size. Treat the team to great food, amazing surroundings and one-of-a-kind rides and attractions. It’s an event they won’t miss. And never forget. ONE DESTINATION. A UNIVERSE OF POSSIBILITIES. WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s22) TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2022 Hasbro. Sapphire Falls Resort TM & © 2022 UCF Hotel Venture III. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. U220907-1/DP UOMeetingsAndEvents.comHold your next event at Atlantis Paradise Island, with a minimum of 1,500 room nights for arrival between now and December 31, 2024 and group will receive one complimentary firework display at Paradise Harbor Beach or West Beach. Contract must be signed by December 31, 2024. Applicable to new groups only. Offer is subject to availability and blackout dates and can be pulled at any time. Offer is not combinable with any other offers. See full details at www.meetingsatatlantis.com. DISCOVER RENOVATED ROOMS NEW DINING OPTIONS AND A REIMAGINED CASINO CELEBRATE IN PARADISE the fireworks are on us MeetingsAtAtlantis.com Next >