< Previous“Allegiant had the guests enter right onto the field, so from the moment they got off the transportation, they experienced a sense of wow,” she says. “They walked onto the field with cellphones in hand to capture this unique experience. Branding every- where was fantastic.” Lefebvre provided a Punt-Pass-Kick activation for her group to really bring the excitement of being on the field to the attendees. In addition, she added photo activations, roaming entertainment, a dee- jay and games. “We also had a few ‘wow’ moments for the attendees, including the opening enter- tainment: The Las Vegas Golden Knights’ staple drumline, the Drumbots, which helped welcome guests into the already jaw-dropping field level for an incredible kickoff to the evening.” Fabulous Fine Dining Experiences Fine dining aficionados have a plethora of magnificent restaurants to choose from in Las Vegas. Although the city’s food scene continues to evolve and attract the culinary world’s brightest stars, each restaurant has a niche catering to various discerning taste buds. According to Lefebvre, Silver & Black Hospitality did a phenomenal job of preparing specialty menus that catered to the group demographics. In this instance, there were various taco stations, slider stations and her personal favorite: chicken and waffles with a syrup pipette. She says, “The presentation was fabulous and it was always maintained and replenished. I can’t forget about the ice sculpture presentation that held milkshakes inside of it either!” Corporate and incentive plan- ners seeking more intensive, upscale culinary experiences often opt for Lip Smacking Foodie Tours, which provide up to 500 attendees with the opportunity to experience up to four of Las Vegas’ most renowned restaurants, day or night. Tours are offered through restaurants on The Strip, as well as through the eclectic Arts District and downtown. “Our extravagant Savory Bites & Neon Lights tour not only includes dining at three renowned restaurants at prime time, but also a Maverick Helicopter evening flight over both east and west ends of the glittering Strip for a dazzling view,” says Donald Contursi, president of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours. “It’s a true bucket-list experience.” On every tour, guides educate attendees about interest- ing and thought-provoking sights along the way, and a sur- prise stop is often included. “Our exclusive experiences provide the ultimate [busi- ness] networking opportunities,” Contursi says. “At a typi- cal sit-down dinner, you’re lucky to engage the person to the left or right of you. Because our tours take place at multiple restaurants, with walking in between, there are countless oppor- tunities to interact with different peo- ple. Our experiences not only provide more ways to network, but a more convivial way to do so.” It’s no secret that Las Vegas’ many famed resorts and hotels also offer an amazing diversity of unique, delectable culinary experiences. Aria Resort & Casino, with more than 4,000 guest rooms and 500,000 sf of meeting space, an MGM Las Vegas property, features 16 restaurants, including Carbone, which features the glamour, showmanship and tableside service of the Italian-American res- taurants of the mid-20th century. Jean Georges Steakhouse offers three different types of beef, including Kobe A5, arguably the best beef in the world. Blossom features a diverse, 100- Courtesy of MGM Resorts MGM Grand is in an elite group of resorts receiving a “5 Green Keys” designation exemplifying the highest standards of sustainability. Allegiant had the guests enter right onto the field, so from the moment they got off the transportation, they experienced a sense of wow. KIM LEFEBVRE, DMCP General Manager, Imprint Events Group in Las Vegas 60 May 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comdish lineup of Chinese cuisine. And Aria’s catering and con- vention services offer a wide range of menus created and customized by a master chef. Sherry Hunt, CMP, CMM, the senior director of opera- tions and events for Applied Systems, a software company based in University Park, IL, utilized the catering services for an event she planned recently for some 4,000 people at Aria Resort & Casino. “The culinary team is wonderful,” she says. “We had a large group, so managing meals of this size is no easy task. Their menus are robust and creative, and the team is flex- ible to address the dietary restrictions needed.” She recalls one particular F&B experience where they had a small group of approximately 50 people in the Cypress Executive Lounge. “It was an informal group, but the setup was not informal. There were interesting and interactive food stations, a whiskey tasting with dry ice around the setting, dessert towers and more.” Several other MGM properties, including Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, have added restaurants with innovative dining concepts. “Celebrity chef Michael Mina has a culinary empire in Las Vegas,” says Rebecca Deluca, vice president of destina- tion sales for Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Author- ity. “His latest, Orla, opened at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino earlier this year. Inspired by the Mediterranean’s markets and bazaars, the new restaurant offers kebabs, zesty vegetables and fresh seafood.” The eatery specializes in group dining, catering to par- ties of 15 or more attendees. Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which opened last fall, with 3,644 guest rooms and 550,000 sf of meeting and conven- tion space, is also attracting corporate and event planners’ interest with its host of restaurants, including signature dining experiences. The property offers more than 36 first- to-market F&B concepts, spanning more than 188,000 sf. “One dining experience in particular that comes to mind is Papi Steak, which is guaranteed to leave guests awe- struck,” says Kurt Wuebbenhorst, vice president of sales for the property. “It’s a high-energy dining atmosphere and every element — from the menu to the entertainment — is inspired. The Australian Wagyu tomahawk is presented in an ice-filled, gold-lined briefcase, better known as the ‘Beef Case.’ It is presented tableside by the Papi Steak team, surrounding the table with the enthusiastic singing, Courtesy of Sherry Hunt Courtesy of MGM Resorts The Applied Net event held at the Aria Las Vegas, which is in the heart of the action right on the strip, brought in hundreds of people. 62 May 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com clapping and flashing lights, creating an atmosphere of pure excitement.” Cantina Contramar restaurant, slated to open this year, is combining the efforts of three of the most celebrated women in the Mexican culinary and creative com- munities: chef Gabriela Cámara, award-winning architect Frida Esc- obedo and Tequila Casa Dragones founder and first maestra tequilera Bertha González Nieves. Cantina Contramar will include the chef’s signature seafood dishes and a tequila tasting room. John DeLeon, vice president of sales and operations for MTI Events, helped to plan a meeting at Fontainebleau Las Vegas for a corporate client’s 200 members earlier this year. “Fontainebleau Las Vegas exceeded all of our expectations,” he says. “The meeting space is strategically positioned and easily accessible. The resort’s BleauLive Theater also provided the perfect setting for our entertainment needs, offering both functionality and flair. The F&B was outstanding throughout the event. By providing impeccable food quality and amazing service, they exceeded our expectations at every turn. It can be a challenge when you have large groups, but the flexibility in menu planning ensured that everyone would be taken care of, no matter their preference.” Melissa DeLeon, president and owner of MTI Events, notes that Fontainebleau Las Vegas was able to source the client’s special requests for wines and champagnes. She adds that the restaurants offered several private dining rooms, which were perfect for the client’s board of directors’ meetings. “Although the hotel was new and still going through some open- ing challenges, the staff was all super helpful, service ori- ented and willing to find out if they didn’t have the answer. It is a luxury offering, and the décor and ambiance of the hotel was exactly what my cli- ent was wanting.” Sahara Las Vegas, with its $200 million multiyear renovation, offers 1,613 guest rooms, 95,000 sf of meeting space, and new eateries, including Balla Italian Soul, featuring coastal Italian cuisine form James Beard award- winning chef Shawn McClain; The Noodle Den, offering the flavors of Northern China with unique, hand-pulled noodles, dumplings and innovative twists on classic Chinese dishes; and Chickie & Pete’s, ranked by ESPN as the top sports bar in North America. “One of the best dining experiences at Sahara Las Vegas is the Jose’s Way tasting menu at Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres,” says Chris Bond, CMP, vice president of sales, catering and convention sales for the property. “Each course is thoughtfully crafted to showcase chef Jose Andres’ unique culinary vision, incorporating both tradi- tional and avant-garde techniques to create unforgettable dishes, from succulent cuts of premium meats and seafood to inventive small plates and decadent desserts.” Jennifer Hanna, CMP, the senior event manager for Conscious Discipline, an education develop- ment company based in Sanford, FL, planned a meeting for 2,023 attendees at Sahara Las Vegas last summer. “Having multiple food options on site was a huge help for our attendees as Courtesy of Resorts World 64 May 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com It is a luxury offering, and the décor and ambiance of the hotel was exactly what my client was wanting. MELISSA D E LEON President and owner MTI Events Resorts World offers state-of-the- art technology, including a digital concierge, wayfinding tech and sound dampening capability.the navigated their lunch hour,” she says. “Being in Las Vegas was a unique experience for them. The location of Sahara is great. We were on the Las Vegas Strip for easy access to shopping and entertain- ment, and were not very close to the busy parts. Sahara does a great job of differentiating meeting space from casino space, so attendees are not tempted to navigate their way to the meeting.” Caesars Palace Las Vegas, with 3,500 guest rooms and 300,000 sf of meeting space, also offers an impressive array of dining choices. Peter Luger Steakhouse, a legend- ary establishment originally based in Brooklyn, New York, recently opened on the Caesars Palace Las Vegas property. It is known for its high-quality, aged steaks and classic steakhouse ambiance. “We also recently opened an exceptional dining experi- ence at Stanton Social, a popular Lower Eastside restau- rant from New York City,” says Kelly Gleeson Smith, vice president of sales for Caesars Entertainment. “This upscale restaurant features a diverse menu of globally influenced dishes designed for sharing, allowing guests to sample a variety of flavors and textures in each bite.” The Wynn and Encore Las Vegas complex, with 4,748 guest rooms and 560,000 sf of meeting space, boasts a variety of bars, casual and fine dining establishments, including Casa Playa, the newest restaurant in the Wynn collection, which offers a variety of Mexico’s regional cuisines in its sustain- ably sourced menu. Resorts World Las Vegas, which offers 3,500 guest rooms and 250,000 sf of meeting space, features more than 50 F&B options, ranging from traditional American fare to Southeast Asian street foods. Las Vegas also features several annual food festivals, including the Great American Foodie Fest in April, Vegas Unstripped in May and Las Vegas Food and Wine Fes- tival in October. Transportation Options Corporate and incentive planners seeking chauffeured transportation services for dining expeditions, business affairs, nights on the town, celebrations, airport transfers and shuttles, sporting events and more — often utilize AW Ambassador. It provides a wide range of diverse luxury vehicles for groups, including sedans, SUVs, stretch limos, party buses, sprinter vans and executive mini coaches. Las Vegas is where business meets leisure. For event planners and attendees looking for a bit of both, a word of caution: your “work and play” skills will be put to the test. Las Vegas is not only one of the most popular tourist destina- tions in the U.S., but it is also the most popular destination for business travelers in the world. C&IT Photos courtesy of Caesars Entertainment (Top) Luxurious Caesars Palace is known for its high- end restaurants. (Left) Take a dip in Harrah’s Las Vegas’ Olympic- sized swimming pool. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | May 2024 65MAROZZIOCHSE PACHECOFREEMAN PARKERMARTINS HOWANIETZKIRWAN ON THE MOVE // The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, which is opening this sum- mer, has hired Lorna Kirwan as their director of sales and market- ing. Before this position, she worked at St. Regis Bal Harbour & W Miami as a market leader. She has also worked with other brands like The Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental and others. Hilton has hired Jasmin Howanietz as their new executive director of sales for the Waldorf Astoria New York. This industry veteran has more than 25 years of sales experience working with multiple properties. This marks her return to the Waldorf Astoria, where she worked for more than 11 years in various positions. Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills appointed David Martins as their director of sales and marketing. In addition to working for Waldorf in various capacities around the world, Martins has worked with The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park, St. Regis Washington DC, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Blue & Green Hotels and elsewhere. Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club has hired Lauren Parker as their director of sales. Parker has almost two decades of experi- ence. Before this position, she worked as director of sales & mar- keting for The Charles Hotel. She also worked with such compa- nies as Levy at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and Encore Boston Harbor. Waldorf Astoria Chicago has hired Ashley Ochse as director of sales & marketing. Ochse has more than 20 years experience. This is a return for Ochse to the property, where she served for four years from 2013 to 2017. Most recently, she worked at The St. Regis Chicago as director of sales, group & catering. Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa promoted Alexandra Marozzi to senior sales executive. Marozzi started working with the company two years ago. Her last position was as direc- tor of memberships at Cabana Beach Club. Before that, she worked with many private club organizations such as Invited and Florida Yacht Club. Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown has announced that it has hired Dawn Freeman as their new director of sales. She has more than a decade of experience under her belt, including working with SMI Hotel Group, Westin Dallas Park Central Hotel, Le Méri- dien Dallas by the Galleria, The Adolphus Hotel and elsewhere. The Pensacola Beach Resort has appointed Misty Pacheco as director of sales. Pacheco has more than 24 years of experience, most recently working as director of catering and convention ser- vices at The Hilton Pensacola Beach & Holiday Inn Resort. She also has worked with Milennium Broadway New York Times Square, St. Giles New York and elsewhere. C&IT 66 May 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comLUXU R Y HAS JOINED THE M EETING Meetings, conventions, and conferences without equal. This is how The Venetian Resort Las Vegas takes care of business.When you need a team that gets the little details and the big picture, IT MATTERS WHERE YOU STAY. From Team Members who say, “Hi, happy to help!” to Trusted Advisors, an exclusive group of sales professionals, we go beyond what’s expected. We’re passionate about spreading the light and warmth of hospitality. That’s why we listen to what you need and work together on new ways to bring your vision to life, so that it all comes together exactly as planned. Your greatest stays are the moments we live for. Learn more at events.hilton.com. © 2023 HiltonNext >