Las Vegas Among the First Major U.S. Cities to Reopen for Business
June 15, 2020
Las Vegas officially welcomed back guests in early June after more than two months of being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking care to comply with directives from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and public health authorities — including guidelines set by the CDC and WHO — the city is among the first to strongly promote its reopening to travelers.
“Las Vegas is a city built on hospitality, and we are thrilled to open our doors on June 4 and welcome visitors from around the country,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “While our restaurants, pools and resorts will once again welcome guests, the health and wellbeing of those guests continues to be our top priority.”
Things might look a little different for the time being, he added, with some changes to operations. But the fact that Las Vegas properties are open again is big news, and comes with a few surprises: like many resorts offering free parking, for example. Take a look at what’s developing:
Las Vegas Convention Center
The 3.2-million-square-foot facility is among the first convention centers in the nation to pursue the GBAC STAR accreditation focused on cleaning, disinfection and infection disease prevention. To achieve this, facilities must demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 elements, including standard operating procedures and emergency preparedness and response measures.
“We’re grateful to the GBAC STAR program for creating the industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation, and we’re proud to be among the first wave of leaders to pursue this accreditation,” said Brian Yost, chief operating officer for the LVCVA. “Demonstrating compliance will be an important step toward showing the world that Vegas means business, and when the time is right, the Las Vegas Convention Center stands ready to welcome our business travelers back.”
As of mid-June, the first conferences scheduled to take place at LVCC are planned for August — including ASD Market Week, Aug. 2-5, and Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Aug. 8-9. National Hardware Show is slated for Sept. 1-3, and GlassBuild America is scheduled for mid-September.
Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Palace, Flamingo and Harrah’s all resumed operations last week, as did several retail and dining outlets, including The LINQ Promenade and High Roller Observation Wheel. Harrah’s reopened to particular fanfare, debuting a $200 million transformation that renovated its rooms and suites, and remodeled the hotel lobby and casino floor. On June 12, it will also reopen The LINQ Hotel + Experience casino gaming floor along with select restaurants and the pool, some with limited hours.
“We are encouraged by customer interest and visits, strong demand and the implementation, so far, of our enhanced health and safety protocols,” said Tony Rodio, CEO of Caesars Entertainment. “This is a new way of operating, and we will continue to evaluate and adjust our procedures to enhance guest and team member comfort and experiences. Our expansion plans will continue to reflect customer demand as well as a focus on properly executing health and safety directives.”
HLTH 2020, a conference focused on the future of healthcare, is currently scheduled for Oct. 11-14 at the new Caesars Forum Conference Center, and CRE.Converge is slated for early October at Caesars Palace.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Initial amenities at this five-star casino-resort are open, including some of its restaurants such as Beauty & Essex and Block 16 Urban Food Hall, and the Boulevard Pool (with appropriately spaced lounge chairs and cabanas). Entertainment and nightlife venues remain closed for the time being.
The Venetian Las Vegas
This Italian-themed property has reopened its Venetian and Palazzo towers to the public and will look to reopen more amenities in phases, including its casino, restaurants and bars.
MGM Resorts
Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature are all open again with limited amenities, to be expanded as demand for the destination builds. Inside Bellagio, the Conservatory features a new Japanese garden display called “Japan Journey: Magic of Kansai.”
Self Storage Association’s national fall conference and tradeshow are slated to take place in September at MGM Grand.
Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn was among the first brands to announce new health and safety protocols for reopening earlier this spring. It’s now opened both Wynn Las Vegas and Encore hotel towers and casinos, as well as its full portfolio of restaurants, lounges, pools and golf course. (In February this year, the resort also debuted its 430,000-square-foot meeting and convention expansion, more than doubling its event space.)
DERM2020 NP/PA CME Conference is scheduled to take place at Encore, Aug. 6-9.
In another important announcement made June 9, the company revealed it has submitted a land-use application for the design of an underground tunnel, in partnership with Elon Musk’s company, that would connect the resort to Las Vegas Convention Center. This development, which would transport guests between the resort and the LVCC in less than two minutes, is a critical step for Wynn as it looks to invest in the future of eco-friendly meetings. Resorts World Las Vegas, a $4.3 billion resort slated to open next summer, has also submitted plans to be connected to the tunnel transporting guests to LVCC.
Learn more about how Las Vegas is reopening through the Las Vegas CVA by going here.
Do you have stories to share about how your destination is reopening for business? Please drop us a line, [email protected], for a chance to be featured on TSNN.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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