Las Vegas Offers a Bounty of New Venue Options for Event Planners
July 5, 2021
Las Vegas has been busy setting the stage for the next generation of meetings and conventions with a slew of new state-of-the-art venues. Now home to 14 million square feet of meeting, conference and exhibition space, the iconic desert destination offers planners more exciting options than ever, with more than 2 million square feet of new space and three resorts launched in the past 18 months alone.
“That additional space will allow Las Vegas to host more meetings and it will allow our current clients to grow their business,” said John Schreiber, vice president of business sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Some of our new venues also open the door for the destination to host special events that we may not have had the opportunity to host in the past. Las Vegas will be a leader in the current and ongoing industry recovery, and the addition of both meetings and event space and hotel rooms across the destination will only help.”
Here are nine new spaces to consider booking in Vegas, baby!
Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall Expansion
Opened just in time for World of Concrete in June, the $1 billion, 1.4 million-square-foot West Hall Expansion joins the existing 3.2 million-square-foot campus at the Las Vegas Convention Center, elevating the facility’s total expo space to a sprawling 2.5 million sq. ft.
Occupying the land where the Riviera and Landmark hotels once stood, the new hall includes 600,000-sq.-ft. of customizable exhibition space; 150,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space; a 14,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with Strip views; an outdoor plaza and a grand atrium featuring one of the world’s largest digital screens. Bearing a sleek design that maximizes natural light via floor-to-ceiling windows, the new space is outfitted with the latest technology that can easily accommodate hybrid events.
The West Hall is also connected to the existing LVCC campus via the Convention Center Loop, a $52 million underground transportation system built by Elon Musk’s Boring Company that provides convention and trade shows attendees with free, fast and convenient transportation across the 200-acre campus in all-electric Model 3 and Model X Tesla vehicles. Consisting of two one-way, 0.8-mile vehicular tunnels and three passenger stations, the new system reduces a 20-25-minute walk to a less than two minute ride.
The LVCVA also recently acquired the Las Vegas Monorail, preserving this important transportation solution for event attendees. Both systems are now operational for events beginning in June and will adhere to strict health and safety protocols.
Resorts World Las Vegas
Built on the site where the former Stardust Resort and Casino once stood, the $4.3 billion Resorts World Las Vegas is the first ground-up resort development on the Las Vegas Strip in more than a decade. Officially opened on June 24, the luxury integrated resort offers 3,500 luxury guestrooms and suites from three premium Hilton brands: Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Crockfords Las Vegas.
The mega-resort also offers 250,000 square feet of overall meeting space, including a 100,000-sq.-ft. pillarless Event Center, a combined 30,000 sq. ft. of private rooftop and terrace space and more than 50 meeting rooms. In the near future, it will also feature the city’s first passenger station and tunnel connecting to the LVCC via the Convention Center Loop.
Other amenities include a 117,000-sq.-ft. casino; more than 40 food and beverage options; a 70,000-sq.-ft. shopping plaza; a 5,000-capacity theatre; distinct nightlife venues; a 5.5-acre pool complex and a 27,000-sq.-ft. spa.
Circa Resort & Casino
Opened in October 2020, Circa Resort & Casino is Downtown Las Vegas’ first ground-up casino-resort to open in 40 years. Located on the iconic Fremont Street Experience, the 777-room, adults-only, vintage-style property stands 35 stories tall and features the world’s largest sportsbook, eclectic restaurant and bar concepts and an expansive local art collection.
The new resort’s unique meeting spaces include the year-round rooftop pool amphitheater, Stadium Swim, which features a 40-foot-tall, 14-million-pixel screen and six tiered pools, as well as the Legacy Club on the resort’s 35th floor.
THE EXPO at World Market Center
Opened on April 9, The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas is a 315,000-square-foot exposition facility located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. Showcasing more than 200,000 sq. ft. of flexible exhibit, meeting and pre-function space, the $103.5-million facility is divisible into North and South halls that can accommodate up to 1,000 trade show booths. It also features an expansive lobby and registration area, onsite shuttle bus depot, attached parking garage and permanent food service areas. With the addition of The Expo, WMC now offers more than 700,000 sq. ft. of flexible event and exhibition space.
AREA15
Described as “an immersive complex where art, commerce, food, design, technology and innovation all blend together,” AREA15 is the world’s first purpose-built experiential entertainment district offering live events, immersive activations, art installations, unique design elements, retail, cutting-edge technology, bars, eateries and more than 230,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces.
Its one-of-a-kind spaces include the A-Lot, a massive 32,454-sq.-ft. outdoor “playground” surrounded by large-scale interactive artworks; The Portal, a 6,584-sq.-ft. indoor space with 360-degree projection mapped walls; the Sanctuary, an 1,900-sq.-ft. indoor circular bamboo volcano structure; and The Grounds,” a 4-acre, 190,000-sq.-ft. multi-use outdoor event space designed for festivals, carnivals, conventions, concerts and other large-scale events.
Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas recently debuted its 300,000-square-foot meeting and convention center expansion, bringing the Wynn and neighboring Encore’s grand total of flexible space up to 560,000 sq. ft. Seamlessly connected to Wynn’s existing conference center, the new two-level space expansion sits on the southeast side of the resort’s private backyard, overlooking the Wynn Golf Club’s 18-hole championship golf course, and includes a 20,000-sq.-ft. outdoor Event Pavilion with an adjacent 20,000-sq.-ft. lawn, a 2,500-sq.-ft. hospitality lounge and an 83,000 sq.-ft. pillarless ballroom.
CAESARS FORUM
Officially opened March 18, 2020, the 550,000-square-foot CAESARS FORUM conference center offers two pillarless ballrooms measuring 110,000 sq. ft. each, two 40,000-sq.-ft. ballrooms, 100 break-out rooms and a 100,000-sq.-ft. outdoor meeting space. Conveniently located with direct access to more than 8,500 hotel rooms at Harrah’s Las Vegas, the LINQ and Flamingo Hotels, it recently hosted its largest in-person gathering, MPI’s World Education Congress, held June 15-17.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
On March 26, Hilton announced the opening of the reimagined and reconceptualized Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of the hospitality company’s Curio Collection. Formerly known as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the renovated property offers more than 1,500 guest rooms and suites across three hotel towers, 12 food and beverage outlets, day and nighttime entertainment venues, a 60,000 square foot Mohegan Sun Casino, a five-acre pool deck, a spa and 117,000-square-feet of flexible indoor meeting and events space with 34 meeting rooms.
The Venetian Resort
Unveiled in the fall of 2020, The Stella Studio is a new multi-functional, intimate venue for small meetings and events at The Venetian Resort. Located in The Palazzo tower and awash with natural light, the airy, 8,000-plus-square-foot space features a modern, neutral aesthetic, a private entrance, a dedicated kitchen and bar, as well as private restrooms. Planners can choose from classroom, banquet or theater-style seating.
Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors.
TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders.
Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA
With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role?
Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”
These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium
As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward?
Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees.
What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events?
We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.
Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city.
Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.
What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization?
We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.
What are your favorite ways to recharge?
My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.
Valley of Fire
What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing?
I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.
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