Ready to Rock: Las Vegas Sees Strong Event Bookings, Unveils New Venues

April 12, 2021
Ready to Rock: Las Vegas Sees Strong Event Bookings, Unveils New Venues

Las Vegas is back with a vengeance. That was the message at the conventions and hospitality industry panel held March 8 at the brand new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, marking Global Meetings Industry Day. 

After a devastating year, there’s pent-up demand for a return to live face-to-face meetings events, and Las Vegas is already seeing record gains in bookings through the end of the year and into 2022, according to industry executives who attended the event. 

“We’re making great strides and I think things will continue to move quickly,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Everyone in this industry should feel really excited about the future, and it might be coming faster than you might be expecting.” 

Over the past year, industry leaders along the Las Vegas Strip worked closely together to navigate the crisis and share best health and safety practices that defined the guidelines for individual properties as well as the destination as a whole. 

Stephanie Glanzer, chief sales officer and senior vice president of sales of MGM Resorts International, said: “We’ve all gone through this together and we’ll come out of this stronger.” 

At MGM properties, the Convene with Confidence program enables virus testing in hotel rooms and connects the results and vaccination records to biometric identity app company Clear. The Venetian and Las Vegas Sands Corp. rolled out Venetian Clean, a health and safety program that emphasizes thorough cleaning of facilities, while the city-wide Meet Smart, Vegas Smart initiative highlights the health protocols that have been implemented by properties to ensure attendees’ safety.

The panel expressed excitement about the new venues that have been completed over the past year and will now welcome attendees for the first time. “We’re ready to welcome back meetings and events in a very big way,” said Chandra Allison, senior vice president of sales and marketing at The Venetian Resort, which just opened its Stella Studio, an 8,000-sq,-ft. multifunctional space. 

Also on tap is the new Wynn Expansion, which features an 83,000-sq.-ft. pillarless ballroom and a 20,000-sq.-ft. outdoor pavilion. Meanwhile, the 550,000-sq.-ft. Caesars Forum offers the two largest pillarless ballrooms in the world at 110,000 square feet each and will welcome MPI’s World Education Congress in June. 

The new 315,000-sq.-ft. Expo at World Market Center was officially unveiled on April 9, 2021, just in time for Las Vegas Market, a furniture, gift and home goods trade show set for April 11-15. 

The LVCC’s new 1.4-million-sq.-ft. West Hall is getting ready to welcome World of Concrete, the first big show in Las Vegas set for June 8-10. It is expected that attendees will be able to ride on Elon Musk’s The Boring Company underground people-mover system featuring Model X and Model 3 Teslas, and lots of rainbow neon.
 

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Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:  Protecting Natural Resources  MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.  Committed to Community  Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.  MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.   Fostering Diversity & Inclusion  To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.  MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.