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Planner's Perspective

More Coverage

Erika Downs
Senior Marketing Manager,
Houlihan Lokey International Investment Bank,
Los Angeles

Describe your event.

The meeting was held last May at the new Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa for over 200 of Houlihan Lokey’s top executives. It was an officer integration meeting. It followed an agreement by the company to join forces with ORIX Corporation, a Tokyo-based integrated financial services group, and it was the first time that the majority of the executives of the combined enterprise had gotten together.

Why did you decide to hold the meeting at Red Rock?
We were looking for a convenient location (in terms of travel) for all of our executives from around the world. We took a hard-hat tour of the property last February and we liked what we saw so we took a chance. It is about 10 miles west of the Strip, close to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and easily accessible.

What surprised you the most?
I think what surprised us most was the quality of the staff and service at Red Rock. A lot of times with a new property, right after opening, it still needs to get some of the kinks out. We were only the second group there, and you would have thought that it had been open much longer. It exceeded my expectations.

What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most?
The group had a wonderful experience. They enjoyed the top-rated restaurants. Four of the restaurants were used in a dine-around program, with two other restaurants that were off-property. The resort’s decor was very modern and elegant, and the pool area was phenomenal. The casino was on a different floor, away from the meeting space, so you never had to go through it and in essence did not even have to know you were in a casino. We had a dedicated business office and many impromptu meetings of small groups that the hotel was able to accommodate.

Was anybody particularly helpful at the property?
Veronica Kistner (vice president, sales) and Randy Fireman (director of catering) made sure that our program ran smoothly from booking to billing.

What other types of groups would fit well with the property?
All types of groups.

How does the destination compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings?
We had the advantage of being close enough to the Strip, where there is so much to do, and yet far enough away that we could meet without distraction. It afforded me as the meeting planner not to have to think of too many activities, as so many are available in Vegas.

Did you incorporate any interesting excursions or activities into the agenda?
Some played golf, some saw a show on the Strip, and other officers went to various restaurants at the Wynn, Mandalay Bay and House of Blues.

Would you return?
Yes.

Do you have any advice for other planners who might bring a meeting to Las Vegas?
Think outside of the box when it comes to Las Vegas, as things have changed.