Philip Arbuckle
President
MeetingTrack
Olathe, Kan.
Describe your event.
My most recent event in Las Vegas was the biannual summit of the Sourcing Interests Group, an international organization for executives involved in global sourcing. The event, held last September, was a huge success in attendance, logistics, budgeting and satisfaction ratings from the participants. It was a complex three-day meeting with more than 300 participants, 70-plus speakers and spouses from more than 20 countries.
What surprised you the most about the Las Vegas area?
I had not hosted a meeting in Las Vegas in a few years and was pleasantly surprised to find that off-strip properties have a lot to offer. I made several suggestions and the client selected The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas. The hotel is set in a hilly area that surrounds a lake. The Italian-themed resort left us asking ourselves if we were in Europe or the U.S. Each morning my team and I would look across the lake to the mountains and catch a moment of Zen that would power us through those long 12- to 18-hour meeting workdays.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most?
With this location [at Lake Las Vegas], the participants were able to focus on the meeting during the day and take the hotel’s complimentary shuttle to the Strip at the end of the workday. It was simply the best of both worlds.
People were very pleased with the top-notch resort, its peaceful setting and the combination of all the entertainment options that Las Vegas has to offer.
What other types of groups would fit well with the hotel?
This property works well for small to midsize executive-level meetings. It is also a great retreat location for small planning meetings.
What were some of the unique events you held as part of the program?
We designed two major evening functions, both outdoors. The first was a “dueling piano bar” evening set in the Florentine Gardens of The Ritz-Carlton overlooking the lake. The weather was perfect, with the sun reflecting off the mountains as it set, putting participants in a mood to sample international beverages and build new business relationships. Our second event was placed on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge at the resort. This area is covered with arched openings facing east and west over the lake. We invited the musical performance group, String Theory, to design a custom harp using the bridge as a soundboard. The 40-foot musical instrument was arranged through the middle of the dinner tables, bringing the participants into the musical event. The uniqueness of the music and the setting made for an evening of entertainment and an inspiration for conversation.
Did you incorporate any interesting activities into the agenda?
This event included a spouse program with a lunch cruise on Lake Las Vegas and an afternoon of gaming lessons at the casino, located adjacent to the hotel. The spa, golf course and amenities of the resort provided a full complement of options for the spouses.
Would you return?
Yes. Probably the best measure of a successful location selection is what the participants say in the surveys. We had an overwhelming response from people asking, “When can we come back?” We’ll be back soon.
Do you have any advice for other planners who might bring a meeting to the Las Vegas area?
If you select an off-Strip location it is important to help your participants know that in advance. I found that many people have a very limited understanding of Las Vegas and what it has to offer. We worked hard to educate our members about the meeting location and its proximity to the airport and main entertainment attractions.