Launching the Las Vegas 2016 convention year with a bang in early January, CES topped its record-breaking 2015 show with even more milestones. Ahead of official numbers due this spring, the technology industry’s premier global event affirmed its game-changing influence with more than 3,800 exhibitors utilizing more than 2.47 million net square feet of space. More than 170,000 delegates—nearly a third from outside the U.S., representing 150 different nations—attended the show, along with 100 state and governmental delegations, including first-timer Cuba.
Covered by 6,000-plus media representatives, CES 2016 garnered worldwide coverage, reportedly receiving 1,278,870 mentions of the #CES2016 hashtag and 15.2 billion total potential social media impressions.
The future of technology innovation took center stage, with 3-D printed food, augmented reality devices, the world’s first “affordable humanoid butler” and a single passenger “mega-drone,” among the bolder concepts.
Foreseeably finding future homes in Las Vegas’ hospitality product set, these and other CES showcases mirror the excitement of Las Vegas itself. Boosted in part by increased convention attendance, the city surpassed 42 million visitors in 2015, overtaking 2014’s record of 41.1 million. Perpetually future-focused, Las Vegas is surging with major new convention and tourism developments, putting the destination in prime position to do what it has always done best—raise the ante and bet to win.
For groups, that encompasses an ever-evolving package of venues and experiences that quicken the pulse, stir the imagination and build—and satisfy—the appetite. From the old school to the revolutionary, there’s never a dull moment in Las Vegas.
Action Agendas
Rising improbably from the sweeping, mountain-backed expanse of the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas’ high-energy appeal extends from the convention and dance floors to the great outdoors. For groups, that means a literal valley of exhilarating, only-in-Vegas-style experiences.
Car enthusiasts and speed demons, your high-performance vehicles await at the new Speed Vegas debuting this spring. Located 10 minutes south of the famed “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, the $30 million motorsports complex is set to open its 1.5-mile Formula One-inspired track next month. By May 2016, the entire 100-acre facility is expected to open, featuring a multilevel welcome center, an event venue for up to 1,000 guests, a cafe and much more.
Groups figured prominently in the planning process, as the company consulted with an international panel of travel and tourism experts, meeting and event planners included.
“We listened to our customers and industry colleagues to create the ultimate experience,” explains Aaron Fessler, founder and CEO. “It’s critical we stay nimble and able to accommodate different cultures. It’s also essential we offer ample and flexible space for groups.”
With Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Ford Shelby Mustangs among the muscle and exotic “supercars” on offer, the world-class circuit includes 12 sweeping turns, 15 degrees banking, 60 feet of total elevation and a half-mile straightaway.
Comparable twists and turns await at the region’s collection of thrill rides.
High atop the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, gutsy delegates can do the X-Scream like Michael Douglas in 2013’s Last Vegas and repeatedly catapult 27 feet over the tower’s edge, 866 feet above the ground. There’s also SkyJump, a 40 mph freefall in the world’s highest controlled descent; Big Shot, blasting riders 160 feet up in the air; and Insanity, a 64-foot mechanical arm that spins guests at three “G’s” 900 feet above The Strip.
At New York-New York Hotel & Casino, the Big Apple Coaster features the world’s first 180-degree “heartline” twist and dive maneuver as its screams at 67 mph amid a replica Manhattan. Close to the California border in Primm, Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino is home to the Desperado, one of the tallest and fastest rollercoasters in North America.
Ziplines are also big, such as the two-seat VooDoo Zipline at The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, zipping riders at over 30 mph between the tops of the hotel’s Masquerade and Ipanema towers nearly 500 feet above the ground. Covering five acres under its 200-foot-high rose-colored steel and glass canopy, Adventuredome at Circus Circus Las Vegas Hotel and Casino is the world’s largest indoor theme park. With 25 rides, including the Canyon Blaster and negative G-force El Loco rollercoasters, the park is available for a wide range of private parties and events.
Downtown, the 12-story SlotZilla, billed as the world’s largest slot machine, shoots riders horizontally on “zoom-lines” under the length of Fremont Street’s LED-wrapped canopy.
Some 25 miles southeast of The Strip just outside Boulder City, Bootleg Canyon Park is the setting for “flight-lining” with Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon. Dropping 400 feet in the first 10 seconds and reaching speeds up to 60 mph, four riders at a time fly down four parallel 1.5-mile lines from atop 3,600-foot Red Mountain, taking in valley panoramas as breathtaking as the ride.
What better reward for corporate top guns than aerial dog fights, aerobatics and “extreme sightseeing” adventures high above Vegas in an Extra 330LC, the world’s most advanced aerobatic airplane? Launched in 2011 by Richard “Tex” Coe, who flew F-16 Vipers and other jets in the U.S. Air Force, Sky Combat Ace (SCA) puts citizens in 330s and other planes with trained pilots for unforgettable day and nighttime flights over the area. For large groups, SCA allows for greater volume, with a maximum daily capacity of 48 flying customers (or up to 100 with at least 30 days’ advance notice).
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Founded in 1965, Boulder City-based Papillon Group is the world’s largest aerial tour operator. With a core focus on the group market, the company offers a wide range of customized air and land excursions. With its fleet of ECO-Star helicopters, the safest birds in the industry, Maverick Helicopters offers group events ranging from 21 to 500 participants per day and private charters.
Programs include nighttime Strip tours, Grand Canyon landings and customized VIP delivery direct to golf events. Groups can also hold private events at Maverick’s terminal near the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign.
Viva Las Views!
Along The Strip and beyond, sensational scenes and sightlines add magic to group gatherings.
When the new $375 million T-Mobile Arena debuts this April, the opening act will be multi-platinum Las Vegas rock band The Killers, with special guest Wayne “Mr. Las Vegas” Newton. Also “to die for” are the 20,000-seat arena’s interior and exterior spaces, destined to revolutionize the event-viewing experience.
Approached from The Strip via MGM Resorts International’s new $100 million The Park—a leafy eight-acre event-ready oasis between the New York-New York and Monte Carlo resort-casinos—the arena is fronted by an expansive outdoor plaza purpose-designed as its own entertainment destination, with stages for live performances and a giant LED display crowning the arena’s glass facade. From broadcasting the action inside the arena to showing movies and other content, this media board enhances MGM’s emphasis on outdoor programming.
The arena has four rentable outdoor terraces overlooking the plaza, with another three outdoor balconies on the arena’s north side. Inside, premium seating includes 50 luxury suites and some two dozen private loge boxes. With its own elevator, Hyde Lounge is a VIP retreat featuring two viewing platforms extending out high above the arena floor.
The arena is expected to host more than 100 shows each year, from headline entertainment to sporting events. The arena is also targeting an NHL expansion franchise. With more than 13,500 full season ticket deposits secured, Las Vegas has reached the final formal stage to land a team for the 2017-’18 season. MGM is also developing a new 5,000-seat theater at Monte Carlo, slated to open later this year.
Another “Hyde-out” from the same operator at the arena is Hyde Bellagio. While most Las Vegas visitors see the magical Fountains of Bellagio from The Strip, this 10,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor venue provides enthralling floor-to-ceiling views from behind the choreographed water jets. Available for private events and buyouts, the villa-inspired space is among the city’s most coveted nightclubs, with an outdoor terrace and 40 VIP tables.
Eminent, too, are the fabulous Skylofts “floating” 29 stories above The Strip at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. One of the world’s largest hotels and among the city’s biggest resorts, this pioneering Vegas icon offers over 600,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and lures such as five-level Hakkasan, the world’s largest nightclub.
Formerly Fitzgerald’s, Downtown’s D Las Vegas Casino Hotel mixes yesteryear appeal with dynamically enhanced meeting and event facilities. The second-floor Vintage Casino offers old-school fun like Sigma Derby, the last remaining coin-operated slot machine at the D. Also featured are newly relocated slot machines from the shuttered Riviera (also found at the D’s sister property, The Golden Gate) and a stone from Ireland’s Blarney Castle for kissing.
As of last year, groups also have 11,000 square feet of newly upgraded space on the 12th floor. Highlights include the 6,000-square-foot Detroit Ballroom, expanded to accommodate up to 300 people, and new “Man Cave” party rooms. Adjacent to the ballroom, the new outdoor Traverse City Patio overlooks the Downtown Las Vegas Event Center and can accommodate up to 100 people, while eight 500-square-foot breakout rooms offer spectacular views of the Fremont Street Experience, including the SlotZilla zipline.
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Uniquely situated above the northern end of The Strip, Palms Casino Resort has expansive experiences inside and out, including the cavernous Pearl Theater, seating 2,500 with 18 private boxes, and on the 55th floor of the freshly upgraded Ivory Tower, Ghostbar, with 14-foot floor-to-ceiling windows providing mesmerizing cityscape and nighttime views. Breathtaking, too, are the Diamond Bar and skyline panoramas at The View atop the Palms Fantasy Tower, where groups can also “reach for the stars or mingle with them” at Moon and its retractable roof.
At the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel, groups can reserve private cabins or plan larger events at the wheelhouse. Spectacular 360-degree city views also beckon at the 1,149-foot Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower—the nation’s tallest freestanding observation tower.
At The Strip’s southern end, Mandalay Bay’s luxurious sibling Delano Las Vegas offers peerless city and desert views from its new 64th-floor Rivea restaurant and adjacent Skyfall Lounge.
Unveiled last October, these reinventions of world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse’s former miX and accompanying Mix Lounge are a triumph. Ducasse’s new modern French-Italian Riviera menu is more than complemented by the setting, which includes a new 50-seat private dining room offering breathtaking Strip views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and retained from miX, the main dining room’s chandelier of 15,000 cascading glass spheres. Featuring 180-degree city views, Skyfall Lounge lures revelers with its dramatic outdoor terraces, Ducasse small bites and cocktails like the Fleming, named after 007 creator Ian Fleming, the inspiration for the lounge’s name.
Winning Forbes Four Star recognition for the past six consecutive years (2010-2015), the 390-room M Resort Spa Casino is a dynamic, amenity-rich (with no resort fees) escape just 10 minutes south of The Strip in Henderson. With more than 92,000 square feet of dynamic space, including the highly versatile 25,000-square-foot M Pavilion and Villaggio Del Sole Pool and Entertainment Piazza, the M’s calling cards include breathtaking views.
As a new-build property in 2009, the resort took full advantage of its site elevation, which stands 400 feet higher than The Strip. The result is truly magnificent city, valley and mountain views, especially from LUX, the property’s 16th-floor special events venue, and the property’s restaurant collection, outdoor terraces included.
Dining Diversity
It represented a major gamble at the time, but ever since Wolfgang Puck opened an outpost of his L.A. flagship Spago in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in 1992, Las Vegas has confidently established its place among the world’s elite epicurean destinations. Look no further than the Venetian, where six celebrity chefs—Puck, plus Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali and “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro—have concepts, their giant portraits adorning one of the resort’s Strip-facing exteriors.
The celebrity wave inspired by Puck is a story in itself, with early followers including Charlie Palmer, with his Aureole Las Vegas and its four-story wine tower at Mandalay Bay, and Joël Robuchon, the world’s most Michelin-starred chef, drawn from retirement by Puck’s success to create L’Atelier De Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand.
Of course, like the destination itself, the Vegas menu has options for every taste preference and budget, with newcomers routinely adding new flavors and accents to the scene.
Adding to its original London location and five other hot spots around the globe, luxurious Beijing cuisine eatery MR CHOW is now in Vegas at Caesars Palace. Overlooking the resort’s Garden of the Gods pool area, the 250-plus seat restaurant comes with terrace seating and two private dining spaces.
After its original Paris Las Vegas location was converted into HEXX kitchen + bar, Sugar Factory American Brasserie is now opening a massive new two-level restaurant and retail complex at the Fashion Show Mall. Set to open this spring, the venue will feature the upper level 3,000-square-foot open-air Chocolate Lounge, offering chocolate fondues paired with wine, champagne and liquor.
Taking over Chateau Nightclub’s former Terrace deck space at Paris Las Vegas, the new Budweiser Beer Park, slated to open this spring, will offer 100-plus beer selections along with outdoor grilling, picnic tables and VIP areas.
Slated to open this summer at The LINQ Promenade in the heart of The Strip, Virgil’s Real Barbeque will span 14,000 square feet and offer live music nightly, private dining rooms seating up to 300 guests and three outdoor spaces, including a poolside patio at The LINQ Hotel & Casino.
Set for an early 2016 completion, minus5 Ice Bar is undertaking a dramatic makeover of its flagship location inside The Shoppes at Mandalay Place. Doubled in size, the revamp creates a winter wonderland made from more than 120 tons of pure Canadian ice. Features will include a 1,300-square-foot ice bar, billed as the largest permanent ice bar in the world, and museum-quality carvings of the Las Vegas skyline and other forms.
