Top performers attending a retail incentive trip got the VIP treatment at The Wynn Las Vegas. As they stepped out of the stretch limousine provided by the event planner, Heather Pilcher, CSEP, CMP, CEO of Blue Spark Event Design, hotel staff greeted the attendees with a standing ovation at the resort’s private entrance. “Our arrivals felt intimate, polished and genuinely celebrity level,” says Pilcher.

As a bonus, anyone who lingered for a few moments could catch a glimpse of actual stars, including Magic Johnson and George Lopez, making their own grand entrances.

Only in Las Vegas would such an extraordinary moment be commonplace. Indeed, you most certainly don’t need to catch “The Wizard of Oz” experience at Sphere to know you are not in Kansas anymore.

Bright Lights, Big City

Even detractors of the destination’s high prices and over-the-top atmosphere acknowledge the city’s standing as one of the premier sites for meetings and events. In an era where experience trumps all other aspects of a meeting, Las Vegas has an abundance of options.

Not only do the stars come to town regularly to catch a show or take a meeting, the venue operators are celebrities themselves. There is no greater concentration of restaurants owned by world-famous chefs like Jose Andres, Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsay and Giada De Laurentiis, than on the famed Las Vegas Strip.

Yet for all of the flashing signs, neon lights, and, of course, colorful fountains, there is very much a practical side to meeting in Vegas. The industry’s largest corporate events, including CES and the World of Concrete, can only fit comfortably in a destination that shatters boundaries other cities would not dare to tread.

Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Las Vegas offer unique meeting venues, including a nightclub, theater, beach club, ballrooms and more.

Where else would anyone dare to place a $2 billion Sphere to elevate the guest experience even though venues across the city are replete with A-list musicians, comedians, magicians and more.

It takes little effort to keep Las Vegas feeling fresh to returning attendees. For instance, ConferenceDirect for the first time incorporated the F1 X Experience during its CDX event. “It was such a highlight,” says J.J. Wills, the company’s senior vice president of marketing programs and business development, who ran the event for meeting planners. The activity was new, but the objective was a staple of events everywhere. “The immersive blend of competition, energy and teamwork really helped build connections in a fun, interactive way,” says Wills.

Underscoring the point that new options like the F1 activity build upon classics, CDX’s primary venue was the legendary Caesars Palace.

“The beauty of Las Vegas is that there’s truly a venue for every kind of meeting or incentive, whether you’re focused on high-end intimacy or large-scale production, luxury or casual fun,” says Wills.

Bellagio Hotel & Casino is known for its beautiful water show, but also for its world class entertainment and cuisine, and versatile meeting spaces.

Hotels and Resorts

In large part due to the variety, the meetings and events scene is thriving in Las Vegas even as international leisure travel has declined from previous records.

Online complaints about prices have done little to dissuade events from coming to town. Resort fees will never be popular but enough planners view them as coming with the territory, at least for now.

When planning an event in Las Vegas, Pilcher comes in with her eyes open. Fitting for a gaming destination, going all-in on the destination’s excess is her best advice. “When we bring clients to Las Vegas, our goal is always to elevate their experience through thoughtful dining, unforgettable entertainment and VIP access to the shows and sporting events that define the city,” Pilcher says. “Pair that with the nonstop energy of The Strip and you have a destination that delivers incredible moments for reward and incentive programs.”

Aria Resort & Casino offers 500,000 sf of meeting and event space, as well as fine dining and entertainment options.

The array of hotels and resorts and other venues allows planners to pick their spot while achieving a balance between work and play.

The Wynn Las Vegas “delivers elegance, exceptional service and a calmer, more refined slice of The Strip, which instantly sets the tone for premium incentive programs,” notes Pilcher.

Meeting spaces total 560,000 sf at The Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas, including outdoor areas like the pavilion and garden event grounds. Beyond the ballroom, planners can utilize unique onsite venues like XS, Encore Beach Club and the 1,480-seat Encore Theater.

Jim Cavanagh, an account executive at The Creative Group who plans kickoff sales, product launches and other corporate events, including incentives, adds that the experience of the Wynn’s long-tenured staff is evident in the service. “The service and product quality is always at the highest levels,” he says.

Wills has enjoyed success at MGM’s Mandalay Bay, home of IMEX America, which will host MPI’s World Education Congress in 2027.

A $100 million redesign of Mandalay Bay’s 2.1 million-sf convention center was completed in 2024. Upgrades included new technology infrastructure, additional dynamic digital signage and a fresh design that complements the resort’s tropical-inspired brand.

Sophie Wawro, former global president of ShopTalk, which holds an annual springtime event at Mandalay Bay that was among the first events to enjoy the new amenities, praised the project. “We enjoyed hosting our event in the newly remodeled convention center, using features such as the new digital signage and other upgraded amenities. Outside of the fantastic convention space, we love holding our events at Mandalay Bay because of the great team and how the property has such extensive capabilities we can utilize, such as the restaurants, rooms and even the beach,” she said in an MGM press release about the improvement.

W Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay surprised Pilcher “in the best way” when she attended IMEX as a first-time attendee in 2025. At the end of the Strip, the property is among the most accessible to Allegiant Stadium (home of the Raiders) and Harry Reid International Airport.

“What stood out the most is the sense of calm throughout the decor and atmosphere. After weaving through high energy casino floors all day, walking into the W feels like an exhale,” says Pilcher, who says W, a Marriott property, has the added bonus of in-room coffee pots, which she calls “a small miracle during an otherwise whirlwind Las Vegas week.”

Valerie Bihet, founder of VIBE Agency, which produces events for high-end luxury brands and other upscale corporations, says the entire Mandalay and W package presents vast opportunities for planners. “Mandalay Bay is versatile for groups needing both main-program scale and an elevated suite/VIP layer,” she says. “It’s very easy to separate experiences while staying on one campus.”

Of course, you can’t talk about Las Vegas without mentioning the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. The fountains are an attraction to attendees regardless of where they stay, but the property has beauty from the inside as well.

“The Bellagio features exceptional private dining options with prime views of the fountains, and there’s nothing quite like watching them dance during a beautiful dinner,” says Pilcher.

“It adds a touch of magic and just enough ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ energy to make guests feel like they’re part of something special.”

The Bellagio has 3,933 guestrooms with 510 suites and features five outdoor pools and more than 200,000 sf of meeting and convention facilities. An approximately $150 million transformation was announced as completed last year on the Spa Tower. It included suite improvements across various room types, including the 850-sf Salone Suites, 1,500-sf penthouses, 2,500-sf executive hospitality suites and the one- and two-bedroom Bellagio suites.

Bihet describes that the Bellagio is the quintessential Las Vegas experience. She says the property is “iconic, polished and perfect for VIP-heavy programs. It delivers that classic Las Vegas prestige and a refined setting for high-level dinners or awards moments.”

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas offers an authentic gondola ride indoors, as well as extensive shopping, restaurants and more.

Aria Resort & Casino is “modern, sleek, and extremely efficient for corporate programs,” adds Bihet. The resort has 500,000 sf of event space, including unique venues like Cypress Executive Lounge, South Primrose Verandas, Easy’s Cocktail Lounge, as well as 10 onsite restaurants and multiple nightlife settings.

Meanwhile, a $300 million renovation of MGM Grand Hotel & Casino’s main tower room and suites promises to add to the impressive offerings at a world-famous venue. More than 4,200 rooms and suites are being upgraded, including 110 new suites offering spacious, luxurious accommodations ideal for C-Suite executives.

The 850,000-sf MGM Grand Conference Center continues to impress, featuring pre-function spaces enhanced with natural light and an outdoor Marquee Courtyard.

MGM Grand is “reliable for big multi-track conferences, strong operations and is easy to execute high-volume programs smoothly,” says Bihet.

Park MGM and the accompanying NoMad strike a different and welcomed tone for smaller groups (there is 77,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event space), adds Bihet. A smoke-free property, there is a greater emphasis on wellness, including providing a break from the whirlwind on the strip. “It’s ideal for executive offsites or incentives that want Vegas without the overload,” Bihet notes.

In terms of fame, few properties compete with Caesars Palace. There are more than 30 restaurants and venues onsite and 300,000 sf of event space. Two pillarless ballrooms are the centerpiece of the conference center that can hold 5,555 attendees and be broken into 25 distinct configurations.

Wills says Caesars surpasses its impressive reputation when raving about the service at Caesars Palace for CDX. “It was a true collaboration to design an event that met our needs while showcasing the property,” she says. “The Caesars team helped us integrate wellness activations into our programming, which was not something attendees expected in Las Vegas, and they turned out to be a welcome surprise.”

High-end brands will be impressed, too, adds Bihet. “It’s great for global leadership, awards programs and client-entertaining where brand prestige matters,” she says.

Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and Horseshoe Las Vegas, also Caesars properties, are practical choices for larger groups due to their strong connectivity and ability to host breakout meetings, says Bihet. Both have 150,000 sf of meeting space. Replicas of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe remain striking visuals, and help the Paris elevate its reception experience.

Bihet is also a big fan of the cluster of Harrahs Las Vegas, The LINQ Hotel & Casino and The Flamingo Hotel & Casino. “The advantage is the tight multi-property setup: easy lodging spread and one central program hub.”

Meanwhile, Sarin Bachmann, senior vice president of RX Jewelry Portfolio, has found phenomenal success for the JCK, the world’s largest jewelry industry trade event, at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. In 2024, JCK welcomed more than 17,300 attendees and 1,900 exhibitors from around the world, with guests arriving from 130 countries, the event’s website reports.

“Their team and facilities are incredible partners who help us deliver a seamless and elevated experience for tens of thousands industry professionals each year,” says Bachmann.

As a 25th anniversary present, The Venetian received a $1.5 billion facelift, covering all 4,000 suites. Of note, $188 million has been earmarked to improve the 2.25 million sf convention center that’s among the largest venues in the destination. Improved catering and updated technology are part of the package.

Resorts World Las Vegas, with 250,000 sf to accommodate social and corporate groups, stands out for its ability to host business conferences, as well as UFC fights and rodeo events onsite. Resorts World features 50 multi-functional, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, six ballrooms and an expansive rooftop with dramatic Strip views. Bihet says Resorts World is “great for modern formats and groups wanting something different from the legacy Strip icons.”

Adding to the appeal of Resorts World is a stop on The Vegas Loop, a route for attendees to reach other properties and attractions via an electric vehicle.

SAHARA Las Vegas is another popular resort for corporate groups. It recently hosted the Business of Her: Women’s Conference 2025 and has more than 80,000 sf of flexible meeting and event space.

AREA 15, an immersive entertainment destination, has many unique spaces, including a decommissioned Boeing 747.

Dining Around

Wills agrees the dining scene makes for a buffet of tasty options for group dinners, receptions or client meals. Some of her favorites include Crossroads at Resorts World, Giada at The Cromwell and L’Atelier De Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

Spiegelworld’s venues specialize in melding F&B with entertainment. Some of the company’s most popular sites are:

DISCOSHOW and Diner Ross Steakhouse, serving up a healthy amount of disco-era glam, hosts 500 attendees.

At The Venetian, Atomic Saloon Show’s saloon has an Old West motif, ideal for hundreds of guests and flexible enough for intimate gatherings in its private rooms: Boozy’s Corner and Cow Hide.

Located on the Roman Plaza outside Caesars Palace, Absinthe is one of the city’s most famous show-stoppers. It seats 585 guests and hosts receptions for up to 470. For a more whimsical approach, planners can turn to the Green Fairy Garden, home to Pier 17 Yacht Club and No Pants.

Superfrico combines eclectic art, roaming performances and heirloom dishes at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. “The Blue Room at Superfrico was fun, spicy and full of energy,” says Stephanie Nunn, senior B2B sponsorship manager at Rocket Mortgage. “My guests were laughing nonstop, completely immersed in THE PARTY, and the food was so good. Every detail was handled flawlessly and my clients were beyond impressed.”

For the planner who doesn’t want to choose just one restaurant, Lip Smacking Food Tours handles all of the logistics for convention groups up to 500. Experiences are available to cover different sections of Las Vegas, including The Strip, Arts District and historic Fremont Street.

Unique Venues

The Neon Museum and The Mob Museum are distinct ways to experience Las Vegas, Wills notes.

A fun outing is a trip to Swingers for “crazy” miniature golf. Stadium Swim at the Circa Resort & Casino allows attendees to cool off on a hot day and is another one of “only in Vegas” reception venues.

More traditional sporting venues to have a grand time as a group are Allegiant Stadium, which frequently hosts corporate groups for on-field receptions or gatherings in the suites, and T-Mobile Arena, operated by MGM and where the Las Vegas Golden Knights NHL team plays. Both also host concerts and special events. Allegiant, for instance, hosts WrestleMania in 2026. The Oakland Athletics plan to move permanently to Las Vegas in 2028 and will play at a brand-new Major League Baseball stadium.

Area 15 is an immersive entertainment campus set on 35 acres. Entertainment options include a VR flight simulator, AR-enhanced dodgeball, axe-throwing and bar and arcade. Business groups can also enjoy interactive performances and innovative F&B offerings, the venue’s website says. Event spaces seat up to 2,500 attendees and go as intimate as 20 for a VIP or board meeting.

Sphere is the proverbial whole ball of wax. Not only does it provide remarkable branding opportunities on the outside, but is also home to unique experiences like “The Wizard of Oz” special presentation and premier concerts, including Kenny Chesney, No Doubt and The Eagles. “There’s nothing like this in the world; it should be experienced,” Cavanaugh says.

The Power of Meetings

The thriving events scene in Las Vegas is a testament to the power of meetings for any destination. Decreased international visitation, particularly from Canada, has put a dent in the city’s leisure market. However, the meetings business continues to grow.

Event planners like Pilcher say there is no way to replicate the vast array of options. The F1 Experience and Sphere are examples of two recent additions in an ecosystem that already includes many concerts, shows and entertainment options.

“Las Vegas is always reinventing itself and can cater to any and all tastes,” notes Cavanagh.

As attendees continue to evaluate events based on their experiences more than the traditional meetings, Las Vegas and its neon lights will continue to shine brightly.

“Bachmann believes the allure of Las Vegas plays a role in attendees walking away achieving professional and recreational goals from the late springtime event. “Las Vegas has no shortage of memorable experiences from vibrant nightlife including concerts, shows and the breathtaking Sphere to cultural attractions, all in one place,” Bachmann says.  C&IT