Las Vegas beckons planners with live entertainment, celebrity dining experiences, first-class guestrooms and boundless event space.

Las Vegas has long been known as an entertainment capital, but over the past two decades it has firmly established itself as one of the premier destinations in the world for association meetings and conventions. Far beyond the neon lights and casino floors, the city offers an unmatched combination of accessibility, infrastructure and professional services that make it uniquely suited for both small- and large-scale gatherings.

For more than two decades, Las Vegas has served as a central meeting point for the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), and today it remains the home of the organization’s flagship event — the Las Vegas Assembly. The annual gathering brings together thousands of professionals from around the world to exchange insights, build connections and stay ahead of emerging risks in the global fight against financial crime.

Shontae White, CMP, senior manager, global event operations at ACAMS, says the event has grown into one of the most important conferences in the anti-financial crime space. “ACAMS hosts its flagship Las Vegas Assembly, which brings together approximately 2,500 members of the global Anti-Financial Crime community for three days of bold conversations, practical insights and powerful professional connections,” White explains. “The event features thought leadership, education and networking opportunities designed to address the most pressing issues facing the industry.”

While the scope and scale of the event have evolved, Las Vegas has remained a consistent and strategic choice for the association. “ACAMS first chose Las Vegas as a host destination more than 20 years ago, recognizing its accessibility, infrastructure and ability to support a large-scale international conference,” White says.

“Over the years, the assembly has been hosted at several venues, both in Las Vegas and abroad, including destinations such as Paris and Mandalay Bay,” White notes. As attendance increased and the program became more complex, ACAMS sought a long-term home that could grow with the event.

That search led the organization to Aria Resort & Casino. “For the past 15 years, Aria has consistently provided the space, amenities and partnership needed to support the continued growth and success of the Las Vegas Assembly,” says White.

The partnership has allowed ACAMS to create a reliable and recognizable experience for its members, while also benefiting from the operational efficiency that comes with returning to the same destination year after year. White says the organization has no plans to move anytime soon. “We look forward to remaining in Las Vegas for the coming years and will see what new and exciting things we can discover,” he says.

Beyond transportation, Las Vegas offers a depth of resources that few destinations can match. “The destination provides a wide range of meeting venues, accommodations and world-class infrastructure, making it easy to host an event of this scale,” he explains. For an event with 2,500 attendees, dozens of sessions, and extensive networking requirements, that level of logistical support is essential.

“In addition, Las Vegas offers diverse entertainment, dining and cultural experiences that enhance the overall attendee experience,” he says. “That creates strong engagement both during and beyond the meeting itself.”

According to White, the city’s versatility is one of its greatest strengths. “In reality, Las Vegas is a destination that truly offers something for everyone, regardless of the size, mission or cause of the association,” he explains. “There are properties that can accommodate virtually any type of event, with options both with and without casinos, along with flexible meeting spaces and a wide variety of entertainment and dining experiences.”

This flexibility allows planners to tailor events to the culture and values of their organizations, rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all model. “This versatility allows planners to create a customized event that aligns with their audience while taking advantage of the city’s exceptional infrastructure and accessibility,” he adds.

Caesars Palace offers a myriad of amenties, as well as a two-story conference center featuring two 51,000 sf pillarless ballrooms.

All-In-One Solution

In June 2026, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) will bring thousands of dental professionals to Las Vegas for its annual flagship event, AGD2026, hosted at Caesars Palace. The meeting, known as AGD’s Scientific Session, is designed to deliver a comprehensive week of education, networking and professional development for general dentists and the entire dental care team.

Angela Jonker, CMP, CEM, CMM, MBA, director of meetings and exhibits at AGD, says the event plays a critical role in supporting practitioners at every stage of their careers. “AGD2026 is AGD’s annual Scientific Session, bringing together general dentists and the full dental team for a high-impact week of education, connection and professional growth,” Jonker explains.

For AGD, Las Vegas, and specifically Caesars Palace, offers a venue that aligns well with the scale and complexity of the Scientific Session. Jonker points to one major advantage that continues to attract associations to the destination — it is the integrated resort experience. “The biggest benefit of considering Las Vegas, especially properties on the Strip, is the ability to host a truly all-in-one meeting experience. Associations can secure a venue that combines meeting space, guestrooms, dining and entertainment all within the same footprint, creating a convenient ‘one-stop shop’ for attendees and simplifying logistics for planners,” Jonker explains.

From an organizational perspective, Jonker says that Las Vegas offers infrastructure that supports large and complex events, including a wide range of hotel and space options, and a destination that consistently drives attendance because it’s easy to navigate and built for groups.

“For attendees, it delivers the best of both worlds: a place to focus on education and networking during the day, while also offering endless options for restaurants, shows and relaxation just steps away after sessions end,” Jonker adds.

She also notes that Las Vegas’ diversity of experiences makes it appealing to a wide range of personalities and interests. “Las Vegas truly has something for everyone, whether you’re a foodie, a show enthusiast or someone who just wants a comfortable space to recharge between events,” she says.

It’s also important to keep in mind the sheer size of many Strip properties. While the scale allows for impressive amenities and convenience, it can also create challenges for attendees. “While the footprint offers incredible convenience, it can also mean longer walking distances between guestrooms, meeting space and event venues,” says Jonker.

After years of managing large-scale meetings, Jonker offers one piece of practical, personal advice. “On a personal note, one of my biggest tips is to take a few minutes each day to step outside,” she says. “Meeting weeks are nonstop, but a little fresh air goes a long way in staying energized and present throughout the event.”

Another popular venue is the 550,000 sf LEED Gold-Certified Caesars Forum. It not only has the world’s two largest pillarless ballrooms, but also has an expansive outside area for events called Forum Plaza, with a total of 100,000 sf.

Caesars Entertainment also operates multiple additional properties on the Strip, including Paris Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas, The LINQ, Horseshoe Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood. Together, they offer hundreds of thousands of square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space, supported by thousands of guestrooms within walking distance. This campus-style layout allows planners to consolidate housing, sessions, dining and networking, reducing transportation needs and simplifying logistics for both organizers and attendees.

Beyond its scale, the portfolio enhances the overall program with diverse onsite dining, entertainment and wellness options that extend networking beyond scheduled sessions. Backed by experienced event services teams, Caesars properties help associations deliver meetings that are efficient, engaging and designed to maximize event ROI.

The Venetian and The Palazzo are just two of the luxurious resorts on The Strip.

Additional Venues That Inspire & Delight

Wynn Las Vegas and its sister property Encore together offer roughly 560,000 sf of flexible event space, making them capable of hosting everything from small board meetings to large conventions and general sessions. This includes multiple pillared and pillar-less ballrooms that can be configured for plenaries, banquets and large presentations, along with many breakpoint meeting rooms and outdoor venues.

The property delivers a diverse portfolio of event settings — from traditional high-end ballrooms and salons to outdoor pavilions, lawns and terraces with striking views of the golf course and gardens. This lets associations theme their events for business, networking or social gatherings seamlessly.

Last year, Wynn Las Vegas unveiled a comprehensive redesign of its Fairway Villas centered on openness, light and tranquility. Nestled along Wynn Golf Club, the refreshed one and two bedroom villas feature sculptural detailing, expansive marble bathrooms and seamless indoor-outdoor living — with select villas offering private pools and in-villa fitness spaces. The Fairway Villas are ideal respites for association board meetings or executive retreats.

MGM Resorts offers one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of meeting space in the world, combined with an integrated resort model designed specifically for large groups. Across MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Aria, Park MGM, The Cosmopolitan and Vdara, Luxor, Excalibur and New York-New York, MGM provides millions of square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space, allowing associations to scale events from a few hundred to tens of thousands of attendees — all bookable under a single contract and supported by one experienced team — enabling highly tailored events with exceptional operational efficiency.

World-class dining, award-winning spas, headline entertainment and immersive attractions further create an end-to-end experience for corporate and incentive meetings while delivering strong ROI for planners and attendees.

MGM Grand recently unveiled an entirely new collection of nearly 4,000 rooms and suites in its main tower, blending sleek contemporary design with exceptional comfort. The $300 million transformation features sophisticated interiors inspired by the glamour and energy of the disco era.

The Venetian Las Vegas is another premier destination for association meetings and events because it combines large-scale convention infrastructure with a true luxury resort experience. Home to the Venetian Convention & Expo Center, one of the largest privately owned convention facilities in the world, the resort offers millions of square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space, making it ideal for associations, trade shows and corporate events of virtually any size. Planners benefit from the ability to host general sessions, breakout meetings, exhibitions and social events all within a single, integrated campus, reducing transportation needs and simplifying logistics for both organizers and attendees.

The Venetian is in the midst of a significant renovation of its convention and meeting facilities, part of a larger $1.5 billion resort-wide reinvestment project designed to modernize guest experiences across the property. The overhaul of the Venetian Convention and Expo Center is being completed in stages through 2026, transforming one of the world’s largest meeting venues with a refreshed aesthetic, enhanced amenities and cutting-edge technology.

Resorts World Las Vegas has quickly become one of the most compelling destinations in Las Vegas for association meetings, conventions and events, thanks to its vast, flexible event space and modern amenities designed for both large-scale gatherings and more intimate sessions. The resort offers over 50 rooms with nearly 250,000 sf of flexible meeting and banquet space, including six ballrooms and an expansive rooftop with Strip views, which is ideal for conventions, exhibitions and receptions. The 4,850-capacity concert theatre can also be used for keynote sessions and large-audience presentations. It has hosted countless A-list entertainers through the years. Attendees will find a wealth of dining and entertainment options, as well as 117,000 sf of gaming. The Vegas Loop has a station there, which provides transport to the nearby convention center, but they are in the process of creating their own convention center, which is slated to have more than 255,000 sf of event space.

Treasure Island Hotel & Casino offers associations a compelling blend of flexible meeting space, convenient layout and prime Las Vegas Strip location, making it an attractive choice for a wide variety of meetings, conferences and group gatherings. There is plenty for attendees to enjoy on property, including the Cirque du Soleil production Mystere — with its acrobatics, dance and Taiko drumming; Gilley’s Saloon — with bikini-wearing dancing cowgirls and bull riding; the Golden Circle Sports Bar and the Cove Bar and Arcade.

The property features a wealth of event and meeting space, including its main Treasure Island Ballroom and additional breakout rooms, which together can accommodate group sizes ranging from small board meetings to larger events of more than 1,000 attendees. They are the only casino on the Strip in which meeting and event space is dedicated to one floor that is easily accessible from any guestroom elevator without needing to go through the casino.

For those wanting a more intimate experience while on The Strip, Sahara Las Vegas delivers. It caters to mid-sized groups and offers approximately 85,000 sf of meeting and event space, including a 9,000 sf ballroom and 19 meeting rooms, as well as more than 1600 guestrooms. The Sahara Theater accommodates up to 1,200. Attendees will enjoy the restaurants, live entertainment and three pools, as well as the 60,000-sf casino. The resort also offers state-of-the-art technology and customized catering options.

No matter the size of your next event, Las Vegas is sure to have something that fits. With a plethora of entertainment options, fine dining and upscale venues, this destination is unparalleled and continues to be a top draw for planners. | AC&F |