Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas has long dominated the meetings industry, but maintaining that position requires constant reinvestment in the infrastructure, experiences and value planners expect.

Las Vegas earned the top spot in U.S. News & World Report‘s inaugural 2026-2027 Best Conference Cities ranking, reinforcing its reputation as the nation’s premier destination for business events. “We’re grateful to U.S. News & World Report for this meaningful recognition,” says Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “This distinction underscores what sets Las Vegas apart — best-in-class meeting and event infrastructure combined with the iconic Las Vegas experience that inspires attendees and elevates events.”

Next year, Las Vegas will host Meeting Professionals International’s World Education Congress (WEC), one of the industry’s flagship annual events. Scheduled for June 28-30 at The Venetian Resort, the conference will once again demonstrate why Las Vegas has become much more than a meeting destination. The city itself has become part of the attendee experience.

That philosophy was on full display when the invitation-only Event Leaders Exchange (ELX) gathered senior corporate event executives at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas for its Annual Congress.

“We were based at The Venetian, and its upgraded meeting space is unbelievable,” says ELX CEO Nicola Kastner, who is based in Toronto, Canada. “Las Vegas has resorts and attractions that absolutely wow groups.”

Kastner also praises the destination’s partnership approach, calling the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority “such a great partner.”

From the outset, ELX focused on creating meaningful connections. The congress opened with a reception for first-time attendees, a longstanding tradition designed to ensure newcomers immediately felt part of the community. “We never want anyone to walk into a room without knowing anyone,” Kastner says. “We send a letter to first-timers in advance letting them know they won’t be walking into a cliquey group.”

The program also showcased Las Vegas’ ability to deliver unforgettable off-site experiences. A gala at Allegiant Stadium began in their exclusive Wynn Field Club before attendees moved into a dramatic foyer for a dinner built around an evolving visual theme. The evening opened in black and white, with each course introducing more color until attendees arrived at a vibrant technicolor dessert reception.

The congress concluded at AREA15, where attendees dined aboard the property’s decommissioned Boeing 747 before exploring the immersive entertainment district.

Questex’s Be+Well conference demonstrated that this philosophy extends well beyond executive events. Held during the summer at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the event brought together professionals from the hair, skin and spa industries, intentionally using the city itself as an extension of the conference.

“Las Vegas wasn’t just the location, it became an integral part of the attendee experience,” says Elizabeth Fantetti Trevorrow, partnership and event director for Questex’s Wellness Group in Trumbull, CT. “We embraced the city’s energy by extending networking beyond the show floor through evening events at OMNIA Nightclub at Caesars Palace and Azilo Ultra Pool at Sahara Las Vegas.”

She says those experiences, combined with the destination’s hospitality, created an environment where attendees could learn, connect and build lasting business relationships.

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

Built for Business and Beyond

Southern Nevada offers nearly 15 million sf of meeting and convention space, including three of the nation’s 10 largest convention centers: the Las Vegas Convention Center, Mandalay Bay Convention Center and The Venetian Convention & Expo Center. It is also home to Caesars Forum, which has the world’s largest pillar-less ballroom, and offers 550,000 sf of flexible meeting and event space. It also boasts the 100,000 sf outdoor Forum Plaza.

Kristine Forret, event destination strategist – meetings and events at ITA Group in West Des Moines, IA, says Las Vegas remains one of the industry’s most dependable destinations because it combines scale with the ability to deliver memorable attendee experiences.

She says the city’s extensive supplier network, hotel inventory, production capabilities and entertainment options give planners confidence that complex events can be executed successfully.

“From a planner’s perspective, that translates into efficiency, flexibility and confidence that the destination can execute at a high level,” she says.

Kristina Wheeless, national sales manager for Your Event Solutions, an ALTOUR company in Holly Springs, NC, says that versatility allows planners to accommodate everything from executive retreats to citywide conventions.

Wheeless says. “The city offers an unmatched combination of hotel inventory, meeting space, airlift, entertainment and dining”

For Wheeless, however, Las Vegas’ appeal increasingly extends beyond the Strip. Earlier in her career, she primarily viewed the destination through the lens of gaming and entertainment. That changed after she took a helicopter tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.

“In just a short flight, we went from the energy and lights of the city to one of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the country,” she says. “That experience reminded me that Las Vegas isn’t just the Strip. It’s also a gateway to incredible outdoor experiences that can be incorporated into a meeting or incentive program.”

That broader range of experiences, she says, has changed how she evaluates the destination. “It’s a destination that can offer attendees a wide range of memorable experiences,” she says.

Complementing that infrastructure are more than 150,000 hotel rooms and extensive nonstop air service through Harry Reid International Airport, making Las Vegas one of the country’s easiest meeting destinations to reach. Event organizers also report that meetings held in Las Vegas generate, on average, a 10% increase in attendance compared with other destinations.

Shannon Bream, event operations manager at GoGather, in San Luis Obispo, CA, says the destination remains a significant attendance driver.

“It’s definitely a strong draw for a lot of groups,” she says. “Attendees love Las Vegas because there’s something for everyone — casinos, golf, comedy shows, five-star restaurants, musical performances, sports — the list goes on.”

Wheeless says she could not assign a specific percentage to the attendance lift, but Las Vegas often creates excitement during the registration process.

“It’s an easy city to access from most major U.S. markets, and many attendees are willing to extend their stay for leisure,” she says. “That can positively influence attendance depending on the audience, event type and meeting objectives.”

Bream adds that engagement often increases when planners intentionally incorporate the destination into the agenda. “Think scavenger hunts on the Strip or off-site experiences where attendees are out exploring what makes the city special,” she says.

For Trevorrow, accessibility is a major competitive advantage. “Las Vegas is a highly desirable destination that can positively influence attendance,” she says. “Its accessibility, extensive flight options and wide range of hotel accommodations make it easier for professionals to attend from across North America and internationally.”

She adds that while educational content and exhibitors remain the primary drivers of attendance, “Las Vegas is certainly an attractive factor for many attendees.”

Forret agrees that accessibility remains one of Las Vegas’ biggest competitive advantages.

“Las Vegas has enough talent and labor to support larger, more complex events while other locations may not,” she says. “Beyond gaming and entertainment, it’s evolved into a destination that offers world-class dining, wellness experiences, professional sports, immersive technology and sophisticated meeting environments that appeal to a broad range of attendees.”

Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas

The city’s infrastructure also allows planners to focus less on logistics and more on creating memorable experiences.

Wheeless says entertainment may attract attention, but operational capability is often what makes a program successful. “Las Vegas contributes in two important ways,” she says. “First, it creates excitement through its entertainment, dining and unique experiences. Second, and perhaps more importantly from a planner’s perspective, it has the infrastructure to support meetings at almost any scale.”

Bream says Las Vegas remains one of the first destinations her team considers for corporate meetings because it consistently delivers on both logistics and attendee experience.

“Las Vegas is always a top contender and a fabulous host for corporate events,” Bream says. “Direct flights, top-tier hotels, endless entertainment and weather you can count on … it always delivers a quality event experience.”

She says the destination’s experienced hospitality workforce also simplifies planning. “The teams we work with at the venues and hotels are typically long tenured and highly experienced. That experience keeps the planning process and logistics running smoothly.”

“Las Vegas is one of the world’s premier convention destinations and offers everything needed to support an event like Be+Well,” Trevorrow says. “The Las Vegas Convention Center provides state-of-the-art facilities, expansive meeting space and the technology required for a large-scale educational conference and exhibition.”

She also points to the city’s broad range of hotels, transportation options and experienced hospitality workforce as factors that help create a seamless experience for both attendees and exhibitors.

Bream says Las Vegas itself often becomes part of the program. “Las Vegas becomes its own character in your event,” she says. “Whether that’s a showgirl walking through a trade show or a magician or mentalist giving a keynote, the city is full of performers and talent who add a unique, memorable moment.”

Las Vegas Expands the Off-Site Playbook

New venues and attractions are also changing what planners can build into their programs.

Wheeless says Sphere has expanded the possibilities beyond the traditional reception or gala. “The immersive technology and entertainment experiences create memorable moments that attendees simply can’t replicate elsewhere,” she says. “Las Vegas doesn’t just provide meeting space anymore. It provides experiences.”

“One of the greatest advantages of hosting an event in Las Vegas is that the destination naturally enhances the attendee experience,” Trevorrow says. “With world-class restaurants, entertainment and nightlife, attendees have countless opportunities to continue conversations, strengthen relationships and network long after the exhibit hall closes.”

Rather than scheduling every hour, planners can rely on the city itself to foster connections. “It creates the perfect balance between structured education and organic networking,” Trevorrow says.

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

Delivering More Value

As planners face increasing pressure to manage budgets while enhancing the attendee experience, Las Vegas suppliers continue introducing new value-driven offerings.

Rio Hotel & Casino recently announced it is waiving resort fees for new group business checking in Sunday through Thursday. While transient guests continue to pay the property’s standard nightly resort fee, qualifying groups will avoid the charge entirely, creating meaningful savings for organizations booking large room blocks.

The initiative supports Rio’s broader repositioning in the meetings market following a $340 million renovation and its addition to Hyatt’s Destination by Hyatt collection. The resort also offers more than 220,000 sf of meeting and convention space. Additional incentives include a 20% audiovisual discount, double Hyatt Meeting Planner loyalty points, a 10% food and beverage discount, one suite upgrade for every 75 room nights booked, and one complimentary room for every 40 rooms actualized.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is also enhancing the attendee experience through Vegas Unlocked, a “show your badge and save” program offering discounts on restaurants, attractions, entertainment, tours and other local experiences.

Las Vegas continues to invest heavily in new meeting infrastructure.

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is adding the 10,000-sf Lusso Lounge, an executive meeting and networking space scheduled to open later this year as part of the property’s $188 million convention center transformation. Designed for both business and social interaction, the venue will include a chef’s kitchen, billiards room, collaborative gathering spaces and more.

Resorts World Las Vegas is strengthening its position as a meetings hub. It is working on expanding its convention center, which would have 370,000 sf of meeting and event space. The property already has nearly 250,000 sf of meeting and event space with direct access to the Las Vegas Convention Center via its onsite Vegas Loop station, allowing attendees to travel underground between the resort and the convention center in just minutes. Beyond its infrastructure, Resorts World continues to expand the attendee experience through initiatives such as its year-round Savor Society culinary series and a robust entertainment calendar at Resorts World Theatre, giving planners fresh options for VIP dinners, networking events and incentive programming. As the Strip’s only triple-branded Hilton resort, it also appeals to organizations seeking the familiarity of the Hilton ecosystem and loyalty benefits for attendees.

Treasure Island Las Vegas is also sharpening its appeal to corporate and incentive groups through its affiliation with Accor’s Handwritten Collection. The 2,884-room resort became Accor’s first property on the Las Vegas Strip, giving planners access to the hospitality company’s global distribution and all loyalty ecosystem while allowing Treasure Island to retain its independent identity.

For groups seeking an alternative to the destination’s largest convention resorts, Treasure Island offers approximately 18,000 sf of modern, flexible meeting space in an easily navigable Strip setting. Built-in entertainment options give planners convenient choices for receptions, informal networking and after-hours activities without moving attendees off property.

Caesars Entertainment is also entering a potentially transformative period after agreeing to be acquired by Fertitta Entertainment. The deal, which remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, would combine Caesars’ extensive resort portfolio with Fertitta’s casino, restaurant and entertainment holdings. For planners sourcing programs across multiple markets, the eventual combination could create opportunities for broader portfolio agreements and more coordinated group offerings, although integration details have not yet been announced.

At Caesars Palace, the company is pairing that corporate change with new attendee experiences as the resort celebrates its 60th anniversary. The recently opened, 46,000-sf OMNIA Dayclub & Skybar creates a day-to-night hospitality option for receptions, VIP events and incentive groups.

Looking ahead, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas continues construction on its signature 660-foot guitar-shaped hotel tower, scheduled to debut in late 2027. The completed resort will feature 3,600 guestrooms, live entertainment venues, multiple pools, two spas and dozens of restaurants and bars.

Bream says investments in attractions like Sphere have expanded what’s possible for corporate groups. “I helped organize a VIP experience at Sphere back in 2025 that my client still talks about,” she says. “We reserved two suites, arranged food and beverage and gave our conference VIPs an experience like no other.”

She adds that continual hotel renovations also influence destination decisions. “When a property feels fresh, it changes how a group feels about the whole trip. Las Vegas properties that reinvest in updates stay top of mind for me,” she says.

Nearby in Henderson, The M Resort Spa Casino completed a $206 million expansion last year that nearly doubled its guestroom inventory to 765 rooms while introducing the new 15,000-sf Montese Ballroom, complementing the resort’s existing 92,000 sf of meeting and event space.

Green Valley Ranch Resort is also progressing through a $200 million transformation set to be complete later this year that includes reimagined accommodations alongside 69,000 sf of renovated meeting and convention space. The project features refreshed ballrooms, 17 upgraded breakout rooms and the debut of The Lawn, a new outdoor venue designed for corporate events, receptions and social gatherings. The investment reflects the growing appeal of off-Strip luxury resorts for meetings seeking a more intimate setting while remaining close to Las Vegas’ major attractions.

Resorts World Las Vegas

Wynn Continues to Invest in Groups

Las Vegas’ continued evolution is also playing out at the resort level, where properties are investing in new dining, renovated accommodations and experiences designed to keep corporate and incentive groups returning.

Steve Blanner, senior vice president of hotel sales at Wynn Las Vegas, says the resort continues to see strong demand from the meetings market.

“Corporate and incentive business has been very strong this year, and shows positive momentum for future years. Groups are planning with confidence and looking for destinations that deliver seamless execution and a variety of unique amenities,” says Blanner.

He adds that Wynn is seeing continued demand across multiple market segments “There has been a strong demand from corporate meetings, incentive programs, executive retreats and high-level client events,” he says.

Blanner believes that Las Vegas remains especially attractive for incentive travel because it offers planners a wide range of experiences in one destination. “Las Vegas offers a combination of access, scale and energy that is difficult to match. For incentive travel, it gives planners the ability to create a highly rewarding experience inclusive of everything from world-class dining and entertainment to wellness and nightlife — all in one destination,” he says.

Wynn continues to keep the experience fresh for returning groups by continuing to reinvest with new openings, refreshed spaces and signature programming that enhance the guest experience, Blanner says. Recent highlights include the spring debut of Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse, along with a refresh at Tableau. A refresh of the rooms in the Encore Tower is also underway, which is slated to be complete next year. In addition, Wynn continues its unique programming, including Concours, Ultimate Race Week, Revelry by Chef’s Table and Connoisseur Series by Wynn.

MGM Resorts Bets on Personalization at Scale

Las Vegas’ largest resort operator is also seeing strong momentum in the meetings market while continuing to invest across its portfolio.

Stephanie Glanzer, CMP, chief sales officer and senior vice president for MGM Resorts International, says “Corporate and incentive demand remains very strong, and we’re seeing that momentum continue well into future years. Organizations continue to recognize the value of bringing people together face-to-face, whether it’s to strengthen company culture, reward top performers, foster collaboration or build meaningful relationships. Las Vegas remains one of the world’s top destinations for meetings and incentives because it delivers exceptional value alongside an unmatched range of experiences, making it easy for organizations to create impactful programs that attendees genuinely look forward to.”

She adds, “We’re continuing to see strong demand across a wide variety of industries. Technology companies remain a significant driver of business because Las Vegas has the size, scale and infrastructure to support everything from executive meetings to large-scale conferences. We’re also welcoming strong demand from pharmaceutical, financial and association groups, along with an increasing number of sports-related events ranging from professional organizations to youth sports tournaments. That diversity speaks to the flexibility of both the destination and MGM Resorts’ portfolio to accommodate virtually any type of group.”

Glanzer says one of Las Vegas’ greatest strengths is its ability to combine meetings with memorable experiences. “Las Vegas is uniquely positioned for incentive travel because of its versatility, offering a level of scale and flexibility that is virtually unmatched anywhere else in the world,” she says.

She also points to the destination’s continued reinvestment, saying, “One of the factors that keeps Las Vegas so exciting is that there’s always something new to experience.”

She highlighted recent additions across MGM Resorts, including Gymkhana at ARIA, Carbone Riviera at Bellagio, the upcoming Corner Store at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the $300 million transformation of MGM Grand’s main tower, and the refreshed Bellagio Spa.

For planners considering Las Vegas for the first time, Glanzer encourages them to think beyond the agenda. “My biggest piece of advice is to think beyond the meeting itself,” she says.

She adds that Las Vegas offers experiences that are difficult to replicate elsewhere, saying, “At the end of the day, Las Vegas isn’t just a place to hold a meeting, it’s a destination that creates memorable experiences. Those moments outside the meeting room are what strengthen relationships, inspire collaboration and leave attendees talking about the trip long after it’s over.”

Sahara Las Vegas Offers a Boutique Alternative

While Las Vegas is often associated with massive convention resorts, smaller properties are also investing to capture corporate and incentive business by offering a more intimate experience.

Christopher Bond, CMP, vice president of sales at Sahara Las Vegas, says corporate demand has rebounded strongly and continues to build.

“Corporate business has had a strong bounce-back for 2026, and looking ahead to 2027, there seems to be steady demand. We are seeing finance, training but really a very diverse mix of industries. Sahara Las Vegas really caters to that variety of meetings due to our intimate and professional conference space and alternative venues.”

Bond believes Las Vegas remains one of the industry’s strongest destinations for incentive travel because of the breadth of experiences available to attendees.

“Las Vegas is such a strong destination for incentive travel due to the multitude of experiences we are able to offer. From accommodations, dining, shopping and entertainment … no other destination compares.”

Sahara is also investing in new amenities designed to appeal to higher-end corporate groups.

“We are exceptionally excited about Maroon, our Caribbean Steakhouse by Chef Kwame Onwuachi, that recently opened under extreme fanfare. Along with Maroon, we are currently undergoing a complete remodel and upgrade of our Alexandria Tower … more than $65 million to provide a four to five diamond level experience for our convention customers, looking to attract the profile groups that will appreciate the privacy, service levels and upgraded accommodations and suites that will set Sahara apart from the big box properties,” says Bond.

Despite the destination’s continued evolution, he says that Las Vegas remains one of the industry’s strongest values.

“Las Vegas provides the total experience, anything really that you can imagine. Our experience of what types of programs and events we have planned and executed provides a high level of comfort knowing the conference will be a success. We also still offer an amazing ROI. Room rates continue to be very attractive along with competitive catering and AV pricing. Once all is factored in, Las Vegas is an easy choice,” he says.

For planners considering the destination for the first time, Bond offered one piece of advice: “Do some research, have questions ready and trust the sales professionals that will guide your planning to a successful experience.”

As destinations across the country compete aggressively for meetings and conventions, Las Vegas continues to distinguish itself through ongoing investment, planner-friendly incentives and an unmatched combination of infrastructure and experiences.

Rather than relying on its reputation alone, Las Vegas continues to reinvent itself through new resorts, expanded meeting infrastructure, immersive attractions and experiences that blur the line between business and leisure. For today’s planners, the destination has become more than a backdrop for meetings — it’s part of the strategy for creating memorable, high-impact events. C&IT