Photo courtesy of Resorts World, Las Vegas

When Nevada legalized gambling in the 1930s, the trajectory of Las Vegas was set, drawing celebrities, entertainers and folks with dreams or money into its dazzling orbit. Gambling may have once been the biggest draw; now, many visitors never step foot in a casino. Las Vegas today is as much about superb dining, state-of-the-art technology redefining theater and other kinds of entertainment, luxury lodging and, yes, everything necessary to make it an almost unrivaled meeting destination. Ever evolving, Las Vegas delivers something new to groups no matter how many times they’ve met there.

ON THE STRIP

D.R. Horton hosts its D.R. Horton Purchasing TradeShow every other year in Las Vegas, and attendance keeps growing. The 2026 event will draw nearly 900 to ARIA Resort & Casino in June. “We host this meeting every other year, and Las Vegas continues to be a natural fit for our program,” says Kristen Pinyerd, the company’s meeting and travel manager, in Arlington, TX. “It offers strong value, convenient and abundant airlift, world-class meeting facilities and exceptional dining and entertainment options both on and off property during leisure time.”

Equally important, she notes, “Las Vegas provides the scale to accommodate our entire group under one roof, eliminating the need for a convention center or multiple hotels. Because this is a group that genuinely enjoys spending time together, having everyone in one location is a key component of the overall experience.”

Pinyerd says the company has a long relationship with ARIA and has hosted this program at the hotel for multiple years. “It has a relatively smaller footprint by Las Vegas standards, which is a significant advantage for our attendees, eliminating long walks to meeting space. The ability to access meeting areas in the morning without having to navigate through the casino is another key benefit. With our current size of 850–900 rooms, we’re able to house the entire group within a single hotel, which is important to us. ARIA’s central location on the Strip is also ideal, placing attendees in the heart of everything Las Vegas has to offer.”

Over the years, the company has built a strong partnership with ARIA and the MGM Resorts sales team, Pinyers says, adding, “Their deep understanding of our program and our company culture allows for a seamless experience and makes execution significantly more efficient on our end.”

Pinyerd is proof that the Las Vegas emphasis on renovations matters. “The fact that ARIA is now embarking on a guestroom renovation makes the commitment to the hotel even stronger. That certainly reinforces our decision to continue returning in the coming years,” Pinyerd notes. “They’re also consistently investing in their meeting space; our ballrooms, for example, were recently updated with new chandeliers just a few weeks ago. These types of enhancements, even the small details, make a meaningful difference. Maintaining a fresh, updated environment is important to our attendees and to the overall success of the program.”

She calls the meeting space exceptionally well-equipped, with built-in AV in breakout and ancillary rooms that supports a seamless experience. “Additionally, the large ballrooms feature integrated stages, which we regularly utilize and greatly value. The overall facilities are topnotch, including well-appointed green rooms that are ideal for our speakers. In terms of connectivity, we implement our own dedicated internet network each year. Our IT team works closely with the hotel’s network team to execute this, as it’s a complex but critical component for the success of our larger meetings.”

Hotel staff is another asset. “The staff at ARIA are truly outstanding; many have been with the property since opening, which speaks to the consistency and quality of service we experience year after year. Their familiarity with our program is invaluable, and we fully intend to continue hosting this meeting here in the future,” she says.

ARIA Resort & Casino offers 500,000 sf of meeting space.

The dining and entertainment assets Las Vegas delivers are a draw whether included within the program or during built-in free time. “We always try to give attendees one or two evenings free so they can take advantage of the incredible dining and entertainment Las Vegas has to offer,” she adds. “On these evenings, attendees often take the opportunity to book concerts or show tickets, or enjoy unique off-property dining experiences. This year, I know several people are arriving early or extending their stay at their own expense so they can experience concerts at Sphere, an incredible venue. This year, we’re also especially excited to host our final night after party at Jason Aldean’s [Kitchen & Bar], a new venue with amazing views of the Strip.”

For D.R. Horton, ARIA is the right hotel in the right city. “MGM Resorts consistently delivers an exceptional experience and truly embodies a customer service–focused organization,” Pinyerd says. “Las Vegas offers an abundance of dining and entertainment options that extend well beyond the casino floor, giving our attendees a wide range of experiences to choose from. The resorts along the Strip are safe, welcoming, accessible and offer strong overall value — key factors that contribute to the success of our event.”

Flavio Martinez, Associate Vice President of HelmsBriscoe in Scottsdale, AZ, has ample experience with Las Vegas meetings. He’s now working on a large event scheduled for 2031 that will bring 2,000 attendees into the city and to MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. “For this client, having all 2,000 attendees in the same hotel is very important as the company is celebrating its 50th anniversary. However, having everyone under one roof limits options. In other parts of the country, not many hotels can house a 2,000-person group under the same roof.”

This company has never held this annual program in Las Vegas, and while Martinez says the city’s expansive dining and entertainment options were not a deciding factor in choosing Las Vegas, “it influenced the decision.” He says Sphere tops the list of “must sees” in the city.

The biggest factors, though, were hotel size and renovations. “At 5,000 rooms, MGM Grand is certainly large enough to accommodate the entire group, both from a guestroom and meeting-space standpoint,” Martinez says. “HelmsBriscoe has had a very strong, longstanding relationship with MGM Resorts. With all guestrooms undergoing a renovation that will be completed before the group arrives, all the right factors seemed to fall into place for this client.”

Stacy Weber, CMP, senior manager, events & travel for Baker Tilly, in Seattle, WA, brought a group of 1,150 to Wynn Las Vegas late last year. She says the city and the hotel work well for the company. “Las Vegas helps drive strong participation. It’s an ideal fit because it offers easy, affordable airlift from across the U.S. and internationally, making it simple for a geographically diverse audience to attend. The city’s large-scale resorts provide the guestroom counts, flexible meeting space and outdoor venues needed, along with a wide range of restaurants and entertainment options to suit different group sizes and budgets. Moreover,” she continues, “its competitive pricing and concentration of venues allow us to deliver a high-quality experience while staying cost-conscious. We’ve successfully hosted this group in Las Vegas before, and its infrastructure, service levels and privacy options consistently support a smooth, secure and engaging event.”

Weber says the city’s extensive food and entertainment options played a huge role in the decision to meet there. “Las Vegas offers an incredible variety of restaurants and entertainment to fit every taste and budget, which adds a lot of value to the overall attendee experience. Many of these options are within walking distance of the hotels, which helps reduce transportation needs and costs. The city is also very experienced with private events, making venues easy to work with and flexible in meeting group needs.”

Weber says the group incorporated dining and entertainment into the overall program. “This year, we hosted afternoon activities that the attendees could choose from. A few experiences that stood out were Lip Smacking Foodie Tours, the F1 Experience, Domsky Glass Gallery & Studio and the Las Vegas Circus Center. Each of these offered a hands-on experience that is unique and local to Las Vegas.”

As for Wynn Las Vegas, Weber says it was chosen based on a strong past relationship and confidence in the service, rooms and catering quality it consistently delivers. “It has the full scale of space we needed to accommodate our group, including a large general session, meals and numerous breakout rooms. The expansive outdoor event lawn was a major draw, especially with Sphere as a backdrop. Overall, it offered the right mix of location, functionality, amenities and value for our program.”

Most importantly, perhaps, Las Vegas is a city that understands meetings and events. “It shows at every step,” Weber says, “from easy, affordable access for national and international attendees to resorts built to handle large programs seamlessly and a CVB that truly partners with you. The scale and flexibility here make it easy to host everything in one place, whether that’s a big general session with multiple breakouts or a memorable outdoor event — and often at a better overall value than expected. On top of that, the dining and entertainment options add real value, with something for every taste and budget and many venues within walking distance, which makes life for the planner easy and reduces transportation costs. For planners and stakeholders, Las Vegas delivers not just excitement but reliability, professionalism and an experience that consistently drives strong attendance and engagement.”

Also located on the Strip, Treasure Island Las Vegas offers 18,000 sf of meeting and event space and can accommodate up to 1,200 people. Attendees don’t have to walk through the casino to get to the meeting space either. All the space is conveniently located on the second level accessible using a guestroom floor elevator. They also have in-house catering, banquets and AV teams to assist planners with all of their needs. Attendees can enjoy the casino, as well as live entertainment and fine dining, or relax in the pool or spa in between events.

BEYOND THE STRIP

Jessie Klorman, owner and lead planner with Everglow Events in Henderson, NV, works with many companies on Las Vegas meetings and events, typically assisting groups of 75 to 500 and booking 20 to 100 room blocks, depending on the specific meeting and its needs. She says Las Vegas has a way of turning events into memorable experiences — a significant factor given the increasing desire among attendees for authentic experiences that elevate meetings in meaningful ways.

“Las Vegas is such a natural fit for my clients because it offers the perfect mix of ease and excitement. Travel is simple, the accommodations are beautiful at every level, and there’s an energy that immediately elevates any event. As someone who was born and raised in Las Vegas, I have a deep appreciation for how much this city has evolved, especially in how it serves both locals and destination guests. It allows me to guide my clients in a way that feels thoughtful, intentional and very tailored to their experience. What I love most is that guests genuinely want to attend events in Las Vegas because it feels like a treat, not an obligation. That alone creates a completely different tone from the start. I’ve planned many successful events here, and it continues to be one of my favorite destinations because it allows me to create experiences that feel seamless, intentional and truly special.”

Las Vegas, she continues, provides endless opportunities to design immersive, meaningful experiences. “My clients love anything that feels elevated but still fun, such as beautifully styled cocktail hours, live music, interactive food stations and moments that are unexpected. I always encourage leaning into the experience side of things — creating an atmosphere guests can feel, not just attend. That’s where Las Vegas really shines.”

Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa and Casino, about 15 minutes from the Strip in Henderson, fits in well with the experiential component. “Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa and Casino is truly one of the most beautiful properties in Las Vegas, and it offers something really special for my clients,” Klorman says. “There is a softness and elegance to the property, from the architecture to the landscaping, that creates an immediate sense of calm and luxury. It feels elevated without being overwhelming, which is exactly what many of my clients are looking for. I have had the opportunity to work closely within the space, which allows me to guide clients with a strong understanding of how to best utilize and elevate each area. Moreover, the resort’s location off the Strip adds a level of privacy and exclusivity that makes events feel more intimate and intentional while still being incredibly accessible.”

The resort was recently renovated and Klorman says that adds to its allure for groups. “The recent renovations have added such a fresh, modern wow factor to the property. When I walk clients through the space, there’s an immediate reaction; it feels current, polished and beautifully maintained. That first impression matters so much, and this property delivers it effortlessly. Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa and Casino gives clients confidence in their decision and makes it easy for them to envision their event coming to life in a truly stunning way,” she says.

Not surprising, the staff is part of what makes the resort such an ideal meeting destination. “The resort team is such a standout,” she says, adding, “They’re collaborative, responsive and genuinely invested in creating a successful event. From a planner perspective, that level of partnership makes all the difference. It allows me to focus on design and attendee experience, knowing the operational side is in great hands. This is absolutely a property I will continue to recommend and work with; it aligns so naturally with the level of experience my clients expect.”

One of her favorite things about the resort is how beautifully it transforms. “The rooms provide a clean, elevated foundation that allows us to layer in custom design, whether that’s flooring, staging, soft textures or statement décor. The updated spaces feel refined and photograph incredibly well, which is always top of mind for my clients. From a technical standpoint, everything runs smoothly, and the staff is incredibly accommodating when bringing creative visions to life,” she says.

When all is said and done, it comes down to this, notes Klorman. “Las Vegas is such a powerful destination because it gives you the ability to create something truly memorable without sacrificing ease. And when you pair that with a property like Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa and Casino where the setting is beautiful, the spaces feel fresh and elevated and the team is exceptional, you really have everything you need to design an experience that feels effortless and unforgettable. For me, it’s always about creating events that feel as good as they look, and this is one of those places where that happens naturally,” she says.

The highly anticipated Vanderpump Hotel will offer a new luxurious spot for events right on The Strip.

EVER EVOLVING

Among the most anticipated changes this year is the transformation of The Cromwell into The Vanderpump Hotel, another partnership of Caesars Entertainment and Lisa Vanderpump. The world’s only Vanderpump Hotel will feature 188 guestrooms and bespoke design elements created for this location.

Caesars Entertainment is known for being prestigious and luxurious. They offer planners plenty of what they are looking for when creating an event. Located on the strip with unique venues, Caesars Palace is a Five Diamond property that offers 300,000 sf of meeting space, including 196,000 sf of outdoor space featured at the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, a 4,200 seat theater, a 75,000 sf nightclub space with a terrace and much more. It is not far from the Caesars Forum, which has 550,000 sf and the two world’s largest pillarless ballrooms.

Work has already begun on the transformation of The Mirage, which will open in 2027 as the guitar-shaped Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas at the completion of the $1.1 billion project. Another transformation completed in January is the combination of the JW Marriott and Rampart Casino into the Resort at Summerlin, part of a multiyear, $75 million project.

Bundling can be a way for groups to better control budget; the MGM group is helping by offering all-inclusive packages at Excalibur and Luxor that bundle accommodations, dining, entertainment and parking in one upfront package. That follows completion of a $300 million room renovation at MGM Grand.

Southwest Airlines will begin offering nonstops between Las Vegas and Hawaii starting in August, and Qantas will begin the first-ever direct flight between Las Vegas and Australia.

Resorts World Las Vegas intends to elevate its offerings for incentive and corporate groups with an expansion of its dining, entertainment and group experiences. The 3,500-room resort has more than 50 distinct restaurants and bars and a 4,850-seat theater that can host large private events, but it’s upping the ante with experiences tied to race weekend and other cultural events — experiences that can be scaled up for groups as large as 5,000. Their newly refreshed 5.5 acre pool complex is a multimillion dollar transformation offering seven pools, a 1,800 sf Athena Infinity Pool and unrivaled views of the Strip. They also offer easy access with their Vegas Loop station taking people directly to the convention center.

Bottom line: On or off the Strip, Las Vegas is a city that consistently and effortlessly delivers that elusive “wow” factor along with solid ROI. It’s a city that knows and understands the nuances of meeting planning and execution, which makes it a go-to destination for every type and size of meeting and event. And that is exactly what planners need. C&IT