The luxurious Caesars Palace offers a plethora of amenties, as well as a two-story conference center featuring two 51,000 sf pillarless ballrooms. Photo courtesy of Caesars Entertainment

The adage “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” may ring true for some, but for corporate meeting and event planners who have had exceptional experiences hosting events in Las Vegas, they want to share their insights with others.

Take Buffy Harakidas, executive vice president of events and partnerships at Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA), for example. JSA is the preeminent provider of event planning services to the tech and telecom industries.

Even after nearly two decades of planning events globally across the digital infrastructure industry, Harakidas still believes that there is no destination in the world quite like Las Vegas.

“It isn’t just a glamorous backdrop; it’s a strategic destination in delivering experiences that captivate, connect and convert,” Harakidas says. “With its rare blend of world-class infrastructure, entertainment and energy, the city offers an unparalleled platform for curating events that are designed to leave lasting brand impressions.”

For one, Las Vegas is purpose-built for conferences and unforgettable experiences. From bustling casinos with iconic nightlife destinations and rooftop venues overlooking the Strip to private poolside cabanas transformed into executive-level networking suites, Las Vegas offers a unique blend of business and leisure that elevates event engagement across the board.

“It’s where meaningful conference content meets high-impact culture, and where brands can truly come to life,” Harakidas says. “The options to differentiate and enhance the attendee journey are endless.”

As Harakidas points out, off the Strip, there’s championship golf, luxury wellness retreats and curated desert excursions against the stunning Red Rock Canyon. Within the infamous Strip, immersive entertainment and sport options like Sphere, Cirque du Soleil, the Las Vegas Raiders and Formula 1 transform downtime into brand-aligned, high-impact moments for meeting and event attendees.

“And when you want to further amplify a brand experience to increase awareness and recognition, Las Vegas delivers, from A-list performers like Bruno Mars and entertaining shows to Las Vegas-inspired touches like an Elvis impersonator,” Harakidas says.

On the operations and logistics side, few cities can match Las Vegas’ capabilities. With cutting-edge convention centers and meeting facilities, five-star accommodations and globally renowned culinary offerings, it’s equipped to host events of any scale with precision and prestige.

“Add to that an expert hospitality workforce and an international airport just minutes from the action, and you have a destination that effortlessly supports seamless execution for a global audience at scale,” Harakidas says. “There’s a reason people (and event producers like me) get excited when they see “Las Vegas” as a potential destination. It’s not just about its legacy as a spectacle; it’s all about the experience. Las Vegas provides the opportunity to deliver more impact, drive deeper connections and create momentum that attendees will talk about long after the lights dim.”

Las Vegas has been the backdrop for a wide range of events Harakidas has planned – everything from dynamic conference multi-media activations with live-streamed executive interviews and curated thought leadership panels to more intimate poolside events and private culinary experiences designed to strengthen brand partnerships.

One standout recent event was an impactful rebrand launch for a global energy company, strategically timed alongside a major digital infrastructure conference to engage key target personas.

“We hosted it at Hakkasan, one of the world’s most iconic nightlife venues, transforming the space to immerse attendees in the new brand through bold visuals, innovative messaging and unexpected Las Vegas-style entertainment, including a live DJ, an Elvis impersonator,” Harakidas says. “In addition, we used Las Vegas for gifting ideas, including casino gift cards, to further enhance their experience while in Las Vegas. My team also incorporated a branded poker chip raffle, with a grand prize fully-expense paid trip to the company’s private golf resort. The energy was unmatched, and the event far exceeded our registration goals, making it a true example of how strategic creativity and the vibrancy of Las Vegas can drive lasting brand moments and results.”

For Dina Morales, founder of Charitone, event producer and advocate for purpose-driven events, one of the biggest reasons meeting planners should consider Las Vegas for corporate and incentive events is the foundational meeting infrastructure. As she explains, the city is built for meetings and conventions with some of the largest meeting spaces in the country and hospitality teams seasoned in handling complex programs.

“It is also a city attendees want to travel to, so registration and participation rates often skyrocket,” Morales says. “And with nonstop flights from most major cities, getting attendees in and out is seamless. Of course, you can cap an evening with event-specific shows or take advantage of the fact that some of the best talent in the world have residencies there. You are never faced with typical happy hours in hotel conference rooms. Everything in the city is next level, from luxury resorts to outdoor desert adventures, making it easy to design a program that appeals to many different tastes.”

Morales stresses that Las Vegas is a strong option for events because of its infrastructure, convenience and flexibility. The city features top-tier venues, experienced vendors, endless entertainment options and easy access for domestic and international guests. It also offers a wide range of price points and experiences, making it easy to tailor events to different audiences and goals.

Over the years, Morales and her team have produced everything from social events, corporate programs, fundraising galas, live music events, trade shows, meetings and conferences in Las Vegas.

One standout example was a trade show for a corporate client at the convention center that seamlessly transitioned into an evening pool party with incredible views of the Strip.
“The program included activations and branded experiences that gave attendees touchpoints beyond business, bringing networking, entertainment and lifestyle together in one event,” Morales says. “The success came from creating variety, with attendees experiencing completely different environments over the course of a single program, which is exactly what Las Vegas makes possible. To date, this is still one of the most favored experiences this company has held, and the client feedback was off the charts positive.”

“One of the biggest reasons to plan an event in Las Vegas is that there is something for everyone,” says Samantha Jenkins, owner of Samantha Jenkins Events, boasting over 10 years of experience planning and executing successful events. “There are shows of all varieties, there are pieces of history a short helicopter ride away. There are food options for all religions, preferences and allergies. It’s easy to accommodate everyone.”

Jenkins has helped orchestrate everything from economic development events to corporate events of all types in Las Vegas. As such, she recommends planners make sure they understand the union rules for labor and the venue’s catering pricing.

“Even though it’s a wonderful place to be, it is a little more expensive, and so you need to be sure you are taking that into account when you set your sales and attendee revenue goals,” Jenkins says.

Resorts World Las Vegas continues to wow attendees. Photo courtesy of Resorts World

High-End Venues

When organizing corporate meeting and incentive events in Las Vegas, you’d be hard-pressed not to consider properties owned and operated by MGM Resorts or Caesars Entertainment. Both companies offer an array of properties from which to choose.

The 550,000-sf Caesars Forum conference center is often identified as the epitome of gathering spaces in Las Vegas. The massive venue features flexible meeting space and the world’s two largest pillarless ballrooms.

Another iconic venue is Caesars Palace, which features nearly 4,000 guestrooms and suites, as well as the renovated Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace and Colosseum Tower. Caesars Entertainment celebrates several additional properties in Las Vegas, including Harrah’s Las Vegas, The Cromwell, The LINQ Hotel + Experience and Horseshoe Las Vegas. Additionally, they have properties like Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Paris Las Vegas – adding unique options to Las Vegas’ meetings and events landscape. All of the Caesars’ properties meet the needs of small groups, as well as groups with more than 10,000 attendees.

MGM Resorts has also made a name for itself among corporate meeting planners looking for venues that can play host to thousands of attendees for conferences and conventions. While MGM’s robust convention spaces at Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand are a favorite among many corporate meeting planners, other planners are celebrating the elevated event and meeting experiences offered by MGM’s other favorite venues, including the Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara and Park MGM.

This December, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino’s $300 million remodel is expected to be completed and will include upgrades to the guestrooms and suites gracing its main tower, in addition to rejuvenated dining and entertainment options.

Boasting 50 flexible, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, as well as six ballrooms and an awe-inspiring rooftop gathering space that offers amazing views of the Strip, Resorts World Las Vegas has made a name for itself among corporate meeting and event planners looking to entice attendees. The tech-infused meeting spaces are also ideal for companies looking to “wow” attendees, especially thanks in part to Resorts World’s expansive 100,000-sf LED canvas, as well as the integrated LED wall signage found throughout many of the resort’s meeting rooms.

Many corporate meeting planners repeatedly secure the meeting facilities at Wynn Las Vegas, returning each year to enjoy all that Wynn Las Vegas has to offer. From annual conferences to board meetings to full-scale conventions, the property boasts more than 560,000 sf of event venues, including outdoor spaces where attendees can enjoy views of the Las Vegas environs, as well as the beautiful waterfall gracing Wynn Golf Club’s 18th fairway. Two expansive spas, pools, shopping, gaming and entertainment options abound at Wynn Las Vegas – keeping attendees entertained long after business has concluded.

SAHARA Las Vegas boasts 85,000 sf of meeting and event space, which is ideal for more intimate meetings and events. It was not long ago when the property celebrated a $200 million renovation, with a new brand campaign called “A Little MORE Everything,” which included new eateries and a pool with a capacity for about 1,800 attendees.

Las Vegas continues to bring more of everything for planners looking to create memorable events. From live entertainment and celebrity chefs to luxury accommodations, Las Vegas continues to shine as a top destination. C&IT