Say the word “Nevada,” and it’s likely an image of the bright lights of Las Vegas comes to mind. But the Silver State’s offerings also include the rivers, lakes and mountains of the High Sierra, a vibrant cowboy culture and year-round sunshine.
With the plethora of new and expanding hotels and event facilities opening in destinations throughout the state, Nevada offers the rarest of fortunes: a winning hand to meeting planners and attendees every time.
Greater Las Vegas: Entertainment Capital of the World
In 2014, Las Vegas welcomed more than 40 million visitors, an all-time record for annual visitation. One of the fascinating aspects of the city is its constant state of reinvention. This year, renovated and re-branded properties and new meeting facilities, attractions and culinary destinations mean planners can choose anew or pick from their group’s favorites when constructing an agenda.
On the Strip, the new, silver LEED–certified Linq Hotel & Casino (formerly the Quad Resort & Casino) is home to the popular High Roller observation wheel. Each of its 28 glass cabins can host up to 40 people (and be set up with a bar), making it a unique gathering spot. Other draws include a 200,000-square-foot promenade able to host 75,000 people; the 21,000-square-foot Vortex Roof Deck, set to open this spring; and two new pools with luxury cabanas. New boutique hotels on the Strip include the Cromwell and the Delano.
Another new development is the expansion of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, expected to be completely finished by January 2016. Plans include 350,000 square feet of new exhibit space, expected to be ready by August, as well as a new 70,000-square-foot ballroom and underground parking, all being constructed to meet gold LEED standards. The $66 million project will bump the facility’s current 1.7 million square feet of space up to more than 2 million square feet, repositioning it as the continent’s fifth-largest convention center. Each year the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino hosts the Western Veterinary Conference, which brings more than 15,500 delegates.
Also making news is the All Net Resort & Arena, which began construction on the Strip in October next to the new SLS/Las Vegas (formerly the Sahara Hotel). The resort is scheduled to open in early 2017 with 500 guest rooms, an 860,000-square-foot arena with a retractable roof and a 300,000-square-foot plaza that can be used for special events.
Many other properties are adding event space and enhancing amenities in order to woo group business. The Tropicana/Las Vegas is expanding its Tropicana Pavilion, which is expected to be complete on March 1; it will feature 55,000 square feet of self-contained meeting space, increasing the Tropicana’s overall convention space to 100,000 square feet. At the Mandarin Oriental, a 1,900-square-foot, loft-style event space called The Gallery opened last fall; it features 16-foot-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows and is suitable for events of up to 200. A mile away, the Four Seasons/Las Vegas has revamped function space, two new boardrooms and views of the Las Vegas Valley.
At the Bellagio, all 403 guest suites within its main tower have been remodeled, marking the completion of a $165 million revamp of all 3,933 guest rooms that began in 2011. And last year the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino launched the Stay Well Meetings experience, which incorporates healthy elements into conference and guest rooms including air filtration, circadian lighting, hypoallergenic products, and wellness stations, among other things aimed to increase attendees’ energy and focus.
Caesars Entertainment has introduced a new perk for small groups (utilizing 30 rooms or less) at all of its Las Vegas properties. The new Caesars Direct program offers the same time, attention and concessions available to larger groups, including one food-and-beverage minimum, and the same VIP treatment that top gaming customers receive through the Meeting Diamond program.
Downtown Las Vegas is continuing its trendy turn. The Venue Las Vegas, a new dedicated events center, is expected to open this month with 36,000 square feet of space for up to 2,000. Features include a built-in stage and entertainment hall, a rooftop area, on-site catering, an in-house event-design team and an upscale bar and lounge, which will be open to the public when it’s not booked for private events. Nearby is the Oasis at Gold Spike, which reopened last year with 44 guest rooms, a pool and a library housing a collection of titles that celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of downtown Vegas. Also downtown is the Frank Gehry–designed Keep Memory Alive Event Center, which welcomes soirees of up to 1,400; revenue from events held there will help fund the Cleveland Clinic Brain Health Center.
About eight miles south of McCarran International Airport and just off the Strip, the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa recently added a 64-lane bowling center, complete with luxury seating for up to 360 spectators. The hotel also features 151,000 square feet of convention space, a 4,600-seat arena and a 16-screen theater.
Of course, the sky’s the limit when it comes to hosting large conventions. In addition to the aforementioned Mandalay Bay Conference Center, large groups and trade shows can choose from the 3.2 million-square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sands Expo & Convention Center with 2.25 million square feet of show floor and meeting space, and the 380,000-square-foot Grand Conference Center at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, part of the hotel’s 602,000 square feet of total event space.
Additional notable choices include the Cashman Center, with a 10,000-seat baseball stadium (home of the Las Vegas 51s), a 1,898-seat theater, 14 meeting rooms and an additional 98,100 square feet of exhibit space. And at the University of Nevada/Las Vegas, planners can utilize the 71,900-square-foot Cox Pavilion and the connected Thomas & Mack Center, which can seat up to 18,600.
The university also runs the 36,800-seat Sam Boyd Stadium, which is located in the suburb of Whitney. Also in the area is the Clark County Wetlands Park Nature Center, home to an 85-seat auditorium, conference and classroom space and numerous hiking and biking trails.
In nearby Henderson, the Henderson Events Plaza & Amphitheatre has 60,000 square feet of outdoor space and a 400-seat amphitheater, while the adjacent Henderson Convention Center has 13,800 square feet of meeting and trade show space. Popular Henderson meeting resorts include the Hilton and the Westin, both located in the Lake Las Vegas area, which also features championship golf and a variety of recreation opportunities on the lake itself.
For larger groups, the Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa & Casino has customizable event space and posh suites, including one with a DJ station and a 4,000-square-foot penthouse, both ideal as hospitality suites.
Southern Nevada’s Border Towns: Authentic Adventures
From golf and wine-tasting to cowboys and roller coasters, southern Nevada’s border towns welcome visitors with a diverse slate of fun options. In Primm, 40 miles south of Las Vegas on the California/Nevada border, the trio of Primm Valley Casino Resorts is ideal for golfers and family groups. Guests can enjoy play on two Tom Fazio–designed courses, and kids can get their kicks on one of North America’s tallest, fastest roller coasters and a big log-flume ride, along with a video game center and a cinema.
When it’s time for business, the Primm Valley Resort & Casino offers 21,000 square feet of event space and the 31,280-square-foot Star of the Desert Arena, which seats up to 6,000, and Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino has a 700-seat theater/auditorium.
Another quick excursion from Vegas is the Wild West town of Goodsprings. Planners can arrange cookouts, games of horseshoes and other cowboy fun at the historic Pioneer Saloon.
The Pahrump Valley Winery, 60 miles west of Vegas in Pahrump, is a favorite for wine tasting and vineyard tours. Its restaurant seats up to 55. Nearby, the Pahrump Nugget Hotel & Casino has 69 newly updated rooms, event facilities for up to 540 people, golf and bowling.
Laughlin, 100 miles south of Las Vegas on the Colorado River, is now home to the $4 million Laughlin Event Center amphitheater, which opened last February with seating for up to 21,000 and has since hosted all kinds of big-ticket entertainers and events, from Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts to championship bull riding.
Scenic riverfront locations add to the desirability of Laughlin’s eight meeting hotels, which offer a combined 152,000 square feet of function space. The largest include Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino, the Colorado Belle Hotel & Casino, the Edgewater Casino Resort and the Aquarius Casino Resort. For those who wish to explore, the North Reach Trail winds along the riverfront and is great for hiking and fishing. Plus, the iconic Hoover Dam is just 90 miles away. The Arizona Association of School Business Officials and the Arizona Fire District Association are two of dozens of groups that plan to meet here in 2015.
Mesquite, some 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, is on the map of golfers and association planners. It offers not only courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer but also a visually remarkable course—the Wolf Creek Golf Club, constructed amid dramatic, red-rock canyons. Wolf Creek’s 14,500 square feet of clubhouse space can be used for events, as can an outdoor pavilion and its Terrace Restaurant.
Mesquite meeting resorts include the Highland Estates Resort Hotel, which offers condo-style guest suites and executive space for up to 45. A larger option is the CasaBlanca Resort-Casino-Golf-Spa, with 70,000 square feet of space.
Reno & Carson City: High Expectations
Offering easy access to the Sierras, the city of Reno has evolved from a casino town into an outdoor mountain destination with cultural options, well-regarded resorts and a hip new foodie and nightlife scene that has been embraced by locals and visitors.
Last year, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino received two sustainability awards, one from the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association and the second presented by Lodging magazine. Both reflect the property’s dedication to eco-friendly initiatives. The resort offers 106,000 square feet of event space, including the 62,000-square-foot Tuscany Ballroom.
In December 2014, the 15,000-square-foot Reno Provisions opened downtown in a re-purposed 1956 building. A market and commercial bakery are among its offerings, and groups can meet in a private function room, a demonstration kitchen or a 6,000-square-foot main seating area. Two blocks away is the new Whitney Peak Hotel (formerly the CommRow), which opened last year with 157 guest rooms and a variety of meeting spaces for up to 350, including a terrace that looks out on the Reno Arch. Next door is Siri’s Casino, also new.
When the American Nuclear Society met in Reno last year, it utilized the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, which offers space for up to 4,000. The Wildlife Society’s Western Section also used the Grand Sierra for its 2014 annual meeting.
The city’s major dedicated venue for meetings and trade shows is the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, which offers 381,000 square feet of space. Also popular are the 7,000-seat Reno Events Center and the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, which includes a 20,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 6,200-seat indoor arena and a 9,000-seat outdoor arena.
A famous off-site venue is the 88-lane National Bowling Stadium, which is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation. The stadium has event space for up to 2,000 but its newest space is the year-old Kingpin Club by Brunswick, with 10 bowling lanes and function space for up to 150. Other options include the Nevada Museum of Art in the Truckee River Arts District, with space for up to 500; the National Automobile Museum, which can host up to 1,200; or the Wilbur D. May Center, home to a museum, arboretum and botanical gardens, is available for gatherings of up to 200.
Just east of Reno, in Sparks, is John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino Resort, which changed hands last year and has begun a multiyear redesign that is expected to touch all facets of the property. New signage, restaurants and entertainment are already in place. The American Exploration & Mining Association, the Blinded Veterans Association and the American Water Resources Association are just three groups who held events there last year.
During the winter months, the snowy mountain slopes beckon. Mount Rose, 27 miles southwest of Reno, is a favorite, with another half-dozen ski resorts just a bit farther away surrounding Lake Tahoe.
Carson City, the state capital, is located 32 miles south of Reno. Planners can arrange functions in both the Capitol Building and the Legislative Building, for up to 172 and 300 respectively. Another venue is the Brewery Arts Center, whose building dates back to 1864. It has been restored to its original grandeur and now offers three event areas, the largest of which can host up to 297.
The city’s largest meeting hotels are the Carson Nugget Casino Hotel, with 10,141 square feet of space, and the Plaza Hotel & Event Center, which has 4,000 square feet of space. Groups can also meet at the 31,020-square-foot Marv Teixeira Pavilion (formerly the Pony Express Pavilion) at Mills Park, and the Carson City Fairgrounds/Fuji Park has bleacher seating for up to 1,160 and a 6,840-square-foot exhibit hall. Five golf courses welcome tournaments and offer clubhouse space for mid-sized events.
Groups visiting between late May and late October can take a ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. The reconstructed 19th-century steam train rolls from the Eastgate Depot in Carson City through the mountains to Virginia City, home to the Comstock Lode gold mines. Passengers can explore Virginia City’s historic saloons, church and cemetery before catching the train back.
Lake Tahoe: True Blue
America’s largest alpine lake never fails to make the best of impressions. In the winter months, attendees can enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowboarding, while in the summer, water sports and sandy beaches are crowd pleasers.
On the South Shore, in Stateline, Harveys/Lake Tahoe and the adjacent Harrah’s/Lake Tahoe, which offers a private yacht for cruising parties, are favorite meeting sites. Off-site events can be held at the 2,750-square-foot Edgewood Tahoe, where an on-site guest lodge is expected to begin construction later this year. Edgewood’s golf course has hosted the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship for the last 25 years.
Just over the border in California, Heavenly Resort offers event space for up to 250 people, and its year-round gondola thrills attendees with a 2.4-mile ride up the mountain.
On the North Shore, the lakefront Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa & Casino in Incline Village has 50,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor space. In Crystal Bay, the Cal Neva Resort, Spa & Casino is expected to reopen on December 12—what would have been the 100th birthday of former owner Frank Sinatra—following a major makeover.
Rural Nevada: Wild American Towns
The spirit of the American west is alive and well in the rural towns of Nevada. Planners should consider timing gatherings to coincide with one of the famous events that draw crowds from around the country.
The Ranch Hand Rodeo Weekend occurs each February in Winnemucca, located 165 miles northeast of Reno. The event is held at the Winnemucca Events Complex, which offers three arenas, the largest of which can seat up to 2,300; a 11,862-square-foot exhibit hall; and a 96,000-square-foot Event Center. Also available is the Winnemucca Convention Center, which offers an additional 25,000 square feet of flexible space. Some 1,500 guest rooms are nearby.
Elko hosts the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in January and the Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival in September. Spaces for association gatherings include the 50,000-square-foot Elko Convention Center, with a 12,150-square-foot theater, and the Western Folklife Center, which has space for up to 300 attendees.
In a year or two, groups will be able to ride Amtrak to West Wendover, on the Nevada-Utah border. A train station has been approved for stops on the California Zephyr Line, which rolls between San Francisco and Chicago. Planners will find 11,237 square feet of combined event space at the Rainbow, Peppermill and Montego Bay casino resorts.
Ely, 120 miles south of West Wendover, was founded as a Pony Express stop. Today, groups can visit the 40-acre Nevada Northern Railway Museum; planners can charter train cars for excursions or an overnight stay in a caboose or a bunkhouse. The city’s largest event venue, the Bristlecone Convention Center, can accommodate up to 500 and includes a 4,600-square-foot auditorium.
Success is a Sure Thing
The state of Nevada has always welcomed visitors who embrace the big picture. That goes for associations, too. From the bright neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip to quiet, starry nights spent amid the Sierras, visiting groups will surely find much more than they bargained for in the Silver State.