17 November 2023
Home to 14 of the worlds 20 largest hotels, Las Vegas is often known as the 'Entertainment Capital of the World'. It’s not just about casinos and 24-hour non-stop excitement however, it’s also a highly popular mega-center for meetings and events offering a unique blend of large capacity world-class venues alongside exciting attractions, and interesting activities that can make it an unforgettable location for any gathering.
For some the glitz and glamour and all of the razzle-dazzle can often be garish and over the top. The fakery too fake, and the shows too showy. So, can there ever be something for everyone? With all eyes on Vegas as it heads into its first ever F1 Grand Prix, we wanted to find out.
Top venues
Venue options are endless, but Vegas really can cater for your largest and smallest needs.
If you’re going large then you’ll want to check out The Venetian Resort. With a staggering 2.3 million square feet of meetings and convention space - that’s around 40 standard American football fields, including the end zones - The Venetian Resort is a popular choice for large exhibitions and tradeshows. Smaller groups or breakouts will find a home at its nearly 7,000-square-foot Stella Studio
The Las Vegas Convention Center is another great option, owned and operated by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and is one of the largest in the world and hosts numerous events throughout the year.
Or for those in the industry who just visited IMEX, the Mandalay Convention Center also has over 2 million square feet, so close to the airport you can see it out of the venue windows and right on the strip as many places often are.
If you want something a bit smaller, or different, Vegas really does cater for all:
AREA15: Not a secret alien testing facility, this art and entertainment complex is perfect for product launches, awards ceremonies and more with its variety of collaborative spaces custom-tailored to your unique needs, surrounded by one-of-a-kind art, unique activations, innovative design, and groundbreaking technology, all within a 300,000 square foot entertainment complex minutes from the Strip.
Going smaller still, for a private room away from the hype with a view for a drinks reception, opt for a wraparound terrace suite in the Cosmopolitan. Offering unmatched private views overlooking the famous fountains and lights of the strip while you serve drinks from the custom-made bar, it’s a world away from street level below.
Must-sees
Even if you have a packed agenda, there is a huge variety of sights to see with a couple of hours downtime. Take a walk up and down the strip to get some fresh air and see ‘real daylight’ (we recommend cheating one way via the monorail to save your feet). Even if you’re not into gambling, just taking a walk through some of the resorts will give you a theme-park-esque experience. Where else can you walk under the Eiffel tower, take a gondola ride and see the pyramids all within half a day?!
For something completely different, tag on a shoulder day or two at either end of your trip and expand your group’s horizons beyond Vegas itself. Head out into the desert, to the Hoover Dam or Joshua Tree Forest for an escape to nature. Paddle your way to the beautiful Emerald Cave on a guided kayak tour of the Colorado River, or organize hiking in Red Rock Canyon or the Valley of Fire State Park.
You could take your VIPs via helicopter for a private breakfast in the Grand Canyon, or to the recently opened Sphere to see U2 in a completely unique and awe-inspiring show – we've yet to see a concert as immersive as this one! In fact, a short evening helicopter trip over the strip is very easy to organize - even for a group of several hundred - and fast becomes a talking point of the trip.
With its vibrant energy, endless entertainment options, and impressive venues, Las Vegas truly stands out as a premier destination for meetings and events. Whether you’re planning a corporate event, a convention, or a casual meetup, Vegas has something to offer everyone even if you want to plan specifically to avoid the ‘classic' experience.
Getting there and around:
Las Vegas is incredibly well-connected with a variety of transport links, making it easy for visitors to navigate the city and its surroundings.
Harry Reid International Airport is conveniently located just 2 miles from the Boulevard and 3.5 miles from the Las Vegas Convention Center, with most hotels located within a 15-minute drive from the airport, so no long ground commute once your flight has landed. The airport currently has more than 1,050 inbound and outbound flights per day and direct service to nearly 150 U.S. and international cities.
The Monorail saves time without the hassles of traffic. You can easily navigate the Strip in less than 15 minutes at speeds of up to 50 mph. The 3.9-mile elevated system along the Las Vegas Strip operates trains every four to eight minutes at each of the seven stations.
Ride sharing options include Uber and Lyft no matter where you are in Vegas, and taxis are an even more plentiful, and often cheaper and quicker than a rideshare. With several companies to choose from, you never have to worry about there not being enough drivers at a late hour.
Again, for that real Vegas experience, groups can take a stretched hummer limo for very reasonable prices. It offers another unique way to ride the strip, complete with Karaoke and drinks should you choose to up the experience to truly unique levels.
Vegas truly does have something to suit everyone, and every budget. Don’t gamble with your next event, make it a royal flush by having CWT Meetings & Events take care of it.