| Meet Me in Las Vegas |
Las Vegas showcases some of the most lavish meeting facilities and event venues in the world. From glamorous hotel spaces to charismatic venues to titanic convention facilities, Las Vegas is capable of handling groups of all sizes. There are several geographic options that meeting planners should consider when deciding upon a meeting facility or event venue in Las Vegas.
The Strip
The Las Vegas Strip offers a plethora of opulent and glitzy meeting and event spaces. In the strictest sense the Strip refers to Las Vegas Boulevard, from Sahara Avenue to Tropicana Avenue, but enormous growth in the city has pushed the boundaries in all directions. The most defining characteristic of the Strip is the number of large-scale properties that call it home. From the Las Vegas Sands MegaCenter to Fontainebleau Las Vegas to MGM Grand, the Strip is a Mecca of mixed-use developments.
Meeting attendees can settle into the Strip for several days and enjoy world-class event venues, dining options and entertainment choices all at one address. Las Vegas developments have put a great emphasis on providing one-stop-shop destinations. The mega-resort properties on the Strip are equipped to handle all facets of any meeting, from event space to accommodations to entertainment.
Many meeting planners choose to book their events on the Strip because of the variety of amenities that are located in walking proximity. This is highly advantageous to groups who want to bypass transportation costs.
Essentially, the Strip is a perfect choice for the meeting planner who desires a high-energy environment, low transportation needs and on-site entertainment. This area of Las Vegas is family-friendly and offers the opportunity for numerous cultural entertainment alternatives.
Off-Strip
Off-Strip properties range from budget-friendly to upscale and sumptuous. The term “Off-Strip” refers to any properties that are not located within the Strip boundaries. This includes the heart of the city itself. However, most event venues located Off-Strip offer shuttles to and from the Strip to make transportation more convenient.
Many meeting planners choose to hold events at Off-Strip locations because they tend to be less-distracting. While many locations have on-site entertainment and dining options, the hustle and bustle of the city is less apparent. This is appealing to those who want all of the amenities of the Strip, but also want to make sure that the draw of the meeting is the meeting and not the entertainment.
Popular Off-Strip meeting venues include the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas Hilton, Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Tuscany Suites and Casino and Palms Casino Resort.
Downtown
Downtown is where it all started in Las Vegas. Though it has become less popular in recent years, Mayor Oscar Goodman’s Downtown Revitalization Program has quickly made it a center of business and commerce once again. This area is located north of the Strip, with Fremont Street being the hub. Fremont Street has been transformed into a carnival-like place offering a unique blend of urban theater, shopping and a one-of-a-kind Light and Sound Show.
Downtown is a perfect option for meeting planners who desire the Strip atmosphere on a smaller scale. Event venues in downtown offer many of the same amenities as Off-Strip and Strip locations including gaming options, dining choices, accommodations and transportation.
Meeting facilities in the Downtown area include MEET, the Golden Nugget, Plaza Hotel and Casino and Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel.
Non-Gaming Options
There are several properties located across the Las Vegas Valley that offer abundant meeting space without the gaming aspect. This is beneficial to groups that want to avoid the temptation to gamble or want a smoke-free environment. Non-gaming facilities still offer many amenities and are equally as popular with meeting planners.
The Las Vegas Convention Center, Cashman Center, Fashion Show Mall Las Vegas, Sam Boyd Stadium and MEET are excellent non-gaming event spaces in the city.
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