Meeting: A Smart Choice

The power of face-to-face meetings is evident: $845 billion in business sales, 2.5 million direct jobs, and 22 percent growth between 2009 and 2016.

That spells confidence for communities such as Las Vegas and Louisville, Kentucky, which are investing nearly $600 million to build new facilities.

“The present is strong and the future is bright,” says Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “The growth of the meetings industry is credible in part due to the fact that there are new and improving facilities. All these new facilities will pay dividends in terms of more jobs, spending and tax revenue.”

Doug Bennett, senior vice president of convention development at Louisville Tourism, says the Kentucky International Convention Center, opening this quarter, will meet increasing demand.

“Businesses see face-to-face engagement with existing and potentially new customers as a great investment,” he says. “Cities like Louisville who have a strong and diverse business landscape are poised to do well in the growth of meetings and conventions.”

In Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment is beginning construction on CAESARS FORUM, expected to open in 2020.

“Being face to face is how companies increase stock prices and sell products,” says Michael Massari, chief sales officer at Caesars Entertainment. “The fact that the new builds are happening is a testament to face-to-face meetings.”

Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International, the largest association for meeting and event professionals, says recent research confirms the “industry plays a critical role in connecting people and bolstering crucial segments of our national economy. The numbers reiterate what anecdotally we always knew to be true—no matter the industry, investing in face-to-face meetings is a smart choice.”

CAESARS FORUM

CAESARSMEANSBUSINESS.COM

Caesars Entertainment has announced plans to develop CAESARS FORUM, a brand new, 550,000-square-foot conference center in Las Vegas. The $375 million investment will feature the two largest pillarless ballrooms in the world, located at the center of the Las Vegas Strip. Scheduled to officially open in 2020, CAE- SARS FORUM will be the ideal location for anyone looking to host meetings and events in Las Vegas.

CAESARS FORUM will feature 300,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, with the two largest ballrooms being 110,000-square-foot ballrooms. The ballrooms will be perfect for any event including general sessions, breakouts, meals and exhibit space. The ballrooms will be beautifully appointed, offering carpet, lighting fixtures and a finished ceiling. The conference center can hold meetings for more than 10,000 attendees and will offer the latest in technology, a modern design, natural light and a neutral pallet. In line with Caesars’ environmental initiatives, the conference center will be LEED Silver certified. CAESARS FORUM will be built all on one level with two loading docks, making it easy to set up and tear down meetings.

CAESARS FORUM will have direct access to the 5,000 rooms at both LINQ and Harrah’s hotels through the FORUM Sky Bridge. Flamingo Las Vegas is accessible through the LINQ Promenade and offers another 3,500 hotel rooms. In addition, the conference center will be walking distance to eight of Caesars Entertainment’s Las Vegas properties providing accessibility to 20,000 rooms. With so many options, planners can offer a range of hotel rates to their attendees, providing complete flexibility. The FORUM Sky Bridge will feature a monorail stop, giving attendees an effortless way to get around the Las Vegas Strip.

The conference center will feature FORUM PLAZA, a 100,000-square-foot outdoor plaza. The plaza will be perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner under the stars. The outdoor space can also be used for wellness breaks, receptions and corporate social responsibility activities. The FORUM PLAZA will be connected to the LINQ Promenade, anchored by the world-famous High Roller. The High Roller can accommodate 40 attendees per pod and is perfect for cocktail receptions and coffee breaks, offering the best view of Las Vegas. The LINQ Promenade features shopping, dining and entertainment. Caesars is already taking reservations for this state-of-the-art conference center.

By Rich Luna