VANCOUVER — The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) Canada brought 13 top partners to Vancouver last night for a full evening of sales training at the JW Marriott Parq.
In a series of roundtable meetings and panel discussions, the hotel, entertainment and shopping partners highlighted new developments and key strategies for agents to make the most effective Las Vegas bookings.
LVCVA’s Kiesha Telesforo, Karly Melo, Brea Williams, Laura Hernandez and David Han
“Matching your client to the right experience is key,” said Sara Best, Executive Director, Global Sales for MGM Resorts. “We’re not in the hotel business – we’re in the holy [expletive] business and we can’t wait to blow your clients’ minds.”
The evolution of Las Vegas was front and centre, starting with the city’s growing reputation as a sports destination. Teams from the NHL, WNBA and NFL now call the city home – and agents can earn commissions on ticket sales for Vegas Golden Knights NHL games through Indigo.
Dining options are also shifting in Las Vegas, with both Miracle Mile Shops and Resorts World Las Vegas offering new food hall–style dining options. At Miracle Mile, it’s the Miracle Eats food court with 10 new quick-service restaurants, including Tacotarian – the Las Vegas strip’s first plant-based vegan quick dining choice. Resort Worlds takes a different approach with its Famous Foods Street Eats, a collection of 14 pan-Asian eateries inspired by Asian street markets.
Entertainment remains a key focus in this city, from the small and intimate to the almost impossibly large. On the grand scale, Sphere’s four-acre 16K resolution screen is a “venue of one,” says Jill Logsdon, Director of Consumer Sales, noting they are technologically ahead of competitors by about 10 years and are still pushing the boundaries of what their tech can do.
On the smaller scale, the 3,800-seat BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau has a packed fall schedule featuring artists that usually sell-out arenas, including Tears for Fears and Keith Urban, while Adele is returning to the 4,300-seat Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in October and November. The Wynn and Fontainebleau have both added small up-close cooking classes with executive chefs. Meanwhile, DiscoShow at the Linq is a new immersive look at the history of disco that brings visitors into the action with an interactive performance in a nightclub-style venue.
“Visitors want something where they can be part of the experience,” said Serana Villamor, Indigo’s Director of Sales.
Many old favourites on the strip have undergone extensive updates.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Paris has a newly renovated Versailles Tower featuring 38 rooms with balconies.
The Venetian, which also celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, is investing $1.5 billion in redevelopment of the entire property.
The Bellagio; New York, New York; and the Studio Tower at MGM Grand also recently completed full renovations.
Off the Strip, the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa is undergoing a “total reinvention,” according to Business Travel and Leisure Sales Manager, Nadine Agnant-Birdseye, who said the property is planning a celebration in October when the first tower is completed.
At Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, changes to the casino are coming as the property phases out its relationship with Mohegan Sun to bring casino operations in house and align the gaming area with the look and feel of the rest of the hotel.
Travel advisors selling Las Vegas can join the LVCVA Vegas Rewards Program to earn training badges, access sales resources, and earn points redeemable for hotel stays, event tickets, attractions and more.
Learn more about the program at trackmylasvegasbookings.com.
