Companies of every type, size and mission come to Las Vegas to host some of the top events of the year. So when tasked with planning the next business meeting, the following information can help you plan a successful and unforgettable corporate event.
Of course, the main event is important, but the business dinner that follows can be even higher stakes as this is where connections are made, relationships deepened, deals negotiated, and where business happens. The communal gatherings after an event are a make-or-break metric to consider for any convention, gathering or B2B initiative, regardless of size. Rest assured, you are not alone in your planning. Read on for tips to host a successful dinner event.
On-property
Consider hosting your dining event at the most convenient location possible: on site. There are numerous meeting rooms or ballrooms to consider, especially when you have VIP attendees who don’t want to be out and about in public. Plus, the on-site property team will already be briefed on how to best serve the event’s goals and needs.
Hosting a post event gathering at the same venue allows you to be creative with your planning since you’ll oversee the décor and aesthetics. Additionally, hosting at the property means any food and beverage (F&B) expenses will likely count toward your overall F&B consumption at the property.
A few considerations to keep in mind are the potential menu option limitations. Plus, remember that your attendees have already been on site and perhaps have enjoyed similar cuisine already. Guests can often get fatigued of the space and may be ready for a new atmosphere and scenery.
Dinner Off-Site
Planning an off-site dinner is sure to be a hit among guests as it’ll provide a memorable dining experience in true, only Vegas fashion. With a near limitless list of options for fine dining by celebrity chefs, the hardest part of the planning process might be deciding which restaurant and the genre of food your guests will like most. Here’s are a few options for your mission critical business dinners:
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Bazaar Meat by chef José Andrés at SAHARA Las Vegas boasts two private dining rooms, inventive meat cuts like no other and is the ultimate destination if you’re looking to wine and dine your clients in an intimate and elevated setting.
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RPM Italian at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace has private dining for any size group, accommodating up to 250. The Italian chef-inspired menu is sure to please, with dishes that are meant to be shared. VEGAS ON gives you an inside glimpse below!
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Spago at Bellagio Hotel & Casino sports two private dining rooms. It also has stunning views of the Fountains of Bellagio and is known for its exceptional service. The chef provides a California flare and modern technique to its market-driven menu, meaning it’s always fresh and always delicious. You can’t overlook The Capital Grille at Fashion Show Mall. Its private dining room with various package offerings includes delightful wine parings and custom menus for your event.
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Sinatra at Wynn Las Vegas features the Chairman’s Room, a private room surrounded by notable wines overlooking the gardens.
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Barry’s Downtown Prime at Circa Resort & Casino offers private and semi-private dining space for groups of 8 up to 350. They have an in-house events team ready to help you plan the perfect dining experience for your group, plus the food is exquisite. See below for a behind-the-scenes look from the VEGAS ON team.
When dining off-site, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. This will require a separate billing or BEO to be completed. You’ll also need to research how far the venue is from the hotel or resort where guests are staying. The Strip is incredibly walkable but be mindful of those walking in high heels or fancy-dress attire.
Dinner at Unique & Nontraditional Venues
You can truly WOW your VIPs with an unforgettable and Vegas-only experience by hosting at a unique, nontraditional venue. This can help loosen up the group, spark new conversations and, in some cases, offer the ability to implement team-based activities and competition to forge greater bonds among employees or attendees.
Nontraditional venues help break up the monotony of having meetings and meals in the same place. Also, doing something social or unexpected enables attendees to connect with a variety of people, rather than a seated dinner where you can only network with those who sit around you.
If you struggle with determining which of the incredible Las Vegas culinary destinations to choose from, why not sample from a few at once? Lip Smacking Foodie Tours offers countless restaurants to sample in one custom crafted cross-town tour. Consult with their culinary experts to help you craft your foodie journey.
Looking for a more singular dining experience for your team? Here are just a few dining venues worth considering:
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Venues
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AREA15 offers an assortment of experimental and interactive experiences as it houses Lost Spirits Distillery, Meow Wolf: Omega Mart, Dueling Axes, and more. Plus, space isn’t an issue as events can be hosted for 17 up to 20,000 guests.
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Topgolf at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino is a high-tech driving range with swanky lounges, games and upscale bar eats. A great place for some friendly competition to take place.
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The INDUSTRIAL event space provides indoor and outdoor space and acts as a blank canvas, waiting for you to style and set up your specialized event however you’d like. Space for 600 in a cocktail style set up, or 500 for a seated event.
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Nightclubs
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XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas is built around a European-inspired pool. This nightclub offers lavish décor and has a rotating lineup of headliner DJs for a truly unique experience.
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Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub at The Cromwell Las Vegas Hotel & Casino is the Strip’s only rooftop beach club. Drai’s spans 35,000 square feet, has multiple pools, two full-service bars, a kitchen, and a rotating list of celebrated artists and performers.
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JEWEL Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino hosts top DJs and performers and is an unprecedented convergence of sight and sound with LED ribbons, five VIP suites with luxe furnishings, and two levels.
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Hotel Pool Decks
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The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has two pool decks with views of the Strip, offering plush, luxury daybeds, cabanas and bungalows that come with built-in F&B minimums, waiving the traditional rental fee, perfect for your event outing. Plus, this relaxing environment can spark organic conversation among attendees.
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The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort has two pool decks providing cabanas and daybeds with various options to accommodate six to 12 guests, based on the package purchased.
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Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino is the perfect place to host big-time sports fans. With six pools, three levels, 40-foot-tall HD screens, space to host up to 4,000 guests, 30 cabanas and 38 daybeds, this place is sure to make a lasting impression on your attendees. Get an up-close look in the video below from the VEGAS ON team.
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Similar to the off-site dining logistics and key considerations to keep in mind, hosting off-site will require dining off-site; require a separate billing and BEOs to be completed; transportation may be a limitation; and you’ll need to gauge your attendees’ interest in trying something unique or non-traditional.
How the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Can Help
Now comes the fun part: making the decisions and booking your venue! We want your Las Vegas post-event dinner to be a success, so if you have any lingering questions, reach out to our team to:
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Get assistance searching off-site or nontraditional dining options
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Lean on our expertise to select a venue and determine the destination for your groups’ needs
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Bounce ideas off a local who can share insights and recommendations
In the meantime, share our guide with attendees to help them make the most of their experience when attending an event in Las Vegas. And don’t forget, Las Vegas means business.