Today’s meeting attendees want to eat and workout while traveling just like they would at home—though the change of scenery while in the destination that includes a beach, pool, or Las Vegas landmarks is a nice perk, too.
“People want to come to an event and leave feeling as refreshed as when they arrived or even more so,” says Stephanie Glanzer, Chief Sales Officer and Senior Vice President of MGM Resorts International. “I think that’s the opportunity we have—we can offer that rejuvenation so that people say, ‘I just went to an event and I got a great ROI, I networked, I got educated, ate healthy, worked out and was able to be outdoors.”
Much thought goes into creating these types of meeting environments, from providing meeting snacks rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids to help fuel meetings to offering unique group workout options that energize attendees.
Sustainability and Philanthropy Practices at MGM Resorts
MGM Resorts’ sustainability initiatives and philanthropic involvement also helps meeting attendees feel great about their experiences.
This focus on mindful meetings is one that’s shared across MGM Resorts Las Vegas properties including Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Nomad Las Vegas and Park MGM.
Stay Well Meetings at MGM Resorts offer a wellness experience with premier meeting spaces with state-of-the-art air purification and other sciences-based features to enhance meetings. Meeting spaces are designed to let in natural light. ARIA, for instance, has greenery inside their public and promenade spaces, as well as in the meeting rooms, which can help rejuvenate attendees.
From a sustainability standpoint, one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays is atop the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and features 26,000 panels covering 28 acres. The convention center also has water refill stations to help eliminate single-use plastic water bottles. MGM Resorts is committed to sourcing 100% renewable energy in the U.S. by 2030.
Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Program, the resort team identifies, the resort team advocates and connects with certified, diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within the resort’s supply chain. One partner is Love + Chew, founded by Lauren Chew, who perfected recipes for gluten-free, vegan cookies. Her superfood treats use minimal ingredients like almond flour, chia seeds and dates for sweeteners.
Another initiative important to attendees is the Feeding Forward program that safely donates untouched food from conventions into the community. MGM Resorts has donated more than 5 million meals into the community since 2016.
Healthy Snacks and Unique Fitness Options
At Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, those in town for meetings can wake up early for a sunrise yoga session, rolling out their mats on a sandy beach with a wave pool in the backdrop and surrounded by palm trees.
“We can really transport you,” Glanzer says.
This type of beach yoga session in the multi-acre pool complex is just one of many examples of the unique fitness programs that the hotels across MGM Resorts in Las Vegas can arrange for groups.
Groups can also arrange for fitness activities at MGM Resorts, ranging from yoga on ARIA’S Ironwood Terrace to setting up spin bikes at Bellagio’s pool.
“We have so many unique spaces where we can incorporate wellness,” says Glanzer.
MGM Resorts can also help arrange charity runs for meeting groups. Mandalay Bay is a popular place to start these races because of its circular path that makes a nice start to the race. Many groups like to include the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign on their route. These types of runs hit a trifecta: Giving back, team building, and getting out and enjoying a run.
Productivity is paramount at meetings and events, so, in addition to working in movement throughout the day, making sure attendees have access to the right fuel also matters.
Afternoon breaks with menus featuring antioxidant-rich snacks like dark chocolates and berries are popular. So too are juice shots with turmeric, ginger, and superfoods like fresh kale.
When it’s time to return home, meeting planners can leave feeling not just productive, but also refreshed.