Las Vegas is perennially popular for meetings and events, but MGM Resorts’ newest updates to its hotels and meeting spaces make the city’s appeal even greater as planners consider destinations for 2024 and beyond.

One of the more unique offerings is Mandalay Bay's and Luxor's The Fan District, which is only a 15-minute walk to Allegiant Stadium. One can watch sports and hang out with friends over delicious food and drink specials before or after an event at the stadium. One might even find themselves finishing the night strong in any one of the unique bars and lounges known to host exclusive fan meet--and-greets with football legends on game weekends.

“MGM Resorts continues to offer new experiences and amenities, but what makes it even more exciting is to be in a city that not only is a convention and event destination, but what has become the world’s premier in sports and entertainment,” says Stephanie Glanzer, Chief Sales Officer and Senior Vice President of MGM Resorts International.

Vegas has indeed been abuzz recently with the just-completed F1 Heineken Silver Vegas Grand Prix, and as the host city for the "Big Game" in February 2024. The destination is fast-growing with sports and entertaiment including the addition of several professional sports franchises, comedy, live music acts and more, keeping groups entertained after meetings let out.

Luxury Meetings District Across Six Resorts

The Luxury Meetings District within the MGM Resorts portfolio includes Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Nomad Las Vegas and Park MGM.

“What’s special about the district is the properties all physically connect to each other so a planner could move 2,000 to 10,000 attendees seamlessly through the buildings,” says Shelly Cruz, Vice President of Global Sales, MGM Resorts International. The district, she says, is an option to give clients the elevated experience that they’re looking for right now.

Recently, as an investment in the Luxury Meetings District, MGM Resorts enclosed the bridge that connects Vdara to Bellagio to Vdara and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

MGM Resorts has also invested $110 million into a Bellagio Spa Tower transformation, remodeling 819 guest rooms and 104 suites. The color palette draws inspiration from Lake Como and the Alps, and the renovation includes tufted, cream-colored headboards, custom armoires, curvilinear sofas and upscale marble surfaces in the bathrooms.

At ARIA, Tao Group Hospitality’s new Cathédrale features dramatic architecture and a Mediterranean-inspired menu with dishes like a salt-baked sea bass.

“Our team members can help a planner put together a Luxury Meeting Districts event within six properties over 40 restaurants, two theaters and one arena seamlessly,” Cruz says.

Mandalay Bay Upgrades its Convention Center

Did you know that Mandalay Bay is the fifth largest convention center in the United Space? With 2.1 million gross square feet of meeting and exhibit space, the convention center has spacious exhibit rooms, ballrooms, meeting spaces. Some unique venues include the Mandalay Bay Beach and the 12,000-seat Michelob ULTRA Arena.

Mandalay Bay recently debuted the North Convention Center, which is part of a $100 million remodel of the space.

“The Convention Center has really stepped up its game with elevated technology, vibrant colors and a bright, bright refresh,” Chivers says.

A Dynamic Dining Scene at Mandalay Bay

The MGM Resorts team is excited about the new dining and group experiences for groups big and small at Mandalay Bay.

Celebrity Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak recently completed a renovation and it now boasts one of the largest private dining rooms on the Las Vegas Strip and is perfect for groups, says Tori Chivers, Vice President of Catering and Convention Services, MGM Resorts International. The modern American steakhouse has upscale and creative menu items, like seafood towers, caviar jelly doughnuts, wood-fired steaks finished with red-wine shallot butter, and black truffle mac n’ cheese.

Dialing up the fun factor, celebrity chefs and brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio recently opened at Retro by Voltaggio at Mandalay Bay. The throwback menu elevates classic staples, like a chicken pot pie with black truffle coulis.

“This is culinary residence that they’re calling the bomb diggity of dining experiences,” Chivers says.

Mina has also opened Orla at Mandalay Bay, and there's Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, both giving guests even more options.

Renovated Rooms to Provide Respite

MGM Resorts has a well-established track record of continually reinvesting back into its resorts. Currently, about a half billion is being spent on renovations and investments across the portfolio, Glanzer says.

At New York-New York, the remodeled rooms feel like a New York City loft apartment infused with bold colors and pops of energy inspired by Las Vegas. Rooms have exposed faux brick and are accented with colors like Big Apple Red and Taxicab Yellow.

MGM Grand’s Studio Tower rooms have also been renovated with mid-century touches and a retro desert feel, offering a respite for business and leisure travelers.

The bottom line is this: From a luxury meetings districts to a culinary residency and renovations throughout, MGM Resorts in Las Vegas has reaffirmed its commitment to giving groups dynamic options. That will be welcome news for meeting planners looking for new experiences to inspire and captivate their clients at MGM Resorts in Las Vegas.