Gaming properties continue to open throughout the U.S., most recently marked by the June debut of Wynn's Encore Boston Harbor. The following presents an update on news from some top destinations for play -- and meetings.
Las Vegas
Following months of rumors concerning the future of Caesars Entertainment, in late June, Eldorado Resorts announced it would purchase the casino and hospitality powerhouse for $17.3 billion, in the process creating the nation's largest gaming entity. The deal marks Eldorado's entry into the Vegas market along with a combined portfolio that will number about 60 casino properties in 16 states. Eldorado, which is based in Reno, Nev., will take the storied Caesars name as its own but retain Eldorado's corporate leadership and its head office in Reno. That said, Caesars, which runs 10 properties on the Las Vegas Strip, will continue to have a significant corporate presence in the gaming mecca.
Thus far, it seems to be business as usual for Caesars' Las Vegas projects. Construction proceeds on Caesars Forum, the 550,000-square-foot conference facility set to open in 2020 across from Caesars Palace and alongside the Linq Promenade, just off the Center Strip. The company celebrated a milestone about a week before the acquisition, as the final steel beam was placed atop the growing facility.
When complete, Caesars Forum will be directly connected to 5,000 hotel rooms owned by Caesars Entertainment and within walking distance of more than 20,000 of the company's guest rooms. The facility will have two 110,000-square-foot column-free ballrooms, as well as two additional 40,000-square-foot ballrooms, six boardrooms, 100 breakout rooms and a 100,000-square-foot outdoor space known as Forum Plaza. The conference center will be able to accommodate more than 10,000 attendees.
As for the company's entertainment venues, the Colosseum at Caesars Palace is celebrating its reopening late this summer following extensive renovations. Enhancements include a new giant LED video screen and a new seating design featuring an automated lifting system for modular setups. Full-venue buyouts are available.
Meanwhile, the massive Resorts World Las Vegas project is on track for a soft opening at the end of 2020. The megaresort, being built on a site once occupied by the Stardust and, later, by Boyd Gaming's failed Echelon project, promises 3,400 rooms split between two 59-story towers. The Asian-themed property, owned by Malaysia's Genting Group, plans to open a variety of restaurants as part of a first phase, including some regional Chinese cuisines, along with more than 100,000 square feet of interactive gaming space.
Read more about this at NorthstarMeetingsGroup.com.