Larry Lee passed away unexpectedly Dec. 29, 2011, at the age of 63. Lee was a noted leader in the Las Vegas entertainment and business community. He was known as one of the top show producers in Las Vegas and is the man responsible for the phenomenal success of the Tropicana Hotel's Folies Bergere.
Lee had a long and remarkable career in the Las Vegas entertainment industry having served as entertainment director of the Tropicana Hotel, producer of the Folies Bergere, and co-founder and chief operations officer of Encore Productions.
In the 1970s Lee worked at the Aladdin Hotel, where he was in charge of booking headliner entertainment for the Theater of the Performing Arts where he worked with entertainment legends such as Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, and Jack Benny. In the early 80s he became the entertainment director for the Tropicana Hotel and the producer of the Folies Bergere. One of the highlights of that time was when he took the Folies Bergere overseas for a Royal Command Performance for the Queen of England.
He remained at the Tropicana until 1996 when he left to pursue his other business venture, chief operations officer for Encore Productions. In 1988, he co-founded Encore Productions with his two business partners, Phil Cooper and Bill Dayton. Over the next 22 years, Lee was instrumental in growing Encore into a leading audio-visual production company that produces presentations and events across the U.S. and around the globe. Lee used his numerous contacts with feature entertainers and top industry executives to oversee the talent booked for productions, parties and other events hosted by Encore's clients. In addition, he played a pinnacle part in helping Encore establish full-service satellite rental offices in 15 of the top Las Vegas hotel properties. Encore Productions was acquired in October 2010 by Freeman, the world's leading provider of convention services.
Donations are being accepted to the Larry Lee Memorial Fund with the MPI (Meeting Professionals International) Foundation. For those interested in making a donation in honor of Larry donations can be made by sending a check (Pay to the order of: MPI Foundation Memo line: Larry Lee Memorial Fund Donation) to:
MPI Foundation
“Larry Lee Memorial Fund”
3030 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700
Dallas, TX 75234
You may also donate by completing this
credit card authorization form and emailing or faxing to the contact listed on the form.