LAS VEGAS — At the end of January 2026, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority invited Trade Show Executive (TSE) to attend Preview Las Vegas and see what’s new in the city for meetings and events.
In part two of this trip recap, TSE explores more of the resorts, event venues and activities that make Las Vegas one of the world’s top convention destinations.
Resorts World Las Vegas®
On Jan. 29, TSE toured Resorts World Las Vegas, which opened in 2021. At the time, it was the first integrated resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip in more than 10 years.
It has numerous highly flexible, state-of-the-art meeting spaces for events ranging from private board meetings to large-scale receptions tied to convention programming, including more than 50 multi-functional meeting rooms, six ballrooms and an expansive rooftop.
“Resorts World Las Vegas offers a next-generation meetings and conventions experience designed for today’s large-scale, citywide events,” Jason Glasscock, Vice President Hotel Sales at Resorts World Las Vegas, said. “As one of the newest integrated resorts on The Strip, every meeting space was purpose-built for flexibility, advanced production capabilities and intuitive flow, from expansive ballrooms and customizable breakout rooms to outdoor terraces with sweeping Strip views. One of the resort’s biggest differentiators is its direct access to the Las Vegas Convention Center via the Vegas Loop. This seamless connectivity allows Resorts World to function as a natural extension of major trade shows and conventions. Planners can easily host meetings, receptions, activations and off-site events while keeping attendees close to the show floor.”
Five Fast Facts
- Resorts World Las Vegas’ meeting spaces have advanced, hybrid-ready technology that supports livestreaming, digital signage and immersive audiovisual experiences.
- Zouk, a nightclub and event venue, is 26,060 square feet and designed to accommodate a wide range of configurations, with a total capacity of 2,160.
- The venue also offers a theatre with a 13,550 square-foot stage and a seating capacity of 4,700.
- Resorts World Las Vegas has a wealth of dining options, including Bar Zazu, which has a seating capacity for 100 and standing capacity for 150; Brezza, which has a seating capacity for 250 and four private dining areas; and ¡Viva!, which has a seating capacity for 239 and a full restaurant buyout capacity for 350, a private dining room for up to 18 attendees and an exterior private dining space for up to 84 attendees.
- Organizers who want to wow event participants with a stunning view can host an event at Allē Lounge on 66, which offers a stunning collection of fine and rare sprits, handcrafted cocktails and globally inspired small plates, and a seating capacity of 95 and a reception capacity of 275.
“For citywide conventions and major trade shows, Resorts World Las Vegas uniquely serves as both a host venue and an extension of the broader convention experience,” Glasscock said. “The Vegas Loop connectivity eliminates traditional transportation challenges, providing planners and attendees with seamless movement throughout the event. Equally important, the resort combines large-scale capabilities with a high-touch, collaborative service approach. Our team works closely with organizers from concept to execution, ensuring each event is customized without compromising convenience or cohesion. Additionally, Resorts World Las Vegas distinguishes itself with one of the most diverse and compelling food & beverage programs on The Strip — featuring partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs and globally acclaimed culinary talent. This allows planners to offer elevated dining experiences, exclusive chef-driven events and bespoke culinary moments that enhance attendee engagement and create memorable touchpoints throughout their program.”
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas®
Next, TSE enjoyed an afternoon tea at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, a luxurious venue with newly redesigned guest rooms and suites, an award-winning spa and more than 15,000 square feet of flexible event space.
“What truly sets Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas apart is its rare ability to offer quiet, residential-style luxury in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip,” Andrea Zellner, the venue’s Director of Sales & Marketing, said. “The hotel combines an intimate atmosphere with highly personalized, anticipatory service, allowing meetings and events to feel bespoke, polished and intentionally curated rather than busy or overproduced. With design-forward venues, destination dining and a strong emphasis on wellness and elevated guest experiences, every detail is crafted to feel effortless and refined, creating an event setting that is unmistakably Waldorf Astoria.”
Five Fast Facts
- This venue was named the No. 1 Hotel in Las Vegas and No. 1 City Hotel in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards.
- It is a non-smoking, non-gaming resort. “Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas offers a distinctly refined setting for meetings and events,” Zellner said. “Without the distractions of casino traffic or smoke, groups experience a calmer, more focused atmosphere that supports productivity, meaningful connection and an overall sense of ease. This unique environment creates a luxury event destination that feels serene, exclusive and refreshingly different from the traditional Las Vegas experience — ideal for planners seeking comfort, clarity and elevated hospitality.”
- The facility’s new ground-floor lobby, relocated from the former 23rd floor check-in, creates a seamless and more elevated first impression.
- Its renovated 23rd-floor spaces, Peacock Alley and Hard Shake, now offer distinctive, design-forward settings that can be used for receptions, buyouts and sophisticated social moments alongside a larger meeting program.
- The venue’s Waldorf Ballroom has a one-of-a-kind, private balcony over Las Vegas Boulevard with sweeping views of The Strip.
Lipsmacking Foodie Tours
To cap off a jam-packed day, TSE was invited to explore the Las Vegas Arts District, in an experience hosted by Lipsmacking Foodie Tours. Organizers can use this service to plan food tours for event participants in numerous cities — not just Las Vegas.
The venues included The Doberman, Viking Mike’s Alpine Yurt Bar and the Craft Creamery Speakeasy, a space hidden in an ice cream parlor.
“Lip Smacking Foodie knows that the real, lasting and most impactful networking happens after the seminars end and the exhibits are taken down at conventions,” Donald Contursi, President at Lip Smacking Foodie Tours, said. “Our custom VIP culinary experiences bring business colleagues, clients and attendees together after hours in a natural and relaxed way by taking them on a private experience to multiple renowned restaurants in one smooth, efficient outing, all with VIP service from start to finish.
“At each venue, guests will savor a parade of signature gourmet dishes, with a waitstaff at the ready to take care of every need. There’s no worrying about making reservations on your own or trying to secure a table for a large party. Our guests are immediately escorted to the best table in the house. We take care of everything, including providing a professional guide to lead guests to each establishment, while entertaining with fascinating facts along the way. Best yet, guests can sit next to different colleagues or clients at each restaurant, allowing for easy mingling and networking. After all, we believe the best relationships are always formed at the table over great food and drink.”
The Wynn® Las Vegas
On Jan. 30, TSE visited the Wynn Las Vegas for Preview Las Vegas.
“The resort’s layout allows groups to move seamlessly from meetings to experiences, creating programs that feel efficient and elevated,” Steve Blanner, the venue’s Senior Vice President of Hotel Sales, said. “What also sets Wynn and Encore apart is a commitment to continual reinvestment and personalization. From newly debuted dining concepts to refreshed guest accommodations and signature programming, the goal is to ensure that every resort visit feels unique. This allows planners to deliver gatherings that feel custom, refined and memorable all within an environment defined by luxury, discretion and world-class hospitality.”
Five Fast Facts
- The Wynn and Encore Las Vegas offer more than 560,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including an 84,000 square-foot Cristal Ballroom and a 40,000 square-foot Event Pavilion and Event Lawn.
- Wynn Resorts holds more Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards than any other independent hotel company in the world.
- On top of premier meeting space, the venue features luxury shopping and numerous experiences, such as Awakening, which was voted “Best Production Show” by the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association.
- The venue also offers the Wynn Golf Club, a full golf course.
- The Wynn has two award-winning spas as well.
“Wynn Las Vegas operates as a true partner. From initial planning through execution, dedicated in-house teams work closely with planners, bringing expansive operational expertise and a solutions-oriented approach to every program,” Blanner said. “Beyond the meeting space, Wynn offers a complete destination experience with award-winning dining and signature entertainment that elevate any program. These experiences give groups the ability to extend programming beyond the meeting room. With strong forward demand and continued investment across the resort, Wynn Las Vegas remains a future-focused choice for planners offering a consistently elevated standard for meetings and conventions.”
Grand Prix Plaza®
TSE’s trip reached the finish line at Grand Prix Plaza® (GPP), home to the Formula 1 (F1) Las Vegas Grand Prix.
This space has three experiences:
- F1 X, an interactive F1 exhibit with artifacts, cars and hands-on activities.
- F1 Drive, an official F1 karting attraction that takes place on the actual Las Vegas Strip Circuit®.
- F1 Hub, which has a flagship store, elevated F&B offerings and more.
It offers buyouts of each of its floors and additional event spaces:
- The 2,300 square-foot GPP Garage, which has a capacity of 75.
- The 6,100 square-foot Cooldown Room, which has a capacity of 300.
- The 10,500 square-foot Turn 1 Lounge, which has a capacity of 500.
- A rooftop, which is 71,862 square feet and has a capacity of 3,000.
“Grand Prix Plaza offers far more beyond its immersive attractions — it’s quickly becoming one of Las Vegas’ premier venues for events of all sizes in Las Vegas,” Kayla Tosino, Event Sales Manager at GPP, said. “With event spaces accommodating groups of 50 to over 10,000 guests, Grand Prix Plaza offers a world-class hosting experience paired with the excitement of F1. With a prime location less than a mile from The Strip, we’ve welcomed numerous corporate gatherings and celebrations, demonstrating why GPP stands out as one of the most energetic and elevated event spaces you can book in the heart of the destination.
“We anticipate 2026 will be a record year for the destination, driven in part by the return of key rotational conventions that will have a significant, positive impact on performance. At the same time, we continue to see substantial private investment across the destination and growing demand for experiences that only Las Vegas can deliver at scale. We are a category of one destination, uniquely positioned to lead large-scale change and influence how the global meetings and events industry continues to evolve.”
To get Part One of TSE’s recap of this trip, click here.
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Featured Photo Credit: Las Vegas Grand Prix
