Here are new ideas for group outings, catering, client entertaining, gifts, and entertaining summer associates and interns in Las Vegas.
1. Las Vegas is the home of luxe pool parties right for wining and dining (and tanning) groups. Try entertaining poolside somewhere like Marquee Dayclub, which just opened this season at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The adults-only summer-season experience has two pools, several bars, a gaming area, and programming with world-class DJ residencies. Entertain in one of the eight cabanas, which have infinity-edge glass dipping pools, flat-screen TVs, and dedicated cocktail and food service. A menu from corporate executive chef Ralph Scamardella rounds out the experience.
2. To really make an impression, take a small group for a quick trip from the desert to the beach. JetSuite, a fleet of four-seater private jets from a former JetBlue executive and a group of its former pilots, offers a $999 per-flight rate between Van Nuys and Las Vegas.
3. Celine Dion has returned to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The new show includes Dion's biggest hits and classics, includes a full orchestra and band, and is set to a highly visual presentation designed specially for the 4,300-seat venue. Ticket rices range from $55 to $250, not including taxes and fees, and group ticketing is available for 20 or more.
4. Red Rock Resort is bringing its new Friday-night outdoor concert series, Red Rock ‘n’ Roll, to the Sandbar outdoor poolside venue. The concert series begins in May and continues through September, bringing acts like Goo Goo Dolls, Steel Pulse, Gavin DeGraw, Weezer, and Lifehouse. Tickets are $30 each, and while there are no group rates, the venue can accommodate large groups.
5. The new Las Vegas Mob Experience at the Tropicana combines a museum with a theatrical experience, with mob artifacts and actors dressed as mobsters to get the crowd involved. The experience is available for group booking, and also has an area for a cocktail reception after the tour.
6. In a partnership with U.N.L.V, the dance crew Jabbawockeez is offering a new dance workshop program at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. "The Exchange” dance workshops will delve into dance techniques and movement exercises the crew used to create their show "MÜS.I.C.” at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. Workshops begin at $30 for a one-hour class and go up from there. There are no group rates, but the format is well suited to groups for a high-energy teambuilding.
7. The gourmet burger truck from L.A. with the cheeky name, Baby's Badass Burgers, has come to Vegas. The truck was acquired by the team behind the new show Absinthe, and it will live in the Spiegelworld Beer Garden on the Strip, serving burgers from its signature pink truck.
8. The Mario Andretti Racing Experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will really get their—ahem—motors running. The experience accommodates any size group as small as 10, and offers real full size, open-wheel, Indy-style race cars. Guests can drive on a super speedway or a road course. Personal racing instructors communicate with guests on in-car radios. Pit Stop Challenge units are right for a teambuilding activity. Gift cards for corporate gifts are also available.
9. Mandalay Bay Beach is located on 11 acres amid 2,700 tons of real sand, where a three-story, climate-controlled, glass-fronted beachside casino offers amenities for gaming guests. At the top sits the Villas Soleil with views of the entire beach. Ranging in size from 250 to 500 square feet, these five villas each accommodates 16 guests and come with cabana service and access to the private third-level pool. Each has modular seating and day beds, a restroom, wet bar, 50-inch flat-screen television, MP3 player, safe, ceiling fan, and a private deck overlooking the beach.
10. The comedy show "The Anti-Social Network," with host Jim Norton and comedians Dave Attell, Jim Breuer, and Bill Burr, is set to make a stop at the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort on July 3. Take a group for laughs ahead of the Independence Day holiday; the venue can accommodate large groups, but does not offer discounted group tickets.
