Smart Meetings

Vegas: Beyond the Strip Search

Author: By “Lucky Chuck‿ Kapelke
April 2006

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In this monthly column, we offer a round-up of tips and ideas about meetings in Las Vegas. Got a comment, question, or a tip on a horse? Contact Chuck at Chuck@smartmtgs.com.

Red Rock Casino, Resort, Spa

April 18 marks the grand opening of the Red Rock Casino, Resort, Spa, a $925-million resort located about 10 miles from The Strip.

The 17-story development, a Station Casinos property, is situated at the base of one of the area’s most beautiful natural areas, Red Rock Canyon, in the west Las Vegas community of Summerlin.
Why would anyone hold a meeting 10 miles from The Strip? Well, for one thing, to discourage guests from heading off property, the Red Rock is truly an “all-in-one” property. In addition to nine restaurants (several of which have outdoor seating and private dining areas) and the requisite casino (with 87,000 square feet of gaming), the Red Rock also has a multiplex with 10 movie theaters that—since this is still Las Vegas, after all—have private VIP viewing boxes.

The property is even slated to open a 72-lane bowling alley in Spring 2007, with 22 lanes available for special events (“Strikes and Cocktails” anyone?). They also have a 600-seat bingo parlor, video game arcade, and an on-site childcare center. And down the road will be a full-scale shopping mall with Nordstrom anchoring additional department stores.

Of course, all the required resort amenities are here. There’s the three-acre pool area known as the “backyard,” with cabanas, poolside blackjack, and wading pools. Red Rock’s 35,000-square-foot spa has 20 treatment rooms, outdoor cabanas, a salon, fitness area, yoga garden, and special couples delights like bathtubs for two.

“It’s high-end, modern Southwest desert with a Frank Lloyd Wright feel,” says Veronica Kistner, vice president of sales for the Red Rock. “What meeting planners love is that a guest can take the guest room elevator from a guest room to the conference center without going through the casino.”

Meeting professionals will also appreciate the 100,000-square-foot conference center, with 70,000 square feet of function space distributed through four ballrooms and 10 breakouts, many with natural lighting and canyon views.

Entertainment options include the Cherry Nightclub operated by Rande Gerber (Cindy Crawford’s husband), with a private outdoor pool area, as well as six other bars and lounges. The pool area can be used for events for up to 3,000 people. This month’s Phase I opening brings on 414 rooms. Phase II, slated for the end of this year, will add 436 rooms, for a total of 850 rooms. When complete, the property will encompass 1.14 million square feet. The Red Rock is Station Casinos’ 15th property in southern Nevada. For more information, call 866-617-0777 or see www.redrocklasvegas.com.

Spouse activity of the month

Regardless of where you’re staying, a hike and wildlife tour in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area makes for a great “gender neutral” spouse activity. This 600 million-year-old wonder is located in the Spring Mountains only about 15 miles from Vegas.

One local outfitter, Hike This!, takes groups on hikes lasting about four hours. The program includes hotel transfer, lunch, snacks, water, the use of a pack, and a trained hiking guide. Hikes range from four to six miles, ranging from easy to moderately strenuous. Also, trips can be customized to suit groups’ interests. Rates start at $75 (one to four persons) or $85 (five to nine persons); call for larger group prices.

As a great add-on for the incentive crowd, Hike This also offers a “Hike & Massage Combo” ($185).
It’s a hike followed by an hour with a licensed massage therapist in the recipient’s hotel room. For more information, call 702-393-HIKE or e-mail hikethis@cox.net.

Incentive prize of the month

If you’re going to hurl yourself into the jaws of death-defying danger in a car, it’s slightly reassuring to go along with someone trained to the exacting standards of the man called the “Driver of the Century” by the Associated Press. This is why the Mario Andretti Racing School actually feels like a safe choice.

Then again, once you start putting group members behind the wheels of these 600-horsepower beasts, even the word “safe” starts to feel like a long shot. But hey, if it’s any comfort, a mere $25 will purchase a license and liability insurance, so drivers are free to ring up a little dent here and there.

Jokes aside, a few spins around the track at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway, guided by a professional instructor from the Mario Andretti Racing School, is an unforgettable incentive prize, or a wild team-building experience. Particularly if you’ve got a group of thrill-seekers on hand who would love to go for a spin at up to 180 mph.

Rides as a passenger can be had for as little as $129. Guests can drive themselves in a full-size Indy-style car starting at around $399. Drivers follow behind instructors at a safe distance, while the instructors set the pace based on each driver’s ability. Fourteen laps cost $799 on up to the six-session, 66-lap experience which costs $2,999.

To ensure bragging rights, drivers can also bring along friends and family to watch and snap pictures. And the instructors can also tie in team-building activities for groups, like the “Pit Stop Challenge,” where groups compete to change tires, get the driver buckled in, etc. Events can be held on site but must use a contracted caterer. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is located 12 miles from the Strip, about 15 to 25 minutes from most hotels. Corporate packages and discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Call 877-ANDRETTI or e-mail packages@andrettiracing.com.

Event site of the month
Imagine your attendees gazing upon works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Picasso before grabbing a few cocktails and hitting the town. The Guggenheim/Hermitage Museum in the Venetian offers just that possibility. This first-rate art museum can be closed to the public and rented for parties for up to 400 people, with passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks in two separate reception areas. Through July 31, the museum features Rubens and His Age: Masterpieces from the Hermitage Museum. The subsequent exhibition will be Masterpieces from the Guggenheim and State Hermitage Museums: A Fifth Anniversary Celebration featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Kandinsky and other artists.
If you’re just looking for an activity, museum tours can be arranged for groups of 10 or more for $14.50 per person, which includes the audio guide. Groups are encouraged to use private docents (for $125) who can handle about 20 people each. Contact Group Sales at 702-414-2102.