Las Vegas Meetings
by Harrah’s Entertainment: Diamonds Are Forever
Nov. 12-15, 2009
The most reliable casino payout in Las Vegas has more to do with satiating a sweet tooth than filling an empty wallet.
Like clockwork, every 15 minutes the 13-foot-high Payard Chocolate Clock at Caesars Payard Patisserie and Bistro dispenses free truffles as patient visitors and hotel guests peek through the chocolate-framed windows into the clock’s mechanical chamber. The inner workings of the clock mirror the process of making truffles and chocolates. Perhaps not listed in the Caesars Palace meetings promo material, it is one of the many perks I discovered last November during the three-day Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah’s Entertainment Las Vegas Educational Experience: Diamonds Are Forever.
During the whirlwind introduction to the seven Harrah’s Las Vegas properties and myriad venues, I also was given the company’s VIP Diamond Card—the same card awarded its preferred gaming customers.
Some of the many benefits include complimentary snacks, cocktails and Internet access in any of the hotels’ Diamond lounges. The card also offers free admission to Caesars Qua Baths and Spa, where I spent my final morning sweating out toxins in the herbal steam room and then soaking so long in the Jacuzzis and Romanesque baths that I almost missed my ride to the airport. The card works in all Harrah’s properties, so theoretically attendees can hit over a half-dozen Diamond lounges along the Strip.
"The Diamond card is a very nice touch, especially for VIPs. The customer service and attention to detail by all staff was exceptional," says Kerry Price, senior director of strategic networking events at Amerinet. Amerinet held its annual member conference in May 2009 at Harrah’s Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
Attractive to many of the planners I met is the option to use any of the venues and facilities under the Harrah’s umbrella, and more enticing, to be able to run everything on the same account. The selling point is that with one call or e-mail, planners have access to Bally’s Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas, Imperial Palace, Paris Las Vegas and Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, amounting to over 1 million square feet of meeting space and over 20,000 guest rooms and suites.
"I like that even if you are meeting at Paris, you can have a dinner at the Rio or a lunch at Caesars. You can still work with one person and get one master bill," says Lauren Chelf, director of meetings and expositions at AOAC International.
During the Diamonds are Forever event, we had a taste of some of Harrah’s venues, including the kitsch-but-entertaining Margaritaville and the still trendy PURE Nightclub at Caesars. A winding staircase leads to the 14,000-square-foot Terrace, offering views of The Strip as well as food stations, literally serving everything from sushi to doughnuts.
Paris Las Vegas also proved it can impress with a grand closing party showcasing entertainment from Harrah’s various properties.
Harrah’s does not employ any of Las Vegas’ ubiquitous Cirque du Soleil French Canadian acrobats, but the troupe Matsuri, which performs at the Imperial Palace, has been described as the Japanese Cirque du Soleil. We were treated to a sampling of the usual 75-minute show—one of the highlights at the closing night dinner.
The Flamingo’s George Wallace also made a cameo and lived up to his Mr. Las Vegas title with sharp social commentary and a few political barbs.
Harrah’s can also arrange for high-risk adventure, like rafting rides at the base of the Hoover Dam. Actually, the floats are quite tame—nary a hint of white water, but our experience started with a failed engine, an endearingly sarcastic boat driver and a boat full of good-natured meeting planners who even turned to team-building by fishing a dropped cell phone out of the water as we were marooned on the rocks. A recovery boat scooped us up, and the ride ended up scenic and sedate from there.
Harrah’s pulled out the stops during the educational weekend with a lineup of motivational speakers and performers available to groups, including football star Vince Papale, subject of the movie Invincible. It also highlighted its array of restaurants, from Harlem’s transplant Rao’s, known for its meatballs, to a bevy of steakhouses.
Then there were the truffles…
For More Info:
Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment
877.MEET.702
www.harrahs.com/groups-meetings/las-vegas