NOVEMBER | FEATURE
monorail. We’re going to use Tesla’s
model 3 and model X and a high
capacity vehicle. There’ll be two tunnels
going either direction. In Nevada we’ve
already granted autonomous vehicle
licensing, with autonomous BMW 5
Series operating in Downtown.”
Meanwhile, Schreiber ran down
some of the big things coming to Vegas
in the coming years, including the
MSG Sphere in late 2020. Designed for
concerts and events, the space features
16,000 seats and laser pointed sound.
Already in action, however, was
Hyde Lounge at T-Mobile Arena,
which is leading the way for major
event hospitality. Located high above
the event action with two exclusive
Tower Club event spaces, the Stella
Artois Lounge and Grey Goose Lounge,
the 1,672sqm space also features an
intimate lounge experience complete
with bottle service, plush banquette
couches, high-energy DJs, VIP elevator
access, a selection of culinary treats,
and skyline views of the famed Las
Vegas Strip.
Sustainability ‘Wynnovation’
Despite this sort of opulence, Vegas
has taken a giant u-turn in terms of
sustainability. Access learnt about
Wynn hotel’s awe-inspiring green
innovations when we sat down with
Pedram Pakneshan, assistant VP of
convention sales at the Wynn Las Vegas.
He discussed the property’s switch to
100% renewable power, a Herculean
effort not without its bureaucratic
obstacles. “Vegas is experiencing a
renaissance in events and we’re at the
forefront of figuring out our client’s
needs. We opened our own solar field
in December, 400 miles north of here,
spanning 160 acres, and we create
enough to power 75% of the entire
resort’s peak electric demand. By the
time the new resort upgrade opens
in 2021 there’ll have been enough
innovation, alongside our new solar
roof, to run the entire resort,” he says.
“Our big blue chip clients were
demanding this change, but now even
the smaller ones require things like
zero waste. It’s the right thing to do,
but we’re the only strip property who
can retire energy credits on behalf of
our convention clients, so we’re putting
together some new packages to get
zero waste or carbon footprint. Second,
food sourcing all comes within 400
miles of the resort and our recycling
programme ensures a single stream,
all goes into one bin, separated on
property. On average 42% of resort
waste is recycled, but for events, that’s
closer to 90%. We also have a network
of non-profits working to get rid of
specifically built items for events.
“The only thing we were unsure
about is straws, so we created our own
sustainable straw that biodegrades
in 90 days, so we created the change
ourselves. Our ‘to-go ‘packaging is in
our stores is made of the same material.
This is really great, because everything
else at our events is reusable china,
or glassware. We’re looking at using
aluminium next for bottles that don’t
not leave the property. It’s a higher cost
upfront, but when you have 1000s per
month it is worthwhile.”
As our trip continued, Access
experienced some popular consumer
and business attractions. The Lip
Smacking Foodie Tour gave us a taste
of the destination’s eateries; Maverick
Tours’ helicopter ride over The Strip
was awe-inspiring; and those keen to
escape the hustle should head to the zip-
lining experience in the Nevada desert:
Bootleg Canyon Flightlenz.
Vegas is still at the forefront of events,
then. But it’s advancements won’t
remain a secret for long.
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