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With the right mix and critical mass of amenities , hotels within an integrated resort provide the best opportunities for brand loyalty by setting the level of service and providing a unique guest experience .
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— Stephen Ranck , Southwest Hospitality Practice Area Leader , Gensler enue . The analysis will direct you to the right business plan .
KREFT : When we get involved with designing convention centers , we focus on several aspects . We are concerned about accessing parking structures and / or parking lots , providing access for taxi dropoff , guest dropoff and safe walkways from the structures to the convention center ( if not integrated directly into the hotel ). We also encourage hotel owners and their architects to make sure that there are some areas provided for private , exterior garden areas and patios for special event guests .
RANCK : Technology and ease of access are important for meetings and conventions . Guests are also increasingly looking for sustainable facilities in which to hold their future events . We ’ ve seen a trend for small to mid-sized hotels to provide flexible meeting centers that can be broken out to service individual clients or combined with larger ballrooms for bigger events . Likewise , larger convention centers are looking at new ways to program flexible ballroom spaces or to make full use of smaller breakout meeting rooms .
RIZZO : Recognize the size , needs and type of conference the convention / trade / professional convention business you are targeting is wanting . Also , the same is true for regional and local community groups / functions .
STEELMAN : Timing is the most critical factor . If you desire to be in the convention expo business , the lead times are very long . Banqueting and small meetings can immediately become successful . Conventions energize the casino and the nongaming attractions during the middle of the week , when casino traffic is lighter .
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Nightclubs are very lucrative but difficult to operate and control . What are some of the factors when considering adding this amenity ?
BUTLER : Nightclubs , if done properly , can bring in a whole new source of energy and revenue potential . They also bring a myriad of problems that can be solved , but require special considerations . Factors to consider are crowd management , the crush of peak-time partygoers on other amenities , noise and vibration on adjacent spaces and flexibility to enhance and upgrade as competition shifts or tastes change . Patrons are always looking for the best new thing , so they tend to migrate to the next newest club , making competition stiff and constantly changing .
HERETAKIS : In Vegas , go big or go home ! The entry fee is well over $ 50 million . If you spend less , you are a non-existent B venue with no real attraction or draw . You will be closed within weeks , not even months . The mega-clubs do well , but the days of high profit margins have been given away to DJs and live acts . If you ’ re up for it , a highly visible club will give you credit among a group of millennials whose true spend value in the long run has yet to be determined .
HOSKINS : The club experience has really exploded onto the scene in a good way , but when you don ’ t take the time to create a comprehensive plan from design to management , it can go wrong really fast . Not only do you need to think about designing a space that is captivating and one where people want to get energized , you must consider how the club integrates with the entire hotel , resort and casino functions . And don ’ t forget the importance of the club ’ s management . Hiring experienced managers and promoters who are part of your resort ’ s management team will enable close coordination of efforts to give your guests a seamless nightclub and resort experience .
KREFT : We have been involved with many interesting nightclubs inside and outside of the casino areas , having designed many of the “ beach club ” venues that are really nightclubs for hotel guests and visitors such as Tao Beach , Surrender / Encore and Harrah ’ s enclosed pool area , which converts to a nightclub venue at night . We have also designed pool areas that are adjacent to primarily indoor nightclubs ( for example , XS at Wynn ) so that a portion of the pool area at night ( and in good weather ) can open up some additional exterior seating and bar areas , enhancing the guest experience .
STEELMAN : All nightclubs are not lucrative . Fifty have closed in Las Vegas since the beginning of the craze . We always
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