Hanging over the entrance of my office is a framed quote, a gift from a mentor, that I find particularly relevant for the upcoming year: “Think big, act small, fail fast…and learn!”
The quote’s origins have been lost to time, but I think it still applies in 2020.
When we conceptualized CAESARS FORUM, we took the first part of that quote to heart. Caesars Entertainment faced the need for additional meeting space and we decided to “think big.” In terms of providing flexible meeting space—more than 300,000 square feet—and to offer the world’s two largest pillarless ballrooms, we certainly met that challenge.
We embraced the story of Las Vegas by being current and innovative, and by applying that to the design of CAESARS FORUM. It’s something that can be applied to the industry as a whole: If it’s worth doing, go all the way.
Since breaking ground 18 months ago, the interest and bookings for this world-class facility far exceeded our expectations. As crews continue to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to complete the project, our team is busier than ever showing customers CAESARS FORUM.
Caesars Entertainment announced Bill Dosch as executive director of catering and convention services for CAESARS FORUM in May 2019. Dosch and his team have the monumental task of managing the first conferences at CAESARS FORUM. This includes a large variety of industries: trade associations, fashion, technology, telecom, sports, entertainment, wine and spirits, education and wellness organizations.
CAESARS FORUM will truly tie the Caesars Entertainment campus together, connecting to 8,500 hotel rooms at Harrah’s Las Vegas, The LINQ Hotel + Experience and Flamingo Las Vegas. It will be connected to The LINQ Promenade and within walking distance to a total of 20,000 Caesars Entertainment hotel rooms, including Caesars Palace.
Steps away from the world-famous High Roller and connected to CAESARS FORUM sits Forum Plaza, the only dedicated 100,000-square-foot outdoor meeting and event venue in Las Vegas. With space for up to 10,000 participants, CAESARS FORUM is already proving to be in high demand for signature events.
We created visibility in a crowded marketplace and, now, expect to be top of mind for those sourcing unique options in Las Vegas. The typical booking pattern for meetings and conventions is three to five years in advance of the conference date. In just over 24 months since we announced our plans to open, CAESARS FORUM will be completed. I’m proud our team met the challenge of standing out in that timeframe.
Now, I find it hard to believe that we are two months from opening, with CAESARS FORUM more than 80 percent complete. The future of meetings and events in Las Vegas is almost here. As we enter a new decade, I challenge the industry to “think big,” as we have with CAESARS FORUM.
With so many great things in store for 2020, Caesars Entertainment and I wish you, fellow MPI members, a safe, joyful and prosperous new year!
Michael Massari
Chief Sales Officer, Caesars Entertainment
mmassari@caesars.com
