Your Las Vegas Event Planners!

Reports from early April is that Lance Burton is leaving Monte Carlo hotel after almost 10 years of performing.   When asked by Alicia Jacobs from News 3 if this is about money- rumor had it Monte Carlo asked Lance to trim the budget and he decided to leave- Lance said it is true in part.  Monte Carlo did want him to trim the budget but to do fabulous magic you need a budget but it was more of a choice about the show in it’s entire to leave the Lance Burton Theater at the Monte Carlo.  No word on what is going to replace him in the venue.  Will Monte Carlo follow suit of every other hotel and put a cash cow nightclub in it’s spot?  Or look for raw talent to revive the dominating Cirque market?  Guess we will wait and see….

Wayne Newton who was currently performing at the Tropicana announced today that tomorrow (April 24th) will be he last show.  No word on who or what act is going to replace him.

Once again the Engineer Wizards have outdone themselves with the Top of The Stratosphere with the new ride.

Sky Jump is the newest attraction to debut this week on the Las Vegas Strip.   108 Stories and 855 Feet, need we say more.  Although it is a controlled free fall with mechanical wires it still travels up to 40 MPH.   I was surprised by the amount of Media that took the inaugural launches, but will be even more surprised if my corporate clients ask to take the plunge….I will gladly book this after I have them sign every release form we have.

I am still not sure which way I lean about the New Proposed Michael Jackson Inspired Cirque Show.  On one hand it is great to have more shows to offer the convention clients and on the other hand I am banging my head on my desk when asked for Group Show Tickets that is not a Cirque Show.  Seems to be a running theme on the Las Vegas Strip to have a Monopoly if you may for lack of a better word.   I have officially added Cirque to my list of too much of a good thing.

Hopefully the reviews will come in better then Believe or even Elvis that had mixed reviews.   And while I will go see the show to give an unbiased opinion to my clients I can’t help but hold LOVE in my heart.   O was the top runner for a long time but LOVE takes the cake with me, if they can top the energy and variety I might just be on board with the Cirque overload.

Someday I would like to see a theater that dedicates itself to rotating Broadway shows every 3-6 months, it just makes sense in an ever evolving city we call Las Vegas.

The show will start touring in 2011 and in 2012 it is predicted to have a home.  Until then we wait…..

Andrew “Randy” Kwasniewki has died of an apparent suicide.  AAt 66 he was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home by his wife.  He took over the Hard Rock in 2007 when Morgans Hotel Group bought the resort.  He is being remembered as not only a great business man but a wonderful family man.

Such a great space, I really hope someone steps in and takes this 3 story venue in Caesars Forum Shops.  FAO Schwartz closed quietly in January without much to do.    About 60 employees were affected but were offered jobs at Toys R Us and Babies R Us where available.

Thinking of leasing this space?  Don’t worry the 48 Foot Horse is being removed.

I know I know, all my post’s are starting to turn into these depressing closings.  Maybe I will start selling tours to the ghost town once know as Las Vegas.   Now onto the next…Wynn Hotels dining venue Daniel Boulud Brasserie will close  April, 2010 when it’s 5 year agreement is up. 

Wynn is seeking another operator/chef to lend their name and talents to this site.

Oh my bacon wrapped dates how I will miss you…..It seemed to creep up on us overnight.  While I am not sure how much notice the staff had but I received a phone call on Feb. 13th better get to Ba Ba because they are closing on Feb. 15th.  WOW!!  Now I have seen many closings but a prime location on the strip with great food, this was a tough one to swallow.   Now for the positive (well maybe)  the parent company Lettuce is going to replace Ba Ba with another venue.  Word on the street is a Mexican Style Restaurant opening sometime in March. 

It was announced this week that the Ritz Carlton at Lake Las Vegas will close it doors in May.  With almost 400 employees out of jobs, while they will try to transfer some most with join our long line of unemployment.  This was a great blow to Lake Las Vegas and before we could even hope another hotel will replace this one the Casino decided to close.  They said their main decision to close the doors the first week of March was the fact that the RITZ is no longer going to be their neighbor.  Did I mention another 140 employees will be out of jobs?  Brace yourself…rumor from Norm our RJ Columnistis stating another 2 hotels might be closing in 2010.  We said good ridden to 2009 but I think Las Vegas will say wish you never came to 2010.  Here is hoping 2011 will be our year!!!

I have driven past the Trump Building probably over 100 times in the past year.  Looking at it’s shiny gold statue saying hello to me each day.  I call it a building because I recall not knowing if it was a condo or hotel.  Luckily for me I had a site inspection with the Convention Services Manager and found out it is both, while the majority on the hotel side.  I didn’t have any expectations because I have never been inside any Trump Building in my lifetime.  As a local the downside was no parking except Valet, some of us locals like to park in the garage a lot.  However once I got past the initial shock I was beyond impressed to say the least.  The lobby was unique to the Strip because there was seating and plenty of it.  It must have been hundreds of times of the past 10 years I have been in the lobby and wished there was seating.  A Non-Casino, Smoke Free Hotel, with Suites that are unparalleled to most in Las Vegas.  My favorite was the TV in the bathroom mirror, I want one for my house!    While the meeting space isn’t abundant this is a great hotel for incentive trips and smaller groups who are looking for a luxury hotel with some of the best views on the Strip.