From BIZBASH: What Las Vegas Event Pros are Working on This Season

With the unofficial end of summer now behind us (that would be Labor Day), event professionals are looking to the fall—a traditionally busy time—to see how the economic recovery will help the industry rebound from what has so far been a pretty slow year. We asked a group of local planners and vendors what they have in the works for the coming months. Here are some highlights.

"Baskow is very excited about the fall season. We have written 68 proposals in the past three weeks for September, October, November, and January events. We see the economy coming back strong. I recently booked two name celebrities for October events in Miami and four well-known speakers. People are also spending money again, starting to book Vegas venues and talent. This is the most exciting news for our economy." —Jaki Baskow, owner and C.E.O., Baskow & Associates

"People are calling me for private catering and booking events from Las Vegas to California. At Southern Wine and Spirits Las Vegas, sales were higher than expected for the Labor Day weekend. [We] anticipate that with the projected December 4 opening of the Mandarin Oriental, the first CityCenter tower to open, things will be on the rise. People from all over are eager to see what this project looks like. New restaurants and attractions are what drive people here. With all the excitement and buzz around this project, our local economy should take a step forward. People want to travel and get away—now is a great opportunity to do this. Room rates, packages, and shows are discounted to draw [convention, meeting, and event business, plus tourism] here." —Nick Lorenz, founder, Lorenz Catering, and executive chef, Southern Wine and Spirits For more, click here.