Furthermore, the boost also includes additional dynamic digital signage and a fresh design that looks to complement the resort’s tropical-inspired brand.

Ernest Stovall, VP of Hotel Sales for Mandalay Bay, commented: “Meetings and conventions play a pivotal role in the success of Las Vegas, and the revitalization of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center demonstrates our commitment to this critical piece of our city’s foundation. 

“Our goal is to evolve alongside the meetings industry to meet the needs of the modern customer. Based on invaluable insights from our customer advisory board, we crafted a space at Mandalay Bay that sets a new standard in excellence and reflects the future of modern meetings, events and trade shows.”

The design looks to tap into the expansion of events being held in the region, with it embracing new sports and tourist attractions that have been brought to Vegas. 

Sophie Wawro, Global President of ShopTalk, added, “We enjoyed hosting our event in the newly remodeled convention center, using features such as the new digital signage and other upgraded amenities. Outside of the fantastic convention space, we love holding our events at Mandalay Bay because of the great team and how the property has such extensive capabilities we can utilise, such as the restaurants, rooms and even the beach.”

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Returning for the 13th consecutive year as a sponsor of the 22nd annual Pride parade to be held this week, the largest annual such event to be held in the city commences Friday 11 October through to Wednesday 16 October.

A sponsor since 2003, MGM, which was named a leading disability employer earlier in the week, is to be joined by the Las Vegas Aces, a professional women’s basketball team, to don an early 70’s theme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Beginning on June 28, 1969, when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village, the raid subsequently sparked a riot that lead to six days of protests and community unrest.

This event is said to have served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

Earlier this year, the Human Rights Campaign named MGM Resorts one of the nation’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” for the eighth year in a row, after receiving a perfect score of 100.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be part of the Las Vegas Pride parade and to march with our community,” said Tony Gladney, vice president of community engagement at MGM Resorts International. 

“We strive to focus on what matters within the communities where our company resides. We’re proud to continue our legacy right here in Las Vegas as we come alongside the LGBTQ community to honour our past and celebrate our future.”

Last week MGM reached a settlement agreement in the region of $735m – $800m with all plaintiffs involved in the October 1, 2017, Las Vegas shooting.

On that day 58 people were tragically killed and hundreds more injured when a gunman opened fire on a crowd of 22,000 at the Route 91 Harvest music festival from the Mandalay Bay, with the site remaining closed since the next morning.

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Those in question are the Mandalay Bay, Park MGM and The Mirage, with the move coming as Nevada casinos begin easing restrictions as part of the latest steps of Governor Steve Sisolak’s ‘Road to Recovery’ strategy.

Amid a rise in interest in travel to the region, the company has also suggested that several of its live entertainment shows will return to the stage in the not too distant future.

Previously, each property had implemented selective mid-week closures related to decreased business volumes due to COVID-19. 

Earlier in the month, despite maintaining confidence in the recovery of both Las Vegas and Macau, said that pandemic and related operational restrictions, as well as midweek hotel closures at aforementioned trio of venues, were the main drivers of its Las Vegas revenue decreasing 66 per cent to $479.7m (2019: $1.42bn) during Q4 2020.

Total group revenue for the quarter dropped 53 per cent year-on-year to $1.49m (2019: $3.18m), driven by lower business volume and travel activity due to COVID-19, hotel and other closures at certain properties, travel restrictions to Macau resorts, and ongoing operating restrictions.

“As we begin to see positive signs around the public’s sentiment about traveling, coupled with important progress on the vaccination front and decreasing COVID-19 case numbers, bringing Mandalay Bay, Park MGM and The Mirage back to full-week operations is an important step for us,” said Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts CEO and president. 

“We remain optimistic about Las Vegas’ recovery and our ability to bring employees back to work as business volumes allow us to do so.”

From this week Nevada casinos, alongside a range of other establishments that include food and beverage outlets, places of worship, gyms, arcades, bowling alleys and similar activities, could increase capacity to 100 individuals or 35 per cent of fire code capacity, whichever is less.

Alongside the ten per cent capacity increase, organisations are also permitted to begin submitting plans for large gatherings, however, no such events can resume until March 1 and only granted approval by applicable local health and state authorities.

Following this relaxation, the next date for Nevadan diaries is Monday 15 March, when a 50 per cent capacity limit, or 250 individuals depending which is less, comes into effect under strict social restrictions.

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On that day 58 people were tragically killed and hundreds more injured when a gunman opened fire on a crowd of 22,000 at the Route 91 Harvest music festival from the Mandalay Bay, with the site remaining closed since the next morning.

The agreement represents the resolution of the company’s and the plaintiffs’ counsel’s previously disclosed mediation efforts, with the entire process expected to be complete by late 2020.

“Today’s agreement marks a milestone in the recovery process for the victims of the horrifying events of 1 October,” explained Robert Eglet, a lead plaintiffs’ counsel. 

“While nothing will be able to bring back the lives lost or undo the horrors so many suffered on that day, this settlement will provide fair compensation for thousands of victims and their families. 

“MGM Resorts is a valued member of the Las Vegas community and this settlement represents good corporate citizenship on their part. We believe that the terms of this settlement represents the best outcome for our clients and will provide the greatest good for those impacted by these events.”

Under the settlement agreement, the parties will dismiss and release all pending litigation, including the participating claimants’ claims against MGM Resorts and additional parties named in those claims, and the declaratory-relief actions filed by MGM Resorts.

MGM Resorts stresses that the proposed settlement is not an admission of liability by the organisation.

“Our goal has always been to resolve these matters so our community and the victims and their families can move forward in the healing process,” stated Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts. 

“This agreement with the plaintiffs’ counsel is a major step, and one that we hoped for a long time would be possible. We have always believed that prolonged litigation around these matters is in no one’s best interest. It is our sincere hope that this agreement means that scenario will be avoided.”

Last month MGM unveiled plans to transform the Las Vegas Village in to a community and athletic centre, as well as a parking site for the Allegiant Stadium.

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The arena is to serve as the home for the National Football League’s Las Vegas Raiders, as well as the University of Nevada’s Las Vegas Rebels college football team.

Almost two years ago, on October, 1, 2017, 58 people were tragically killed and hundreds more injured when a gunman opened fire on a crowd of 22,000 at the Route 91 Harvest music festival from the Mandalay Bay, with the site remaining closed since the next morning.

The 15 acre site, which along with the Mandalay Bay is owned by MGM, is to now be split into two sections, the company confirmed in a media statement.

At the north end of the property MGM is to build a community and athletic centre with the south to be used for parking, with the firm also stressing that it’s to create a space “to remember the victims of the tragedy”.

In it’s statement MGM explained: “We know that for many, the Village property will forever be linked to the tragic loss of life that took place there on October 1st. We will never forget the victims, and all of those impacted by that evening. 

“As the second anniversary nears, we remain committed to being part of the community effort to continue healing and moving forward. In this spirit, MGM Resorts plans to build a community and athletic centre on the north end of the property, which will be home to sporting events and community gatherings. 

“We hope one day it will host high school basketball tournaments, indoor soccer for kids and provide a place for the Aces to practice and engage with the community to inspire the next generation of female athletes.  

“It was important to us that the long-term use of the property include the community in some way. We also plan to create a space on the property to remember the victims of the tragedy.

“In the near term, while these plans are underway, the property will revert back from festival grounds to a parking area and will serve as parking during games and concerts taking place at Allegiant Stadium. 

“Over the coming weeks and months, there will be construction activity near the property to ensure the safety of pedestrians crossing the street toward the stadium. We will share plans for the community and athletic centre as they advance. We will also support the future community effort around a permanent, public memorial when that process begins.”

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