• More than just gaming at casinos
• Book a show or mingle with celebrities
• Cash in on special group packages
• Book a show or mingle with celebrities
• Cash in on special group packages
When you think casinos, Las Vegas may be the first city that comes to your mind, but it isn’t the only game in town. It’s time to check out what’s in your own backyard! The Midwest region is home to a vast number of casino properties offering their own “Sin City” excitement, including venues with resorts, spas, golf, and premier entertainment.
Meeting professionals and their guests might initially think that the only thing to do at a casino venue is gaming. Yes, there is plenty of fun in gaming options, featuring everything from slot machines to table games, but one of the key incentives to holding an event at a casino property is the bountiful entertainment available!
What kinds of options are available to meeting planners and their guests? Here is some insight from the region’s top casino resorts.
Meeting professionals and their guests might initially think that the only thing to do at a casino venue is gaming. Yes, there is plenty of fun in gaming options, featuring everything from slot machines to table games, but one of the key incentives to holding an event at a casino property is the bountiful entertainment available!
What kinds of options are available to meeting planners and their guests? Here is some insight from the region’s top casino resorts.
 | As Gary Sturm, Hotel & Convention Sales Manager, Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch, MN, shared, there are many fun entertainment options for their guests, “We work with a variety of different corporate groups, associations, and tradeshows. We’ve had groups rent our bowling alley (which you can rent privately) and we’ve set up games and tournaments for them. We also offer a 100-passenger yacht that groups can enjoy and we can even help arrange to bring aboard a small entertainment act.” |
Cutting Edge Equipment
Like most venues, groups are welcome to bring in their own entertainment, but casino resorts offer an added edge for entertainers and planners. Instead of having to outsource the elaborate and expensive equipment needed for high-quality productions, many casino venues offer in-house, high-quality equipment, from staging, screens, sound systems, and even green rooms for the performers.
Sturm shared, “We’ve had groups bring in everyone from Louie Anderson to a small cast from the Guthrie Theater. Since we host national acts, we have built-in dressing rooms (three total) and offer state-of-the-art sound and lighting that you’d find at concert venues.”
Barb Goin, Director of Sales, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake, MN, also highlights their venue’s unique AV options. “We have an outstanding in-house team of professional sound and lighting engineers available, creating unlimited opportunities for truly stunning, one-of-a-kind events.”
Like most venues, groups are welcome to bring in their own entertainment, but casino resorts offer an added edge for entertainers and planners. Instead of having to outsource the elaborate and expensive equipment needed for high-quality productions, many casino venues offer in-house, high-quality equipment, from staging, screens, sound systems, and even green rooms for the performers.
Sturm shared, “We’ve had groups bring in everyone from Louie Anderson to a small cast from the Guthrie Theater. Since we host national acts, we have built-in dressing rooms (three total) and offer state-of-the-art sound and lighting that you’d find at concert venues.”
Barb Goin, Director of Sales, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake, MN, also highlights their venue’s unique AV options. “We have an outstanding in-house team of professional sound and lighting engineers available, creating unlimited opportunities for truly stunning, one-of-a-kind events.”
Expert Assistance
Since casino resorts are often homes to national acts, their staff have the right connections and experience to help you find the best entertainment. Whether you prefer to ask for referrals or request the hotel handle the details for you, rest assured you are in safe hands!
Goin shares, “Our entertainment department can assist with booking all manner of private entertainment for your event - from live music or a DJ to performers including celebrity impersonators, contortionists, caricaturists, aerialists, and psychics.”
At Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells, Ryan Pulvermacher, Senior Sales Manager, and his team help groups coordinate the logistics with customized gaming experiences, meet and greets, and more.
“One thing I really like to encourage is setting up personalized group gaming areas, whether it is a private black jack table with hors d’oeuvres or a party near the casino floor so people can enjoy gaming if they want,” said Pulvermacher. They’ve also arranged for special events for VIP guests including the chance to mingle with celebrities and plan to do more special packages in the future.
Piggy Back on Onsite Entertainment and Packages
When booking your event, ask the resort about any events going on at the same time. Find out if there are options to purchase a group ticket block, arrange a private show for your group the day before or after, or even arrange a room rate that includes tickets to the event.
For example, Treasure Island offers free lounge entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. This is a great way to offer some no-cost entertainment options for your attendees. Ask the property what nights they offer free events and promote to your guests to enjoy during their downtime.
Don’t miss out on the great events casino’s already have planned! Most resorts offer special packages for events they’re hosting.
Goin notes, “We also offer ticket discounts to groups for our annual holiday show and, depending on availability, can explore discount ticket options for headliners in the Mystic Showroom as well as Mystic Comedy Club. During the holiday season we offer suite packages for our holiday show including a luxurious suite with a great view of the stage plus food and beverage service.”
Casinos offer much more than just gaming, they are a sure bet to being able to offer all of your guests a high-roller experience!
Since casino resorts are often homes to national acts, their staff have the right connections and experience to help you find the best entertainment. Whether you prefer to ask for referrals or request the hotel handle the details for you, rest assured you are in safe hands!
Goin shares, “Our entertainment department can assist with booking all manner of private entertainment for your event - from live music or a DJ to performers including celebrity impersonators, contortionists, caricaturists, aerialists, and psychics.”
At Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells, Ryan Pulvermacher, Senior Sales Manager, and his team help groups coordinate the logistics with customized gaming experiences, meet and greets, and more.
“One thing I really like to encourage is setting up personalized group gaming areas, whether it is a private black jack table with hors d’oeuvres or a party near the casino floor so people can enjoy gaming if they want,” said Pulvermacher. They’ve also arranged for special events for VIP guests including the chance to mingle with celebrities and plan to do more special packages in the future.
Piggy Back on Onsite Entertainment and Packages
When booking your event, ask the resort about any events going on at the same time. Find out if there are options to purchase a group ticket block, arrange a private show for your group the day before or after, or even arrange a room rate that includes tickets to the event.
For example, Treasure Island offers free lounge entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. This is a great way to offer some no-cost entertainment options for your attendees. Ask the property what nights they offer free events and promote to your guests to enjoy during their downtime.
Don’t miss out on the great events casino’s already have planned! Most resorts offer special packages for events they’re hosting.
Goin notes, “We also offer ticket discounts to groups for our annual holiday show and, depending on availability, can explore discount ticket options for headliners in the Mystic Showroom as well as Mystic Comedy Club. During the holiday season we offer suite packages for our holiday show including a luxurious suite with a great view of the stage plus food and beverage service.”
Casinos offer much more than just gaming, they are a sure bet to being able to offer all of your guests a high-roller experience!
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