Las Vegas go hard or go home thread

[Landomatic 3813]

2 hours ago, Moby Ric said:

I am booking today for a convention in January. 

Hope it’s not CES.

[Moby Ric 2058]

5 minutes ago, Landomatic said:

Hope it’s not CES.

No, but I have been to that, it is pretty cool.  It is something for my wife's business and I just tag along.  The best convention I have been to about there is the cinemacon.  Every food vendor that sells stuff at the movies is handing you free samples.  You gain 5lbs just walking the floor.

[After irth 1243]

2 hours ago, Moby Ric said:

I am booking today for a convention in January. 

AVN?

[After irth 1243]

14 minutes ago, Moby Ric said:

No, but I have been to that, it is pretty cool.  It is something for my wife's business and I just tag along.  

Yep. Definitely AVN. 

[Moby Ric 2058]

Uh, no

[Party_Taco 3724]

Uh, no

It’s ok, you’re with friends here. We get it.

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

LAS VEGAS – MGM Resorts is now luring business professionals to resorts with ‘Work from Vegas’ travel packages that include discounted jet service, rooms as cheap as $100-per-night and a living, breathing executive assistant.

The new program is called Viva Las Office, and it’s the latest example of a Las Vegas company pumping up perks to boost bookings in the wake of coronavirus travel fallout.


https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2020/08/06/covid-nevada-mgm-resorts-work-las-vegas-travel-package-executive-assistant/3300138001/

[RPM 26318]

I've got a couple weeks of PTO banked and would love to get out there, but not right now. There's nothing to do but gamble and that's not the reason I go to Vegas.

Edited August 6, 2020 by RPM

[Landomatic 3813]

4 hours ago, bigup2dahorns said:

and a living, breathing executive assistant.

What all can she do (asking for my penis)?

Edited August 6, 2020 by Landomatic

[After irth 1243]

50 minutes ago, RPM said:

I've got a couple weeks of PTO banked and would love to get out there, but not right now. There's nothing to do but gamble and that's not the reason I go to Vegas.

Whores?

[RPM 26318]

Just now, After irth said:

Whores?

Shows, restaurants and yeah, whores. What am I, a farmer?

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

[Francisco 2.0 32389]

https://www.propublica.org/article/cellphone-data-shows-how-las-vegas-is-gambling-with-lives-across-the-country?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email

 

Quote

A new analysis of smartphone data, conducted at ProPublica’s request, shows how interconnected the country is with visitors to Las Vegas — which heightens concerns about the limitations of interstate contact tracing. The companies X-Mode and Tectonix analyzed travel to and from Las Vegas during four days, a Friday to Monday, in mid-July. In compliance with privacy laws, X-Mode collects data from smartphone users, mainly those using fitness and weather apps that track their location. The data represents about 5% of the smartphone users in the United States. Tectonix analyzed the data and visualized it on a map.

 

Quote

During the four-day period, about 26,000 devices were identified on the Las Vegas Strip. Some of those same smartphones also showed up in every state on the mainland except Maine in those same four days. About 3,700 of the devices were spotted in Southern California in the same four days; about 2,700 in Arizona, with 740 in Phoenix; around 1,000 in Texas; more than 800 in Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland; and more than 100 in the New York area.

 

 

 

[washparkhorn 9939]

Fascinating article. Thanks.

The flow between Las Vegas and the rest of the nation: 

[ChiTownDoc 21151]

On 8/6/2020 at 9:22 AM, bigup2dahorns said:

LAS VEGAS – MGM Resorts is now luring business professionals to resorts with ‘Work from Vegas’ travel packages that include discounted jet service, rooms as cheap as $100-per-night and a living, breathing executive assistant.

The new program is called Viva Las Office, and it’s the latest example of a Las Vegas company pumping up perks to boost bookings in the wake of coronavirus travel fallout.


https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2020/08/06/covid-nevada-mgm-resorts-work-las-vegas-travel-package-executive-assistant/3300138001/

Oh yes, setting up an office in a Vegas casino.  WCGW?

[washparkhorn 9939]

On 8/6/2020 at 7:22 AM, bigup2dahorns said:

LAS VEGAS – MGM Resorts is now luring business professionals to resorts with ‘Work from Vegas’ travel packages that include discounted jet service, rooms as cheap as $100-per-night and a living, breathing executive assistant.

https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2020/08/06/covid-nevada-mgm-resorts-work-las-vegas-travel-package-executive-assistant/3300138001/

That is an interesting offer. Good out of the box thinking by MGM Resorts. The change of scenery opportunity is a nice lure. 

[RPM 26318]

Speaking of MGM

MGM backs off after asking workers to ‘voluntarily’ repay thousands in tips

“No one signed it,” says one cabana server who asked not to be named for fear of losing her job. She’s collecting copies of the letter from her co-workers. Estimates of the total owed by employees is as high as $75,000.  

That’s a fortune to the workers but a relative pittance to the company, which enjoyed a surge in its stocks price earlier this month when Barry Diller announced his company, IAC, has been buying up a 12 percent stake in MGM Resorts International during the last year, valued at $1 billion.   

The tips were paid to employees last year on Aug. 30, 2019 when MGM told the workers their previous paycheck had been short, according to documents provided to the Current by workers. 

“A supervisor told us the money was our back pay and she was the one that said not to worry about it.  She’s now the one coming back trying to get that money back,” said a cabana worker who has been collecting copies of the assessments from her co-workers.  “We are making way less now.”  

Some employees turned to Culinary Local 226 for help, according to a grievance form.

Now, MGM says it’s had a change of heart. 

“We won’t be collecting those overpayments,” said spokeswoman Debra DeShong, who declined to say why or provide details such as how many employees were asked to return the overpaid wages. “Since we’re not collecting them I’m not going to comment.” 

Workers were unaware Monday the company was rescinding the “voluntary” demand for payment.  

“I need that in writing,” one cabana worker said when told by the Current. “Last week they were trying to get us to turn in paperwork.”

A spokeswoman for Culinary Local 226 was unaware MGM was attempting to collect the back wages.  

Nevada is one of twelve states where an employee “is not liable for the amount of the overpayment if recovery would be against equity and good conscience, as long as there is no showing of fraud or intentional misrepresentation or nondisclosure,” according to the Department of Labor.

[wild_turkey 3159]

Not sure I understand the financials that factor into the decision to permanently close Le Rêve. I thought Wynn actually owned it so there isn’t a lease on the building space to satisfy, plus that theater can’t be repurposed for anything profitable while COVID is ongoing. The show isn’t running so production costs are zero. Seems like they could furlough the employees and then start it back up once the COVID situation is under better control.

[Armybrat 40832]

RIP Frank Cullotta - Mob burglar, hit man, Las Vegas tour guide - dead at 81.

One of Tony “The Ant” Spilatro’s gang back in the day.

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

Not sure I understand the financials that factor into the decision to permanently close Le Rêve. I thought Wynn actually owned it so there isn’t a lease on the building space to satisfy, plus that theater can’t be repurposed for anything profitable while COVID is ongoing. The show isn’t running so production costs are zero. Seems like they could furlough the employees and then start it back up once the COVID situation is under better control.

Wynn does own the show. Workers were already furloughed and receiving benefits thru Aug 31 with the hope of resuming shows in the fall. Now that is off, so they have cancelled the show and the benefits will end after Aug 31.

Management might be pointing towards spring for a return to more normal gatherings inside the casino. In their last earnings call, they indicated April as the month for a potential return for convention business (what is on the books for now). As an interesting tidbit, in 2021 they think it might be possible to test pools of convention goers at entry and after 10-15 min test results allow them to enter and gather for meetings.

[Skipper 6133]

1 hour ago, bigup2dahorns said:

Wynn does own the show. Workers were already furloughed and receiving benefits thru Aug 31 with the hope of resuming shows in the fall. Now that is off, so they have cancelled the show and the benefits will end after Aug 31.

Management might be pointing towards spring for a return to more normal gatherings inside the casino. In their last earnings call, they indicated April as the month for a potential return for convention business (what is on the books for now). As an interesting tidbit, in 2021 they think it might be possible to test pools of convention goers at entry and after 10-15 min test results allow them to enter and gather for meetings.

The convention I go to annually was pushed from last week of February to first week in May.  Really hoping things are back to normal by then.  The last real indoor restaurant meal I've had was the last night of that convention last year at Scarpetta

[GopherRock 1765]

The PRCA announced yesterday that the National Finals Rodeo won't happen with fans in attendance. 

https://www.nfrexperience.com/news/read/313?fbclid=IwAR1wfclS3wa36kOrLGN2iQujHtUMtstoIWitG-gPHF7XF73dl10yTso8MPA

They're still working on other options, including moving out of Vegas for this year. Big loss for December.

[wild_turkey 3159]

11 hours ago, bigup2dahorns said:

Wynn does own the show. Workers were already furloughed and receiving benefits thru Aug 31 with the hope of resuming shows in the fall. Now that is off, so they have cancelled the show and the benefits will end after Aug 31.

I still don't understand the point in permanently cancelling Le Reve. I understand why it is cancelled indefinitely during COVID, but the operating expenses are presumably close to zero right now and that space in their building cannot generate money by any other means. Seems like they would simply keep it closed until COVID is over, then start it back up. Maybe they were on the verge of redoing it anyways?

[Francisco 2.0 32389]

13 hours ago, wild_turkey said:

I still don't understand the point in permanently cancelling Le Reve. I understand why it is cancelled indefinitely during COVID, but the operating expenses are presumably close to zero right now and that space in their building cannot generate money by any other means. Seems like they would simply keep it closed until COVID is over, then start it back up. Maybe they were on the verge of redoing it anyways?

Maybe there was something in the contract that prevented a simple furlough of the employees.

[Wanker Bob 379]

On 8/21/2020 at 7:08 PM, wild_turkey said:

I still don't understand the point in permanently cancelling Le Reve. I understand why it is cancelled indefinitely during COVID, but the operating expenses are presumably close to zero right now and that space in their building cannot generate money by any other means. Seems like they would simply keep it closed until COVID is over, then start it back up. Maybe they were on the verge of redoing it anyways?

I'm sure by closing it instead of merely postponing it there's some contractual financial incentive to do so. Nothing says they can't just start it up again whenever they want anyway and call it a comeback. If they were paying people up to August 31 I'm sure that is money they won't spend anymore now. 

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

Wynn Las Vegas’ experiment with a new style of buffet has proved short-lived. The Buffet at Wynn will close indefinitely at the end of service Monday.

Wynn made headlines in June when it relaunched its buffet as a new all-you-can-eat concept in which guests ordered dishes from a server instead of helping themselves. That style apparently did not resonate with guests.

“Based upon guest feedback, we found that many guests prefer a more traditional buffet experience over the served all-you-can-eat format,” Wynn Resorts spokesman Michael Weaver said in a statement about the decision. “We will continue to assess the situation and will make a determination on reopening at the appropriate time.”

The news comes after Caesars Palace confirmed last week that it has delayed the reopening of its Bacchanal Buffet, originally planned for August, until “later this year.”

https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/wynns-reimagined-buffet-is-closing-indefinitely-2111117/

[Landomatic 3813]

11 hours ago, bigup2dahorns said:

“Based upon guest feedback, we found that many guests prefer a more traditional buffet experience over the served all-you-can-eat format,” Wynn Resorts spokesman Michael Weaver said in a statement about the decision. “We will continue to assess the situation and will make a determination on reopening at the appropriate time.”

Translation:  "We were losing our ass with this concept."

[capnamerca 571]

2 hours ago, Landomatic said:

Translation:  "We were losing our ass with this concept."

Also the "I want to be a glutton, but I don't need people KNOWING I'm a glutton. I'll serve myself, thanks."

[RPM 26318]

On 9/4/2020 at 11:50 AM, capnamerca said:

Also the "I want to be a glutton, but I don't need people KNOWING I'm a glutton. I'll serve myself, thanks."

Plus the "I'm waiting too long for refills" crowd. Gluttons are impatient.

They should bring Pancho's in as consultants.

Edited September 5, 2020 by RPM

[RPM 26318]

Low Room Rates in Las Vegas Responsible for Labor Day Violence

A spike in violence on the Las Vegas Strip over Labor Day weekend is a direct result of rock-bottom room rates. That’s according to Greg Mullen, vice president of CDC Consulting, who told the Las Vegas Review-Journal this week he believes the drop in prices during the coronavirus pandemic is attracting the wrong sort of person.

Occupancy rates have plummeted because of the pandemic, which means operators are offering low rates, or even free rooms, plus travel incentives to the mass market, rather than just high rollers.

“Cheap retail rates for the hotel rooms (and) free rooms are going to the players that have never had free rooms in Las Vegas,” Mullen said. “They’re going deeper in their database to get players who aren’t as lucrative, because it’s better just to get a body in there.”

The result? The destruction of rooms is at an all-time high at some high-end properties, according to Mullen, and meanwhile, videos with titles like “Fight in ENCORE HOTEL LAS VEGAS LABOR WEEKEND 2020” are getting 40,000-plus views on YouTube.

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

[Landomatic 3813]

20 minutes ago, bigup2dahorns said:

 

No smoking?  What’s next, no hookers or cocaine? 

[texhorn 351]

No smoking?  What’s next, no hookers or cocaine? 

Think of the children!

[Zepol87 9185]

Went yo freemont cause I'm grimey. Walked out of Golden Nugget and a whole building was on fire. Cops were arresting 2 big bitches fighting and not caring at all

 

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

[RPM 26318]

Looks like a car fire. 

[Landomatic 3813]

1 hour ago, RPM said:

Looks like a car fire. 

Almost looks like a 5 car fire.

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

[Native Horn 3500]

As long as Hugo's Cellar came out OK, we good.

[RPM 26318]

Nearly 550 Wynn Las Vegas employees test positive for COVID-19

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -- Wynn Resorts released results on contact tracing and testing efforts Thursday morning.

Of the 15,051 COVID-19 tests on employees so far, 548 have tested positive. That amounts to a 3.6% positivity rate. Fifty-one positive results were before reopening of the resort on June 4 and 497 were after reopening.

Since reopening, Wynn said only six guests have tested positive for COVID-19.

[Landomatic 3813]

1 hour ago, RPM said:

Nearly 550 Wynn Las Vegas employees test positive for COVID-19

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -- Wynn Resorts released results on contact tracing and testing efforts Thursday morning.

Of the 15,051 COVID-19 tests on employees so far, 548 have tested positive. That amounts to a 3.6% positivity rate. Fifty-one positive results were before reopening of the resort on June 4 and 497 were after reopening.

Since reopening, Wynn said only six guests have tested positive for COVID-19.

Numbers seem very misleading.  548 employees test positive out of how many employees?  Also, how could they possibly know how many guests test positive?  On property they test positive?  Okay, how many test positive a few days after getting back home, but may have got it there?  Sketch

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

[Blotto 23497]

On 9/4/2020 at 11:50 AM, capnamerca said:

Also the "I want to be a glutton, but I don't need people KNOWING I'm a glutton. I'll serve myself, thanks."

That was my first damn thought when I read that quote. I participated in some absolutely grotesque displays involving crab legs in my younger days. We wouldn't shower until after dinner because we knew it would be such a mess. 

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

[Armybrat 40832]

One of my sons was staying at the Aria last weekend but spent a lot of time in the Cosmo gambling. Watched the UTEP game at the front sports book. Everybody was masked up, but not the usual packed crowd.

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (former Hard Rock) announced their opening date today. The hotel-casino plans to open Jan. 15, 2021.

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

[bigup2dahorns 3343]

Cosmo (LVRJ):

After weeks of increased violence on the Las Vegas Strip, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is implementing several new security features beginning Friday evening.

Every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The Cosmopolitan will restrict entry to only those with reservations within the hotel or at a restaurant, or rewards members, and all guests will be checked with metal detection wands, according to a statement from the hotel-casino.

Specific doors have been designated for entry and exit, and the property will have Metropolitan Police Department officers at the doors. All bags will be checked, and “oversized alcoholic beverages or glass products” will not be allowed on property.

“The Cosmopolitan holds itself to the highest standard in creating a safe and welcoming environment for all of its guests and employees. These enhanced procedures are a continuation of our dedicated effort to protect the health and safety of all those who enter the resort,” the statement read.

The Strip has seen a recent string of violent crimes, including a stabbing in the shadow of The Cosmopolitan and a shooting across the street.

Local experts pinned the violence partly on low room rates and noted that casinos will be balancing profit margins for many months to come.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/cosmopolitan-of-las-vegas-to-implement-metal-detectors-restrict-entry-2145034/

[T-shirt Sip 2100]

Anyone been to Vegas in the past couple of weeks? We’re going this Sunday and was wondering what the minimums look like. Also is the crime really as bad as what they are making it out to be.