Venue Notes

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 1/23/2009 12:36:00 PM

Harrah’s Entertainment has halted work on a portion of its $1 billion Caesars Palace expansion project. Citing tough economic conditions and lower room inventory demand, the company will delay the opening of 665 guest rooms in the property’s sixth and newest hotel tower, Octavius.

The 23-story tower’s ground level, three 10,000 square foot luxury villas, new pool and garden area and 110,000 square feet of meeting space will open as planned in June, according to the company. Once construction resumes, the interior of the new tower can be finished and rooms opened within a matter of months, company officials said. Upon the opening of the expanded conference facility, Caesars’ will have 300,000 sq. ft. of total convention space.

Wynn Resorts’ $1.7 billion Encore Las Vegas has arrived. With its opening this month, the high-end Strip property offers a 53-story tower with 2,034 luxury guest suites ranging from 700 sq. ft. to 5,800 sq. ft., as well as 60,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Neighboring flagship property, Wynn Las Vegas, has more than 200,000 sq. ft. of convention space.