Vegas – Our Story Insight

NYC club maestro opens new members-only Zero Bond in Las Vegas

admin — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:59:24 +0000

Zero Bond – the exclusive New York City club beloved by the likes of Jay-Z, Gigi Hadid and former Mayor Eric Adams – is opening a Las Vegas outpost this week.

It’s the first Big Apple-style, members-only club to come to Sin City. In a locale known for excess, the club is keeping everything — from fees to the number of members — relatively small.

Joining the club located inside the Wynn Las Vegas costs $1,000 for “initiation” plus $2,750 per year. Members who want to be considered “founders” have to cough up $50,000 in initiation fees, with higher annual dues, too. They get access to the Manhattan club.

Zero Bond, the exclusive New York City club, is opening inside the Wynn Las Vegas. Wynn Las Vegas

“In a town where money talks, this is about curation and the quality of the community,” founder Scott Sartiano told Side Dish, who declined to share the number of members he has in mind.

The two-story, 15,000-square-foot space, which overlooks a golf course and features a $40 million art collection, is already drawing buzz. Guests at last weekend’s opening party included Gwynneth Paltrow, Michael Rubin, LeBron James – and Tom Brady and Alix Earle, who arrived separately after sparking romance rumors earlier this year. Doja Cat serenaded the stars.

In Sartiano’s view, he’s fulfilling an unmet demand.

“Las Vegas is the biggest hospitality market in the world, and there is nothing like Zero Bond in the ecosystem here — just country clubs” and the Discovery Land Company’s exclusive gated community, the Summit Club, he said.

Reaching for the highest of the high brow, the new club features a Renoir above the fireplace, a work by contemporary Mexican artist Jorge Pardo, and outdoor sculptures by artists including Joan Miró, Jim Dine, and Robert Indiana. They’re all for sale and are the fruit of a partnership with Heather James Fine Art.

“Las Vegas is the biggest hospitality market in the world,” says Scott Sartiano, middle. Mark Wahlberg and Kevin Costner were among the guests at last weekend’s opening party. BFA.com / BACKGRID

For earthlier delights, there are no fewer than four bars, a central salon, and a cigar room where club members can puff hand-rolled cigars.

True to its Vegas setting, the new Zero Bond features a poker room and a disco, both designed by Wynn Design & Development.

As in the New York City original, there are no photos.

“I want Zero Bond to grow as a premium luxury hospitality brand,” Sartiano said, adding that he seized “the opportunity to partner with Wynn [because] everything they do is the best — from their design to the atmosphere and food and beverage. Partnering with them made sense.”

Sartiano and Jessica Alba BFA.com / BACKGRID

He noted that private clubs have mostly been in urban areas, not travel destinations like Vegas.

“There is a whole new market for it. Basically, if you think about it, Vegas is about maximizing square footage and access, which is the opposite of a private member’s club,” Sartiano said.

Mariena Mercer Boarini oversees the new club’s drinks. Bar bites like chicken nuggets topped with caviar are available, too. Food can also be ordered from Sartiano’s new steakhouse next door.

Unlike the club, that establishment is open to the masses.

Michael Rubin, from left, Will Makris and Tom Brady. BFA.com / BACKGRID

Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse – run by three-time James Beard Award winner Alfred Portale of New York and chef Michael Rubinstein – offers classic steaks and pasta.

The restaurant recently opened after Sartiano’s Hamptons eatery shuttered following noise complaints from locals.

“It breaks my heart,” he said of the closure.

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BetMGM launches leaderboard contest ahead of Vegas championship event

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 01:37:15 +0000

BetMGM has announced a leaderboard-style contest for players, which is tied to the Players Era Men’s and Women’s Championship.

The ‘Players Era in Vegas Leaderboard’ has been launched and will run through November 9, with the contest rewarding 25 winners with a trip to Las Vegas for the championships, including tournament tickets, a four-night stay, and $1,500 in withdrawable funds for travel.

The actual event, however, will take place November 24-27 and will be hosted by MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas.

.@BetMGM launched a new promotion tied to the @Players_Era Championships – a multi-day event Nov. 24–27 hosted by @MGMResortsIntl in Las Vegas.

Now through Nov. 9, the “Players Era in Vegas Leaderboard” contest will reward 25 winners with a trip to Las Vegas for the… pic.twitter.com/RtpzlLwpKU

— BetMGM News (@BetMGMNews) November 6, 2025

“BetMGM is focused on delivering legendary experiences for sports fans, and the Players Era Men’s and Women’s Championships – right in our Las Vegas backyard – is the ideal stage,” said Raymond Doyle, BetMGM Senior Vice President of Sports. “This promotion gives BetMGM players a chance to show off their skills for an up-close look at one of college basketball’s most exciting events.”

BetMGM’s leaderboard has opened, with the main event to take place soon

A leaderboard-style contest isn’t anything new for operators, but it is the latest offering from MGM team. The company has said within the news announcement that while it continues to expand and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus.

Lance Evans, MGM Resorts’ Senior Vice President of Sports, said, “As the home to some of the biggest live championship events, we look forward to, once again, hosting the Players Era Men’s and Women’s Championships at MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay. Our MGM Resorts Live Event Ventures team remains focused on delivering new-to-market programming while delivering college basketball fans nationwide an exciting sports betting promotion.”

The event comes at a busy time in the brand’s calendar, as MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas has also just announced it will be hosting nightlife experiences during the Las Vegas Grand Prix which is the weekend before the new contest.

Featured Image: Credit to ‘groundzero’ on Wikimedia Commons, 2.0 CC license

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MGM Resorts CEO on Las Vegas slump and U.S. travel

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:36:00 +0000

Las Vegas is launching a new campaign to boost tourism after a significant summer slump.

The new campaign, “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas,” will focus on value for visitors and offer promotions and other incentives at the destination.

The city has seen visitation decline for seven consecutive months, with the most recent report from July showing a 12% decline year over year.

And yet, MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle says, “Las Vegas is not done or dead.”

“To the contrary, I think there’s lessons to be learned, you know, in terms of value and value creation,” Hornbuckle told CNBC Thursday at the Bank of America Gaming and Lodging Conference.

Hornbuckle said affordability and perceptions of value have been especially top-of-mind for budget-conscious visitors. He pointed to the deals available at the Excalibur, one of MGM’s resorts on the Las Vegas Strip: $85 rooms, including resort fee; $5 tables; $5 beers. But the $12 Starbucks coffee grabs the headline.

“There is value there, and there’s always been value,” Hornbuckle said. “We let the narrative get away from us and shame on us. We need to do a better job.”

MGM and Las Vegas more broadly had posted several years of growth in visitation, room rates and profits before this year’s slowdown.

When asked whether the Vegas slump could be a canary in the coal mine for U.S. travel more broadly, Hornbuckle, who chairs the U.S. Travel Association, said it does seem to be a leading indicator. And the industry as a whole is facing some troubling obstacles.

Canadian visitation to the U.S. has plummeted some 40% this year, following comments by President Donald Trump about Canada as a potential 51st U.S. state and evolving trade policies. The Canadian dollar has also weakened, lessening the buying power of visitors crossing the border into the U.S.

Tourists take photos near the Las Vegas strip.

Robyn Beck | Afp | Getty Images

Hornbuckle also pointed to massive price hikes for a U.S. visa, from $100 to $350, where a family of four visiting for the Ryder Cup, World Cup or Olympics in 2028, for example, could pay $1,400 for visa documents alone.

“International travel in 2016 had a $50 billion U.S. surplus. Today it’s a $50 billion deficit,” Hornbuckle said.

The government’s commitment to funding marketing and promotion of U.S. travel was also slashed by 80% in the most recent spending bill, to $20 million.

“We obviously find ourselves in a world that has a fair amount of uncertainty from a macroeconomic perspective, from a socio-political perspective,” Marriott CEO Tony Capuano told investors at the BofA conference Thursday. “Marriott, and the sector more broadly, thrives in times of certainty and stability. So that creates some measure of challenge.”

Capuano said there’s been a slight uptick after Labor Day in some segments of travel. He said Marriott sees spending restrained in budget travelers and small businesses. But he described demand for luxury travel as “sturdy.”

Wyndham Hotel and Resorts CEO Geoff Ballotti laid out an optimistic view of the travel industry, noting robust demand for extended stay, driven in part by projects supporting the government’s infrastructure spending.

“You’re seeing incredible interest in investment right now,” Ballotti told CNBC. “Our new construction pipeline, 20 consecutive quarters of growth, is at an all-time high. We’re seeing groundbreakings accelerate. We’re seeing a new construction pipeline accelerate, and we’re seeing it more so here domestically than we are anywhere else in the world.”

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Accor to join Las Vegas Strip with Treasure Island

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 08:54:02 +0000

The multinational hotel company Accor has this week (July 23) announced the signing of Treasure Island, a 2884-key property on the Las Vegas Strip.

The property, which overlooks the city’s racing circuit, will be operated under a franchise agreement with Accor when it debuts later this year.

The addition of TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino will make this the hospitality company’s largest hotel in the world, with this boosting Accor’s presence in the Americas region.

“The city’s tagline is ‘What happens here, only happens here’, and certainly there is no other place in the world where a collaboration of this scale and significance could come together,” said Camil Yazbeck, Global Chief Development Officer, Accor.

“The union of Treasure Island and Handwritten Collection creates a one-of-a-kind guest journey, where connections are treasured, wonder is discovered, and every stay is a narrative waiting to unfold…”

Accor: Treasure Island hotel has recently undergone a refresh

The hotel will benefit from exposure to Accor’s loyalty program which has over 100 million members.

“Treasure Island has long held a special place in the story of Las Vegas, and I am certain that Accor and Handwritten Collection will further enrich its legacy and attract new generations of guests and visitors,” said Phil Ruffin, owner of Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.

“This next chapter brings new energy to the resort while preserving its unmistakable spirit. We are proud to align with Accor – a global leader in hospitality whose values resonate deeply with ours, and we look forward to a successful and long-lasting partnership.”

The hotel has recently just had a multi-million dollar refresh, complete with self-check-in. The resort also features 10 dining venues and eight lounges and bars, along with a spa, entertainment venues, and a casino.

“We are thrilled to bring Accor to Las Vegas and to provide our ALL Accor members and guests here in the United States, as well as those visiting from around the globe, with an incredible opportunity to stay at this emblematic property – now the largest Accor hotel in the world,” said Thomas Dubaere, CEO PM&E, Accor Americas.

“The addition of Treasure Island – TI Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Handwritten Collection is a milestone achievement, not only for our Handwritten Collection portfolio, but for Accor’s growing presence of exclusively selected properties in the U.S. market.”

Featured Image: Credit to Accor in press release

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Tech companies head to Las Vegas to tout health AI tools

admin — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 00:54:01 +0000

Visitors check out Nvidia’s AI technology at the 2024 Apsara Conference in Hangzhou, China, on September 19, 2024.

Costfoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Nvidia, Google, Microsoft and dozens of other tech companies are descending on Las Vegas next week to showcase artificial intelligence tools they say will save doctors and nurses valuable time.

Sunday marks the official start of a health-care technology conference called HLTH, which is expected to draw more than 12,000 industry leaders this year. CNBC will be on the ground. Based on the speaking agenda and announcements leading up to the conference, AI tools to conquer administrative burdens will be the star of this year’s show.

Doctors and nurses are responsible for mountains of documentation as they work to keep up with patient records, interface with insurance companies and comply with regulators. Often, these tasks are painstakingly manual, in part because health data is siloed and stored across multiple vendors and formats.

The daunting administrative workload is a major cause of burnout in the industry, and it’s part of the reason a nationwide shortage of 100,000 health-care workers is expected by 2028, according to consulting firm Mercer. Tech companies, eager to carve out a piece of a market that could top $6.8 trillion in spending by the decade’s end, argue that their generative AI tools can help.

Alex Schiffhauer, group product manager at Google, speaks during the Made By Google event at the company’s Bay View campus in Mountain View, California, Aug. 13, 2024.

Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images

Google, for instance, said it’s working to expand its health-care customer base by tackling administrative burden with AI.

On Thursday, the company announced the general availability of Vertex AI Search for Healthcare, which it introduced in a trial capacity during HLTH last year. Vertex AI Search for Healthcare allows developers to build tools to help doctors quickly search for information across disparate medical records, Google said. New features within Google’s Healthcare Data Engine, which helps organizations build the platforms they need to support generative AI, are also now available, the company said.

Google on Thursday released the results of a survey that said clinicians spend nearly 28 hours a week on administrative tasks. In the survey, 80% of providers said this clerical work takes away from their time with patients, and 91% said they feel positive about using AI to streamline these tasks.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks at a company event on artificial intelligence technologies in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 30, 2024.

Dimas Ardian | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Similarly, Microsoft on Oct. 11 announced its collection of tools that aim to lessen clinicians’ administrative workload, including medical imaging models, a health-care agent service and an automated documentation solution for nurses, most of which are still in the early stages of development.

Microsoft already offers an automated documentation tool for doctors through its subsidiary, Nuance Communications, which it acquired in a $16 billion deal in 2021. The tool, called DAX Copilot, uses AI to transcribe doctors’ visits with patients and turn them into clinical notes and summaries. Ideally, this means doctors don’t have to spend time typing out these notes themselves.

Nurses and doctors complete different types of documentation during their shifts, so Microsoft said it’s building a separate tool for nurses that’s best suited to their workflows.

AI scribe tools such as DAX Copilot have exploded in popularity this year, and Nuance’s competitors, such as Abridge, which has reportedly raised more than $460 million, and Suki, which has raised $165 million, will also be at the HLTH conference.

Dr. Shiv Rao, the founder and CEO of Abridge, told CNBC in March that the rate at which the health-care industry has adopted this new form of clinical documentation feels “historic.” Abridge received a coveted investment from Nvidia’s venture capital arm that same month.

Nvidia is also gearing up to address doctor and nurse workloads at HLTH.

Kimberly Powell, the company’s vice president of health care, is delivering a keynote Monday that will explain how using generative AI will help health-care professionals “dedicate more time to patient care,” according to the conference’s website.

Nvidia’s graphics processing units, or GPUs, are used to create and deploy the models that power OpenAI’s ChatGPT and similar applications. As a result, Nvidia has been one of the primary beneficiaries of the AI boom. Nvidia shares are up more than 150% year to date, and the stock tripled last year.

The company has been making steady inroads into the health-care sector in recent years, and it offers a range of AI tools across medical devices, drug discovery, genomics and medical imaging. Nvidia also announced expanded partnerships with companies such as Johnson & Johnson and GE HealthCare in March.

While the health-care sector has historically been slow to adopt new technology, the buzz around administrative AI tools has been undeniable since ChatGPT exploded onto the scene two years ago.

Even so, many health systems are still in the early stages of evaluating tools and vendors, and they’ll be making the rounds on the HLTH exhibition floor. Tech companies will have to prove they have the chops to tackle one of health care’s most complex problems.

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