ARIA Resort & Casino Announces Major Convention Center Expansion To Deliver Unrivaled Meetings & Events Experience

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cementing its position as one of North America's premier destinations for large-scale meetings and events, ARIA Resort & Casino announced today a major expansion of its award-winning LEED Gold-certified convention center.  The $154-million project will deliver an additional 200,000 square feet of technologically advanced, flexible meeting space across four stories, highlighted by stunning indoor/open-air spaces and a glass-enclosed venue with dramatic views of The Park and spectacular new Las Vegas Arena. With the completion of the expansion, ARIA will feature more than 500,000 square feet of superior meeting space for its luxury clientele.

Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2016 with anticipated completion in February 2018. 

"Convention business at ARIA is booming, and demand is currently exceeding the space we have available," said Bobby Baldwin, ARIA's president & COO. "Hosting large meetings and conventions is a core part of our business; as our clients' needs grow, we are committed to grow with them."

ARIA's new convention space will maintain MGM Resorts International's commitment to build all new venues to LEED Gold standards or better, creating one of the most expansive high-end, environmentally friendly meeting facilities in the world. Already an established leader in this area, ARIA has integrated environmentally responsible practices and services for all meetings, conventions and events, earning it a prestigious five keys from Green Key Global's Eco-Rating Program.

Tony Yousfi, ARIA's vice president of sales, said, "Our guests expect luxurious offerings and will be wowed by the new convention space. With the addition of this elite 200,000-square-foot venue, ARIA exponentially increases the spectrum of events and services that can be hosted at our AAA Five Diamond resort."

The first level will feature an open ballroom with ample pre-function spaces, and access to an exclusive loading dock for events that require sizable displays. Versatile indoor-outdoor breakout rooms which provide meetings flexibility to enjoy the Las Vegas weather while conducting business will highlight the second level, while the third level will offer a large ballroom as well as naturally lit pre-function spaces connecting to ARIA's existing convention center. The facility's top floor is set to become one of Las Vegas' most unique meeting venues as it complements a vast ballroom with a striking outdoor patio that can accommodate receptions for up to 2,000 guests. The top-floor patio will feature stunning views overlooking The Park and Las Vegas Arena, both of which are slated to open in April 2016.  

ARIA was named the top meeting resort in North America by Cvent, an industry leader specializing in meetings management technology; received the 2015 Gold Platter and Gold Key Awards from Meetings & Conventions magazine; and was named Smart Meetings' Best Gaming/Casino Hotel in 2015.

The new convention space will take the place of the location currently occupied by Cirque du Soleil's production of Zarkana, which will close April 30, 2016. 

ARIA RESORT & CASINO

ARIA Resort & Casino is a stunning AAA Five Diamond resort on The Strip featuring spectacular amenities, high-end service, premium meeting and convention space, striking architecture and sustainable design. Combined with its unparalleled offerings including the luxurious Shops at Crystals and the first-of-its-kind public Fine Art Collection, ARIA sets the bar for a new generation of resort experiences. ARIA and its neighboring properties within CityCenter are a joint venture between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World. For more information and reservations, visit ARIA.com, call toll free at (866) 359-7757 or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Aria Resort & Casino has based these statements on management's current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include statements regarding the timing of the expansion and its expected features. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, including effects of economic and market conditions, competition with other destination travel locations throughout the United States and the world, and the design, timing and costs of the projects and risks relating to permits, licenses, financings, approvals and other contingencies and additional risks and uncertainties described in the MGM Resorts International Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In providing forward-looking statements, Aria Resort & Casino is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE ARIA Resort & Casino

Related Links

http://www.ARIA.com