A conversation with Kelly Gleeson Smith of Caesars Entertainment
Kelly Gleeson Smith has been in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years. Since joining Caesars Entertainment as director of sales in 2017, she has been honored twice with the Caesars Corporate Excellence in Leadership Award, Director of Sales of the Year, in 2019 and 2020.
In her current position as senior vice president of sales, Smith oversees more than 150 salespeople nationwide in leading Caesars’ global sales strategy for meetings and events at more than 50 properties throughout the country, including 19 in the Southwest. Here, Smith shares how Caesars Entertainment adds value to meetings and events as a provider of full-service meeting, dining, and entertainment destinations.
What do you enjoy most about events and hospitality?
I have been in the industry most of my life and love helping clients bring their vision to life and hosting successful conferences.
Each juncture of my career, my mentors and allies have supported me and given me great insight. I am also actively involved in PCMA, IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum, MPI, and ASAE. I enjoy mentoring the new generation coming up in the industry.
How does Caesars’ expansive reach offer value and accessibility for planners?
We have an incredible reach with more than 50 properties nationwide, including 19 Caesars properties in the Southwest, in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Nevada. Plus, we offer our clients a depth of knowledge that they can tap into; from operations to F&B to client services, we have a deep bench. Also, as a national and iconic brand, we can attract the very best partners locally and nationally.
We pride ourselves on having an in-market sales team of sales professionals in the markets they serve. So, our clients have Caesars’ contacts in their cities. Caesars provides a one-stop shop— our salespeople know all our properties and can check availability, quote rates, and negotiate agreements, making it easier and faster for clients.
We also require only one F&B minimum for a destination. For example, in Las Vegas, you could host your opening party at the Garden of the Gods pool at Caesars Palace, your conference at CAESARS FORUM, and your closing dinner in the Versailles Ballroom at Paris—all under one F&B minimum.
What advantages does Caesars offer over other venues?
In addition to requiring only one F&B minimum, Caesars has added wellness options to our catering menus, making wellness easy to incorporate into an agenda for events in Las Vegas, Reno/Tahoe, Nev., and other destinations. Data confirms that weaving wellness throughout a conference increases the net promoter scores and engagement.
We also offer a large array of entertainment and celebrity-chef restaurants across the nation, which are available for private-event buyouts.
We work hard to think outside the box, offer solutions to help our clients be successful, and include creative touches to delight their attendees and stakeholders. We do that by offering great accommodations, first-class food and beverage options, world-class entertainment, vast meeting facilities, and a great experience with family-style service.
What can you share about property enhancements, new activations, and other exciting offerings coming soon to Caesars meetings and events?
We are continuously introducing new products and experiences across the enterprise.
We recently added the renovated Jubilee Tower at Horseshoe Las Vegas and integrated it into Paris Las Vegas, under a new name, Versailles Tower. An investment exceeding $100 million, the Versailles Tower features a new exterior and interior. This renovation introduces 756 redesigned luxury guest rooms and a pedestrian bridge connecting the Versailles Tower to the existing Paris resort. The Versailles Tower features some of the largest standard rooms on The Strip, starting at 436 square feet. In addition, select guest rooms offer new 55-square-foot balconies with unmatched views of The Strip as part of the renovation.
At Flamingo Las Vegas, we introduced the all-new GO Pool, which includes five pools and experiences at varying levels, a 30-seat swim-up bar, VIP cabanas, and a 50-foot waterfall. It is a great option for receptions or wellness activations. The design combines mid-century modern Flamingo architecture with a contemporary beach resort vibe. The GO Pool is part of the resort’s ongoing transformation, which includes new attractions like Pinky’s by Vanderpump and Gordon Ramsay Burger.
In addition, we just announced the launch of our first Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino. This will serve as a luxury brand in beautiful Lake Tahoe, Nev. This is a full renovation of the Harveys Lake Tahoe Hotel.
We recently announced our partnership with firebrand Lisa Vanderpump, which will transform The Cromwell, our boutique hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, into The Vanderpump Hotel by early 2026. The renovation will feature Vanderpump’s signature style of bespoke furnishings, luxurious designs, and focus on luxury and elegance. The project will include a redesign of the reception, lounge, and 188 guest rooms, plus hand-selected amenities for guests, creating a one-of-a-kind destination with an emphasis on comfort and sophistication.
At Caesars Entertainment, we are always evolving and want to offer our clients more.
