Las Vegas Happenings

Boutique Resort RUMOR Debuts
The Siegel Group has opened boutique resort RUMOR located near Paradise Road and Harmon Avenue. Formerly the St. Tropez Hotel, the two-story resort features 150 suites, an intimate lobby and bar, a new restaurant called Addiction, and an outdoor courtyard with pool area, which transforms into a nightlife venue with live DJs and musicians. RUMOR also welcomes pets, offering an outdoor dog run, customized in-suite bowls and plush dog beds. RUMOR is an 18 and over resort. For more information, please contact Marina Nicola, Wagner Junker Agency, marina@wjagency.com.


South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Announces Expansion
South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa has announced a two-phase expansion of its casino and restaurant offerings. The first phase includes a $20 million, 55,000-square-foot expansion of the casino, adding 600 slot machines, a new poker room, a new race and sports book and an entertainment area. The second phase includes the addition of a Steak 'n Shake restaurant brand and a future Japanese restaurant to open in the fall. For more information, please contact Courtney Fitzgerald, South Point Hotel & Casino, fitzgeraldc@southpointcasino.com.


Minus5 to Open Second Las Vegas Location at Monte Carlo
Minus5, which opened America's first ice lounge at Mandalay Bay in September 2008, will debut their newest location - Minus5 Ice Bar - this August at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. The new Minus5 Ice Bar will include a 1,200-square foot ice encased room where everything is made of 100% Canadian ice including the bar, tables, benches, and walls. Created in New Zealand, Minus5 is a unique ice-themed experience where guests enjoy vodka cocktails served in a glass made of pure ice, all within a -5° Celsius (23° Fahrenheit) ice environment. For more information, please contact Rosalind Terlitzky, Langdon Flynn Communications, rosalind@langdonflynn.com.


Bellagio Launches FlyteChannel featuring Live Airport Arrival and Departure Screens
Adding to the amenities Bellagio offers, guests now have the convenience of viewing live airport arrival and departure screens without leaving their room. FlyteChannel, on channel 50 in guest rooms, shows cities, flight numbers, scheduled and actual arrival/departure times, airline logos, and gates. Flights are sorted by city names to allow guests to quickly check flights and identify alternative flights if necessary. FlyteChannel is currently available in all guest rooms. For more information, please contact Wendy Zamaripa, Kirvin Doak Communications, wzamaripa@kirvindoak.com.


Le Rêve Presents the Ultimate SCUBA Experience
Wynn Las Vegas' show, Le Rêve, is giving certified SCUBA divers the opportunity of a lifetime with the Diver's Dream Package, allowing SCUBA diving during a live performance of Le Rêve. The Diver's Dream Package offers a weekend of excitement, including a two-night stay in a Resort Room at Wynn or Encore, VIP Indulgence tickets to Le Rêve, a private backstage tour, SDI Certified SCUBA training session with the Le Rêve diving team and the unparalleled opportunity to dive during the live show. Le Rêve is the only staged production in Las Vegas to offer this exclusive access to guests. For more information, please contact Lauren Bower, Wynn Las Vegas, lauren.bower@wynnlasvegas.com.


MGM Resorts International Offers New LGBT Event
Hosted by MGM Resorts properties' ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Luxor and Excalibur, "Fabulous Las Vegas" is a four-day celebration Aug. 12-15 catering to the LGBT community. Guests can choose from four hotel packages offering varying levels of VIP access to private parties and preferred entry into LGBT events. Select packages also include tickets to the sold-out Lady Gaga concert, tickets to Zumanity and private parties at ROK Vegas and Studio 54. The weekend will feature drink specials, meet-and-greets, pool parties, blackjack and slot tournaments, fashion events, docent tours and much more. For more information, please contact David Gonzalez, MGM Resorts International, dgonzalez@mgmresorts.com.


Rock & Rita's to Host Nations International Flair Bartending Challenge
Rock & Rita's, the "Great American Party" restaurant and bar at Circus Circus, will host NATIONS, the international flair bartending competition, August 16-17. Selected for its specially designed flair bars, which were created to meet flair bartending competition requirements, Rock & Rita's will welcome more than 50 internationally ranked flair bartenders from nine countries across the globe as they compete for $25,000 in cash and prizes. Competitors will flip, fling, pour and roll crazy cocktail concoctions for the chance to win the first place title, $10,000 cash and the NIFC Grand Champion Trophy. For more information, please contact Leslie Thuet, Wicked Creative, leslie.thuet@wickedcreative.com.


Las Vegas to Host 2010 Miss Universe Pageant
NBC, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, have announced the 2010 Miss Universe® Pageant will air live on NBC and Telemundo, Monday, August 23 (9 p.m. EST) from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour telecast. Each contestant, representing over 80 countries around the world, will compete in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Worldwide distribution of the competition has topped over 190 countries in past years. For more information about the pageant, please contact Lark-Marie Anton, Miss Universe Organization, lanton@missuniverse.com.


Las Vegas Restaurant Week Returns
Lauded as one of the best culinary cities in America, fine dining perennially tempts travelers to the "Entertainment Capital of the World." On August 30, gourmands will have yet another reason to visit when the 4th Annual Las Vegas Restaurant Week begins. More than 80 participating restaurants will offer sensationally priced seasonal menus. Portions of the proceeds will benefit local food bank, Three Square. For more information, please contact Emily Wofford, R&R Partners, Emily.Wofford@rrpartners.com.


The Forum Shops at Caesars and FunJet Vacations Partner for 10/10/10
On Oct. 10, 2010 at 10:10 a.m, 10 couples will meet in front of the Trevi Fountain in front of The Forum Shops at Caesars and propose simultaneously to their significant others. It's all part of a contest created by FunJet Vacations and The Forum Shops at Caesars in celebration of the auspicious date. Ten couples were selected through an essay and photo/video contest at www.101010at1010am.com. The couples will receive an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas provided by FunJet Vacations, a two-night stay at Caesars Palace and much more. For more information, please contact Marina Nicola, Wagner Junker Agency, marina@wjagency.com.


ALEX Receives 2010 Grand Award from Wine Spectator Magazine
ALEX, the namesake restaurant of Chef Alessandro Stratta at Wynn Las Vegas, has received the coveted 2010 Grand Award from Wine Spectator magazine. ALEX joins an elite group of 75 dining establishments around the world to receive the Grand Award, the magazine's highest honor. Wine Spectator magazine began its recognition of the world's best wine programs 30 years ago, and will continue the tradition of profiling the year's victors in the August 31 issue of the magazine. Restaurants are selected based on their superior wine lists in addition to outstanding food, service and ambience. For more information, please contact Casey Leblang, Becca PR, casey@beccapr.com.




LVCVA and R&R Partners Receive Global Advertising Honors
The American Advertising Federation honored the LVCVA and R&R Partners with two Gold ADDY Awards and two Silver ADDY Awards for the popular "What Happens Here, Stays Here" campaign as well as the "What's Your Excuse?" campaign. These awards represent the best work in the domestic advertising industry. The 57th Annual Cannes Lion International Advertising Festival, the world's largest, most prestigious celebration of creativity in communications, awarded the LVCVA and R&R Partners with a Bronze Cannes Lion for the "What's Your Excuse?" campaign featuring the "ChinChilli Day" spot. Las Vegas was the only destination in this year's event to win a Cannes Lion trophy. For more information, please contact Betsy Ward, R&R Partners, betsy.ward@rrpartners.com.