Wynn calls for more originality in Las Vegas

Monday, Dec. 14, 1998 | 11:37 a.m.

Las Vegas needs more entertainment and original ideas to meet the competition ahead from Indian reservations casinos and riverboats, Steve Wynn said today.

Wynn, chief executive officer of Mirage Resorts Inc., said Las Vegas resort operators are going to have to take chances and invest in speculative ventures in theater and art to withstand the challenges coming from new gaming venues.

Wynn addressed the 15th annual Governors Conference On Travel and Tourism this morning at his company's Bellagio Hotel casino.

Wynn stressed originality as one of the keys to success and applauded Venetian developer Sheldon Adelson's bid to put a convention facility, world-class shopping and restaurants and a suite hotel under one roof.

"We've suffered from arthritis," Wynn said "We need to loosen up, be creative. It doesn't do any good to be the second Mirage."

The push for more restaurants, shopping centers and quality entertainment will keep Las Vegas ahead of its competitors, he said. His formula for keeping ahead of the growing competition reads like a blueprint for the Bellagio.

Wynn said he was nervous about spending $100 million for a theater to house Bellagio's 'O' show. He pointed out that producers didn't want to stage musicals like "Hello Dolly" and "The Music Man" -- which now are endearing classics.

"The future of this town depends on the entertainment quotient," Wynn said. "And entertainment in this case means shopping and restaurants as well."

Wynn pointed out that all of the world's greatest chefs will have operations in Las Vegas and that every major retailer on the planet will be represented in 3,500 feet of frontage along the Strip when the Venetian and Paris are completed.

"We got an education when Wolfgang Puck proved to us that people will line up to get good food," Wynn said. "The Forum Shops have been tripping over themselves to expand. Their success even surprised their own expectations."

Wynn cited the world economy as a constant concern for the city in addition to the growth of competition. He said he isn't worried about a lack of airline seats bound for Las Vegas because "there are always guys like me who will buy airplanes and run them ourselves."

Wynn's speech kicked off a program that will feature speakers and panel discussions on how Nevada can draw customers as the number of rooms increase and competition grows.

More than 1,000 tourism professionals will hear presentations on topics ranging from adventure travel to immigration polices. Appearances also are scheduled by representatives of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission.

The event is also the unofficial handoff of the state's tourism leadership from the administration of Gov. Bob Miller to Gov.-elect Kenny Guinn.