Las Vegas Resort Magnate Sheldon Adelson Passes Away at 87
January 12, 2021
Las Vegas Sands Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sheldon G. Adelson passed away Monday evening after a two-year battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 87.
Known as one of the most successful luxury resort developers and transformational figures in Las Vegas history, Adelson founded Las Vegas Sands Corp in 1988. Under his leadership, the company innovated the successful integrated resort and convention center development model that has since become a staple in the Las Vegas resort industry, and one that has been replicated in other leading destinations.
Said his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson, in a statement: “Much has been written and said about how Sheldon, the son of poor immigrants, rose to the pinnacle of business success on the strength of grit and genius, inspiration and integrity. His was an all-American story of entrepreneurship. When Sheldon launched a new venture, the world looked on with anticipation.”
The young Adelson’s innovative and hard-working entrepreneurial spirit led him to launching the first technology and computing trade show, Comdex, in Las Vegas in 1979, which soon became the largest Las Vegas convention that drew in more than 200,000 attendees annually.
After selling the show in 1995 for nearly $862 million, he took those profits to help set the stage for luxury casino and conference-centric enterprises that included purchasing the aging Sands Hotel and Casino, building the 1.8 million-square-foot Sands Expo & Convention Center behind it, and imploding the Sands to make way for trend-setting opulence of The Venetian Hotel & Casino, which opened in 1999.
Besides The Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas, his successful properties included lucrative Sands resort-casinos in Asia, specifically in the popular Chinese gambling destination of Macao and Singapore.
Many from the hospitality and convention community remember Adelson fondly as a generous philanthropist and loyal employer who cared about his workers. After COVID-19 caused Nevada resorts to close in March 2020, the casino magnate continued providing full pay and benefits to all 10,000 Las Vegas Sands Corp. employees as well as the 1,200 employees working in the resorts’ independently owned restaurants.
“Sheldon Adelson was a recognized leader in the exhibition industry for decades,” said David Audrain, executive director of SISO and CEO of ExpoDevCo. “Not only did he create and build Comdex as one of the largest and most recognized events and brands in the world at the time, but he also helped many people working for him become successful leaders themselves. SISO awarded Adelson our most prestigious Krakoff Award in 2014.”
He continued, “Sheldon Adelson will most certainly be remembered as a major force in our industry who understood and supported the needs and opportunities for growth and success. SISO sends our deepest condolences to his personal and business families.”
Douglas Emslie, chair of SISO and Tarsus Group managing director, added, “Sheldon Adelson was a true legend in the exhibition industry. He built one of the major exhibition brands in technology and the Sands Convention Center that not only revolutionized the resort, casino and exhibition markets in Las Vegas, but also in Macau and Singapore. He was a major personality, a showman, but most of all one-of-a-kind entrepreneur."
Maureen Robinson, director of sales at South Point Hotel Casino & Spa, remembered Adelson as the man who brought conventions to Las Vegas.
“I worked with him on his first Comdex show in 1979 and went back and forth on how much in commissions he should get,” Robinson mused. “I again ended up working for him when I went to work at the Sands Hotel in 1992. I watched him blow that up and begin on the Venetian, which I was lucky enough to open up. He was one of the greatest business man I knew! I only respected three men in Las Vegas: Kirk Kerkorian, Sheldon Adelson and Michael Gaughan – business men that cared about their employees.”
According to multiple news reports, Adelson was considering selling his Las Vegas Sands resort properties last fall.
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.
Comments
Sheldon was loyal to his…
Sheldon was loyal to his staff, certainly a visionary but one who would put his money where his mouth is. He never accepted failure and was an icon for the Trade Show industry because he was never afraid to be different. Of course he never wanted to be first, as Sheldon used to say, "Pioneers wind up with arrows in their back". He was a mentor to me and taught me more about marketing in a week than I could ever have gotten with a year of experience.
Sheldon will be dearly missed.
Add new comment