Las Vegas is always ahead of the trends, on the cutting edge of entertainment, nightlife and even corporate social responsibility (CSR). Home organizations and visiting corporations actively give back to the community, the environment and the people who make this destination shine—all to make the world a better place.
Resort Participation
With the exquisite resorts offering world-class entertainment, dining and more, sustainability likely is not the first thing visitors think about the Las Vegas Strip. However, many aren’t aware of Las Vegas resorts’ dedication to environmental responsibility, business ethics and community engagement.
As a LEED Gold Certified property, Resorts World Las Vegas is committed to positively impacting the environment through its operations. Since 2023, in a multiyear partnership with NV Energy, it is among one of the few resorts on the Las Vegas Strip to be 100% powered by renewable energy sources. And during its construction, 80% of waste and debris was diverted from landfills. Some of the company’s additional initiatives and community engagements include food donation to local farms to be converted to animal feed. It also has collaboration organizations such as Clean the World Foundation, which aims to offer global access to clean water, proper sanitization and adequate hygiene to help eradicate hygiene-related fatalities. The organization is known for partnering with Las Vegas resorts to collect soaps, shampoos and other hygiene items for donation to global nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
MGM Resorts International has an established and successful CSR program, with projects that include environmental programs, inclusivity initiatives and sustainability goals. The company has a set of social impact and sustainability aims aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to these efforts, it continues to strengthen the community, generating billions in economic impact and investing in education, reskilling and career readiness programs. Additionally, MGM Resorts currently produces up to 90% of its daytime power needs as part of its solar clean energy program.
MGM is committed to a robust food loss and waste management program. Since 2016, its MGM Resorts Feeding Forward program has donated 5 million meals to local nonprofit organizations, including Three Square Food Bank, which is affiliated with Feeding America.
Sphere Entertainment Co. and co-companies Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) work diligently to positively impact the communities in which they conduct business. In 2020 and 2021, MSG donated over 5,000 back-to-school supplies to Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada and made contributions to local nonprofits including Opportunity Village Foundation. The Sphere itself utilizes energy-efficient LED lighting, and its advanced heating system avoids wasteful reheating, thus saving energy and reducing its carbon footprint.
Caesars Entertainment is also dedicated to strengthening society and building sustainable communities alongside responsible gaming practices and community resources that support its staff and Las Vegas at large. The company is working toward a carbon neutrality path, mitigating climate change by reducing energy consumption and supply-chain emissions, as well as water use and food waste across many of its CSR initiatives. And by 2025, the team is aiming to reach 60% waste diversion from landfills. Additionally, the organization’s CodeGreen program works to drive employees to get involved in park and street cleanup and recycling drives.
Wynn Resorts is another company committed to like causes. Wynn Las Vegas diverted 41% of resort waste from landfills in 2023, and it also has a partnership with the aforementioned Clean the World, providing essential hygiene products to in-need individuals across the globe.
The humane care of animals is also an important initiative. Wynn Resorts prioritizes vendors and suppliers demonstrating responsible practices in animal care, which is why Wynn and Encore sourced 100% of eggs from cage-free suppliers in 2023.
Convention Groups Participation
CSR activities are an increasingly popular aspect of the nearly 22,000 meetings and events that take place annually in Las Vegas. The influx of events and business travelers heading to the destination each year leaves a lasting impact on Southern Nevada’s community through various initiatives.
CES – put on by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) – is one of the biggest annual conventions anywhere and attracts over 175,000 attendees each year. The convention goes beyond hosting events to educate and promote sustainability and other innovations, showing its dedication to a greener future. CES strives to make the event more sustainable each year with its green initiative, which includes several aspects.
On the recycling front, 1,400 tons of materials were converted for reuse in 2019, while 1.7 million square feet of carpet was reused and 100% of vinyl banners were diverted from landfill. Beyond that, all booths and aisle signs were recycled for the conference.
CES/CTA also donates all furniture and materials that exhibitors don’t want to bring home to several local nonprofits. The organizers also donated two canine security officers to the LVCVA to keep the convention and wider community safer.
Additionally, CES/CTA has awarded several grants in the last five years. In 2023, the CTA’s Green Grant program awarded $100,000 to three Nevada organizations focused on sustainability.
The National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) annual convention has repeatedly been held in Las Vegas and has made a positive impact through its social responsibility program and foundation.
The NADA Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund helps auto and truck dealership employees who have been impacted by natural disasters—and a large local donation typically follows when the show is in town. In 2018, it donated $50,000 to the Nellis Support Team, a nonprofit organization whose broad mission includes supporting more than 30,000 airmen and women and their families at Nellis Air Force Base, Creech Air Force Base, and the Nevada Test and Training Range in Southern Nevada.
Through its various initiatives, such as the Workforce Initiative, NADA supports career growth for service technicians and is dedicated to helping individuals receive training and obtain meaningful work. Other programs benefit wounded veterans and disaster relief victims, and empower women in the industry. Additionally, the organization’s McCarthy Memorial Program pairs veterans and disabled children with highly trained service dogs.
The Las Vegas community continues to thrive due to the socially conscious and ethical businesses that reside in the valley as well as the generosity and continued CSR efforts of those who do business here. See additional reasons for why you should host your meetings and events in Las Vegas. Plus, see the latest stats of how the destination is aiding in sustainability and sustainable business practices.