LAS VEGAS, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment was honored recently as "Business of the Year" at the second Las Vegas Hospitality Association (LVHA) Distinction Awards gala, held Thursday, Feb. 25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In her introduction of Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment, LVHA Chairman of the Board Linda Ness said of the organization, "Their success in business through innovation is legendary in the hospitality industry."

At the event, titled "Reflections: A Tribute to Our Hospitality Leaders," the LVHA also recognized four individual hospitality professionals for the significant impact they have made on the development and expansion of the hospitality industry in Las Vegas. Jennifer Cheung, Senior Sales Manager at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, received the Rising Star Award; the Spirit Award went to Karen Gordon, Founder and President of Activity Planners; Chris Meyer, Vice President of Sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, received the Industry Leader Award; and the Legacy Award went to Bill Hornbuckle, Chief Marketing Officer at MGM Mirage.

"This is truly an honor," said Michael Massari, Vice President of Meeting Sales and Operations for Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment. "Five short years ago, Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment wasn't even a business, so to be recognized now in this way, to be mentioned in the same conversation as other honorees like Chris Meyer, Karen Gordon, Jen Cheung, Bill Hornbuckle, Rossi Ralenkotter, Freeman, Val Moon, and of course Jordan Clark and Don Ross from our team - companies and individuals that are legends in our industry and who I greatly admire and respect - is a privilege and an honor."

In a quote printed in the event program, Larry Luteran, Senior Vice President of Group Sales and Industry Relations for Hilton Worldwide, praised the Business of the Year winner. "Congratulations to Mike Massari, Jordan Clark, Don Ross, and the entire team at Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment for receiving the LVHA Business of the Year Award! There is no finer team of hotel professionals than these gentlemen. Well deserved!"

The Las Vegas Hospitality Association was founded in 1962 and, through its all-volunteer Board of Directors, provides networking opportunities to its 500+ members and works to develop programs that promote tourism and meetings travel to Las Vegas.

"We've always valued our partnership with the LVHA," added Massari. "We are committed to their mission of providing education and networking opportunities to members of our industry in Las Vegas and to raising the awareness of our business." Stacey Purcell, National Sales Manager for Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment, currently serves as President of LVHA and JJ Wills, also National Sales Manager for the organization, is President-Elect.

About Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment

The 2005 merger between Harrah's Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment launched a groundbreaking philosophy aimed at offering more choices to meeting planners by unifying the meeting sales and operations of eight distinctive Las Vegas properties into a single city-wide operation under one leadership umbrella. This unique concept led to the creation of Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment, which comprises some of Las Vegas' most notable properties: Bally's Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah's Las Vegas, Imperial Palace Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The combination offers over a million square feet of cumulative meeting space, 25,000 guest rooms and suites, and countless options for dining, entertainment and leisure. The distinct advantage for the meeting planner is the convenience and leverage of one contact and one contract, combined with the access and freedom to enjoy the wide variety of venues and amenities across all eight Las Vegas properties.

About The Las Vegas Hospitality Association

The Las Vegas Hospitality Association (LVHA) is a non-profit state association made up of more than 500 working professionals in the hospitality industry. Originally founded in 1962, the LVHA encompasses a broad spectrum of companies supporting the tourism, convention and hospitality fields in Southern Nevada. Web site: lvhospitality.org

For information on Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment, call 877-MEET-702 or email lvmeetings@harrahs.com. Visit our website at www.lvmeetingsbyharrahs.com.

SOURCE Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah's Entertainment