The 14th annual Amex GBT INTER[action] conference was held Dec. 6-10 at Caesars Forum, the first time this group has convened in Las Vegas for its flagship program.
This year’s strategic theme, “Illuminate,” centered on the power of connection, inspiration, and the energy created when people gather in person. That message resonated strongly with more than 1,050 attendees, approximately 550 planners and 500 supplier partners, 70 percent from North America and the remainder representing markets around the world.
Collectively, this influential group is responsible for delivering more than 77,000 meetings, incentives, and events each year.
“It was a thrill for us to host this prestigious group and welcome so many industry professionals to Caesars Forum,” said Kelly Gleeson Smith, Senior VP of sales at Caesars Entertainment.
The Illuminate theme was seamlessly woven throughout the attendee experience, beginning with an opening reception at AREA15, a futuristic, art-driven event space, and concluding with a closing celebration at Soleia, formerly Drai’s Las Vegas, atop The Cromwell. Soleia’s massive kinetic chandelier provided a dramatic and literal interpretation of the conference’s illumination motif, not to mention one-of-a-kind rooftop panoramic views of the Strip.
Entertainment highlights included a lunch performance by Colin Cloud, a forensic-style mentalist often described as a “real-life Sherlock Holmes.” His interactive mind-reading and deduction performance delivered both surprise and engagement, energizing the audience.
Wellness as a Strategic Priority
Caesars Entertainment has positioned itself as a thought leader in meetings wellness, supported by its comprehensive Meetings Wellness Guide, and commitment was fully activated during the Amex GBT conference. Wellness programming drew strong engagement throughout the event, and aligned closely with insights from the Amex GBT 2025 Global Meetings & Events Forecast, which identified wellness-centered agendas as a major trend shaping future meeting design.
Megan Wilson, co-founder of Pneuma Lab, motivational speaker, and mindset expert, kicked off the wellness programming with a keynote that concluded with a guided intention-setting exercise for the conference.
Pneuma Lab also participated in the Caesars Wellness Lounge, offering a Clarity Ink activation. Participants selected a design or word, articulated a personal intention, and received a temporary tattoo as a take-home reminder, creating a meaningful personal moment and a visible conversation starter on the show floor.
Purpose-Driven Givebacks and Sensory Engagement
Caesars’ wellness philosophy extended beyond sessions to intentional attendee gifts. Conference gift bags were provided by Sudara, a certified B Corporation nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for women in India who are survivors of, or at high risk for, sex trafficking. Crafted from recycled sarongs, the bags reinforced Caesars’ commitment to social impact through meetings.
Another popular Wellness Lounge activation was an interactive gifting station where planners selected a reed diffuser from three customized fragrances, while learning how scent can be used strategically in meetings to influence mood, focus, and memory.
The experience was powered by Scentex, a wellness partner featured in Caesars’ Meetings Wellness Guide, that specializes in “scentscaping” environments and scent-based attendee gifts and activities.
“Today we are becoming saturated by artificial intelligence and relentless audio and visual noise; our greatest opportunity lies in returning to the human body. By engaging our senses through thoughtfully curated sensory experiences, we reclaim presence, connection, and a deeper awareness of what it means to be human,” said Tiffany Rose Goodyear, Founder and CEO, Scentex.
Aura readings were also offered, with practitioners using aura imaging and interpretation to discuss participants’ current mind-body-spirit balance, energy levels, and stress indicators.
Collectively, these experiences, paired with healthy food offerings, created an environment designed to support focus, presence, and connection throughout the conference.
Redefining When Wellness Happens
Unlike many conferences where wellness is relegated to early-morning sessions with limited attendance, Caesars and Amex GBT integrated wellness at high-impact moments. Activities were scheduled after lunch, immediately prior to the closing general session, and participation exceeded expectations, with more than 200 attendees at each experience.
Carolina Panoff, founder and CEO of Be You Disco, curated an immersive silent disco experience on the plaza outside Caesars Forum. The guided dance journey blended movement, mindfulness, creativity, and connection, encouraging participants to step out of their busy minds and into embodied self-expression. Wireless headsets created a deeply personal experience while maintaining collective energy.
Sepideh “Sepi” Eivazi, somatic practitioner, wellness guide, and founder of Dawn of the Earth, who is a recognized member of the Breathe Initiative Members at Global Wellness Institute, led a somatic breathwork session for 200 attendees, reframing breath as a leadership tool for nervous-system regulation, presence, and grounded decision-making.
“Conscious leadership is defined by the ability to create safety, not control results,” said Eivazi. “Hospitality reflects this through nervous-system awareness—cultivating spaces where individuals feel grounded enough to participate fully. Truly effective events start not with schedules, but with intention and a regulated environment.”
A Growing Wellness Commitment
“Wellness is part of the Caesars DNA, and I’m thrilled to watch our initiatives grow and help attendees feel less stressed and more grounded,” said Reina Herschdorfer, director of marketing, national meetings and events, Caesars Entertainment. “Our wellness offerings during Amex GBT truly resonated with the group, which was incredibly rewarding to see. We plan to continue expanding our Meetings Wellness Guide, which launched in 2024.”
By integrating wellness as a core design principle, not an add-on, Caesars Forum and Amex GBT demonstrated how intentional environments can illuminate both insight and human connection in today’s meetings.
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