Las Vegas, NV (Strip & Flexible Off-Strip Corridors) vs. Orlando, FL (OCCC I-Drive Skybridge & Bonnet Creek)

Las Vegas (Wave 1) vs. Orlando (Wave 2) Annual SKO Cost Breakdown

Comparing real Out-the-Door tax, labor, airlift, and buyout math for a 200-person 3-day corporate Sales Kickoff.

Deal Desk Bottom-Line Verdict

Las Vegas wins on West/Central non-stop airlift speed (10-minute airport-to-venue transfers!), 24-hour dining energy, and massive hotel suite supply—especially when utilizing Virgin/SAHARA outside-AV freedom. Orlando wins on East Coast airlift, Florida Right-to-Work labor rules across every major convention hall, slightly lower combined food tax (6.5% vs. 8.375%), and walkable Pointe Orlando buyouts.

Option A

When to Choose Las Vegas, NV (Strip & Flexible Off-Strip Corridors)

Your sales force skews national/West Coast or craves high-energy Las Vegas President's Club dining (Carbone, Papi Steak, Legacy Club)
You want 9–14 minute LAS airport transfers instead of 20–30 minute highway rides

Option B

When to Choose Orlando, FL (OCCC I-Drive Skybridge & Bonnet Creek)

60%+ of your attendees fly from East Coast / EMEA hubs into MCO
You want broad Florida Right-to-Work self-setup labor flexibility and no municipal entertainment-tax risk

Line-by-Line Operational & Financial Audit

Las Vegas, NV (Strip & Flexible Off-Strip Corridors) vs. Orlando, FL (OCCC I-Drive Skybridge & Bonnet Creek) specification matrix.

Evaluation Criterion	Las Vegas, NV (Strip & Flexible Off-Strip Corridors)	Orlando, FL (OCCC I-Drive Skybridge & Bonnet Creek)	Edge
Effective '++' Markup Over Base Banquet F&B (24% Admin + Tax)	+34.4% effective add-on (24% admin taxed at 8.375% NV sales tax; +9% only if LET triggered)	+32.1% effective add-on (24% admin taxed at 6.5% Orange County FL sales tax; 0% LET)	Orlando, FL (OCCC I-Drive Skybridge & Bonnet Creek)
Hotel Occupancy Tax + Typical Resort Fee Stack	13.38% Strip hotel tax + $48 resort fee ($0 resort fee at Virgin Hotels!)	12.5% total tax (6.5% sales + 6.0% TDT) + $42 resort fee ($0 at Rosen Centre!)	Tie
Airport-to-Hotel Curb Transfer Time	7–15 minutes off-peak from Harry Reid Int'l (LAS)	16–28 minutes from Orlando Int'l (MCO) via SR-528	Las Vegas, NV (Strip & Flexible Off-Strip Corridors)
Independent Local AV Savings vs. CaptiveEncore Desk	40%–62% savings in outside-AV-friendly spaces (watch captive 5-star Strip clauses)	40%–55% savings backed by statewide Florida Right-to-Work labor rules	Tie

Audited Shortlist

Recommended Las Vegas venues from this audit.

Price Both Options in SnapQuote

Virgin Hotels The Manor Ballroom & Shag Room Zero-Outside-AV Salon at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (Curio Collection by Hilton)

★ 4.2 (10.0k)

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (Curio Collection by Hilton) Seminar Salon

2m walk · Virgin Conference Wing (On-Site) & LVCC South Hall (5-Min Paradise Rd Drive)

Virgin Hotels The Manor Ballroom & Shag Room Zero-Outside-AV Salon

Zero hotel resort fees ($0!), free parking, 6 minutes from LAS Airport, and 100% open to independent Las Vegas AV—the ultimate 100–450 pax seminar headquarters.

Seated 680 · Reception 1000 · 16,800 sf Outside AV ($0 fee)

Out-the-door · 180 guests

$25,994 ~$144/guest all-in

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