Free entry, hidden lounges and Las Vegas must-tries: TAO Group’s insider tips
TAO Group Hospitality’s Eric Kidd and Linda Brookins reveal how attendees can enjoy complimentary nightclub entry, with free drink tickets for the first 50 buyers during IMEX America. Plus, they share their insider picks for secret spaces, spectacular shows and unforgettable food across Las Vegas.
TAO Group is offering IMEX attendees complimentary entry, with free drinks for the first 50 buyers each night. How can attendees take advantage?
Eric: As a supplier of event spaces in Las Vegas, we want our partners to visit the venues and experience what the Vegas nightlife scene is all about. We’re offering complimentary, expedited entry for IMEX attendees to Marquee Nightclub on Monday, October 12 and OMNIA Nightclub on Tuesday, October 13, with a dedicated entrance at each venue. Attendees simply need to show their IMEX badge or a screenshot of the digital invitation shared through IMEX social channels or the Know Before You Go email. The first 50 buyers to arrive each night will also receive a complimentary drink ticket.
What is the most memorable or unexpected feature hidden inside one of your venues that even regular Las Vegas visitors may not know about?
Eric: TAO Beach is not only one of my favorite venues, but one of the most beautiful I’ve visited. The Tendai, a statue by artist Daniel Popper, greets guests as they make their way to the Temple Bar.
You have to journey through the venue to find her. Once you do, capture the moment by standing in her arms. It’s one of those hidden details that makes the venue truly special.
Where should a first-timer go, and what about someone who’s attended every IMEX America?
Eric: Ah hah! The second part of this question is easy. Even an IMEX America veteran must come see the new OMNIA Dayclub & Skybar, which opened in May this year.
The second-story Skybar offers incredible 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip. It’s one of the best viewpoints on the Strip.
For your first trip to Vegas, you have to experience OMNIA Nightclub and witness the chandelier show. It will probably ruin you for any other club afterward, but it belongs high on any Las Vegas itinerary.
If attendees try one dish and one cocktail, what should they choose?
Linda: For the dish, I’d choose the Hakka Signature Basket at Hakkasan Restaurant inside MGM Grand. It brings together handcrafted bites including Royal Jade King Crab, Langoustine Har Gau, Shumai and Wild Mushroom & Truffle Dumplings. It’s a memorable introduction to Hakkasan’s creativity and artistry.
For a cocktail, head to the hidden lounge behind Caramella at Planet Hollywood. Discovering the space is part of the experience, and the Dirty Caramella is a must-order. Made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Dolin Dry Vermouth, pickle brine, cipollini onion and fresh basil, it’s bold, playful and unexpected,much like Las Vegas itself.
What is the ultimate “only in Las Vegas” experience?
Linda: For me, one of those moments happens inside OMNIA Nightclub when Charlotte, the venue’s iconic kinetic chandelier, comes to life. More than a lighting feature, Charlotte is a living work of art, transforming the entire nightclub into an immersive performance space.
As the music builds, Charlotte descends over the crowd before rising again, shifting shape, color and movement in synchronization with the soundtrack. Combined with OMNIA’s DJs and immersive production, it creates a shared moment of wonder that is impossible to fully describe until you experience it.
What’s new across TAO Group’s Las Vegas venues in 2026?
Linda: One of the most exciting additions is OMNIA Dayclub, which brings a more elevated and luxurious approach to Las Vegas daylife, combining vibrant energy with an exclusive atmosphere.
We’ve also introduced new brunch experiences. TAO Asian Bistro now offers an Unlimited Brunch featuring Asian-inspired favorites, signature sushi and dishes designed for sharing, while Hakkasan Restaurant has launched Unlimited Dim Sum. Together with LAVO Endless Brunch, they offer three very different ways to experience the breadth of our culinary portfolio.
Where do you recommend for big-night energy, or something more relaxed?
Eric: I usually begin by asking where guests are staying or dining, what music they enjoy and how large their group is. We have venues across the Strip, so we can tailor the recommendation.
OMNIA is perfect for an epic night out, with both EDM and hip-hop options. For something more relaxed, one of my favorites is the speakeasy-style lounge hidden inside Caramella at Planet Hollywood.
Linda: For a client celebration or VIP dinner, I’d start in the private Jewelry Box at Beauty & Essex, hidden behind its pawn shop entrance. It feels exclusive and uniquely Vegas, with dishes including Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Dumplings, Lobster Mac & Cheese and the Wonder Wheel of bite-sized desserts.
From there, head to Marquee Nightclub. Its Main Room delivers high-energy DJs and immersive production, while The Library offers a more intimate cocktail-lounge atmosphere. The Boom Box Room and Pool Deck provide still more ways to shape the evening around the group.
What can attendees expect when they meet the TAO Group team at IMEX America?
Linda: At booth C3952, attendees can explore TAO Group’s options, ranging from intimate executive dinners and attendee celebrations to large-scale buyouts and customized events across our 15 Las Vegas venues. We can often arrange impromptu site visits and personalized tours, so planners can experience the venues firsthand.
