The oatmeal bar is a big hit at the breakfast. "The Bananas Foster oatmeal not only looked fabulous but smelled and tasted wonderful," reports Penton group event manager Kim Romano.

When in Vegas, what else but a beautiful showgirl to escort you to your coach?

The group boards the coaches for the short ride to the MGM Resorts Event Productions facility.

The home of event magic: The MGM Resorts Event Productions facility.

A showcase for MGM Resorts Events' many trophies.

"We were broken into small groups and then toured the facility," Kim explains. "In each area a member of the MGM team was there to share their roles."

An MGM event specialist shares details.

The facility offers 110,000 square feet of props, floral, linens and more.

Attendees pose with some really big drums.

The tour continues ...

An attendee poses with a prop.

Here, how MREP manages its assets. 

Here, an explanation of the STEPS--a process by which the team analyzes how it will handle and protect each prop.

A history of MREP.

The wide range of properties the department serves.

Just a few of the MGM team's Special Events Gala Awards.

Beautiful floral from the MGM team greets guests at lunch.

Attendees enjoy lunch at Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.

Beautiful floral at lunch from MREP.

Attendees represent 18 different states and three countries.

The first course.

After lunch, the group moves to the meeting room for presentations by top MGM event professionals.

Event attendees enjoy a first: the reveal of CORT's newest event seating.

King Dahl (at right), executive director of event design for MGM Resorts Events, gives a presentation on essential elements for every event.

Session breaks feature gorgeous desserts.

Kathy Springstead, executive director of banquet operations (left), and Kara Schorman, associate director of catering--both from Mandalay Bay-- give the presentation "Food for Thought."

"Mandalay Bay treated us with such warm hospitality," Kim says. "We felt like kings."

The MGM events team shares how they work together. From left: LynnAnn Martin, vice president of MGM Resorts Event Productions; Belinda Delcamp, floral manager; Linda Paterson, executive director of convention services at Mandalay Bay; Grant Riley, director of sales at MGM Resorts Production Services; Josh Aldama, event manager at MGM Resorts Event Productions; Rachael White, director of special events at MGM Grand Las Vegas; and Brenda Reichert, direction of international events at MGM Resorts International.

"And a big Thank you to MGM Resorts Event Productions, Mandalay Bay, CORT, Chameleon Chair, Classic Party Rentals and Wildflower Linen," Kim says, "and a special thank you to MGM directors of events Lenny Talarico, CSEP, and Marianne Leblanc."