Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1539265
12 B M & T ••• September/October 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com H O T E L H A P P E N I N G S CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT WEAVES WELLNESS INTO CDX 2025 When a group of 180 descended on Caesars Palace for CDX 2025, ConferenceDirect's exclusive association cus- tomer event, from July 29 to August 1, few expected to leave feeling more relaxed, restored, and re-centered than when they arrived. But that's exactly what happened, thanks to a thoughtfully curated conference where wellness and educa- tion converged in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Caesars Palace, long known for its grandeur and glamour, became a sanctuary for mindful meetings. Throughout the two-and-a-half-day experience, association planners, industry partners, and ConferenceDirect associates were immersed in a holistic agenda that prioritized well-being, connection, and professional growth. "Las Vegas was our number one destination in 2024, and it's trending number one again this year," said Jerry Horan president and CEO of ConferenceDirect. "But there's a big difference between working an event and being treated like a guest." In this case, guest might be an understatement. From pri- vate cooking classes, yoga, breathwork sessions, helicopter tours to an electrifying offsite with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority at the F1 X Experience, attendees were treated like VIPs at every turn. "Wellness has been a focus of Caesars Entertainment for many years now and it was an honor to share a few of our offerings with this ConferenceDirect group," said Patrick Espinoza, executive director of sales, Caesars Entertainment. "We are committed to wellness and will continue to provide new and innovative ways to engage and delight our clients, just as we did with this group." SETTING THE TONE FOR TRANSFORMATION The event opened not with fanfare, but with focus — a grounding "brain reset" led by Dami Kim, executive director of corporate wellness at Body & Brain Wellness. Kim guided attendees through a powerful tapping exercise designed to realign the three layers of the brain: neocortex which is your thinking area, limbic related to emotions, and brain stem con- nected to lifeforce. By simply tapping and rhythmically patting various areas of the body, especially the head, breathing with intention, the body and the brain united. Kim asked: "How can you manage your thoughts, your emotions, and your life?" It was the kind of question that resonated deeply, shaping the day with intention, introspection, and possibility. Kim is one of the many options from Caesars Wellness Menu. THE POWER OF BREATH Wellness expert and founder of Dawn of the Earth, Sepideh Eivazi, guided 60 participants through a powerful somatic breathwork session, an experience designed to acti- vate the nervous system's relaxation response. The room hummed with a newfound calmness and clarity, as participants learned to regulate their physiology and culti- vate inner steadiness. "Breathwork helps reduce stress, strengthen your nervous system, and release the past. creating space for what's next," said Eivazi. Her message extended beyond the session. Each attendee received ethically sourced, chemical-free teas in their amenity bags, a way to nourish the senses while supporting global farming communities. "We collaborate with local farmers around the world and give back by planting trees in their communities," Eivazi shared. "This was wellness infused with purpose, fostering mindful growth, resilience, and renewal from the inside out." Wellness steeped with purpose. Wellness has been part of ConferenceDirect gatherings in the past, but never like this. "Take the breathwork session. We had more sign up than we anticipated. Everyone loved it. Many said it was meditative and emotional. It was a gift that they walked with that was uniquely personal to each," said J.J. Wills, senior VP, marketing programs and business develop- ment, ConferenceDirect. And it wasn't just the tea that reflected Caesars' thought-