Talking With Oliver Lovat – May 5, 2025

The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast | a podcast by Ira Sternberg

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Oliver Lovat for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving market of Las Vegas. Oliver breaks down why the city had to change—and how it's pivoted to meet the rising expectations of a younger, more demanding customer base. From navigating a crucial strategic inflection point to the seismic shift triggered by COVID, Lovat explains how Las Vegas went from catering to visitors looking for comps to focusing on full-paying customers who fuel profitability. He dives deep into why Gen Z and mil-lennials now dominate the scene, and what that means for everything from hotel strategy to casino operations. You’ll hear insights on: *Why reducing labor costs has been part of the new Las Vegas economy *How occupancy rates don’t tell the whole story *Why Vegas, despite higher prices, remains a top-value destination *The growing influence of members-only clubs and curated experiences *How sports and time-limited events are reshaping the marketing playbook *The crucial role of event staffs *And of course, the irresistible draw of the Sphere It’s a compelling overview of modern hospitality, business strategy, and cultural reinvention—all told through the lens of one of the most dynamic cities in the world. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)