LAS VEGAS- It’s not a singer, magician or showgirl who’s part of Las Vegas’ longest-running show. It’s the Mattox Vegas TCCACS (Trauma, Critical Care & Acute Surgery) team, and it seems fitting that this is the first major conference to convene at Caesars Palace since the COVID-19 shutdown. The show ran from April 12-14.
This conference and exhibition has been held at Caesars Palace for 54 years.
As with most events, things were significantly different this year, with masking, social distancing, and health and safety at the top of the agenda. Typically, a group of 1,300 to 1,400 people at TCCACS gather in the 25,000-square-foot Palace Ballroom. This year, a group of 425 people gathered in the 50,000-square-foot Octavius Ballroom, where the extra space allowed the group to socially distance by having 450 tables, one for each attendee. The group was international, with attendees coming from 19 countries and 49 states.
“It was fantastic,” said Mary K. Allen, TCCACS program coordinator. “All the participants were excited to be there to meet their colleagues one-on-one.”
Most of the participants are trauma surgeons, general surgeons, emergency physicians, anesthesiologists, trauma coordinators, surgical residents, thoracic surgeons, trauma nurses, APPs, and emergency medical services coordinators: the heroic individuals who are in the trenches facing the most complex medical and surgical challenges.
This year, the program included a virtual component to bring the conference to an even wider audience. The information provided was particularly timely as it focused on continuing education in the treatment of critically ill and injured patients.
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“It was poetic to see that this was the first major group to come back. It’s one of those groups that you can track, that has been coming to Caesars since the hotel opened,” said Don Ross, vice president of food and beverage and convention services.
One of the highlights of the conference was the dinner held at MR CHOW. Daniel Emmet, one of the top 10 finalists on season 13 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” performed for the group and even wrote a few songs specifically for these frontline workers.
Allen worked with Jaki Baskow, owner of Baskow Talent and the Las Vegas Speakers Bureau, to book Emmet. “I knew the artist had to be sincere to everyone in the audience, and Daniel was perfect. He ended his set with “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, adding words about COVID and the world today. The band jumped to their feet for a standing ovation,” Baskow said. “I knew he would be perfect to entertain this very special group who have seen such horrific things during the pandemic. I wanted it to be special, and it was.”
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Allen was impressed with how Caesars served the group, adhering to health and safety measures but without skimping on quality or presentation.
“For example, we had our attendees in the conference room for Sunday lunch, and Caesars packed them five-star meal boxes so they could enjoy them at their individual tables,” Allen says. “Another lunch was table service, and the service was like any other lunch in the past, except there were no set courses.”
Planning the hybrid portion of the program has not been without its challenges. “I’ve always planned in-person events. Virtual is new to me and has been a lot more work than I ever imagined. I couldn’t have done it all without the help of Caesars, Freeman, Encore and vFairs.”
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Contact Don Ross at RossD@caesars.com or (702) 967-4488; Jaki Baskow at 702-547-5119 or Jaki@jakibaskow.com