Howard Weiss is back in Las Vegas. After six years playing a key role in the development of Atlantic City nightlife with Caesars Entertainment’s East Coast operations team, the native New Yorker and former director of Pure Management Group is excited to explore his new role as vice president of daylife and nightlife operations for Penn National Gaming. “Obviously a lot has changed since I was out here with Pure,” he says. “There’s a lot more competition, but there’s a piece of the market that’s a little untapped because everyone is going after the same thing.”
With the development of two dayclubs at Penn’s properties, the Tropicana and the M Resort, Weiss will be going after something other than the Vegas Strip megaclub business. Trop’s new Sky Beach Club, debuting April 8, will be all about a loose party atmosphere, Weiss says, an accessible experience brimming with fun, interactive games, celebrity appearances and affordable bottle service. “People are looking for a fun experience at the right price, and we’ll be a lot more nimble and flexible in providing that,” compared to past pool-club efforts Nikki Beach and Bagatelle at the iconic Trop, he says.
Later this year, Tropicana will launch a new nightclub on property as well, and at the M Resort south of the Strip, Weiss is fine-tuning the Daydream dayclub experience, already popular with locals and industry workers looking to relax on days off. Both Sky and Daydream will incorporate gaming into the mix, too, like swim-up blackjack tables.
“Having the chance to get involved in these venues is a big opportunity, and I think I can conquer it,” Weiss says. “Both can be very successful if done the right way.”
