Gazing on the turquoise beauty of Lake Tahoe is on many bucket lists, and the iconic region that surrounds it has attracted visitors from near and far for generations. The Lake Tahoe area is comprised of two distinct sections that span the borders of California and Nevada: North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe (also a California city), both with ample options for meeting and event venues, planning support, and group activities. Small cities make up the regions, each with its own distinct charm. “[The Lake Tahoe area] has the rugged beauty of nature, but also this nostalgia,” says Danielle Poret, lodge manager of River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant in Tahoe City, California, on the northwestern side of the lake. “It still feels Old World. It’s not just about getting out of the city and the hustle and bustle—it’s the actual charm and magic of Tahoe that are the best things about it.”
Prominent venues include the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, Nevada; Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California; Everline Resort and Spa, Lake Tahoe, in Olympic Valley, California; and The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, in Truckee, California, among others, which are suited for groups large or small. The Lake Tahoe region is known for its outdoor activities, with team-building excursions like kayaking, e-biking, skiing, and hiking readily available. Eleven airlines serve the nearby Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Nevada, which offers nonstop flights from 24 cities.
“The atmosphere is relaxed, yet elevated, with the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada lending every event a sense of grandeur,” says Stuart Maas, senior director of marketing and business development at Visit Lake Tahoe, which represents the lake’s southern portion. Whether you choose to meet along the bustling south shore or the laid-back northern side, the Lake Tahoe area provides ample attractions and beauty to draw in and wow attendees.
Up North
On the lake’s quieter northern shore, North Lake Tahoe sets a slower pace, with abundant outdoor activities available for groups. It includes the towns of Truckee and Tahoe City, California, and Incline Village and Crystal Bay in Nevada. “North Lake Tahoe is particularly well-suited for meetings that lean heavily into a tranquil, nature-focused atmosphere,” says Bart Peterson, director of sales at convention and visitors bureau Lake Tahoe Travel. Planners might book outdoor excursions with companies like Olympic Valley’s Alpenglow Expeditions—which offers climbing and snowshoe adventures, among others— or Clearly Tahoe, operating clear-bottom kayak tours on both sides of the lake, including in Incline Village, Nevada, and offering private group experiences such as nighttime paddles in illuminated kayaks.
Everline Resort and Spa, Lake Tahoe, and The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, both are recently renovated venues with mountain views at the ready. Everline Resort and Spa is one of the country’s largest ski resorts, providing 47,750 square feet of flexible event space, a championship golf course, cross-country ski and fly-fishing centers, an ice-skating rink, heated swimming pools, scenic hiking and biking trails, as well as direct lift service to Palisades Tahoe ski resort—with even more meeting space and outdoor fun. To the northeast, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, has an updated look, drawing inspiration for its propertywide renovation from the lake itself to achieve a brighter feel throughout. The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom accommodates 478 attendees reception-style, while the hotel’s smaller Pines Ballroom—with a private outdoor terrace—fits up to 218.
Dominic Martin, director of sales for Lake Tahoe and Wine Country at destination management company RMC of Basalt, Colorado, says the Lake Tahoe area is especially well suited for incentive events. Martin describes a memorable three-day incentive RMC hosted in June this year at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. “We worked with our clients to create three very distinct themed evenings,” he explains.
The first night, a “Mountaineers” theme embraced the hotel’s alpine setting, and on the second evening, The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom transformed into outer space with an LED drape. On day three, an “Around the World” theme capped off the event with global decor and cuisine.
For group dining, Tahoe City boasts modern American eatery Christy Hill, which hosts events along Lake Tahoe’s shoreline, as well as the historic River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant, situated along the Truckee River and ideal for off-site dinners. “Our kitchen and waitstaff are just so dialed in, they are experts at what they do,” says Poret, citing the elk chop and bison short ribs as must-try dishes. The semiprivate Alpine Dining Room hosts 32 attendees seated, and, in summer, River Ranch rents out its outdoor patio for up to 200. For a quick lunch, attendees might opt to stop at Uncommon Kitchen, also in Tahoe City, which serves up deli sandwiches, sushi, falafel, and more.
South-Side Buzz
For planners craving a more vibrant, high-energy experience, the South Lake Tahoe area delivers with entertainment, nightlife, and modern venues. Its largest city, also named South Lake Tahoe, contains a permanent population of just over 21,000 people. Four casino resorts on the Nevada side in Stateline are a big draw, including Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe (formerly Harveys Lake Tahoe), Bally’s Lake Tahoe, and the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe. Tahoe Blue Event Center and Heavenly Mountain Resort add to the options. For a boutique option, planners might consider Black Bear Lodge in South Lake Tahoe, a cozy retreat containing a lodge, suites, and cabins; two meeting rooms; and a 1,200-square-foot event lawn. The region’s growing dining scene features new restaurant The Edge at Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline and celebrity-backed flagships such as Wolf by Vanderpump and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen located within Caesars Republic.
“With the opening of the Tahoe Blue Event Center in 2023, we’re now able to host everything from large-scale conventions and sporting events to incentive retreats, board meetings, and multiday conferences,” says Maas. “The event center features 50,000 square feet of flexible space and is surrounded by over 100 hotels and 160 dining options, all within a few blocks. It’s especially well-suited for groups that want meeting space plus outdoor adventures and walkable postsession activities all in one place.” Recent venue and hotel updates in the South Lake Tahoe area include the transformation of former Harveys Lake Tahoe to Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe this July; the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe’s full refresh of its Sunset Tower guest rooms and suites, new Mastro’s Steak House, and upgraded pool; and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe’s recently opened Brew Brothers restaurant and updated its Summit luxury penthouse suites.
Maas notes Visit Lake Tahoe provides planners with marketing support and site-visit coordination, and also offers conference attendees in South Lake Tahoe access to the South Shore Passport, a collection of discounts on dining and activities. The convention and visitors bureau also encourages environmental stewardship, offering support for planners seeking hands-on corporate social responsibility opportunities. Maas says such initiatives might include team beach cleanups and tree planting, among others.
