It’s likely you’re hearing the term “intellectual capital” thrown around more during your site selection and RFP talks with destination marketing organizations (DMOs). But what is it, really? And why does this matter to a meeting planner?

The Mirage volcano spewed lava and steam one last time Wednesday morning to mark a celebratory yet bittersweet end of an era on the Las Vegas Strip that phased in nearly 35 years ago.

Executives of The Mirage came full circle with the property Wednesday morning, applauding the work of 3,000 employees, including 137 of them that had been employed there since the first day it opened, and hinting about what lies ahead as it transitions to Hard Rock Las Vegas.

A final blast from The Mirage’s signature volcano marked the passage Wednesday of an aging Las Vegas resort that wowed crowds when it opened in 1989 and went on to revolutionize the casino resort industry and reshape Las Vegas as a tourist destination.

A final blast from The Mirage’s signature volcano marked the passage Wednesday of an aging Las Vegas resort that wowed crowds when it opened in 1989 and went on to revolutionize the casino resort industry and reshape Las Vegas as a tourist destination.

The Mirage is about to vanish from the Las Vegas Strip - after ushering in a new era for Sin City 34 years ago. After a farewell party Wednesday afternoon, the doors at the iconic tropical island-themed hotel and casino will shut for good.

The Mirage is about to vanish from the Las Vegas Strip - after ushering in a new era for Sin City 34 years ago. After a farewell party Wednesday afternoon, the doors at the iconic tropical island-themed hotel and casino will shut for good.

The Mirage is about to vanish from the Las Vegas Strip - after ushering in a new era for Sin City 34 years ago. After a farewell party Wednesday afternoon, the doors at the iconic tropical island-themed hotel and casino will shut for good.

The Mirage is about to vanish from the Las Vegas Strip. Gambling ends and the doors close Wednesday at the iconic tropical island-themed hotel-casino that opened in 1989 with a fire-spewing volcano outside and Siegfried & Roy's lions and dolphins inside.

The Mirage is about to vanish from the Las Vegas Strip. Gambling ends and the doors close Wednesday at the iconic tropical island-themed hotel-casino that opened in 1989 with a fire-spewing volcano outside and Siegfried & Roy's lions and dolphins inside.

The Mirage is about to vanish from the Las Vegas Strip. Gambling ends and the doors close Wednesday at the iconic tropical island-themed hotel-casino that opened in 1989 with a fire-spewing volcano outside and Siegfried & Roy's lions and dolphins inside.

The Mirage is about to vanish from the Las Vegas Strip. Gambling ends and the doors close Wednesday at the iconic tropical island-themed hotel-casino that opened in 1989 with a fire-spewing volcano outside, and Siegfried & Roy’s lions and dolphins inside.