Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling visited the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa on September 3, 2026, touring the property to highlight workforce development in the hospitality sector as part of National Hotel Employee Day celebrations.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, Sonderling’s stop spotlighted on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs that have become increasingly important as Las Vegas hotels compete for talent in a tight labor market. The visit underscored the federal government’s recognition of hospitality as a critical employment sector in Southern Nevada.
Las Vegas remains one of the most hospitality-dependent metropolitan economies in the United States, with hotel and gaming operations directly employing tens of thousands of workers across the Strip and surrounding areas. Labor shortages that emerged during the pandemic have persisted, prompting resorts to invest more heavily in training pipelines and career advancement programs.
The acting secretary’s visit also comes as the federal government weighs new labor regulations affecting tipped workers, overtime eligibility, and workplace safety standards — issues with outsized impact on Nevada’s hotel and restaurant workforce. Industry groups have pushed back on some proposals, arguing they would increase costs in an already thin-margin business.
For Las Vegas business leaders, the federal attention highlights both the importance of the hospitality sector and the need to modernize training for an evolving workforce. Properties across the city are increasingly partnering with local community colleges and workforce development organizations to build career ladders in hotel operations, culinary arts, and facility management.
The Westin Lake Las Vegas, located in Henderson, has been noted for its employee development programs and has served as a model for workforce investment in the luxury resort segment.
