Sahara Sky Experience
Prepared for Meruelo Group Leadership

Sahara Sky
Experience

A signature drone activation for the Maroon Grand Opening at Sahara Las Vegas.

May 1, 2026

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Drones
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Annual Visitors
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Shows
$40K
Starting Investment
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Executive Opportunity

The Maroon Grand Opening Is the Most Anticipated Hospitality Launch on the Strip This Year

James Beard Award-winning Chef Kwame Onwuachi brings world-class culinary credibility to Sahara. A drone activation transforms opening night into an unmissable cultural event that dominates social media and positions Sahara as the innovation leader on the Strip.

The question is not whether aerial entertainment comes to Las Vegas. It is whether Sahara leads this moment or watches a competitor take it first.

Chef Kwame Onwuachi
Strategic Thesis

This Is Not a Drone Show.
This Is Experiential Infrastructure.

A technology layer that turns a building into a media platform. Sahara becomes the first casino to own its airspace as a permanent storytelling asset. Every show is a content engine. Every flight is a data event.

Pilot Logic

Why Sahara First

Strip Visibility

Visible from three major casino vantage points. Maximum spectator impact.

FAA Precedent

Intel proved 500-drone shows here in 2019 at the Bellagio. Regulatory pathway exists.

Rooftop Infrastructure

Launch and recovery platforms already exist on the Sahara tower structure.

Cultural Moment

Chef Kwame and Maroon create natural media gravity. The activation amplifies what already has momentum.

First-Mover Advantage

No casino currently runs a recurring drone program. Sahara sets the standard.

Operational Control

Meruelo Group owns the building, the rooftop, and the decision. No landlord approval delays.

The Evening

Four Acts. One Unforgettable Night.

8:00 PM — Show 1
The Maroon Signature Reveal
500 drones form the Maroon logo and a portrait of Chef Kwame in gold and crimson above the Las Vegas Strip. The restaurant announces itself to the city in light.
Maroon Signature Reveal
9:15 PM — Show 2
Chef Kwame's Culinary Story
A choreographed narrative told through synchronized drone formations. From humble roots to James Beard recognition. Each movement paired with music and narration.
Chef Kwame Story
9:45 PM — Transition
Interactive Engagement
QR codes projected in the sky via drone formation. Guests scan to enter the "Meet the Chef" contest or book a reservation at Maroon directly from their phones.
Interactive QR Sky Code
10:00 PM — Grand Finale
Synchronized Crescendo
The full fleet erupts into a starburst finale precisely timed to Baked Alaska's signature tableside fire. 500 drones spell "SAHARA" in gold as the crowd captures the moment from every angle.
Grand Finale
Cinematic Preview

Experience the Vision

Activation Options

Choose Your Scale

Entry Point

1-Day Activation

$40,000
  • ✓ Opening night drone show
  • ✓ 500-drone fleet
  • ✓ 4 choreographed acts
  • ✓ QR sky engagement
  • ✓ Full production team
Recommended

3-Day Experience

$90,000
  • ✓ 3 consecutive nights
  • ✓ 500-drone fleet
  • ✓ Evolving choreography each night
  • ✓ Extended media coverage window
  • ✓ Maximum social media saturation
  • ✓ VIP viewing coordination
Commercial Advantage

Negotiated Rates vs. Market

ServiceMarket RateRRM RateSavings
500 Drone Fleet (per night)$80,000$40,00050%
Creative Development$15,000$5,00067%
FAA Coordination$8,000Included100%
On-Site Production$12,000Included100%
Content Capture Package$5,000Included100%
Total (1-Night)$120,000$40,00067%
Fleet Access

$1.1M Fleet. $40K Access.

Partner model eliminates capital expenditure entirely. No procurement. No maintenance. No storage. Full operational capability.

Technology (Drones + Software)$650K
Operations (Pilots + Logistics)$280K
Creative + Licensing$170K
Buy In-House
$1.1M+
  • ✗ Capital expenditure required
  • ✗ 12-month procurement timeline
  • ✗ Hire pilots and operators
  • ✗ Ongoing maintenance costs
  • ✗ Storage and insurance
Recommended
$0 CapEx
  • ✓ Zero upfront investment
  • ✓ Operational in 6 weeks
  • ✓ Experienced flight crew included
  • ✓ All maintenance handled
  • ✓ Pay per activation only
Optional Add-Ons

Amplify the Activation

🚗

Street-Level Taxi Swarm

15 zTrip Vehicles

Branded SUVs wrapped in Sahara Sky creative, circulating the Strip corridor during activation hours. Ground-level awareness meets aerial spectacle. Geo-targeted push notifications to passengers.

⚡

Xy7 Digital Amplification

$20,000

Multi-platform streaming of the drone show. Proximity-based push notifications within 2-mile radius. Social media amplification package. Real-time engagement dashboard with audience metrics.

Operations Partner

Do It Outdoors / Skyworx

The execution team behind the largest drone shows in North America. Founded by a NASA engineer and USAF veteran with a combined 40+ years of aerospace experience.

Notable Shows

Super Bowl LVII, EDC Las Vegas, NFL Draft, CES, Formula 1

Credentials

FAA Part 107 certified. 1,000+ commercial flights. Full liability coverage.

Operations team
Planning Gates

Validation Questions to Resolve

01
Confirm FAA airspace authorization timeline for the Sahara rooftop launch zone
02
Validate rooftop structural capacity for 500-drone launch and recovery equipment
03
Coordinate with Clark County for noise and light ordinance compliance
04
Finalize insurance and liability coverage requirements with Meruelo Group legal
05
Establish rehearsal schedule and crew logistics for May 1 launch date
06
Align creative direction with Maroon brand team and Chef Kwame's management
Strategic Roadmap

From Pilot to Platform

Phase 1 — Q2 2026
Sahara Pilot Launch
Execute the Maroon grand opening activation. Validate the technology, audience response, and media coverage. Establish the operational playbook.
Phase 2 — Q3 2026
Validate and Measure
Analyze performance data. Document social reach, earned media value, guest engagement, and F&B revenue impact. Build the business case for recurring shows.
Phase 3 — Q4 2026
Grand Sierra Resort
Expand to GSR in Reno. Prove the model works across different markets and property types. Refine operations for multi-property deployment.
Phase 4 — 2027
Meruelo Portfolio Platform
Roll out across the full Meruelo Group portfolio. Establish Sahara Sky as a permanent entertainment platform with seasonal themes, sponsor integrations, and special events.
Full Presentation Deck

Browse the Complete Deck

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Next Step

Ready to Own
the Sky Above Sahara?

Contact Kevin De Vincenzi to schedule a planning session and begin the activation timeline.

Kevin De Vincenzi · kevin@rrmpartners.com

RRM Partners · Confidential

Introduction
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