Trop moves forward as Richard Wilk assumes club exec role

The post-Nikki Beach era is moving forward at Tropicana, and the hotel has recruited an executive who knows his way around the Las Vegas nightclub scene.

Richard Wilk is on board at the hotel, assuming the title of vice president of strategic marketing and operations. Wilk was previously the senior director of customer development at the Hard Rock Hotel. He is known as one of the city’s best-connected club officials, with a bevy of celebrity contacts. In one example of his capacity to add celebrity flair to an event, Wilk arranged for UFC star Rampage Jackson to visit Dylan Kwasniewski, the son of late HRH President Randy Kwasniewski, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during one of young Dylan's Legends division racing appearances at the Bullring.

On Sept. 24, the Trop formally ended its business agreement with Miami-based Nikki Beach after a four-month partnership, under which Nikki Beach operated the hotel’s club and pool attractions and Cafe Nikki.

Early this morning, Wilk sent an e-mail announcing the appearance of singer/songwriter Wynter Gordon and the 30th birthday party for Natalie Getz, the “Bachelor Pad” winner from last season. The event was held Friday night at Club Nikki. Guests at the party included “The Bachelor” couple Jason and Molly Mesnick, this season’s “Bachelor Pad” winner Michael Stagliano and cast members David Good and Jesse Kovacs. Cedric Yarbrough from “Reno 911” sang “Crazy” to the club crowd, and Golden Nugget headliner Gordie Brown also hit the scene.

Wilk announced his move to the Trop in a tweet on Friday.

Though Wilk’s email was tagged by identifying the venues as Tropicana Nightclub/Beach Club, no new name has been announced. He wrote, “What a great first night for me running things. I am already changing things for the better.”

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