The man responsible for developing such world-renowned Las Vegas resorts like the Mirage and Treasure Island and has transformed the landscape of “Sin City” to a center of family entertainment, shared his new ideas at the conference.

Developer Stephen Wynn, always fresh with new ideas to “wow” the public shared his thoughts on how he got the “developer’s disease,” as he calls it and how terrorism has impacted the Strip.

Conference host George Martin called Wynn “one of the best success stories in America.” Wynn explained his success with being able to amaze people. To amaze people is more difficult today than it was 20 years ago, he explained.

“Things that would have drawn a `wow’ back then … wouldn’t get a yawn today with people. To build a place, there must be something new for everyone, it can’t be the same old thing,” the 59-year-old said. “Everything inside must be perfect. That’s what people expect. We all have become increasingly sophisticated. Our expectations are high.”

Wynn came to Las Vegas when he was 23, after living in Miami Beach, Fla., with his parents. He’s not sure when the “disease” hit him but he remembers a well-known Miami resort called the Fountain Bleu and how it inspired him to be like the owner.

When he moved to Nevada, he worked on renovations for other hotels like the Golden Nugget. His first solo project was the Mirage. He built it on a parcel of land that he purchased from Howard Hughes, the famed aviation billionaire who preceded Wynn in Las Vegas’ transformation and who also designed the Spruce Goose.

After his success with the Mirage, other developments sprang up including Treasure Island and most recently, the Bellagio Resort. Wynn sold the Bellagio to owners of the MGM Grand Hotel and decided that he would not cease building attractions and resorts that drew people who were in awe.

In progress right now, LeReve will open in 2003 and will be where the Sands Resort now stands. He asked the conference-goers to imagine a French resort with water and beautiful artwork. LeReve in French means “the dream.” Wynn said that he hopes that his dream will create an even bigger success than ever before.

But after pleasant introductions, stories of great happiness about himself and what he plans to do with Las Vegas, Wynn spoke about on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He said that the incident has muffled the city and it has changed Las Vegas, not forever, but for a time to come.

“We will go back to normal, we will bounce,” he said. “Las Vegas has to take a breather, it’s only appropriate. You will all come back.”