Damian Costa knows Las Vegas from numerous perspectives. He grew up here.

South Point’s new director of entertainment was practically baptized in the gaming-music world. One of his grandfathers was a conductor on the Strip. Another was a trumpet player alongside Elvis Presley and appeared in some of the King’s movies.

“I always appreciated what that music meant on the Strip,” Costa  said.

The magic rubbed off, prompting Costa’s career to mirror the gaming-entertainment symmetry. He rose from parking attendant to marketing specialist at the Thomas and Mack Center and then ran the Orleans Arena for 200 acts a year, including the NCAA’s first casino-based college tournament, the 2006 Las Vegas Invitational. Costa left to become project manager for the $5 billion Echelon Project, but wasn’t “Gaughan” long.

When Echelon stalled, he was reunited with locals legend Michael Gaughan, for whom he’d excelled at the Orleans. The family lineage, coupled with the tutelage of Gaughan and revered Echelon head Bob Boughner, allows Costa to understand many sides of the business.

“The casino industry was quick to realize the value of a big showroom emptying into their properties,” Costa said. “If you have a hockey game and those people then go and gamble, it is very good for the casino. For me, it’s great to be back with a family that was legendary in the development of Las Vegas. Michael’s focus is not only tourists, but on great service to the locals.

“Here, we emphasize affordable luxury,” Costa added. “The prices for shows are reasonable, and if you have the right headliners, I feel that can act as a tiebreaker when people decide where to go. It also helps us that we can easily sell the hotel side of it; the rooms are mini-suites. We give people great value.”

Costa’s gaming challenge taps into his experience. Here, he utilizes a mid-range arena in a property that gives locals a taste of the Strip. At the Orleans, he discovered the dynamic of the public accepting a performer.

“As a production manager, you learn to deal with the agents and the artists,” he said. “You understand how the money is handled. You get to step back from the function of the show and its technical side to look at it from more of a business perspective, as in what the audience wants. When you are involved in arena events, you get instant gratification. If you book the right thing, it’s all in front of you, all these people having a great time.”

Famed piano man Billy Joel has been a bridge to the milestones of Costa’s career. Joel was Costa’s first concert at Thomas and Mack and his final act at the Orleans, about 15 years apart. Recently, South Point had a Billy Joel tribute, which was booked just before he came on board.

These days, Costa juggles the buzz of entertainers, karaoke, cover bands, lounge acts, filling a 5,000-seat arena and finding price points that bring people back.

“We have to know who our audience is and how they are timing their day,” Costa said. “Sometimes you may want to find a Thursday headliner because the folks coming in from California may decide to make it a longer weekend stay. If the crowd is driving out, we might even cater to them better by having something in the early afternoon (encouraging the longer getaway).”

It all works for Costa, a seasoned local and gaming executive. For him, South Point is the right point right now.

By Dave Bontempo

Casino Connection Sports Editor Dave Bontempo is an award-winning sports writer and broadcaster who calls boxing matches all over the world. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers in the playoffs, as well as numerous PGA, LPGA and Seniors Golf Tour events, and co-hosted the Casino Connection television program with Publisher Roger Gros.