(The pirate ship attraction outside Treasure Island on the Las Vegas Strip, once home to the “Battle of Buccaneer Bay” show that ran from 1993 to 2003. The production is set for a one-night revival in 2026. Photo by Bernard Spragg via Flickr.)
From record-breaking ComplexCon crowds to new residencies and industry shifts, Las Vegas closed October with strong event turnout and renewed focus on visitor value.
From record-breaking festivals and entertainment residencies to shifts in tourism and pricing strategy, Las Vegas closed October with a mix of strong event performance and cautious economic signals. Major shows like ComplexCon drew unprecedented attendance at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), while resort and convention leaders addressed softening visitor numbers and renewed value campaigns. New announcements, including No Doubt’s 2026 Sphere residency and Coverings’ return to Las Vegas, point to a steady pipeline of high-profile events as the city heads into the final months of 2025.
ComplexCon 2025 Draws Record 70,000 Attendees at Las Vegas Convention Center
ComplexCon 2025 set a new attendance record with 70,000 visitors at the Las Vegas Convention Center, making it the largest edition in the event’s history. The two-day festival featured performances by Young Thug, Peso Pluma, Yeat, Clipse, and others, along with the return of VERZUZ, which streamed to more than eight million viewers on Apple Music. Over 400 brands showcased new collaborations across fashion, art, and technology, led by Global Artistic Director Daniel Arsham, who also debuted a reimagined “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. The Family Style Food Festival returned with more than 40 restaurants and brands, and the Air Jordan 4 “Brick by Brick” by Nigel Sylvester was named Sneaker of the Year.
Las Vegas Executives Address Pricing, Tourism Dip, and Value Strategy
Las Vegas casino and resort leaders acknowledged rising prices and softening tourism in the third quarter while outlining strategies to restore visitor confidence. MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle said pricing “missteps,” such as $12 coffees, have been corrected, while Caesars Entertainment CEO Thomas Reeg emphasized that Las Vegas still offers strong overall value. September data showed airport passenger traffic was down 6.4% year over year and statewide gaming revenue off 2.3%, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported similar declines but cited a successful “Fabulous Five-Day Sale” that sold more than 300,000 room nights. Executives expect demand to rebound with events including SEMA, Formula 1, and the holiday season.
November Tradeshows Spotlight Clean Energy, Education, and Facility Innovation
Las Vegas’ November convention calendar shifts toward learning, leadership, and sustainability-focused industries. ISSA Show North America (Nov. 10–13, Mandalay Bay) welcomes 11,600 cleaning and facilities professionals and 637 exhibitors, while DevLearn Conference & Expo (Nov. 12–14, MGM Grand) gathers 4,000 learning and development professionals and 175 exhibitors. The National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) (Nov. 16–19, Paris Las Vegas) draws 1,000 campus service leaders, and RE+ (Nov. 16–19, Las Vegas Convention Center) showcases renewable energy and storage innovation with 39,000 attendees and 1,350 exhibitors.
Gary Sinise Announced as Keynote for Coverings 2026
Actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise will deliver the keynote address at Coverings 2026, set for March 30–April 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) Announced Oct. 30, the session will take place April 1 from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and feature a conversation with industry leaders focused on service and leadership in the built environment. The 2026 show will span more than 400,000 square feet across the LVCC’s North and Central Halls, hosting 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries and nearly 25,000 attendees. The Coverings Cares Program will also highlight the Gary Sinise Foundation, with attendee donations matched in part to support its mission to build homes for wounded veterans.
Former LVCVA CEO Rossi Ralenkotter Dies at 78
Rossi Ralenkotter, the longtime Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) executive credited with shaping modern destination marketing for the city, died Oct. 10 after a 16-year battle with cancer. He was 78. Ralenkotter spent 45 years with the LVCVA, serving as CEO from 2004 to 2018, and led initiatives that helped drive record visitation of 42.9 million in 2016. He is widely recognized for developing Las Vegas’ “What Happens Here, Stays Here” campaign and for expanding the city’s global convention business, including securing CES as a permanent anchor event. Ralenkotter also served as chair of the U.S. Travel Association and was elected to its Hall of Leaders. His contributions earned lifetime achievement awards from Travel Weekly and PCMA, among others.
Las Vegas Tourism Declines in September, Convention Attendance Down 18.7 percent
Las Vegas visitation fell 8.8 percent year over year in September, totaling approximately 3.1 million visitors, according to new data from LVCVA. Convention attendance dropped 18.7 percent compared to September 2024, attributed to the absence of the triennial MINExpo event and the rescheduling of Oracle CloudWorld from September to October. Hotel occupancy decreased 5.2 percent, while average daily room rates declined 2.9 percent, resulting in 9 percent lower revenue per available room. The LVCVA launched its new “Welcome to Fabulous” campaign mid-month, introducing refreshed imagery, a redesigned airport rideshare pickup area, and a five-day citywide sale to stimulate bookings.
No Doubt to Launch 12-Show Residency at Sphere Las Vegas in May 2026
No Doubt will headline a 12-show residency at Sphere Las Vegas next May, becoming the first female-led act to perform at the 20,000-capacity venue. The shows, running May 6–30, mark the band’s first extended run in over a decade and coincide with the 30th anniversary of its breakthrough album Tragic Kingdom. All four original members—Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, and Adrian Young—will reunite for the production, which will incorporate custom visuals using Sphere’s 580,000-square-foot LED display and immersive sound technology. The residency follows earlier headliners U2, Dead & Company, and the Eagles. General ticket sales began October 17 through Ticketmaster.
Treasure Island Pirate Show Set for 2026 Revival
A Las Vegas icon is poised to return in 2026 as creator Kelly Warnell announced plans to revive the original “Battle of Buccaneer Bay” pirate show at Treasure Island. The production, which originally ran from 1993 to 2003, will relaunch for a one-night event Oct. 2, 2026, marking its first appearance in more than two decades. Warnell, producer of the upcoming HallowScreamCon and HallowScreamFest, said her team is also in talks with MGM Resorts about restoring the long-dormant dragon show outside Excalibur and exploring a potential revival of the “Masquerade Show in the Sky” at the Rio. The Treasure Island show will feature members of the original cast and new stunt coordination by veteran action designer Simon Rhee.
Mariah Carey Announces 10-Night Holiday Run at Park MGM
Mariah Carey will headline a 10-show holiday residency, Christmastime in Las Vegas, at Dolby Live at Park MGM from November 28 through December 13. The production, staged in Dolby Live’s 5,000-seat theater, adapts her touring holiday concert for a smaller venue format. Tickets went on sale September 20 through Ticketmaster, with one dollar from each ticket benefiting The Fresh Air Fund’s Camp Mariah. The residency adds to a growing lineup of winter entertainment programming on the Strip as resorts prepare for peak holiday travel season.
