The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board approved a $5.49 million project on Nov. 10 to build a warehouse and install a freight elevator in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s South Hall.
The project addresses a daily problem for event crews: South Hall has no warehouse of its own. Crews regularly haul tables, chairs and staging equipment from Central Hall. Meanwhile, they keep spare carpet and fixtures in South Hall exhibit space.
The nearly 13,000-square-foot warehouse will give crews a dedicated place to store those supplies. LVCVA staff expect it to cut the time crews spend moving equipment and reduce the risk of damage.
The freight elevator will also give crews a service route to the show floor. Staff expect that route to ease congestion in corridors and elevators that attendees use. In addition, the elevator will give technicians direct access to the roof. They currently take the stairs to service 36 air-handling units and more than 2,400 filters.
The board awarded Taylor International Corporation a $4,989,827 contract and set aside $495,583 for unexpected construction costs. The authority received four bids after opening the solicitation Oct. 8. Taylor submitted the lowest bid that met the requirements.
IMEX America generates 42 leads for Las Vegas
Chief Sales Officer Vanessa Claspill reported that the LVCVA identified 42 leads at IMEX America, which ran Oct. 13–15 at Mandalay Bay. The authority held 178 client appointments, up 17%, and recorded 1,191 unique badge scans.
The LVCVA also hosted 25 buyers during the show. In addition, 128 buyers attended its group presentation on Las Vegas as an event destination. The presentation to the board did not report how many leads had turned into bookings.
Esports proposal targets gaps in the events calendar
The board also considered a $2 million sponsorship with esports producer BLAST ApS. The proposal would bring a Counter-Strike Major to Las Vegas in 2028 and a second esports tournament to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Staff estimate the two events would generate about 130,000 hotel room nights. The Counter-Strike Major would fall between Thanksgiving and the National Finals Rodeo, a period the authority is looking to fill. The meeting presentation listed summer 2027 or 2028 for the second event, while the posted agenda listed 2028.
Separately, the agenda called for $500,000 in convention center technology purchases and a $2.64 million, three-year agreement for network software licenses and hardware maintenance.
