(Guests enter Universal Horror Unleashed at AREA15, the first year-round haunted attraction from Universal Destinations & Experiences. The immersive venue features four haunted houses, live entertainment, themed food and cocktails, and character interactions. Photo courtesy of Universal Destinations & Experiences.)
Convention attendance shows signs of stability as business events like Cosmoprof, Ai4, and EVO 2025 draw large crowds and support the city’s meetings-driven recovery
Las Vegas visitor numbers declined for the sixth consecutive month in July, but the city’s convention and tradeshow calendar remains robust, with events like Cosmoprof North America, Ai4, and EVO 2025 drawing strong attendance and reinforcing the market’s ongoing strength as a destination for business events.
Las Vegas Visitor Decline Hits Six-Month Mark
Las Vegas visitor numbers fell for the sixth consecutive month in July, with a 12 percent drop year-over-year to 3.1 million, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA.) Convention attendance remained flat overall, despite a 10 percent bump in July. LVCVA CEO Steve Hill acknowledged the downturn but said future bookings look strong and value-based promotions are underway. Meanwhile, Nevada casinos posted a four percent revenue increase in July, with the Strip leading the gains.
September Tradeshows Focus on Clean Energy, Baking, Packaging, and HR Tech
Las Vegas begins September with RE+ (September 8–11, The Venetian & Caesars Forum), the largest clean energy event in North America. The show will welcome more than 39,000 attendees and 1,350 exhibitors across solar, storage, electric vehicles, and grid technologies.
The International Baking Industry Expo (IBIE) returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center September 13–17. Held every three years, IBIE draws 23,000 baking professionals and 713 exhibitors focused on production, packaging, and ingredient innovation.
HR Tech (September 16–18, Mandalay Bay) will convene 7,200 attendees and 438 exhibitors exploring the future of work, from talent acquisition tools to AI-driven analytics.
Closing out the month, PACK EXPO Las Vegas (September 29–October 1, Las Vegas Convention Center) expects 52,000 attendees and more than 2,300 exhibitors showcasing processing and packaging solutions for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries.
Ai4 Draws Global AI Leaders to MGM Grand for Eighth Annual Conference
Ai4 2025 returned to the MGM Grand August 11–13, attracting more than 8,000 attendees from 85 countries for three days of programming focused on artificial intelligence across sectors including healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing. The event featured over 600 speakers and 250 exhibitors. Notable sessions included keynotes from AFT President Randi Weingarten, AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, and Stanford’s Dr. Fei-Fei Li. Organizers say the conference continues to scale as demand grows for responsible and impactful AI development.
Cosmoprof North America Wraps with 26,000 Visits and Expanded Global Reach
Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas closed out its 22nd edition on a high note July 30, welcoming 26,000 visits from 103 countries and more than 1,000 exhibiting companies. Held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the show featured a 51 percent increase in Korean Beauty brands and strong attendance from buyers including Nordstrom and L’Oréal. Educational tracks covered next-gen beauty trends, AI matchmaking powered networking, and award winners were announced across packaging, hair, skincare, and sustainability categories.
EVO 2025 Draws Top Gamers to Las Vegas Convention Center
The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center in early August, drawing nearly 20,000 attendees and more than 9,000 competitors for three days of tournament play. Headliners included Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Mortal Kombat, with top players competing for the title of world champion in their respective games. Organizers say Las Vegas remains the ideal host for EVO due to its hospitality infrastructure, global accessibility, and entertainment appeal. The event, which now includes international editions in Japan and Europe, will expand to Singapore in 2026.
Blake Shelton to Return to Caesars Palace for January 2026 Residency
Blake Shelton will bring his Live in Las Vegas residency back to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for eight shows between January 15–31, 2026. The country star promises a more “country” set filled with chart-toppers, fan favorites, and new tracks from For Recreational Use Only. Tickets go on sale to the public August 28, with presales beginning August 22. Shelton last played The Colosseum earlier this year and continues to expand his presence in Las Vegas with his Ole Red venue on the Strip.
Westgate Revives Elvis with New Tribute Series
Elvis tribute artist Travis Powell sold out two shows at Westgate’s International Theater in 1969 Live Concert: The King Returns, marking the anniversary of Presley’s 1969 debut at the venue. The resort announced three more concerts for 2026, including tributes to Presley’s Aloha from Hawaii broadcast and That’s The Way It Is documentary.
Sphere Revenue Rises with Boost from Residencies and Business Events
Sphere Entertainment Co. reported a three percent year-over-year revenue increase in Q2 2025, totaling $282.7 million for the quarter ending June 30. The Las Vegas venue’s performance was driven by expanded concert residencies, corporate bookings, and ongoing demand for Postcard from Earth, which has sold over four million tickets since its debut in October 2023. The Sphere segment alone grew 16 percent, highlighting strong momentum in the entertainment and business events markets.
Sphere Reimagines Wizard of Oz with AI-Powered Spectacle
The Las Vegas Sphere unveils an AI-enhanced version of The Wizard of Oz on August 28, marking a major leap in immersive entertainment. The reimagined classic uses 16K visuals, haptic seats, wind and scent effects, and a re-recorded orchestral score to transform the 1939 film into a multi-sensory experience. Produced in partnership with Warner Bros. and Google, the show runs through March 2026 with tickets starting at $104. The Venetian is supporting the launch with themed décor, pop-ups, and bundled hotel packages. While some critics have questioned the use of artificial intelligence to alter historic footage, Sphere executives say the enhancements preserve the film’s spirit while introducing it to new audiences.
Universal Horror Unleashed Opens Year-Round Haunted Experience at AREA15
Universal Horror Unleashed debuted August 2 at AREA15, delivering Las Vegas a full-time haunted attraction with four immersive houses: The Exorcist: Believer, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Universal Monsters, and Scarecrow: The Reaping. Designed with live actors, interactive storylines, and sensory effects such as piped-in scents and jump-scare performances, the walkthroughs anchor a broader experience that includes two themed bars, eateries, and a live stage show. Universal execs say the attraction’s 12-month format reflects demand for horror beyond Halloween.
L.A. Classic Irv’s Burgers Opens on the Las Vegas Strip.
Irv’s Burgers, a Los Angeles staple since 1946, has opened its second Las Vegas outpost—this time on the Strip. The new location debuted August 7 in the Miracle Eats food court at Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood. The menu includes pressed-to-order burgers, chili dogs, pastrami sandwiches, and classic shakes. Irv’s joins six other concepts in the food hall, including Dave’s Hot Chicken, Chipotle, and Carnegie Pizza, as part of the Strip’s ongoing culinary shake-up.
