Las Vegas briefs this month track tradeshow growth, major resort and venue development, new hospitality concepts, entertainment expansion, and transportation improvements. Highlights include a 7 percent increase in Las Vegas Market buying accounts, more than 1,200 exhibitors at SUPERZOO, approval of Hard Rock’s 2,000-seat West Theater, plans for a 752-room Strip-area resort, continued progress on the Athletics’ $2 billion ballpark, and new nonstop Volaris service to Querétaro.
Tradeshows & Conventions
Las Vegas Market Buying Accounts Rise 7 Percent
Las Vegas Market reported a 7 percent year-over-year increase in preliminary buying accounts across all categories during its July 26 to 30 edition at World Market Center Las Vegas. The summer market featured more than 3,500 brands across furniture, home décor, gift, and lifestyle categories. In addition, the event introduced First Finds for temporary exhibitors and expanded its lineup of permanent showrooms, education, and networking programs.
SUPERZOO Brings 1,200-Plus Exhibitors to Mandalay Bay
SUPERZOO brought more than 1,200 exhibitors and 2,000 new products to Mandalay Bay Convention Center Aug. 12 to 14. The pet industry tradeshow occupied a 350,000-square-foot show floor and included more than 60 education sessions. In addition, the event attracted international retailers from 85 countries and featured product discovery, grooming education, competitions, and networking for pet industry professionals.
MAGIC Las Vegas Brings Fashion Marketplace to LVCC
MAGIC Las Vegas returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center Aug. 10 to 12 with apparel, footwear, accessories, home, gift, and beauty brands. The fashion marketplace brought together buyers, brands, retailers, and industry professionals for three days of sourcing and business development. The event also featured education, networking, and trend-focused programming across its show floor.
Upcoming Shows
CHAMPS Trade Show Returns to Las Vegas
CHAMPS Trade Show will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center Aug. 26 to 29. The business-to-business event connects specialty retailers with manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and independent artists. The tradeshow features new products, glass artistry, supplier meetings, competitions, and other programming for qualified industry buyers and professionals.
Tourism & Major Events
A’s Las Vegas Ballpark Installs Second Roof Truss
Construction crews completed installation of the second steel roof truss at the Athletics’ $2 billion Las Vegas ballpark Aug. 18. The five-section arch marks the second-highest point of the 33,000-seat stadium. In addition, crews are installing concrete seating risers behind home plate and across portions of the infield. The next roof truss will establish the ballpark’s highest point as construction continues toward a planned 2028 opening.
Restaurants & Attractions
Emeril Lagasse Opens Meril at M Resort
Chef Emeril Lagasse opened Meril at M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson following a July 14 ribbon cutting. The 220-seat restaurant is Lagasse’s first off-Strip neighborhood concept in Southern Nevada and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The space includes floor-to-ceiling windows, a wraparound outdoor terrace, and a centerpiece bar. Meril joins M Resort’s hospitality offerings, which include 765 guest rooms and suites and 100,000 square feet of conference space.
Maiz Mama Opens Near Las Vegas Strip
Maiz Mama opened Aug. 10 on West Tropicana Avenue, just west of the Las Vegas Strip. The fast-casual Mexican concept centers on house-made tortillas, trompo-roasted meats, and scratch cooking prepared in an exhibition kitchen. The dining room seats about 40 guests, with an outdoor patio for up to 15 more. The menu includes tacos, burritos, bowls, salads, birria ramen, quesadillas, and Mexican street corn.
Nacho Daddy Opens Nearly 5,000-Square-Foot AREA15 Location
Nacho Daddy opened a new location at AREA15, expanding the Las Vegas-born restaurant brand to its fourth Southern Nevada location and sixth nationwide. The full-service restaurant spans nearly 5,000 square feet and includes a full bar, outdoor patio, and art-focused interior. The new location adds another dining option to AREA15’s growing entertainment district and complements the destination’s immersive attractions and group experiences.
Meetings & Venues
Hard Rock Wins Approval for 2,000-Seat West Theater
Clark County approved plans July 22 for a new West Theater at the future Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. The five-level venue will span 178,850 square feet and include 2,000 seats, along with a second-floor karaoke room. The theater will connect to the resort’s interior promenade behind the guitar-shaped hotel tower. Hard Rock is also converting the former LOVE Theatre into a separate 5,000-seat Hard Rock Live arena.
Hotels & Casinos
Clark County Approves 752-Room Strip-Area Resort
Clark County approved plans July 22 for a 29-story, 752-room resort on the former SkyVue site near Mandalay Bay. The nearly 12-acre development will include more than 42,000 square feet of convention space, along with a casino, restaurants, retail, pool amenities, and entertainment areas. Plans also feature a heart-shaped glass façade and a covered pedestrian plaza. The revised design reduces the tower’s height to 317 feet following Federal Aviation Administration review.
Entertainment
Bolero Extends Plaza Run Through October
Bolero – The Show will return to the Plaza Hotel & Casino for six additional performances following its initial June appearance. The limited run includes Saturday shows Aug. 1, Aug. 15, Aug. 29, Sept. 12, Sept. 19, and Oct. 3. The 90-minute production combines live music, singers, dancers, and theatrical elements inspired by bolero, salsa, tango, flamenco, mambo, and other Latin traditions. Each performance will be followed by an after-party with a DJ, dancing, and cocktails.
Ikons of Rock Debuts at The STRAT Aug. 25
Ikons of Rock will debut Aug. 25 at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower. The 70-minute concert-style production pays tribute to classic rock acts including KISS, Def Leppard, Heart, Journey, and Ozzy Osbourne. The show combines live musicians, vocals, costuming, multimedia, and visual effects in the 603-seat STRAT Theater. Produced by SPI Entertainment, the residency will run at 7 p.m. on scheduled nights, with Mondays and select dates dark.
Transportation & Infrastructure
Volaris Adds Nonstop Las Vegas-Querétaro Service
Volaris will launch nonstop service between Harry Reid International Airport and Querétaro, Mexico, on Dec. 4. The route will operate twice weekly and make Querétaro the carrier’s third Mexican destination from Las Vegas. Since beginning Las Vegas service in 2010, Volaris has carried more than 3.5 million passengers on its existing Guadalajara and Mexico City routes. The new service expands international access from Mexico’s Bajío region.
Airport Connector Tunnel Repaving Continues Through December
Harry Reid International Airport began a major repaving project in the Airport Connector Tunnels Aug. 10. Both northbound and southbound tunnels are reduced to two lanes during most of the day. In addition, each direction drops to one lane from midnight to 5 a.m. Sunday through Friday. The project is expected to continue through December, and airport officials are advising travelers to allow additional time.
