Las Vegas briefs this month track final May tradeshow numbers, upcoming July show activity, venue investment, major hospitality deals, and citywide event planning. Highlights include Sweets & Snacks Expo’s first Las Vegas edition, new meeting space at Green Valley Ranch, a planned hotel near the Las Vegas Convention Center, America250 programming, and a long-term Las Vegas Grand Prix extension.
Tradeshows & Conventions
Coach K to Headline AAPEX Keynote Breakfast
The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) named Mike Krzyzewski as keynote speaker for its 2026 Keynote Breakfast. The event will take place November 3 at The Venetian Hotel during AAPEX 2026. Krzyzewski, the former Duke University men’s basketball coach, will speak on teamwork and leadership. AAPEX will run November 3–5 at The Venetian Expo and AAPEX Forum.
Sweets & Snacks Expo Draws 17,500 to Las Vegas
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026 ran May 13–15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Organizers reported 17,500 industry professionals and more than 1,000 exhibitors. The show marked its first year in Las Vegas after moving from Indianapolis. Organizers said the 2027 edition will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Upcoming Shows
Cosmoprof North America Returns to Las Vegas in July
Cosmoprof North America will return to Mandalay Bay July 13–15. The beauty industry tradeshow drew 14,231 attendees and 1,068 exhibitors at its previous edition. The event brings together manufacturers, brands, distributors, retailers, and beauty professionals from around the world. Organizers said the show will once again feature product launches, education programs, and networking opportunities across the cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and wellness sectors.
Las Vegas to Host the Clean Show in July
The Clean Show will take place July 15–18 in Las Vegas. The event previously drew 12,563 attendees and 481 exhibitors. Organized for the laundering, drycleaning, textile care, and linen services industries, the show will feature equipment, technology, and educational programs. The biennial event is expected to attract industry professionals from around the world.
AWFS Fair Returns to Las Vegas Convention Center
The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) Fair will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center July 13–15. The previous edition attracted 10,566 attendees and 592 exhibitors. The event serves manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers involved in woodworking and furnishings production. Exhibits will showcase machinery, tools, software, hardware, and related technologies.
Meetings & Venues
Green Valley Ranch Opens Refreshed Meeting Space
Green Valley Ranch Resort has opened refreshed meeting and convention spaces in Henderson. The project is part of the resort’s $200 million renovation. The resort offers 69,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. Updates include the Estancia Ballroom, Grand Ballroom, 17 breakout rooms, and upgraded meeting areas. The resort also added The Lawn, a 5,000-square-foot outdoor event space for groups of 50 to 250 guests.
Dual-Brand Marriott Hotel Planned Near LVCC
Mortenson Development will break ground June 15 on a dual-brand AC Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott near the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). The 233,330-square-foot project at 2989 Paradise Road will include 397 rooms. Plans call for 237 AC Hotel rooms and 160 Residence Inn suites. Amenities include meeting and event space, a fitness center, coffee bar, retail market, lounge, breakfast area, and rooftop pool deck.
Hotels & Casinos
Fertitta Entertainment to Acquire Caesars
Fertitta Entertainment has agreed to acquire Caesars Entertainment in a deal valued at $17.6 billion, including debt. The company will pay $5.7 billion in cash and assume nearly $12 billion in debt. Caesars operates several major Las Vegas Strip properties, including Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Harrah’s, Horseshoe, and The Cromwell. The deal remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.
M Resort Reopens DayDream Pool Club After Refresh
M Resort Spa Casino reopened DayDream Pool Club on May 16 after a venue refresh. The 12,000-square-foot, adults-only pool venue added new cabana furniture, upgraded daybeds, expanded seating, refinished pool surfaces, and new landscaping. M Resort also updated the food and beverage menu and added a summer entertainment schedule.
Plaza and Mob Museum Offer Downtown Package
The Plaza Hotel & Casino and The Mob Museum launched The Wiseguy Getaway package for downtown Las Vegas visitors. The package includes a two-night minimum stay at the Plaza, two tickets to The Mob Museum, a happy hour appetizer at Oscar’s Steakhouse, and an autographed photo of Oscar B. Goodman.
Entertainment
Plaza Adds One-Night Latin Music Show
The Plaza Hotel & Casino will host Bolero – The Show on June 20 in its classic Vegas showroom. The one-night performance features a live band, singers, and dancers. The production blends bolero, salsa, tango, flamenco, mambo, and other Latin music styles.
Eight Lounge Adds Weekly Vinyl Series
Eight Lounge at Resorts World Las Vegas launched Smoke & Soul on June 4. The weekly Thursday series features guest DJs playing vinyl sets focused on soul, R&B, disco, jazz, and hip-hop. DJ and producer Large Professor opened the series.
Restaurants & Attractions
In-N-Out Opens New Strip Location at BLVD
In-N-Out Burger opened a new Las Vegas Strip location at BLVD Las Vegas on June 9. The restaurant is located at 3747 S. Las Vegas Blvd. It offers indoor seating for 170 guests and patio seating for 50. The location will employ about 70 workers.
Tourism & Major Events
Hoover Dam Adds Patriotic Display for America250
Hoover Dam debuted a large patriotic display over Memorial Day weekend. The installation includes red, white, and blue lighting and a 300-foot by 150-foot American flag across the dam. Nevada and Arizona leaders attended the unveiling. The display also launched Southern Nevada programming tied to America250. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said the broader summer schedule includes eight Saturday fireworks shows across the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas in June and July. The Hoover Dam display is scheduled to run nightly through July 4, weather permitting.
Las Vegas Launches America250 Fireworks Series
Las Vegas launched eight consecutive Saturdays of America250 fireworks on June 6. The shows run through July 25 and rotate among Strip and Downtown Las Vegas launch sites. The July 4 display is planned as the largest show, with fireworks launched from nine Strip rooftops.
Las Vegas Grand Prix Secures Extension Through 2037
Formula 1 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix announced an extension that will keep the race on the city’s calendar through 2037. The Las Vegas Grand Prix debuted in 2023 and has become one of the city’s largest annual events, drawing visitors from around the world and generating significant economic activity. Organizers said the agreement provides long-term certainty for the race and its partners. The 2026 Las Vegas Grand Prix is scheduled for November 19–21.
Transportation & Infrastructure
LVCVA Approves Vegas Loop Operating Agreement
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority approved a $25 million agreement to operate and maintain the Vegas Loop system at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The underground system moves attendees across the convention center campus using electric vehicles. LVCVA says the system includes about 2 miles of tunnels and five stations across the 200-acre campus. It is designed to move more than 4,400 convention attendees per hour.
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