The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) joined leaders from across the Las Vegas meeting and convention industry to celebrate the inaugural North American Meetings Industry Day (NAMID) on April 16 at The LINQ promenade. The meetings, conventions and tradeshow industry has a significant impact on the local economy supporting 54,000 jobs and generating more than $7 billion in economic impact.
“Tourism is the economic engine that drives this town and the meeting industry plays a significant role,” said Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, chairman of the LVCVA Board of Directors. “The 5 million-plus people who come to Las Vegas every year for a meeting, convention or tradeshow help fill hotel rooms during mid-week, they support jobs and they significantly contribute to the local economy.”
To recognize the impact of the meetings industry on the Las Vegas community, the Clark County Commission declared April 16 North American Industry Meetings Day. The proclamation was presented to Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing, LVCVA, who received it on behalf of those employed by or who benefit from the industry.
To celebrate NAMID, Commissioner Weekly presented Chris Brown, executive vice president of conventions and business operations of National Association of Broadcasters, with the Key to the Las Vegas Strip during a press event at The LINQ. NAB Show, which brought an estimated 100,000 attendees to Las Vegas Convention Center from April 11-16, is one of the more than 22,000 meetings, conventions and tradeshows that happen in Las Vegas every year.
Michael Dominguez, Meetings Mean Business’ co-chair and senior vice president of corporate sales at MGM Resorts International also lent his support of NAMID.
“We are excited to be involved in such a meaningful day that unites our industry not only in Las Vegas, but also across the United States, Canada and Mexico. As the meeting capital of the world, Las Vegas is the ideal place to showcase how meetings build personal relationships, drive positive outcomes and support strong communities,” added Dominguez.
Caesars Entertainment, with 30 properties in the U.S., hosts almost 2 million attendees each year.
“North American Meetings Industry Day is a crucial step in promoting the importance of the meetings industry in our communities,” said Mike Massari, treasurer for U.S. Travel Association and senior vice president for Caesars Entertainment National Meetings and Events. “That’s why Caesars Entertainment is proud to host the first-ever celebration of NAMID in Las Vegas at The LINQ Promenade. We know how vital the meetings and events business is to all of our properties across the country. It’s because of the value the meetings industry has to our business and the entire Las Vegas Valley that we decided to come together with our fellow hospitality leaders to celebrate.”
Las Vegas boasts nearly 11 million square feet of meeting space in addition to a wide array of event, dining and entertainment venues used for group business. Tradeshow News Network recognized Las Vegas as the No. 1 tradeshow destination in the country for the 21st consecutive year.
Recent upgrades in Las Vegas that support the growth of meetings and events include:
- The Mandalay Bay Convention Center is adding 350,000 square feet of exhibit space, more carpeted ballroom space and other amenities for a total of more than 2 million square feet. The $66 million project is on schedule to welcome its first attendees in August, with the anticipated completion of the entire expansion and renovation in January 2016.
- With the purchase of the Riviera Hotel and Casino, the LVCVA is moving forward with plans for the Las Vegas Global Business District, which will add 750,000 square feet of new exhibition space and 187,500 square feet of additional meeting space to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The renovation of the existing facility includes adding a 100,000 square-foot general session space and another 100,000 square feet of meeting space.
- Caesars Entertainment’s LINQ Promenade offers a variety of restaurants, retail outlets and non-gaming entertainment options, many of which provide thousands of square feet of unique meeting venues.
- The newly branded and renovated LINQ Hotel & Casino will open all new meeting space on May 1.
- The Venetian Las Vegas recently renovated all standard guest suites, including desks fitted with a media “hub” system, providing a/c and USB charging capabilities for phones and laptops. This new system gives business travelers a flexible and convenient workspace while on the road. In addition, a new FedEx Office-branded business center recently opened at the Venetian and Palazzo Congress Center, which is a complement to the recently complete multi-million dollar remodel of the adjacent Sands Expo & Convention Center.
- The Encore Tower Suites and Encore Resort Tower at Wynn Las Vegas will undergo room renovations beginning this summer. The project includes new furnishings, carpeting, technology and added USB plugs and electrical outlets.
- The revitalization of Monte Carlo and New York-New York will lead visitors to The Park, an immersive outdoor destination, and a new world-class 20,000-seat arena being developed by AEG and MGM Resorts International, is scheduled to open in 2016.
- Bally’s Pacific and Las Vegas Ballrooms will undergo extensive renovations this year.
- Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas introduced a new meeting and event space known as The Gallery. Located in the center of the property’s porte-cochère, the unique loft-style venue offers 1,900 square feet of space perfect for an 80-person seated dinner or a cocktail reception for up to 200 guests.
- The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas restyled its 30,000 square feet of event and function space offering a fresh approach to modern luxury with newly redesigned ballrooms and meeting rooms.
- Tropicana Las Vegas expanded the Tropicana Pavilion and increased the resort’s total meeting and convention facilities to 100,000 square feet.
- Venue Las Vegas is the newest addition to the Fremont East area of downtown Las Vegas offering approximately 40,000 square feet of event space, three levels and a rooftop with stunning views of Downtown Las Vegas.
- The JW Marriott recently launched Meetings Imagined, an online product for meeting planners. The Meetings Imagined website is intended to inspire the viewer and help them imagine the possibilities of their meetings.
- South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa opened a new 60-lane, state o-of-the-art tournament bowling plaza. The South Point Bowling Plaza is a 90,000-square-foot facility with luxurious spectator seating for 360 people.
To participate in the digital conversations, follow @LVCVA and @MeetingsMeanBiz on Twitter and use the hashtags #VegasMeansBusiness #MMBusiness and #NAMID15.
