Las Vegas’ economy is expected to receive a multi-million dollar boost this year due to the addition of new convention business and returning rotating shows.
American Library Association’s annual conference and exhibition; American Wind Energy Association’s WINDPOWER; and Solar Power International are all scheduled to take place in Las Vegas this year for the first time. These three new shows are expected to bring an estimated 50,000 attendees, generating nearly $63 million in local non-gaming economic impact.
The destination will also welcome 70 new conventions of at least 500 attendees each during 2014, bringing an estimated 100,000 additional delegates to Las Vegas.
“We are always seeking new business,” said Chris Meyer, vice president of global business sales, LVCVA. “Las Vegas has been the No. 1 tradeshow destination in North America for 19 consecutive years. We offer an array of unique resorts, world-class entertainment, unmatched customer service and the equivalent of 185 football fields of meeting and exhibit space in one convenient destination. The combination provides groups the opportunity to conduct serious business but also balance it with interesting team-building or networking activities.”
In addition to the new business, nine rotating shows return to the destination this year attracting more than 320,000 delegates for a non-gaming economic impact of $404 million. The rotating shows include the return of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction show, one of the largest shows held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Convention and tradeshow delegates represent approximately 12.7 percent of all visitors to Southern Nevada, or approximately 5.1 million business travelers a year. Las Vegas’ meetings and convention industry employs approximately 58,000 people and generates as much as $6.8 billion in local non-gaming economic impact.
