Convention Business in the Fall is Slated to Bring in $300 million to Las Vegas
October 26, 2016
Las Vegas is geared up to welcome thousands of trade show attendees for Fall 2016, with meetings and conventions expected to bring in more than $300 million in direct visitor spending.
“Las Vegas has been the No. 1 trade show destination in North America for 22 consecutive years. We host nearly 22,000 meetings and conventions annually, proving that Las Vegas is a versatile destination for serious business,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
He added, “The fall conventions maintain Las Vegas’ place on the forefront of business and product innovation.”
Oven-baked goodness kicked off fall trade shows in the Las Vegas Convention Center Oct. 8-11 with the International Baking Industry Expo 2016 (IBIE).
IBIE is the biggest and most comprehensive event in the United States for the grain-based food industry. This year’s show is expected to have drawn more than 20,000 baking professionals from 100 different countries for an estimated $18.7 million in direct visitor spending.
The “pulse of the meetings industry” gathered inside Oct. 18-20 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center for IMEX America 2016.
IMEX America provides the invaluable opportunity to network, share ideas and conduct business with more than 10,000 meetings and conventions professionals in the best destination for the industry. Buyers and exhibitors had the chance to do up to a year’s worth of business while pumping $9.3 million in direct visitor spending into the destination.
The multi-billion-dollar baby and juvenile industry came to life inside LVCC Oct. 18-21 for ABC Kids Expo 2016.
The expo occupied nearly 1 million square feet of exhibit space, drawing an estimated 14,000 industry buyers resulting in an estimated economic impact of $13.1 million from direct visitor spending. Attendees viewed the newest, most innovative products and services from more than 3,200 exhibitors.
Things took a turn for the theatrical with the arrival Oct. 21-23 of Live Design International (LDI) 2016 in the LVCC.
LDI is expected to have generated $13.1 million in direct visitor spending for Las Vegas. As the leading global trade show for live design professionals, LDI’s more than 12,000 attendees had a first-hand look at the latest in everything from lighting and audio to special effects and staging.
Las Vegas will put the pedal to the metal with the return Nov. 1-4 of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW).
An estimated 160,000 auto industry professionals will make their way to the destination for two featured events.
The first of these is the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), which brings the fury of the industry’s top products and experts from around the world to the LVCC.
The second show is the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) inside the Sands Expo & Convention Center. AAPEX will feature more than 2,200 exhibitors showcasing the best and most innovative products in the industry to more than 44,000 targeted buyers. Together, SEMA and AAPEX are slated to bring $149.3 million in director visitor spending revenue to Las Vegas.
The largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event in North America, FABTECH International 2016, will be held Nov. 16-18 in the LVCC.
Expected to draw 28,000 convention delegates and 1,300 exhibiting companies to Las Vegas, FABTECH is the premier source for world-class suppliers and the latest innovations in the industry. The trade show is projected to result in $26.1 million from direct visitor spending.
Additional fall meetings and conventions attracting thousands of business delegates to Las Vegas this year include:
Rodan & Fields, LLC 2016 Convention – Oct. 4-8 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino – 14,500 attendees
American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP16) – Oct. 15-18 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino – 11,000 attendees
Sweet Adelines International Annual Convention & Competition – Oct. 17-22 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino – 15,000 attendees
Autodesk, Inc. University (AU Las Vegas) – Nov. 15-17 at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino – 10 attendees
Go Pro Recruiting Mastery – Dec. 1-4 at LVCC – 14,000 attendees
51st American Society of Health-System Pharmacist (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition 2016 – Dec. 4-8 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino – 20,000 attendees
The meetings and convention industry continues to be crucial to Southern Nevada’s economy, supporting more than 66,500 jobs and contributing $9.3 billion to the local community.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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