Las Vegas Paves the Way to Safe, Successful Events

A data-driven approach coupled with industry-wide commitment to safety have been instrumental in the return of large professional events to Las Vegas, facilitating innovation and growth and accelerating the nation’s economic recovery.

Between June and September, the city has welcomed back a number of large trade shows, including World of Concrete, Summer 2021 Las Vegas Market, MAGIC, OFFPRICE Show, Vision Expo West and PACK EXPO, among others. The Las Vegas Convention Center alone hosted 25 events, and 22 more events are planned through Jan. 2022, with over 515,000 attendees expected. Open without capacity restrictions, Las Vegas has been working closely with local health authorities on effective guidelines as well as with industry partners to ensure a safe return to business.

WOC 2021

“Las Vegas is successfully back to business, and we couldn’t be happier,” commented Brian Yost, Chief Operating Officer, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Last year the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR facility accreditation, and between June and September, welcomed more than 310,000 attendees to shows in our building.

Meanwhile, our partners throughout the destination have hosted meetings and groups of all sizes and brought back world-class entertainment and dining, giving our visitors an amazing experience both on and off the show floor. Feedback at the LVCC has been overwhelmingly positive – our business travelers are delighted to be meeting and making connections in-person, and they feel confident about wellness measures throughout the destination.”

The trade show industry has responded to the pandemic challenge with a powerful joint approach to make events safe. Earlier this year, several of the world’s largest organizers, including Tarsus, Informa Markets, Reed Exhibitions, Clarion Events and Emerald collaborated with the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and other global organizations, suppliers, venues and local authorities collaborated on the release of AllSecure, a rigorous set of industry guidelines trade show and events that was quickly adopted and has become an industry standard moving forward.

Along with the measures adopted by Las Vegas as a destination, they have already proved effective for hosting safe and productive events.

Las Vegas Sfaety

PACK EXPO and Healthcare Packaging EXPO welcomed over 23,000 attendees to Las Vegas this September and was a huge success, said Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “Exhibitors and attendees alike were energized by the number of people who attended and more importantly the business conducted from the moment we opened the doors.”

Tricia Barglof, executive director of OFFPRICE, part of the Las Vegas Fashion Week, commented that her show saw a resurgence in buyer traffic and exceeded expectations. She said: “We knew there was pent-up demand for face-to-face meetings due to supply-chain issues. Retailers are looking for in-stock inventory that can ship quickly, that’s what our vendors are known for. Our OFFPRICE Market held last February in Orlando and in Las Vegas in August proved we could align with the rest of Fashion Week to create an environment where health and safety was our top priority and all those involved felt comfortable.”

An impressive lineup of large trade shows and events, including National Hardware Show, SEMA, IMEX at Mandalay Bay, Amazon Web Services re:Invent 2021 at The Venetian, Cowboy Christmas, and CES 2022 is scheduled through January, successfully kicking off a new year of major events in Las Vegas, with many more slated into 2022.

Partner Voices

NO WISH IS TOO BIG AT THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER

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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