MAGIC is First Show in Mandalay Bay’s 350,000 Square Foot Expansion
August 23, 2015
The first show to take advantage of all of the extra space at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center was one it long-time clients, UBM Advanstar’s MAGIC, which ran last week in Las Vegas.
The $70 million project added 350,000 square feet onto the center, allowing shows like MAGIC to not only expand, but also opening up more space for shows looking in the city.
“We have enjoyed working with the professionals at Mandalay Bay throughout the years and appreciate their willingness to help us create the most positive, productive experiences for our customers,” said Tony Calanca, executive vice president of Exhibitions for UBM Advanstar.
He added, “Mandalay Bay changed their construction plans to meet our growth needs, and we are proud to have MAGIC be the first show in the new expansion.”
Based on customer demand, the resort built new exhibit space, a 20,000 sq. ft. foyer and underground parking in this first phase.
The second and final phase of the expansion will transition existing space into a 70,000 sq. ft. carpeted ballroom to accommodate new corporate partners and associations, as well as achieve greater utilization of the entire facility.
“The opening of our convention center expansion is another exciting milestone in the multi-year transformation of our resort,” said Chuck Bowling, president and COO of Mandalay Bay.
He added, “The response to booking the space has exceeded our expectations, and we believe this investment will increase visitation to Las Vegas, driving incremental business to MGM Resorts’ portfolio and the city overall.”
Construction began in October 2014 and upon completion of this project in January 2016, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center will boast more than 2 million total square feet and 900,000-plus sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space.
This new space elevates its ranking in North America to No. 5 in both total square feet and exhibit space.
Stephanie Glanzer, vice president of Sales at Mandalay Bay, said, “In addition to the convention center expansion, we recently announced and are undergoing our 3,000-room remodel. These updates combined with numerous other new offerings and venues solidify Mandalay Bay as a top choice for corporate groups and trade shows of all sizes.”
He added, “One of our larger shows, MAGIC, is a valued loyal customer and we are pleased to welcome them as our first group into the new space.”
Adding onto what already is the largest convention center solar array in the world, the expanded Mandalay Bay Convention Center is incorporating an additional rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) array spanning 8 acres.
Upon completion in Fall 2015, the added portion of the array will generate approximately 1.9 MW with an approximate annual production of 3.4M kilowatt hours.
Covering more than 28 acres, the combined array will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,300 homes.
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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