Photo credit: Zach McKee
With 151,000 hotel rooms — the most in any U.S. destination — and a long list of state-of-the-art convention areas and events spaces, Las Vegas is certainly where business happens. Add in the world-class restaurants, thrilling entertainment and fantastic year-round weather, and it’s impossible to think of a comparable destination for your upcoming meeting.
The energy and creativity of Las Vegas make it an inspirational destination, one that’s ideal for professionals to gather, network, collaborate and have fun. The city has a decades-long reputation as the No. 1 trade show destination in the world and continues to evolve each and every year.
Simply put, Las Vegas conferences are the place to do business. Here are some of the many reasons why:
The Biggest Trade Shows Call Las Vegas Home
The destination welcomes nearly 5 million business travelers annually, so your meeting will be in good company. Named No. 1 among The Wall Street Journal’s list of the 30 best convention centers in the U.S., the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) hosts some of the country’s largest conferences, including the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) — with each bringing in more than 100,000 attendees over the course of just a few days. The venue recently completed changes to the South Hall adding an enhanced lobby, outdoor plaza, state-of-the-art boardroom and more, and the North and Central Halls are currently undergoing similar renovations to keep up with the ever-changing business meeting demands. Additionally, the destination is home to some of the largest convention centers in America, including Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the Venetian Expo and LVCC. All these facilities host prominent meetings and trade shows, not only due to their size, but also their impressive offerings.
Meeting Venues for Any Size Event
Las Vegas continues to add notable venues to its impressive portfolio of places to host meetings and gatherings, currently boasting nearly 15 million square feet of exhibit and meeting space. The destination is constantly changing, and more options to host trade shows in Las Vegas are consistently underway through expansions and development at existing and new venues. Recent additions to that spectacular figure include The Conference Center at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which is conveniently situated across the street from LVCC’s West Hall, and Durango Casino & Resort’s convention and smaller meeting spaces.
The destination is also prioritizing state-of-the-art technology, with innovative solutions featured in venues such as Ideation Studio at Park MGM Las Vegas, Stella Studio at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and MEET Las Vegas. These intimate spaces offer a variety of options to suit different budgets and event needs.
Looking for additional unique options? Several entertainment venues can be outfitted to your event’s needs and are perfect for mid-size meetings, keynote speeches and more. AREA15, just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, is home to multiple venues that can host events with up to 15,000 guests, all surrounded by one-of-a-kind art and attractions. These venues can easily be customized and curated to fit any business needs, using the newest technology to amplify any event.
In Downtown Las Vegas, The Beverly Theater features outdoor areas and a main theater with retractable seats to offer sizable standing room. It’s another tremendous location to host an event.
Making Your Way Around Vegas Is Easy
Traveling to Las Vegas is incredibly convenient with more than 1,100 daily inbound and outbound flights at Harry Reid International Airport, which is centrally located and just minutes from the Strip and Downtown. For expedient transportation within the resort corridor, there’s the Las Vegas Monorail — its seven stops even provide direct access to several resorts and the LVCC.
Plus, there are plenty of rideshare, taxi and rental car options. In addition, the Strip is extremely walkable, making it easy to get around. And don’t forget the innovative underground transportation system, the Vegas Loop at Las Vegas Convention Center, which provides fast and convenient passage across its campus and to Resorts World Las Vegas as well as Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Plans to expand the Vegas Loop’s footprint are underway, which will make things even easier for your attendees to get around town. All these options give your employees more time to interact with colleagues or get some work done in between conference sessions.
Explore World-Class Accommodations and Dining
When it comes to hotels, you’ll have your pick of options to meet a range of budgets, preferences and locations. Plus, every resort has several dining choices, many offering private dining rooms, making it convenient to plan events for your team or meetings with your clients. Additionally, Las Vegas is a haven for several celebrity chefs and acclaimed restaurants, meaning the food experience is unbeatable. Whether you’re hosting a dinner event during your meeting or just want some fabulous options for attendees to choose from while they’re here, the following are some of the destination’s top restaurants to consider.
Looking to host a presentation complete with a meal? Consider Carversteak at Resorts World, which offers chef curated menus that include Wagyu steaks from Australia and Japan, filet mignon, Atlantic salmon, Maine lobster and more. Carversteak also has comprehensive audio/visual capabilities, and indoor and outdoor seating options for up to 500 guests.
Or, for another place to enjoy group dining in Las Vegas, try Gjelina inside The Venetian Resort. Choose from three private dining rooms for smaller groups, a partial buyout or a full buyout that can seat 180 guests or hold a reception for up to 250 people.
You can also bring your group to Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace to indulge on a menu guided by the famed celebrity chef. Hell’s Kitchen can host events of up to 250 people with private dining rooms available for up to 42 guests.
At MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, you can treat your guests to an intimate dinner with a signature prix fixe dining menu at Hakkasan Restaurant. Its two private rooms can be booked separately or combined to accommodate larger groups. For dinner with a view, consider SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas and take in the Lake of Dreams show as you dine on incredible, flavorful dishes.
Want to take things off-Strip for an evening? Bottiglia Cucina & Enoteca at Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa features private and semiprivate seating options for groups, in addition to its fresh Italian fare.
Experience the Best Live Sports and Entertainment
As the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas is incomparable in its offerings for entertainment such as seeing a superstar residency at the awe-inspiring Sphere. For a larger group, consider a magic show or one of the iconic Cirque du Soleil productions.
There’s also the opportunity for your group to enjoy the best in live sports. The NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights always put on a great show for fans at T-Mobile Arena. After the game, bring your group over to Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Bar on the Las Vegas Strip for live music across two stages, socializing, and customizable food and beverage packages.
There are countless ways for your entire team to have a great experience off the show floor, including checking out restaurants and activities that are favorites among locals. Las Vegas is the city to be when planning your events, expos or meetings, delivering value like no place else. Plan your next event here and see why Vegas Means Business.