Las Vegas CVA 2016 Executive Summary Boasts Upticks in Visitation and Convention Attendance
February 9, 2017
Last year was a good one for Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority’s recently released 2016 Executive Summary.
Driven by strong demand in both the leisure and convention segments, the city experienced another record-breaking year for convention attendance and visitation.
For the third year in a row, Las Vegas broke its visitation record, welcoming 42.9 million people to the destination, a 1.5% increase compared with 2015, while nearly 22,000 meetings attracted more than 6.3 million attendees to the city, a 7.1 percent increase compared to the year before.
In addition, citywide hotel occupancy climbed to 89 percent, an increase of 1.4 percent compared with 2015.
Continued strength among large tradeshows and notable increases in small to medium-sized conventions largely contributed to the sizable boost in event participation, with 2017 on track to be another strong year for trade shows and tourism, according to Chris Meyer, LVCVA vice president of global business sales.
“Las Vegas is already demonstrating strength in the 2017 convention calendar year with the inclusion of large-scale shows like AHR Expo and CONEXPO-CON/AGG, which did not take place in the destination in 2016,” Meyer said.
He continued, “We anticipate steady growth in visitation and that’s because Las Vegas is not a destination that rests on its laurels. Our industry and resort partners are constantly evolving to meet the needs of our visitors and deliver on the business experience that is synonymous with our city’s reputation.”
Last year also showed Las Vegas making great strides to maintain its more than two-decade-long reign as North America’s No. 1 trade show destination, most notably with the passage of Nevada legislation that paves the way for development of the Las Vegas Convention Center District (LVCCD).
The massive revamp and redesign project will add 600,000 square feet of exhibit space, new meeting rooms and other amenities, as well as the renovation of the entire LVCC property.
In January, the LVCVA celebrated the completion of phase one of the LVCCD campus with the unveiling of the Diamond Lot, a new 26-acre parking and outdoor exhibition space.
“In recent years, our trade show customers have expressed a need for growth, evolution and innovation at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and our destination has taken aggressive action to accommodate those interests,” Meyer said.
He continued, “The decision to move forward with the LVCCD demonstrated a great deal of community support and forward-thinking leadership in recognizing the far-reaching impact this project has on the future of Southern Nevada’s economy. The LVCCD truly represents more than just a project to benefit the convention center, it’s an investment for the entire industry and our destination.”
The destination wasn’t alone in enjoying a strong 2016. Many large trade shows that call Las Vegas home boasted record-breaking attendance last year, including CES, InfoComm International, ISC West, SuperZoo, World of Concrete and RECon.
Read the full LVCVA 2016 Executive Summary here.
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
Add new comment