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
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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