Mandalay Bay Convention Center Undergoing a $100 Million Upgrade

October 20, 2022

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s 2.1 million-square-foot convention center is getting a fresh new look via a $100 million remodel project. Reflecting the evolving needs and preferences of contemporary meetings and trade shows, the remodel features significant technology upgrades, dynamic digital signage and fresh, new design elements complementing the Las Vegas Strip resort’s signature tropical ambiance.

“With Mandalay Bay home to many of the city’s top events and trade shows year after year, we recognized the need to upgrade the space to reflect modern-day needs and create a timeless design complemented by our premier service experience,” explained Ernest Stovall, vice president of sales for Mandalay Bay. “We listened to feedback from meeting planners over recent years and are confident this refreshed and upgraded space will exceed their needs and expectations in every way.”

Enhanced Technology

As part of the venue’s overall transformation, the resort recently installed entirely new Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center to meet the increasing demand for consistent, robust communication. Cat6A doubles the frequency of data transmission and increases the speed up to 9,400%the equivalent of downloading a 4K movie in 30 seconds, according to Mandalay Bay officials.

Additionally, event planners will now have new ways to communicate with attendees through 11 new dynamic digital walls measuring up to 24 feet by 13 feet, designed for brand placements, sponsorship opportunities and targeted event messaging. Meanwhile, 20 double-sided, 55-inch mobile flexible display units have been added to enable attendees to find their meeting rooms and events with greater ease and convenience. 

As added conveniences for meeting planners, additional technology enhancements will include RFID locks on all meeting room doors as well as the installation of more than 200 new motion detection cameras throughout all spaces.

Redesigned Space

According to resort officials, as attendees enter the newly remodeled convention space, they will experience a refreshingly bright and vibrant environment that complements the resort’s tropical-inspired brand.

Mandalay Bay Convention Center remodel

Designed by MGM Resorts International Design Group in collaboration with Las Vegas-based Dezmotif Studios, the refreshed space will feature contemporary design elements along with practical enhancements such as brighter lighting, streamlined signage and inviting seating nooks for attendees. White-washed walls and ceilings, along with bold floral patterns featuring cerulean and coral tones, will be accentuated by warm walnut accent walls.

In addition to the complete remodel of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, the convention center’s 1 million square feet of exhibit space has also been recently refreshed with new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. 

New artworks by Thandiwe Muriu and Sarah Anne Johnson, among other artists, will adorn the remodeled space.

Mandalay Bay Convention Center will remain open and fully operational throughout the remodel, with upgrades executed in phases. According to resort officials, the technology enhancements are mostly completed, the design element upgrades are now underway and the entire project is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.

In addition to the convention center, Mandalay Bay continues to upgrade and add amenities and experiences throughout the resort, including the upcoming remodel of all 424 rooms and suites at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, set to take place next year, the addition of Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar in summer 2023 and the complete redesign of STRIPSTEAK, scheduled to debut in early 2023.


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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.