Why Las Vegas Tops the List of Most Desired Business Travel Destinations for 2021

A strong majority of business travelers (74%) are confident that Las Vegas will be prepared to safely host in-person conferences, conventions and trade shows, when considering the second half of 2021, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).

More than half (58%) of business travelers stated that they’re “burned out” on virtual meetings and events. Almost all (91%) indicate that they miss the face-to-face interaction of in-person business meetings and events. Further, only 43% have been satisfied with attending online events.

Las Vegas

While it is expected that many trade shows and conventions will continue to be offered in a virtual or hybrid format in 2021, the majority (77%) of the respondents would prefer attending in person in the future.

“What we saw was a pretty great message about Las Vegas and the desire of business travelers to get back to travel,” Steve Hill, President and CEO of the LVCVA, said in an interview to Travel Weekly. “They’re obviously tired – we're all tired – of video conference calls, and that’s certainly reflected in the survey. They want to come back to in-person meetings almost unanimously.

“When we asked questions around ‘Where would you like to go?’ ‘Where do you feel most comfortable going?’ ‘What provides the best experience both from a personal standpoint and business standpoint?’, Las Vegas came out on top of all of those answers. And most of the time by a pretty wide margin,” Hill said.

The city-wide Meet Smart, Vegas Smart initiative highlights extensive health protocols that have been implemented to ensure attendees’ well-being. Many Las Vegas venues can create “virtual bubbles” around business events as a result of having more hotel rooms and meeting space than any other U.S. city.

Health and Safety

The new Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, which adds 1.4 million square feet of space to the center’s current 3.2 million, will provide more space for social distancing.

One of the first events to be held in person after the shutdown is expected to be World of Concrete, the commercial construction industry’s largest annual event for concrete and masonry professionals, scheduled for June 8–10, 2021.

Las Vegas is committed to providing unmatched experience through smart operations and world-class level of service once again placing it as the top destination for trade shows and events.

Footnote: The nationally representative sample of more than 500 business travelers was conducted Jan. 8–12, 2021, and included people over 21 who traveled for business in either 2019 or 2020.

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