Trade Show Organizers Urge Officials to Move Las Vegas Convention Center $2.3 Billion Expansion Project Forward

October 23, 2015

The Las Vegas Convention Center’s need for renovations and new exhibit and meeting space should have already occurred was the consensus among top trade show organizers who spoke Oct. 22 to the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee.

In a candid fact-finding session, they urged the 11-member committee to think strategically about the Las Vegas future and its position not just as a U.S., but also as a global trade show destination.

The session was the third of five the committee was conducting before making decisions on what would be priorities for next year.

The panel of trade show organizers representing the Consumer Electronics Association, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, UBM-Advanstar, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Specialty Marketing Association and the International Council of Shopping Centers expressed their support for the $2.3 billion Convention Center District improvement program proposed by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority that would add indoor and outdoor space, meeting rooms, tech and facilities improvements.

Among their concerns was that 2022, the date when the proposed project would be completed, still is too far away, and they need to grow their shows now.

Karen Chupka, senior vice president of International CES, said that for the first time in its history, the show that brought more than 160,000 attendees to Las Vegas this year will be capping its attendance in 2016 because of the logistics of moving people around the city.

The record-breaking show will run out of space by 2018. “We’re looking for alternatives,” she added. “We’ve just launched an event in China. We see (the convention center project) as a beginning, but it’s only a beginning.”

Chris Brown, executive vice president of conventions and business operations for the National Association of Broadcasters, said: “We’re at a point of building tents in the parking lot. We’re completely out of meeting space, which is a key issue for us because we’re unable to add new educational programs.  It impacts our ability to grow attendance.”

He also noted that the “tired” facility is not the experience that the high-tech corporations are looking for.

Chris Kersting, president and CEO of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), said: “We’re going to be challenged to come up with relevant experiences that stay contemporary with the changes in the industry.”

Tim McGuinness, staff vice president of global trade expositions for the International Council of Shopping Centers, told the committee that his organization almost moved its annual RECon show to Chicago, but reconsidered after learning about the proposed expansion.  “This is long overdue. We need to move this forward very quickly,” he added.

Megan Tanel, CONEXPO-CON/AGG show director and AEM vice president exhibitions and events, said that the floor plan of the new building already was too small for their show. “What if we went and build a building in the desert? For us all options are on the table,” she said, noting that their show is competing with events in China and Germany. She also gave a nod to German exhibition companies messes that have joint partnerships with local governments and shows to build top-notch facilities.

Tony Calanca, executive vice president of exhibitions for UBM-Advanstar that produces MAGIC Market Week, said that the city should have started the renovations years ago and that the proposed facility is not big enough. “You didn’t become and will not stay world class by being reactive,” he said. “Make no small plans.”

The four-phase Convention Center District strategic plan involves the acquisition of 26.4 acres occupied by the old Riviera hotel and its demotion, the construction of the 1.4 million sq. ft. exhibit hall across the street from the North Hall, the renovation of the 3.2 million square feet of existing facilities and additional improvements based on client feedback.

Phase 1, which includes the acquisition and demolition of the Riviera, is the only fully funded piece at this time. It’s expected to be competed and the space to be paved for outdoor demos in time for ConExpo-CON/AGG in 2017.

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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.