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VEGAS INC C OV E R STO RY New conventions landing in Las Vegas could boost tourism significantly 2013 CALENDAR, From page 1 Among the most significant this year will be the arrival of four relatively small conferences that could pay enormous dividends to Las Vegas if history repeats. The reason: All of them are geared toward meeting and tourism planners and airlines, giving key decision-makers a chance to see the city in person. The U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow — or the more politically correct new name for it, IPW — arrives at the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 8. The event is designed for tour companies, which match themselves with travel agents and packagers to boost their destinations. Las Vegas has the added bonus of being able to show agents the very product it is promoting — the city — instead of just telling them about it. The convention was last here in 2008. Similar gatherings include the Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress, during which 3,600 industry leaders will meet July 16 to 26 at Mandalay Bay, and IMEX America, which focuses on Latin American tourism and will bring an expected 8,000 attendees to the Sands Expo Center from Oct. 15 to 17. Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority executives say the most significant event for future tourism development will take place Oct. 5 to 8 when 3,000 people arrive from more than 100 countries for Routes, or the 19th World Route Development Forum at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The forum provides one-on-one meetings for tourism developers, airport executives and airlines to plan routes for thousands of airplanes that will fly millions of passengers. "It's not a gigantic convention, but its importance is enormous for any destination," said Chris Meyer, vice president of sales for the LVCVA. "In the past, the destination host has seen a 10 to 15 percent increase in airline routes after 14 20130107_VI01_F.indd 14 hosting the event." The Las Vegas conference will be the first time Routes has landed in North America. What else is on the horizon? Here's a month-by-month look at some of the key conventions, special events and significant business happenings in Southern Nevada. JANUARY In case you haven't noticed, the International Consumer Electronics Show is in town. With an estimated 155,000 people packing the Convention Center and Sands Expo Center, CES is likely to be 2013's largest convention. Also coming this month: • Three significant conventions are scheduled back-to-back. The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade show, known as the SHOT show, will be at the Sands Expo Center from Jan. 15 to 18. About 61,000 people are expected to attend. The International Builders Show makes its first appearance in Las Vegas in four years Jan. 22 to 25. It will be at the Convention Center and is expected to attract 62,000 people. The five-day Las Vegas Winter Market furniture exhibition opens Jan. 28 to an estimated crowd of 50,000. Held at the World Market Center downtown, the show features 1,500 exhibitors and caters to furniture buyers, designers and professionals. • Preview Las Vegas 2013, sponsored by the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, will be Jan. 24 at the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion. The conference and trade show is billed as the premier business and economic forecasting event of the year. It is aimed at local corporate executives, small business owners and entrepreneurs. About 2,000 people are expected to attend. Speakers will include Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, LVCVA President Rossi Ralenkotter and analyst Jeremy Aguero. • The court case against a former M Resort sports book director linked to an illegal gambling ring is scheduled to begin Jan. 29. Former Cantor Gaming Vice President Michael Colbert is due in court to answer charges of illegal bookmaking and money laundering. He is one of several defendants charged in an alleged illegal betting ring with ties to offshore gambling. the Convention Center and Mandalay Bay. About 75,000 people usually attend. • Valentine's Day, typically a big day for marriage licenses in the city, falls on a Thursday but could be a big boon for Las Vegas government and tourism. Who knows how many people will take Friday, Feb. 15, off and take advantage of the Feb. 18 Presidents Day holiday weekend? MARCH FEBRUARY sun file photo (2010) Sunglasses get some attention during MAGIC, a trade show for the apparel industry. It's hard to argue which will have more impact on the state: the Super Bowl or the convening of the Nevada Legislature. Thousands of bettors will wager millions of dollars on the National Football League's championship game Feb. 3. The city is usually filled that weekend. The day after, the Nevada Legislature begins its 2013 session in Carson City. The session is due to last 90 days but has been known to run longer. Other events include: • The World of Concrete convention and trade show that attracts 50,000 people is scheduled Feb. 5 to 8 at the Convention Center. • Las Vegas resorts will welcome large numbers of Asian visitors in town to celebrate Chinese New Year. In 2013, the Year of the Snake kicks off Feb. 10. • MAGIC Marketplace, a major fashion exhibition, is scheduled Feb. 19 to 21 at Sports play a huge role for Las Vegas in March with basketball, baseball and racing: • The best-attended single-day sporting event in Nevada occurs March 10 when the Kobalt 400 NASCAR race culminates three days of racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. More than 100,000 people typically attend the Sprint Cup race. • Four college basketball tournaments have found their way to Las Vegas. The West Coast Athletic Conference tournament is March 6 to 11 at the Orleans. The Western Athletic Conference tournament runs at the same site March 12 to 16 while the Mountain West tournament, featuring the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, will be the same dates at the Thomas & Mack Center. New to Las Vegas this year is the Pac-12 men's tournament, which will be played March 13 to 16 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. • Big League Weekend, a chance for locals to see Major League Baseball Cactus League spring training games, is scheduled at Cashman Field from March 16 to 17. This year, the Chicago Cubs play the Texas Rangers in the weekend series that will put Las Vegas on television in the Chicago and Dallas markets. • Helicopters will take over the Convention Center from March 4 to 7 when the city welcomes the 2013 Heli | 7 JANUARY 2013 | 1/3/13 2:09:09 PM