VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
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COVER STORY PICTURE THIS: Models pose with Nikon digital cameras during the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show. The show drew 140,000 people to Las Vegas, officials said. CONVENTION LISTINGS For a look at upcoming events, see The Docket on Page 19. For a more expansive look at this year's conventions and trade shows, go to vegasinc.com/events. "It's looking really, really good this year," said Eric Bello, vice president of sales for Las Vegas Sands, the parent company of the Venetian and Palazzo hotels and the Sands Expo and Convention Center. "The trade shows and large corporate meetings are off to a fine start. "April is stellar. May is stellar. I have to temper my excitement a little bit because we have to get through July and August, which are still a little soft." Even September has a few gaps, which Bello attributed to the observance of Labor Day and major Jewish holidays falling relatively early on the calendar. But for the most part, meetings and conventions will be key to driving visitor volume in 2012. "We're seeing increasing strength in the meetings and conventions sectors," said Alan Feldman, a spokesman for MGM Resorts International, which hosts large trade shows at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and smaller gatherings at Aria, the MGM Grand, Bellagio and the Mirage. "Not only are meeting bookings up, but the number of room (bookings) are up and room cancellations are down, all of which is good," Feldman said. "It's a sign that business is getting back to business across the country." Feldman said another telltale sign that the economy is ON THE COVER Illustration by Chris Morris, special to VEGAS INC 16 picking up is that conventioneers are staying longer after their meetings. "Future bookings are looking good, and we're seeing strength in numbers (of bookings) and in room rates," Feldman said. "This renewed strength in all these areas has been consistent for three to four quarters." In the first 11 months of 2011, attendees of conventions and meetings represented more than 13.1 percent of the city's tourist visitation. In 2010, it was just under 12 percent. In the first 11 months of last year, the city played host to 17,756 conventions, trade shows, meetings and conferences, a 4.6 percent increase over the first 11 months of 2010. Attendance was up 9.2 percent to 4.7 million people. T he International Consumer Electronics Show got 2012 rolling, drawing more than 140,000 attendees for what will be the largest show of the year. The year starts strong, with six of the city's top 10 shows by attendance being staged in the first quarter. Besides CES: n The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show — or SHOT Show, as it's commonly known — brought 45,000 delegates to Las Vegas from Jan. 17-20. n The World of Concrete drew 50,000 attendees from Jan. 23-26. n The World Market Center, expected to draw 50,000 people, is scheduled this week through Feb. 3. n The spring version of one of Las Vegas' most enduring shows, MAGIC International, a major fashion exhibition, is here Feb. 13-15. The event is expected to attract 75,000 people. n ASD Las Vegas, the spring Retail Merchandise Trade Show, closes out the quarter March 25-28. Organizers say about 41,000 attendees will be on hand. Meyer says that even though Las Vegas won't see the massive ConExpo-Con/Ag construction show this spring because it only meets once every three years, 2012 is shaping up to be | 30 JANUARY 2012 |