Las Vegas Convention Center

The Las Vegas Convention Center (commonly referred to as LVCC) is owned and operated by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Being one of the largest convention centers in the world with 3,200,000 sq ft (297,000 m²) of space, it hosts shows with an estimated 200,000 participants. At the end of 2010 Las Vegas Valley will have more than10,000,000 sq ft (930,000 m²) of exhibit and meeting space. The CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction trade show in 2008 used the most space, 2,400,000 sq ft (223,000 m²).

The LVCC is adjacent to the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel and is accessible from the Las Vegas Monorail.

History

City and county community leaders realized in the 1950s, the need for a convention facility. The initial goal was to increase the occupancy rates of hotels during slow tourist months. A site was chosen one block east of the Las Vegas Strip. A 6,300 seat, silver-domed rotunda, with an adjoining 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m²) exhibit hall opened in April 1959. The silver dome was demolished in 1990 creating space for expansion. When completed, 1,600,000 sq ft (149,000 m²), with 1,300,000 sq ft (121,000 m²) for exhibitors, makes it one of the largest single-level facilities in the world.

The Las Vegas Convention Center Act of 1971 authorized the use of $7 million to rebuild, remodel or expand.

A 1998 expansion increased the center to 1,900,000 sq ft (177,000 m²). During the expansion, the closed Landmark Hotel and Casino (across from LVCC) was imploded adding more parking.

While it functioned, COMDEX was the most attended trade show in the United States with over 200,000 attendees on several occasions.

As of 2009, the CES is the most attended annual trade show with more than 110,000 attendees.

Another expansion started in 2002, added 1,300,000 sq ft (121,000 m²), called the South Hall. When completed in 2004, it crossed over a major roadway (Desert Inn Road) with four bridges connecting the facilities.

Film history

A variety of shows have been filmed in the convention center including Food Network specials and the 2009 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions. Numerous conventions produce live shows in the facility.

Future

Due to budget constraints, the expansion program below has been put on hold. The plan will be reviewed in 2010 to determine when it will be resumed.

The Las Vegas Convention Center is about to undergo a $890 million expansion, the 14th in its history. The expansion is intended to increase the center's meeting space and improve the building's overall design.

The 500,000 sq ft (46,000 m²) expansion includes 86,000 sq ft (8,000 m²) of dedicated meeting space.

The project is expected to add:

• A meeting room addition spanning the full length of the South Hall

• A grand concourse linking all three halls

• A signature facade in front

• Enclosed pedestrian access the Las Vegas Monorail

• Police and fire facilities on property (The Convention Center Area Command and Fire Station are scheduled to open in October 2008)

References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (April 2009)

External links

• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority promotional web site
• Las Vegas Convention Center - Vegas Today and Tomorrow
• Worldwide Resources For Trade Shows and Conventions
• Las Vegas Convention Center Act of 1971