In-person events are back in 2022 - and so are Las Vegas’ signature conventions! This year, thanks to changing COVID conditions and an ever-evolving response to the pandemic, many of the major conventions Las Vegas hosted in the past re-emerged - better and stronger than ever. 2022 saw the return of many of the city’s most famed and well-attended events, including the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the World of Concrete, and the MAGIC Marketplace show. Las Vegas is the world’s #1 Convention destination for a reason, and in 2022 we are back!
There are many reasons that make Las Vegas the convention destination of choice, including an excellent climate (320+ days of sunshine!), the convenience of an international airport (more than 1,050 inbound and outbound flights a day, with service to over 150 domestic and international destinations), and world-class resort accommodations (Las Vegas holds over 150,000 hotel rooms!). Las Vegas also offers some of the country’s best convention venue locations. With over 14 million square feet of exhibit and meeting space, Las Vegas is home to three of the country’s 10 largest venues: the Mandalay Bay Convention Center (2 million square feet), the Venetian Expo (1.7 million square feet), and the marquee Las Vegas Convention Center (2.9 million square feet!). Additional notable venues include 550,00 square-foot Caesar’s Forum and the 850,000 square-foot MGM Grand Conference Center.
With great weather, easy transportation, excellent accommodations, and world-class event venues, it’s easy to see why Las Vegas is a top convention destination. Even when compared to other convention cities such as Orlando, Anaheim, and Chicago, Las Vegas stands apart - on average, attendance increases by 9% when conventions rotate into Vegas!
Conventions play a key role in keeping Las Vegas’ 150,000 hotel rooms filled with guests, and the convention business does its share to help deliver the $36 billion dollars that tourism brought to Southern Nevada in 2021. When the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the industry in 2020, Las Vegas found a way to fight back - and led the country in developing responsive tactics that would allow this key industry to rebound, all while keeping the public safe. Leading the way in convention facility disease outbreak prevention, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Venetian Expo, Resorts World, Harry Reid International Airport, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and the Hyatt Place Las Vegas at Silverton Village have each been awarded the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR Facility Accreditation by ISSA: The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, the benchmark for safe facilities.
As a result, 2022 saw the return of many of Las Vegas’ most-famed conventions, including:
Consumer Electronics Show (CES) - In January 2022, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) made its much-anticipated in-person return, welcoming more than 45,000 attendees to the Las Vegas Convention Center. This highly-watched convention is the launching point for electronic gadgets and products that will appear on store shelves by summer, and technology companies use CES to introduce and build excitement around their new merchandise.
World of Concrete - Also in January, the World of Concrete convention returned, welcoming more than 60,000 attendees back to the Las Vegas Convention Center. This top trade convention features more than 18,000 companies showcasing the newest in commercial construction innovations.
MAGIC Marketplace Show - In February, the MAGIC Marketplace show came back to the Mandalay Bay Convention area. The MAGIC Marketplace brings the top fashion execs and influencers together to offer more than 85,000 attendees a preview of the season’s fashion offerings.
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) - April 2022 saw the return of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the world's largest event for filmed entertainment. Over 52,000 attendees converged on the Las Vegas Convention Center for the in-person return of this exciting event.
JCK Trade Show - June saw the return of the annual JCK Trade Show, the jewelry industry's premiere trade show, where industry leaders meet each year to review market trends. 2022 marked the famed show’s 30th anniversary, and brought in a record 30,000 attendees to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Global Gaming Expo (G2E) - This October, the Global Gaming Expo, or simply G2E, made its much anticipated in-person return. G2E brings together more than 18,000 global gaming professionals and 250 exhibitors for this premier international gaming trade show and conference at the Venetian Expo Convention Center.
The return of these great events in 2022 is indicative of Las Vegas’ strong economic resurgence. In 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, the conventions sector of Las Vegas’ economy directly supported over 13,000 jobs in the city and created nearly $650 million in wages. These numbers are only growing as the sector rebounds further this year. This huge sector of the industry relies upon a talented body of professionals who are responsible for creating, organizing, and executing these complex gatherings. At TISOH, the International School of Hospitality, we are at the forefront of developing and cultivating these event professionals.
TISOH, located in the heart of Las Vegas itself, specializes in training motivated individuals for careers in the hospitality industry, including in conference, meeting, and event planning. At TISOH, students learn planning, production, organization, and design, to create effective meetings and innovative events of any scale and style. Students learn how to evaluate, select, and negotiate for all aspects of any kind of meeting or event: design, logistics, catering and more. Students interested in this career path choose between pursuing a Diploma in Hospitality Operations, with an Event Planning focus, or earning individual certificates with TISOH’s single-topic, focused certificate programs in Conference Management and Event Planning, Event and Design Planning, and Exhibition and Tradeshow Management. All courses are taught by professional faculty with deep industry experience, and students benefit from their expertise, as well as guest lecturers and expert panels, and social events and networking opportunities with Las Vegas’ finest.
Las Vegas is a top convention destination for a reason, and the city is buzzing with the return of signature convention events in 2022. If you want to be a part of the excitement, consider training for a career in meeting and event planning! With TISOH, the International School of Hospitality, you can gain the knowledge and skills you need to make the exciting world of conventions your career. Contact us today to learn more!
References:
“10 Reasons to Hold Your Event in Las Vegas” https://www.vegasmeansbusiness.com/why-choose-vegas/10-reasons-to-hold-your-events-in-las-vegas/
“Las Vegas Conventions 2022”
https://www.vegas.com/las-vegas-events/conventions-in-las-vegas/
“The Economic Impact of Southern Nevada’s Tourism Industry”
