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 Winchester, Nevada.

Being one of the largest convention centers in the world with convert|3200000|sqft|m2 of space, it hosts shows with an estimated 200,000 participants. At the end of 2004 Las Vegas Valley had about convert|9000000|sqft|m2 of exhibit and meeting space. The CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction trade show in 2007 used the most space, 2.4 million square feet.

The LVCC is adjacent to the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and the [http://www.renaissancelasvegas.com 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 convert|90000|sqft|m2 exhibit hall opened in April 1959. The silver dome was demolished in 1990 creating space for expansion. When completed, convert|1600000|sqft|m2, with convert|1300000|sqft|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 need to rebuild, remodel or expand.

A 1998 expansion increased the center to convert|1900000|sqft|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 2008, the CES is the most attended trade show with over 150,000 attendees.

Another expansion started in 2002, added convert|1300000|sqft|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

It is featured in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2.

Future

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 convert|500000|sqft|m2 expansion includes convert|86000|sqft|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

External links

* [http://www.lvcva.com/ Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority]
* [http://www.VisitLasVegas.com Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority promotional web site]
* [http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/conventioncenter.htm Las Vegas Convention Center - Vegas Today and Tomorrow]
* [http://www.Conventioninsider.com Worldwide Resources For Trade Shows and Conventions]
* [http://www.leg.state.nv.us/SpecialActs/05-LasVegasConvention1971.html Las Vegas Convention Center Act of 1971]

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