Las Vegas Convention Center
Encyclopedia
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 center
s in the world with 3200000 sq ft (297,289.7 m²) of space, it hosts shows with an estimated 200,000 participants. At the end of 2010 Las Vegas Valley will have more than 10000000 sq ft (929,030.4 m²) of exhibit and meeting space. The CONEXPO-CON/AGG
construction trade show in 2008 used the most space, 2400000 sq ft (222,967.3 m²).
The LVCC is adjacent to the Las Vegas Hilton
and the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel and is accessible from the Las Vegas Monorail
.
at the site of the Las Vegas Park Speedway
, a failed horse and automobile racing facility from the early 1950s. A 6,300 seat, silver-domed rotunda
, with an adjoining 90000 sq ft (8,361.3 m²) exhibit hall opened in April 1959. The silver dome, which hosted the Beatles on August 20, 1964, and was the site of the World's Heavyweight Championship fight between Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Floyd Patterson on November 22, 1965, was demolished in 1990 creating space for expansion. When completed, 1600000 sq ft (148,644.9 m²), with 1300000 sq ft (120,774 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 1900000 sq ft (176,515.8 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.
Another expansion started in 2002, added 1300000 sq ft (120,774 m²), called the South Hall. When completed in 2004, it crossed over a major roadway (Desert Inn Road) with four bridges connecting the facilities.
As of 2009, the Consumer Electronics Show
is the most attended annual trade show with more than 110,000 attendees.
Led Zeppelin
were supposed to perform at the convention center on April 19, 1970, as the final show of their Spring 1970 North American Tour
, but the gig was cancelled due to lead singer Robert Plant
falling ill the night before.
The Convention Center dome hosted two Billy Graham
Crusades between 1978 and 1980.
. Numerous conventions produce live shows in the facility.
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 500000 sq ft (46,451.5 m²) expansion includes 86000 sq ft (7,989.7 m²) of dedicated meeting space.
The project is expected to add:
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is a public/private partnership that owns and operates the Las Vegas Convention Center, Cashman Center, and Cashman Field and is responsible for the advertising campaigns for the Clark County, Nevada area....
in Las Vegas, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
.
Being one of the largest convention center
Convention center
A convention center is a large building that is designed to hold a convention, where individuals and groups gather to promote and share common interests. Convention centers typically offer sufficient floor area to accommodate several thousand attendees...
s in the world with 3200000 sq ft (297,289.7 m²) of space, it hosts shows with an estimated 200,000 participants. At the end of 2010 Las Vegas Valley will have more than 10000000 sq ft (929,030.4 m²) of exhibit and meeting space. The CONEXPO-CON/AGG
CONEXPO-CON/AGG
Conexpo-Con/Agg is a trade show for the construction industry that takes place every three years. It is currently held at the Las Vegas Convention Center where the last show was held in March 2011. The next show is scheduled for March 4-8, 2014...
construction trade show in 2008 used the most space, 2400000 sq ft (222,967.3 m²).
The LVCC is adjacent to the Las Vegas Hilton
Las Vegas Hilton
The Las Vegas Hilton is a hotel, casino, and convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a joint venture between Colony Capital, which owns 60 percent, and New York City-based REIT Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, which owns the remaining 40 percent...
and the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel and is accessible from the Las Vegas Monorail
Las Vegas Monorail
The Las Vegas Monorail is a monorail mass transit system located on the Las Vegas Strip, in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It connects the unincorporated communities of Paradise and Winchester, and does not actually enter the City of Las Vegas. It is owned and operated by the Las Vegas...
.
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 StripLas Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
at the site of the Las Vegas Park Speedway
Las Vegas Park Speedway
The Las Vegas Park Speedway was a horse and automobile racing facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was built to be a horse racing facility and it held single races in NASCAR Grand National , AAA, and USAC Stock cars before it was demolished. It opened as the Las Vegas Jockey Club.-Construction:Joseph M...
, a failed horse and automobile racing facility from the early 1950s. A 6,300 seat, silver-domed rotunda
Rotunda (architecture)
A rotunda is any building with a circular ground plan, sometimes covered by a dome. It can also refer to a round room within a building . The Pantheon in Rome is a famous rotunda. A Band Rotunda is a circular bandstand, usually with a dome...
, with an adjoining 90000 sq ft (8,361.3 m²) exhibit hall opened in April 1959. The silver dome, which hosted the Beatles on August 20, 1964, and was the site of the World's Heavyweight Championship fight between Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Floyd Patterson on November 22, 1965, was demolished in 1990 creating space for expansion. When completed, 1600000 sq ft (148,644.9 m²), with 1300000 sq ft (120,774 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 1900000 sq ft (176,515.8 m²). During the expansion, the closed Landmark Hotel and Casino (across from LVCC) was imploded adding more parking.
While it functioned, COMDEX
COMDEX
COMDEX was a computer expo held in Las Vegas, Nevada, each November from 1979 to 2003. It was one of the largest computer trade shows in the world, usually second only to the German CeBIT, and by many accounts one of the largest trade shows in any industry sector...
was the most attended trade show in the United States with over 200,000 attendees on several occasions.
Another expansion started in 2002, added 1300000 sq ft (120,774 m²), called the South Hall. When completed in 2004, it crossed over a major roadway (Desert Inn Road) with four bridges connecting the facilities.
As of 2009, the Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
is the most attended annual trade show with more than 110,000 attendees.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
were supposed to perform at the convention center on April 19, 1970, as the final show of their Spring 1970 North American Tour
Led Zeppelin North American Tour Spring 1970
Led Zeppelin's Spring 1970 North American Tour was the fifth concert tour of North America by the English rock band. The tour commenced on March 21 and concluded on April 18, 1970...
, but the gig was cancelled due to lead singer Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
falling ill the night before.
The Convention Center dome hosted two Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
Crusades between 1978 and 1980.
Film history
A variety of shows have been filmed in the convention center including Food Network specials and the 2009 Jeopardy! Tournament of ChampionsJeopardy! Tournament of Champions
The Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions is an annual tournament featuring the longest-running champions from the past season or seasons of the TV quiz show Jeopardy! The tournament began in the show's first season in 1964 during Art Fleming's tenure as host, and continued into the Alex Trebek era of...
. Numerous conventions produce live shows in the facility.
Future
This expansion was put on hold but resumed in 2010 after reviewing its plans.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 500000 sq ft (46,451.5 m²) expansion includes 86000 sq ft (7,989.7 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 concourseConcourseA concourse is a place where pathways or roads meet, such as in a hotel, a convention center, a railway station, an airport terminal, a hall, or other space.-Examples:Examples of concourses include:* Meeting halls* Universities* Railway stations...
linking all three halls
- A signature facade in front
- Enclosed pedestrianPedestrianA pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In some communities, those traveling using roller skates or skateboards are also considered to be pedestrians. In modern times, the term mostly refers to someone walking on a road or footpath, but this was not the case...
access the Las Vegas MonorailLas Vegas MonorailThe Las Vegas Monorail is a monorail mass transit system located on the Las Vegas Strip, in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It connects the unincorporated communities of Paradise and Winchester, and does not actually enter the City of Las Vegas. It is owned and operated by the Las Vegas...
- Police and fire facilities on property (The Convention Center Area Command and Fire Station are scheduled to open in October 2008)