Las Vegas Convention Center

Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas Convention Center
Address	Paradise Road; Las Vegas, Nevada
Location	Winchester, Nevada
Coordinates	36°07′53″N 115°09′05″W / 36.131516°N 115.151507°W
Owner	Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Built	1959
Opened	April 1959
Expanded	1971; 1990; 1998; 2002
Enclosed space
• Total space	3,200,000 sq ft (300,000 m2)
• Exhibit hall floor	1,940,631 sq ft (180,290.5 m2)
Public transit access	Las Vegas Convention Center (LV Monorail station)
Website
	lvcva.com

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 1,940,631 sq ft (180,290.5 m²) of exhibit space, it hosts shows with an estimated 200,000 participants.^[1] It is the largest single-level convention center in the world.^[2] The Conexpo-Con/Agg construction trade show in 2008 used the most space, 2,400,000 sq ft (220,000 m²). The LVCC is adjacent to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino and the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel and is accessible from the Las Vegas Monorail.

At the end of 2010, the entire Las Vegas Valley had more than 10,000,000 sq ft (930,000 m²) of exhibit space.

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 at the site of the Las Vegas Park Speedway, a failed horse and automobile racing facility from the early 1950s.^[3] 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, which hosted the Beatles on August 20, 1964, was the site of the World's Heavyweight Championship fight between Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Floyd Patterson on November 22, 1965, and home to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team from 1966 to 1982, was demolished in 1990 creating space for expansion. When completed, 1,600,000 sq ft (150,000 m²), with 1,300,000 sq ft (120,000 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.^[4]

A 1998 expansion increased the center to 1,900,000 sq ft (180,000 m²). During the expansion, the closed Landmark Hotel and Casino (across from LVCC) was imploded to add 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, called the South Hall, added 1,300,000 sq ft (120,000 m²). 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 at this location with more than 140,000 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.^[5]

The Convention Center dome hosted two Billy Graham Crusades between 1978 and 1980.

On December 19, 1993, the draw was made for 1994 FIFA World Cup,

Film history

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

Future

The Las Vegas Convention Center is about to^[when?] undergo an $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 for the Las Vegas Monorail
Police and fire facilities on property

References

^ Big Changes at Nation’s Biggest Convention Centers September 2013
^ http://destinations.travelleaders.com/frommers/articles/58/116581.aspx
^ Aumann, Mark (February 26, 2009). "From horses to motors, first Vegas track a disaster". NASCAR. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
^ Las Vegas Convention Center Act of 1971
^ "March 21, 1970".

External links

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

[1] Big Changes at Nation’s Biggest Convention Centers September 2013

[2] ttp://destinations.travelleaders.com/frommers/articles/58/116581.aspx

[NASCARFromHorsesToMotors-3] Aumann, Mark (February 26, 2009). "From horses to motors, first Vegas track a disaster". NASCAR. Retrieved 23 February 2010.

[4] Las Vegas Convention Center Act of 1971

[5] "March 21, 1970".

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