Las Vegas Convention Center
{{short description|Convention center in Nevada}}
{{Infobox convention center
| name = Las Vegas Convention Center
| logo = Las Vegas logo.png
| logo_size = 100px
| image = Las Vegas Convention Ctr.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| address = 3150 Paradise Road
| location = Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
| coordinates = {{Coord|36.131516|-115.151507|type:landmark|display=it}}
| owner = Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
| built = {{Start date and age|1959}}
| opened = {{Start date and age|1959|4|12}}
| renovated =
| expanded = 1971
1990
1998
2002
2021
| closed =
| demolished =
| construction_cost=
| former_names =
| banquets =
| theatre =
| total_space = {{Convert|4600000 |sqft|abbr=on}}
| exhibit = {{Convert|2500000|sqft|abbr=on}}
| breakout =
| ballroom =
| publictransit = Las Vegas Convention Center (LV Monorail station)
| website = {{URL|lvcva.com}}
}}
The Las Vegas Convention Center (commonly referred to as LVCC) is a convention center in Winchester, Nevada. It is owned and operated by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
As one of the largest convention centers in the world, it has {{convert|2500000|sqft|abbr=on}} of exhibit space and hosts shows with an estimated 200,000 participants.{{cite web|url=http://www.tradeshowexecutive.com/pdf/convcenters/TSX-ConvCenters_2013-09.pdf|title=Big Changes at Nation's Biggest Convention Centers|date=September 2013}} The Conexpo-Con/Agg construction trade show in 2008 used the most space, {{convert|2400000|sqft|abbr=on}}.
At the end of 2010, the entire Las Vegas Valley had more than {{convert|10000000|sqft|abbr=on}} of exhibit space.
History
In the 1950s, the Las Vegas city and county leaders recognized the need for a convention facility. The initial goal was to increase the occupancy rates of hotels during low tourist months. Leaders chose a site 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/opinion/02/26/retro.racing.maumann.las.vegas/|title=From horses to motors, first Vegas track a disaster|last=Aumann|first=Mark|date=February 26, 2009|publisher=NASCAR|access-date=23 February 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904065203/http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/opinion/02/26/retro.racing.maumann.las.vegas/|archive-date=4 September 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} A 6,300 capacity, silver-domed rotunda with an adjoining {{convert|90000|sqft|abbr=on}} exhibition hall opened in April 1959. The architect of the original structure was Adrian Jennings Wilson (1898–1988) of Los Angeles. It hosted The Beatles on August 20, 1964.
The Convention Center was also the site of several major professional boxing fights in the 1960s: Gene Fullmer versus Sugar Ray Robinson on March 4, 1961; Fullmer versus Benny Paret on December 9, 1961; Sonny Liston versus Floyd Patterson on July 22, 1963; and Muhammad Ali versus Patterson on November 22, 1965.
Led Zeppelin was supposed to perform at the convention center on April 19, 1970, capping the final show of their Spring 1970 North American Tour, but the gig was cancelled due to lead singer Robert Plant falling ill the previous night.{{cite web|url=http://www.ledzeppelin.com/event/march-21-1970|title=March 21, 1970|publisher= Led Zeppelin}}
The venue was home to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team from 1966 to 1982. The original silver dome demolished in 1991,https://vintagelasvegas.com/post/675633222373228544/1991/amp creating space for expansion. Upon completion, there was vastly more space: {{convert|1.6|e6sqft|m2|abbr=unit}}, including {{convert|1.3|e6sqft|m2|abbr=unit}} for exhibitors, making 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 the center.{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.nv.us/SpecialActs/05-LasVegasConvention1971.html|title=LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER ACT OF 1971|website=www.leg.state.nv.us}} By 1985, the center had held 7,000 conventions since its opening.{{cite news |title='Winning streak': 1984 was another 'very good' year for Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/390424238/ |access-date=February 7, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 6, 1985}}
The Convention Center dome hosted two Billy Graham Crusades between 1978 and 1980.
On December 19, 1993, the draw for the 1994 FIFA World Cup was held at the building.
In 1993, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) purchased the defunct Landmark hotel-casino, which was across from the convention center.{{cite news|title=Las Vegas Convention Authority wants to buy closed Landmark|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11874976/reno_gazettejournal/|date=July 3, 1993|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|access-date=July 18, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite web|title=Landmark property ownership|url=http://sandgate.co.clark.nv.us/assrrealprop/ParcelHistory.aspx?instance=pcl2&parcel=16209703007|publisher=Clark County Assessor's Office|access-date=July 18, 2020 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929000829/http://sandgate.co.clark.nv.us/assrrealprop/ParcelHistory.aspx?instance=pcl2&parcel=16209703007|archive-date=September 29, 2017}} LVCVA demolished the resort in 1995 to develop additional parking on the site for convention guests.{{cite news|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/1995/nov/07/landmark-falls/|title=Landmark Falls|last=Buntain|first=Rex|date=November 7, 1995|work=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=July 18, 2020}} An expansion in 1998 increased the center to {{convert|1.9|e6sqft|m2|abbr=unit}}.
While it functioned, COMDEX was the most attended trade show in the United States, with over 200,000 attendees on several occasions.
In 2000, early planning began for another expansion of the center.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Hubble |title=Expansion work begins at LV Convention Center |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Apr-17-Mon-2000/business/13363743.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 17, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010712145028/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Apr-17-Mon-2000/business/13363743.html |archive-date=July 12, 2001}} The new $150 million South Hall was topped out on February 20, 2001. It would consist of {{convert|1.3|e6sqft|m2|abbr=unit}}.{{cite news |title=Topping Out |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Feb-22-Thu-2001/business/15498926.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 22, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011222134305/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Feb-22-Thu-2001/business/15498926.html |archive-date=December 22, 2001}} Upon completion in 2004, it crossed 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.
In 2018, the Las Vegas Convention Center released plans to undergo yet another $890 million expansion, the 14th in its history. The expansion intended to increase the center's meeting space and improve the building's overall design. Updates would feature the latest in technology, as well as to connect the Convention Center to the Las Vegas Strip.{{cite web|url=https://www.constructiondive.com/news/las-vegas-convention-center-reveals-design-for-860m-expansion-part-of-1/521081/|title=Las Vegas Convention Center reveals design for $860M expansion}} The authority has announced plans to expand the direction of the LVCC by creating a Las Vegas Global Business District. Those plans resulted in the announcement for the acquisition of the Riviera in February 2015 for $182.5 million.{{cite news |author1=J.D. Morris |title=Tourism authority plans to buy, tear down the historic Riviera |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/feb/17/plans-announced-sell-tear-down-historic-riviera/ |access-date=November 1, 2018 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 17, 2015}}
Work was underway on the expansion in 2019 on land previously occupied by the Landmark and Riviera resorts.{{cite news |last=Gillan |first=Jeff |title=Billion dollar Las Vegas Convention Center expansion 45 percent complete |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/billion-dollar-las-vegas-convention-center-expansion-45-percent-complete |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=KSNV |date=August 20, 2019}} The {{convert|1.4|e6sqft|m2|abbr=unit}} expansion includes {{convert|150000|sqft|abbr=on}} of dedicated meeting space and {{convert|600000|sqft|abbr=on}} of exhibit space.{{cite web|url=https://www.vegasmeansbusiness.com/meeting-facilities/convention-centers/las-vegas-convention-center-expansion/|title=Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall Expansion|website=www.vegasmeansbusiness.com}} The expansion was complete as of 2021.{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=New Convention Center hall makes debut. Take a look inside |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/new-convention-center-hall-makes-debut-take-a-look-inside-2324659/ |access-date=June 12, 2021 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=en-US |date=April 8, 2021}}
File:Las Vegas Convention Center Loop.jpeg]]
Construction of an underground Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, people mover by The Boring Company began in late 2019 to reduce walking times within the center.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/las-vegas-elon-musk-s-tunneling-company-digs-n1084131|title=In Las Vegas, Elon Musk's tunneling company digs in|last=Romero|first=Dennis|date=November 16, 2019|work=NBC News|language=en|access-date=2019-11-16}} Twin tunnels opened in June 2021 at a cost of $53 million with three stations 40 feet below the surface{{r|NBC}}, shuttling passengers in conventional, human-driven Tesla vehicles.{{Cite news|last=Velotta|first=Richard N.|date=2021-06-08|title=Boring Co.'s underground loop begins moving customers in Las Vegas|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/conventions/world-of-concrete/boring-co-s-underground-loop-begins-moving-customers-in-las-vegas-2373190/|access-date=2021-06-08|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=en-US}} While the long-term goal of the system is to have autonomous vehicles operating at higher speeds, as of May 2021 no date has been set for this.{{Cite web|last=O'Kane|first=Sean|date=2021-05-26|title=The Boring Company tests its 'Teslas in Tunnels' system in Las Vegas|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/26/22455365/elon-musk-boring-company-las-vegas-test-lvcc-loop-teslas|access-date=2021-06-13|website=The Verge|language=en}}
In popular culture
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.
In The Boss Baby, the Forever puppies got launched here via Puppyco's in-house built rocket but failed to deliver.{{Cite web |date=2017-03-30 |title='The Boss Baby:' A Meme Pretending to Be a Movie |url=https://observer.com/2017/03/the-boss-baby-movie-review-alec-baldwin/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}
{{wide image|2013-0222-LVCC.jpg|1800px|Las Vegas Convention Center}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|lvcva.com}}
- {{Commons category-inline|Las Vegas Convention Center}}
{{UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball navbox}}
Category:1959 establishments in Nevada
Category:Buildings and structures in Winchester, Nevada
Category:Convention centers in the Las Vegas Valley
Category:Convention centers in Nevada
Category:Defunct college basketball venues in the United States
Category:Event venues established in 1959
Category:Government buildings completed in 1959
Category:Sports venues in the Las Vegas Valley
Category:Boxing venues in the Las Vegas Valley