Mandalay Bay CC Set to Add 350,000 Square Feet of Exhibit Space

April 23, 2014
Mandalay Bay CC Set to Add 350,000 Square Feet of Exhibit Space alt

The Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas already boasts 1.7 million square feet, and now it’s set to add another 350,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, as well as more underground parking and carpeted ballroom space.

The $66 million expansion project will allow Mandalay Bay to grow current shows, pursue new and larger corporate partners and achieve greater utilization of the entire facility, according to venue officials.

“Several long-standing customers approached us with a need for additional space to grow their business; they looked to us to be a solution provider, and we went to work,” said Chuck Bowling, President and COO of Mandalay Bay.

He added, “In addition to enabling our current clients to develop larger events, the additional space and new flexibility will allow us to attract new business to Las Vegas. We believe this investment will increase visitation to Las Vegas, driving incremental business to MGM Resorts’ portfolio and the city overall.”

With the additional exhibit space, Mandalay Bay CC will top out at 1.1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space and more than 2 million sq. ft. of overall space, upping its North American convention center ranking from No. 7 to No. 5 in overall square feet.

David Loechner, CEO of Emerald Expositions, said, “As a fast growing expositions organizer currently holding 13 annual trade shows in Las Vegas, including four at Mandalay Bay, we are very pleased with the decision to expand and expect to take advantage of the new space as soon as it’s complete.”

Mandalay is the home for several 2013 TSNN Top 250 trade shows, including JCK Las Vegas (No. 33), Cosmoprof North America (No. 103) and Superzoo (No. 112).

Construction is scheduled to begin in late fall 2014 with new exhibit space available in August 2015 and anticipated completion of all spaces in January 2016. 

The expansion also will be built to Gold LEED standards, as well as it will incorporate an additional rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) array making it the largest convention center array in the world.

The anticipated size of the array is approximately 1.9MWdc with an approximate annual production of 3.4M kilowatt hours.

The previously announced 6.2MWdc solar PV array on the current Convention Center is slated for completion in August; the combined array will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,300 homes.

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact