Las Vegas Convention Center Gets $20 Million Makeover

August 28, 2013

Working around trade shows and events, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has completed a $20 million renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The 54-year-old facility now sports a few façade, better parking, updated interior and an improved experience for attendees and exhibitors.

"The Las Vegas Convention Center is home to many of the top trade shows in the country," said Terry Jicinsky, senior vice president of operations for the LVCVA. "It is important to keep the facility fresh and offer its more than a million yearly guests the convenience that will make conducting business in Las Vegas a success."

The first noticeable change is the exterior that has gone from mauve to a modern grey combo.

The Green Parking Lot has been expanded, adding more than eight acres to the lot near Desert Inn Road and Swenson St. Designs are underway on two more parking lots to allow for more convenience and access.

Inside, more than 1 million square feet of new red carpet has been installed. The lighting has also been upgraded in the Central and North Halls. The new fixtures deliver up to 20 percent more light, with 42 percent less energy. The interior has also been painted.

Getting a coffee won’t be such a grueling experience anymore.  In a worldwide first, Starbucks has added a double-sided counter inside its recently expanded store. Being able to serve the customers from both sides of the counter has resulted in faster service.

American Express has opened its OPEN Business Lounge inside the main entrance of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The 3,400 square foot lounge serves American Express OPEN card members and new applicants and offers refreshments, free Wi-Fi, computer and printer access and seating for meetings or relaxation. It is the first OPEN Business Lounge on the West Coast.

The improvements are part of a larger master plan for the Las Vegas Global Business District that will include the Las Vegas Convention Center, a World Trade Center building and a multimodal transportation hub. In February 2013, the LVCVA Board of Directors approved the first phase of the $2.5 billion development.

Las Vegas Convention Center offers more than 2.2 million square feet of exhibit and convention space and is the third largest convention center in the U.S.

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