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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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