The Las Vegas Convention Center Unveils New Outdoor Exhibit Space

January 9, 2017

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority kicked off the new year on a celebratory note with the unveiling of the Diamond Lot, the Las Vegas Convention Center’s new outdoor parking and exhibition space.

Launched the day before CES on Jan. 4, the new space was commemorated with typical Las Vegas-style fanfare, including a ceremonial gathering complete with dignitaries, invited guests, showgirls and presentations by LVCVA president/CEO Rossi Ralenkotter and Consumer Technology Association President Gary Shapiro.

“The Diamond Lot represents the first step in our commitment to Las Vegas’ future with the expansion and renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center,” Ralenkotter said.

He added, “The development of the Las Vegas Convention Center District will provide our clients with the premier facility they want and need, and it will support thousands of jobs and increased economic activity in our community.”

Once occupied by the former Riviera Hotel & Casino, the 26-acre Diamond Lot features a 20-acre outdoor exhibit area; more than 3,000 parking spaces; three acres of landscaped walkways; four vehicle access locations; 1,800 amps of power in four locations, and telecommunications and property-wide surveillance capabilities.

The new, versatile space also marks the completion of Phase One of the LVCC’s $1.4 billion, multi-year, four-phase expansion and renovation project.

Next up is Phase Two, which will entail expanding the convention center by 1.4 million square feet and will include 600,000 sq. ft. of additional exhibit space, new meeting rooms, pre-function space, as well as service and support areas.

Phase Three will involve a complete renovation of the existing 3.2 million sq. ft. facility to bring the 57-year-old building up to date. It will entail replacing and repairing of some parts of the aging building complex and includes additional meeting rooms; technology and security systems replacement; building ingress and egress enhancements; utility services capacity; food service distribution enhancements, and interior, exterior and restroom upgrades.

In addition, a new connector will be constructed so that all exhibit halls can be accessed internally.

Both Phase Two and Three are expected to encompass a seven-year timeline, while Phase Four will involve future improvements to the LVCC campus based on prevailing market conditions and direct customer feedback.

Upon completion, the upgraded and expanded LVCC and outdoor space will be officially billed as the Las Vegas Convention Center District.

Approved by the Nevada State Legislature in October 2016, a new, improved and expanded LVCC will not only allow its largest trade shows including CES, CONEXPO-CON/AGG, SEMA, NAB and ICSC to grow but also attract more shows to Las Vegas, Ralenkotter said.

According to LVCVA officials, the LVCCD project is expected to generate $810 million in annual incremental economic impact.

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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