SEMA Show, MAGIC Marketplace Decide There's No Place Like Vegas

October 9, 2012

Two of Las Vegas’ megashows, SEMA Show and MAGIC Marketplace, both will stay in Las Vegas into the near future, with extensions of their leases at the Las Vegas Convention Center for five years and three years, respectively.

“SEMA and MAGIC committed to Las Vegas in the early years, as we were evolving into a meetings and convention destination,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority.

He added, “We appreciate their long-standing commitment to Las Vegas and their roles in supporting thousands of local jobs and contributing hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy, which helps fund schools, roads and parks.”

The two shows will bring in an estimated $1.4 billion in non-gaming economic impact for Southern Nevada during the life of their extended contracts, according to LVCVA officials.

SEMA Show, owned by the Specialty Market Equipment Association and managed by ConvExx, has made Las Vegas its home since 1977 and with its new contract will be there through 2017.

“We are dedicated to delivering high value events to the thousands of businesses that invest in our annual trade event,” said Chris Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA.

He added, “Our members have enjoyed a great deal of success as a result of their annual trade show in Las Vegas.”

Last year’s show was ranked No. 7 on the TSNN Top 250 and drew 2,140 exhibitors and more than 130,000 attendees (including exhibitor personnel) to a 935,000 net square foot showfloor. This year’s show is on tap Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

SEMA Show is expected to contribute $827 million to Las Vegas during the life of its current lease.

Advanstar Communications’ MAGIC Marketplace has been in Las Vegas since 1989, and under its current lease extension for its biannual shows through 2015, the combined events are expected to bring in an expected $611 million to Las Vegas.

“MAGIC is about connection.  Our business is about bringing together our attendees with our exhibitors,” said Tony Calanca, executive vice president of exhibitions for Advanstar.

He added, “Our partnership with Las Vegas allows us to provide the best place to conduct the business of fashion. We’ve enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Las Vegas, and are excited to renew our partnership with the LVCVA, and look forward to the next three years, and beyond.”

Last year’s MAGIC shows, also held at the LVCC and other venues around the city, ranked Nos. 10 and No. 12 on the TSNN Top 250, both drawing more than 3,000 exhibitors and 60,000 attendees to 800,000-plus net sq. ft. showfloors.

Both SEMA Show and MAGIC will be feted for being on the TSNN T-awards’ fastest-growing shows list during a gala weekend Nov. 2-4 in Louisville, Ky.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates. Water Stewardship Efforts MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step. MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts. Caring for One Another MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include: Unserved perishable prepared foods from events Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community. Fostering Diversity and Inclusion To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all. MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.