We’ve done our part; now it’s Las Vegas’ turn

By LVCVA clients

Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Editor's note: MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren has called the proposed expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center a “must-have” and a “tremendous, tremendous, dire need.” Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson responded by calling it “not even a nice-to-have.” The Sun aligns squarely with Murren on the $1.4 billion expansion project, and we’re not alone. Today, we offer guest columns from local leaders and clients of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in support of the project. The Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee has endorsed the expansion, agreeing to recommend a 0.5 percent hotel room tax increase to fund it. But amid discussions about whether to also provide $750 million in public funding for a domed stadium that would attract the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas, it’s critical for the Legislature to know that the project remains a top priority for the community. But enough of our words on the topic. Here’s how our guest columnists feel about it.

For decades, we have all called Las Vegas home. It’s a partnership that has led to growth and prosperity for both our trade shows and the destination. We have spent immense time, effort and financial investment to ensure we continue to provide and grow the tremendous economic boost our industry has on Southern Nevada. Now, Southern Nevada needs to do the same.

Collectively, our trade shows bring more than 750,000 people to Las Vegas, and those delegates, exhibitors, buyers and staff spend days filling hotel rooms, restaurants, shows and more while they conduct business, contributing nearly $700 million to the economy. Beyond the direct spending our delegates leave behind, each of our organizations is committed to improving the community through numerous charitable donations and events.

Las Vegas provides one of the most welcoming experiences for business travel in the world, and the city’s constant evolution in its product offerings is unmatched. The resorts and attractions provide the best of the best in technology, service and amenities, but there is one facility that has not kept up with that evolution: the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Throughout its 57-year history, the convention center has seen its fair share of growth and upgrades to continue to accommodate the incredible growth of the trade show industry in Las Vegas. It has expanded a dozen times, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has continued to maintain and upgrade the technology and infrastructure to maintain the convention experience.

Now, we’ve reached a point where additions and fixes are just not enough. Our shows need more to continue our growth and success. We need more exhibit space. We need more meeting rooms. We need general session space. In short, we need the convention center to match the experience provided by the resorts and other amenities in the city.

The LVCVA, to its credit, has listened to our needs. The organization has taken our advice and developed a plan that will provide the convention center of the future. The Las Vegas Convention Center District is a comprehensive plan to make this facility the envy of the industry once again. The expansion and renovation of the facility is a critical project that needs to move forward.

We all took the time last October to present our needs and testify to the importance of this project to the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee. It was satisfying to see that the members of the committee were committed to their task of thoroughly studying and vetting the infrastructure projects presented to them. We were happy to hear that in June, these hand-picked local leaders and resort executives unanimously voted to recommend the convention center project.

Las Vegas has been an outstanding home for each of our shows, and we are excited to continue calling the city home. The expansion and renovation project is a key element in continuing that relationship. Without it, we can’t grow and will need to consider what our options are for doing so. Some have said that major conventions like ours will never leave and there is no other place that can host us. When you consider that the leaders of one of our shows previously voted to leave Las Vegas — a decision that was reversed based partly on the prospect of this project — never say never.

But that’s not the conversation any of us wants to have. What we all want is to talk about the future, growth and prosperity. We all want to focus on the amazing new prospects that would come with the new facility. We want to talk about progress and success.

While we represent a few of the largest trade shows that call Las Vegas home, we are certain that we represent the majority of conventions that host their shows in the destination when we say it’s time to make the commitment to the future of the trade show industry in Southern Nevada. Gov. Brian Sandoval and the Legislature must see how critical this project to the future economy of Las Vegas and the state. We encourage all of the elected leaders to see the future and be a part of the decision to embrace that success.

It’s time for Las Vegas and Nevada to do their part to ensure that success.

Gary Shapiro is the president and CEO of Consumer Technology Association (CES). Tony Calanca is executive vice president of UBM Americas (MAGIC). Chris Kersting is president and CEO of Specialty Equipment Market Association. Megan Tanel is vice president of exhibitions and events at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (Conexpo-Con/Agg). Chris Brown is executive vice president of convention and business operations at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). Tim McGuinness s vice president of global trade expositions at the International Council of Shopping Centers (RECon).