Taylor Adams works at the Hyundai Motor Co. booth during CES 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022.
Tuesday, March 22, 2022 | 1:55 p.m.
The trade show industry in Las Vegas is returning to pre-pandemic form and should be back on pace sometime in 2023, said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the tourism bureau.
Hill spoke today at the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center as preparations were underway for this week’s Food & Beverage Industry Week, a combination of four trade shows — the Bar & Restaurant Expo, Pizza Expo, SIAL America, and the World Tea Conference + Expo.
“During the pandemic, Las Vegas, as a city, added about 3 million square feet of convention space,” Hill said. “We went from 11 million to 14 million square feet, which is going to be really helpful in getting us back to where we were before the pandemic.”
In 2019, about 6.6 million people attended a convention or trade show in Las Vegas. That figure dropped to just 1.7 million in 2020 because of the global reluctance to travel because of COVID-19. In 2021, the industry rebounded slightly to welcome 2.2 million visitors to Las Vegas.
There was a 12-month period in the midst of the pandemic when Las Vegas’ convention attendance dropped to almost nothing, translating to fewer rented hotel rooms and less money spent on dinners, drinks and entertainment in a city that depends on tourism dollars.
“When we came into the pandemic, we were at capacity as far as meeting and conventions space,” Hill said. “We now have room to grow, so we have the capacity to move past that 6.6 million number. We have work to do in order to do that, but it’s an opportunity for the city.”
Tim McLucas of Questex Hospitality, which puts on the Bar & Restaurant Expo — formerly known as the Nightclub & Bar Show — said it was “instrumental” for the event to take place in Las Vegas, where it has been since 1985. About 9,000 people are expected to attend this week’s show, he said.
“Companies phoned us and said they were devastated that the show got canceled during COVID in 2020,” McLucas said. “We were always 100% focused on getting back to Las Vegas. It’s been our home for so many years. We love to support the local infrastructure here. It’s really difficult to find a destination that checks all the boxes for us, but Vegas does that.”
Questex helped host 25 live conventions and meeting events around the country, McLucas said. He is also looking at 2023 as the return to normalcy.
“We started live events again in June and we quickly saw the confidence build,” McLucas said. “I think this year is a really interesting turning point. By 2023, I expect the events world will be back to full normalcy. We’re seeing a lot of momentum already this year.”
Brendan Gaughan, son of South Point owner Michael Gaughan and grandson of legendary Las Vegas casino owner Jackie Gaughan, was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the Bar & Restaurant Expo.
“Having all four of these shows makes for a big week in Las Vegas,” Hill said. “Everyone has gone through a tough couple of years. It’s just great to have everyone back this week.
