Las Vegas Moribund Days May Be Over in 2026 with Rerocrd Convention Attendance

The Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC)’s $600-million renovation is coming just in time as the city expects a significant pick-up in the number of conventions hosted locally. For starters, there is CES in January, which will be held at a renewed venue that brings an experience that business people and travelers have come to expect from a city with a “world-class reputation.”

Slow 2025 to Be Followed by 2026 of Exploding Conventions

The renewed LVCC is also expanding and is set to be the second-largest in the United States, hosting 1.23 million tradeshow attendees next year, a significant gain from the 1.06 million in 2025, but the buck does not stop with the renewed convention center.

The Venetian Expo and Mandalay Bay Convention Center also add to the city’s growing capabilities. Among the big-ticket events planned for next year are the CES expo, which will draw 140,000 expected attendees, and Automotive Aftermarket Week, along with the National Association of Broadcasters, and others. 

The list hardly stops there, as more events will contribute to the total estimated tally, including the Global Gaming Expo, JCK Annual Trade Show, Cisco Live, Def Con, AHR Expo, and many others. Sweets and Snacks Expo and McDonald’s Worldwide are also rolling out with more than 15,000 expected visitors. 

More Events and Options to Prop Up Stays During Slow Times

The LVCC is also looking to capitalize on its grandeur in other ways, too, looking to introduce more indoor sports tournaments on its grounds, especially during traditional periods of slowdowns, offering the competitions good hosting conditions, fair pricing, and having a knock-on impact on Las Vegas’ overall economy, including hotel occupancy. 

Resort companies are already bracing for what could be a U-turn of the tepid demand they experienced throughout 2025, replacing it with an influx of convention attendees in look for hospitality options. 

Trade shows will serve as the main blood artery of Sin City’s recovery in 2026, and Las Vegas will seek to capitalize on more sports events, including hosting another Super Bowl game before long, as well as continuing the Las Vegas GP, which has already brought huge crowds and seems set to overcome local resistance.