After three years of shutdowns, mandates, and uncertainty, conventions finally seem to be returning to Las Vegas. While several issues are still facing the industry, including inflations, supply chain shortages, and safety issues revolving around crime in Las Vegas, a growing number of businesses are still willing to bet big on Las Vegas.
Over the last month, we have seen several big shows make huge comebacks; two of the largest and most impressive to date were SEMA in early November and the MJBizCon expo that just wrapped up over the weekend. And as we head into the new year, Las Vegas is getting ready for ten days of NFR, the return of AVN and CES, and the NSSF SHOT Show in January.
Huge Economic Impact to our Economy!
These shows bring much needed sanity back to our city and provide a huge economic boost to our local economy — especially for convention-dependent businesses who have been hit hard over the last couple of years. SEMA brings in over 1,900 exhibiting companies and nearly 65,000 buyers, representing an estimated economic impact of $234 million in Las Vegas. According to numbers released by MJBizCon, this year’s show had a $46.4M economic impact for the city of Las Vegas.
Has Fun and Business Finally Returned to Vegas?
SEMA and MJBizCon were the first shows that felt like Pre-Pandemic Las Vegas. Not only were the conventions packed with attendees and exhibitors, but we also finally saw the return of people having fun at networking events and after-parties throughout the city — something that had been missing from other tradeshows that have returned after the mandates were lifted.
Big Bets are Still Being Made on Vegas!
As we reported earlier in the week, after this year’s SEMA show ended, the Specialty Equipment Market Association announced they are expanding the show into what they are now calling SEMA Week — a five-year plan to expand the SEMA Show into an “all-city” experience. MJBizCon will once again hit Las Vegas next November.
