A record number of meeting professionals—more than 17,000–walked through the doors at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The record-breaking statistics included number of business appointments (90,000 scheduled meetings) and exhibit booths, including international, which held similar percentages of space on the trade show floor as previous years.
IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer saw it as a credit to how resilient, dynamic and powerful the live events industry is in North America and the world. Below is even more exciting news from the record-breaking event.
International Interest
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Steve Hill welcomed visitors from around the world and explained that while Canadian leisure travel to the city was down “on principle,” that same sector was up from Europe and convention business has been a strong base with big events on the horizon and new venues in the works to greet them.
The new 33,000-seat domed Las Vegas Ballpark Experience in walking distance from Mandalay Bay Convention Center will be open in time for the 2028 MLB season and a 700-foot-tall guitar for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on the site of the former Mirage opens in 2027.
Neuro Accessible
The IMEX Group worked with the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS) was awarded Level III Comprehensive Neurodivergent Accommodation, the highest level of endorsement for areas such as the hosted-buyer lounge and the resilience room but did not include the show floor.
Philadelphia Prepares for Banner Year
Managing a year filled with world-class soccer tournaments, a star-spangled semiquincentennial and the first big hospitality event of the year is a team effort, reported Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau Chief Marketing Officer Joe Heller. The DMO is working with Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, Pennsylvania Convention Center and Philadelphia Sports Complex (Xfinity Mobile Arena, Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field).
By the time PCMA Convening Leaders arrives for the association’s 70th anniversary on January 11, the stage will have been set for March Madness in the spring, PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in May, FIFA World Cup in June and July and a full year of America’s 250th anniversary along with 20 citywides over 12 months.
Read More: Top Reasons to Meet in Philadelphia
“If we can handle all these global events, we have the venue infrastructure and hospitality ecosystem to handle event the most complicated meeting,” Heller said.
Los Angeles Announces Expansion of Convention Center and Staff
In advance of welcoming the world to Los Angeles for FIFA World CUP, the NBA All Star Game, U.S. Women’s Open, Super Bowl LXI, The Olympics and Paralympics, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board announced that the city has approved a plan to bridge Pico Boulevard, connecting the North and South halls for 750,000 sq. ft. of continuous space. Los Angeles will then be able to bid on some of the largest conventions in the country—starting now.
The majority of work will be complete before the Olympic team takes over their exclusive use period in 2028 for five events in the building. The rest of the work will be done by the spring of 2029. Already complete is the $15 million modernization of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and improved transportation connections.
New Los Angeles Tourism team Chief Sales Officer Mario Thompson (who previously sat on the Los Angeles Tourism Sales Advisory Council when he was market director of sales and marketing with JW Marriott L.A. LIVE) shared insights about how “improving the quality of life for all Angelinos through the economic and community benefits of tourism” will make it a leading city for hosting events. “I get to do something incredibly meaningful for our community and leave a lasting legacy,” he said.
Los Angeles Tourism CEO Adam Burke agreed. “These are amazing singular events. But they also create an indelible legacy that benefits the community.”
Hyatt Advances Simplicity, Wellness
Hyatt is trying to simplify the RFP and proposal process. The company announced a partnership with Groups360, a corporate group booking company, for instant hotel blocks. At the same time, a beta test using artificial intelligence to prioritize leads was expanded to 130 hotels in the Americas, reducing the time it takes to respond to RFPs by 25%. “Customizing sources for the type of business a person books will simplify the process for everyone and get back to relationships,” said Hyatt Senior Vice President of Events Steve Enselein.
With lead times severely compressed—two-thirds of business books and actualizes within 90 days right now—according to Enselein—speed is essential.
Once a group has chosen a Hyatt property, they have the benefit of the Together by Hyatt resources, including new wellbeing menus and event experience guides. That includes Sleep and Dream Specialist Leah Ann Bolen, Headspace videos and access to sleep kits popularized at Miraval.
Santa Barbara’s Culinary Scene Expanding
World-class chefs are coming to Santa Barbara. From Executive Chef John Vasquez’s down-home take on fresh foods at Finch & Fork in Kimpton Canary Hotel and Bettina alum John Parker’s farmer-adjacent fare at La Paloma to Maple & Ash visionary Danny Grant’s newest coastal Italian interpretation Marisella, the emphasis is on real food prepared lovingly. For a luxury take on fresh air dining in Montecito, OSPI offers a private dining room with an Italian accent. Visit Santa Barbara Director of Sales Beth Olson suggested arriving early for a site inspection for a taste.
An Update from Day 3
