Updated 9/22 with details about “The Fabulous 5-Day Sale.”
We have all heard the quote attributed to Yogi Berra, “No one goes there, it’s too crowded.” The convention and entertainment capital of Las Vegas seems to be suffering the same critique. Associated Press reported an 11% drop in visitors in June, in part due to a 13% drop in international travelers, singling out gamblers coming from Canada and Mexico. That dip still left 3.1 million people driving or flying to Southern Nevada over 30 days of a historically slower months for Las Vegas tourism.
We were curious what a national softening in international visitors meant for meetings in the context of the almost 6 million people expected to travel for conferences each year and a newly announced city-wide sale that would waive resort fees and offer $99 massages between Sept. 22 and 26. We sent out our scouts to see what is happening in ballrooms and expo floors now.
Magic at Las Vegas Convention Center
From Aug. 18-20, Las Vegas Calendars estimated that more than 70,000 people flooded the MAGIC fashion trade show at Las Vegas Convention Center, up from 60,000 in 2024. The leading event for fashion style industry buyers, brands, influencers and press returns to Las Vegas for a Spring show in February.
A Healthy Meeting at Caesars Palace
Last week, more than 150 attendees gathered for ConferenceDirect’s (CD) CDX 2025 at Caesars Palace to network, explore Las Vegas and learn about everything sourcing.
Read More: ConferenceDirect CDX 2025 Led With Wellness and Insight
The Wellness Source Returns to LVCC
At the end of June, International Esthetics, Cosmetics, & Spa Conferences (IECSC) returned to Las Vegas with 430 brands, making it the largest spa and beauty event in the West. Organizers thanked Las Vegas for the inspiration in a release and announced they would be back in June of 2026.
IMEX Tracking Ahead of 2024
IMEX America, the largest gathering of meeting professionals in the world scheduled for Oct. 6-9 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, just reported record registration numbers. “With under two months to go until IMEX America 2025 opens its doors, demand from global buyers is currently tracking significantly ahead of the same time in 2024,” according to the press release.
Hosted buyer registrations are 25% ahead compared to the same time last year. Driving the momentum is demand from the U.S., Europe, Asia Pacific, South and Central America. In addition, registrations from Canada are tracking the same as last year. The number of association hosted buyers registered to date has exceeded the total registered for the previous edition, with strong representation across the healthcare, education and trade association sectors.
Experiences at Every Price Point—Including Free
In answer to those who would say that the popularity of the city has led to an escalation in extravaganzas and prices, Rebecca DeLuca, vice president of destination sales with Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, says the final bill depends on what a visitor is looking to do. “Las Vegas remains an electrifying destination with something for every taste and every budget,” she said.
“Las Vegas has always been about delivering unforgettable experiences at every price point,” said LVCVA President and CEO Steve Hill when introducing The Fabulous 5-Day Sale.
While celebrity dinners with corresponding prices are available up and down The Strip (Spoiler Alert: Spago by Wolfgang Puck offers a summer prix-fix menu starting at $90), visitors can also see world-class art and unique activations just by walking into the lobby of Bellagio Hotel & Casino or Wynn Las Vegas.
DeLuca pointed to an abundance of free experiences available, giving every visitor a way to plug into the city’s excitement.
A new favorite is a scenic Overlook on The Strip at BLVD shopping Center. It is a comfortable place to park and take in the action, no purchase required.
Also gratis at Park MGM is Haus of Gaga, a display of the flamboyant performer’s costumes.
The destination is a constant wave of new openings and re-imagined attractions, including the roster of entertainment at Sphere where the Backstreet Boys just extended their residency due to popular demand and the highly anticipated F1 Arcade flagship venue opening later this year and the reimagined FRIENDS Experience at MGM Grand.
Off-Strip properties have long offered unique value. Station Casinos, which includes Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa and Casino and Durango Casino & Resort has preserved some of the dining deals that made Vegas popular in the first place—Boarding Pass members enjoy late-night specials like $9.99 steak & eggs, $4.99 breakfast skillets, $3.99 pancakes, and a 24/7 $5.99 cheeseburger and fries.
“Each addition reinforces our position as the world’s premier destination for both business and leisure,” DeLuca concluded.
Perhaps the alarming stories are simply missing perspective. Any dip in tourism will hit a tourism-concentrated destination harder than other cities, but it is also relative. Still, 3.1 million people in a month is a lot and if tourists aren’t taking the rooms, perhaps there will be more space for events because it looks like they are still showing up.
