Las Vegas Convention Center Interesting Facts you may not Know
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The Las Vegas Convention Center has a number of very interesting facts associated with the venue. It is a popular destination for visitors from around the globe every month of the year. Some of the more interesting facts that you may not know about this structure include the total size of the building and the original purpose that it filled.
There have been a number of expansions performed on this iconic Vegas landmark, and in some aspects, it is the largest structure of this type in the entire world. Through the history there have been many famous speakers and celebrities who performed here. It can be seen in a number of films that have scenes that were shot on the premises.
The Las Vegas Convention Center is one of the World’s Largest
The Las Vegas Convention Center
Billed as one of the largest in the world the Las Vegas Convention Center has plenty of room for trade shows, conventions, and events of all sizes and themes. When only single level structures are compared it is actually the largest in the world, and millions of people visit each year for many reasons. There are events held year round and many annual shows and conventions take place here.
The Original Purpose of the Center
The initial purpose behind the Las Vegas Convention Center was to bring in tourists and fill empty hotel rooms during the slow season when tourists tend to stay away. It was decided in the 1950s that the location a block away from the Strip was ideal, and the initial structure was built. Originally, the Las Vegas Park Speedway was on the site but the business had failed so the location was available.
The Total Space Available is Overwhelming
The amount of space available for events at the Las Vegas Convention Center may be overwhelming at first. There is more than 10 million square foot that can be used for conventions, meetings, and exhibits. The most space used for an event occurred in 2008 during the ConExpo/ConAgg trade show for the construction industry. 2.4 million square foot was used for this convention alone.
Several Expansions Over the Years
Over the years since it was first built the structure has undergone a number of expansions and renovations. One was scheduled in 1971 when the Las Vegas Convention Center Act of 1971 was authorized, and this act provided $7 million for this purpose. In 1998, another expansion was performed, and in 2002 additional renovations were done.
Today the center provides more than 10 million square foot of space. It is the location for some of the biggest and most popular conventions and events held anywhere. One of the top attractions is the Consumer Electronics Show, which draws a crowd of more than 125,000 visitors at last count. This is just one of the many events that are well known.
Famous Speakers and Celebrities
Some very famous names and well known celebrities have appeared at the Las Vegas Convention Center through the years. The Beatles graced the center in the 1960s. A show for Led Zeppelin was scheduled in April of 1970 but this was canceled at the last minute when the lead singer of the group, Robert Plant, became ill.
The filming for some popular television shows have taken place at the venue. In 2009, the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions was held here and filmed, and it is a favorite spot for shows that appear on the Food Network.
When was the last time you were at the Las Vegas Convention Center and why?
