When it comes to conference destinations, few cities can compete with Las Vegas.
With top-tier entertainment, venues, and service, it’s no surprise that hosting events here often boosts attendance by 10-15%.
But what makes Las Vegas such a great place for conferences? Let’s break it down.
Top reasons why you should host your next corporate event in Vegas.
We interviewed our team of project managers with over 80 years of combined experience managing corporate events in Las Vegas.
We asked them: What makes this city such a great event destination?
Here are their top 12 reasons:
- Unmatched food and beverage scene
- Central location and travel convenience
- Endless venue options
- World-class entertainment
- Hotels built for events
- Spaces for small conferences too
- Expert vendors and service providers
- Commitment to sustainability
- The nightlife: a conference perk
- Safety and security
- Skilled event staff
- Year-round sunshine
Now let’s dive into the details.
1. Unmatched food and beverage scene.
Las Vegas has evolved into a global culinary hotspot, offering everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to exceptional convention catering.
Attendees can enjoy meals prepared by celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Giada De Laurentiis, and José Andrés.
Even large-scale events in Las Vegas enjoy exceptional catering thanks to the city's competitive hospitality industry.
With so many chefs, restaurants, and catering teams vying for business, hotels, and venues are motivated to deliver top-tier dining experiences.
This gives you the flexibility to collaborate closely with your food and beverage (F&B) managers to design custom menus. You can feature both global flavors and local specialties, ensuring each meal becomes a memorable moment for your attendees.
Looking for more? Here are 8 tips for customizing your F&B event menu.
2. Central location and travel convenience.
Las Vegas is incredibly accessible, with the Harry Reid International Airport serving over 150 direct flights daily from major cities across the U.S. and internationally.
Its central location makes it a time-efficient choice, with most flights from North America being under four hours.
Additionally, the airport is just minutes from the Strip, so attendees can land and be at their hotel in less than 30 minutes.
For international events, smooth customs processing and access to business-class lounges can make travel much more comfortable and stress-free.
3. Endless venue options.
Las Vegas offers a wide variety of venues for your corporate events and has approximately 14 million square feet of convention and meeting space.
Large conferences can book convention spaces such as Mandalay Bay’s 2.1 million square feet of meeting space, while smaller groups might prefer boutique properties like Delano or the Four Seasons.
Even unconventional spaces like poolside cabanas or rooftop lounges can be transformed into breakout rooms or cocktail venues.
Wondering which hotels top the list for hosting conferences in Las Vegas? Check out our picks for the 10 best venues the city has to offer.
4. World-class entertainment.
From Broadway-caliber shows to world-famous DJs, Las Vegas offers entertainment options that can be integrated into conferences or enjoyed during downtime.
You can surprise your attendees with a private performance from a Cirque du Soleil act or host a welcome reception at a comedy club.
Many hotels even offer entertainment packages, making it easy to bundle tickets to shows.
Need some fresh ideas? Here are 25 top-rated activities to elevate your next conference in Las Vegas.
5. Hotels built for events.
With more than 150,000 hotel rooms, Las Vegas excels in accommodating large groups.
Many hotels are designed with conference hosting in mind, with massive event floors, exhibition halls, and direct access from guest rooms.
Properties like Caesars Palace have entire towers dedicated to meetings and events, minimizing attendee travel time within the hotel.
Even luxury hotels like Aria and Cosmopolitan blend business and leisure, offering spa breaks between sessions or team dinners at award-winning restaurants.
The ability to "live, meet, and play" in one place simplifies logistics and maximizes productivity.
6. Spaces for small conferences too.
While known for mega-events, Las Vegas also caters to intimate gatherings.
Boutique properties such as NoMad Las Vegas and Vdara offer exclusive meeting spaces for smaller groups seeking privacy and personalization.
Customizable meeting packages at these properties often include tailored F&B menus, private suites for executive retreats, and concierge service.
You can host a 50-person leadership retreat at Red Rock Resort. It's the perfect escape from the Strip’s bustle while staying close enough for post-event entertainment.
7. Expert vendors and service providers.
Las Vegas has a highly competitive event service industry, with top-tier vendors for every aspect of conference planning.
The city has world-class A/V teams, decorators, and suppliers, ensuring you’ll find skilled experts to bring your vision to life across every aspect of your event. Having access to such a rich pool of experts makes complex events achievable.
Many hotels maintain preferred vendor lists, simplifying the search for reputable partners.
8. Commitment to sustainability.
Las Vegas takes sustainability seriously, with major properties leading eco-friendly initiatives.
Resorts like Mandalay Bay and The Venetian have recycling and water conservation programs, while convention centers have adopted green certifications.
Las Vegas Convention Center’s solar roof generates clean energy, powering large-scale events sustainably.
Food rescue programs like Three Square reduce event waste by redistributing surplus meals to local charities. Their hot food rescue program collects prepared but unserved banquet food from Las Vegas Strip resorts. In 2019, they rescued over 312,000 pounds of food from 16 city donors—equal to more than 260,000 meals.
9. The nightlife: a conference perk.
What is the biggest misconception about hosting an event in Las Vegas?
“Your attendees will skip sessions because they’re too busy partying all night.”
But here’s the truth: Las Vegas actually tends to draw even more attendees to your event.
Sure, people might go out and enjoy the nightlife after your event, but that’s true no matter where you host—whether it’s Nashville, Orlando, Dallas, or New York.
So how can you tackle the “party hurdle” that some corporate events might face? Be smart about it:
- Plan strategically: Host your welcome reception on the first night, but keep it brief.
- Design your schedule: Give attendees some free time to explore and enjoy all that Las Vegas has to offer. You will end up saving some money and you're able to take advantage of all this incredible and dynamic city has to offer!
10. Unparalleled safety and security.
Las Vegas hotels operate like self-contained cities, with 24/7 surveillance, on-site security teams, and emergency response protocols.
Major properties work closely with local law enforcement, ensuring a secure environment for large events.
Hotels frequently conduct safety drills, and venues are well-versed in crowd management for conferences with thousands of attendees.
This proactive approach reassures event organizers and contributes to a safe, enjoyable experience.
11. Skilled event staff.
The city’s hospitality workforce is second to none, thanks to decades of experience managing corporate events of all shapes and sizes.
This is because many of these professionals work full-time in the event industry, unlike in other cities where event staff might work part-time or only occasionally.
This full-time focus means that the A/V teams, banquet waiters, and suppliers here are highly specialized and experienced, making them more adept at executing your event vision to life.
12. Year-round sunshine.
With 300+ days of sunshine annually, Las Vegas offers consistent, pleasant weather perfect for outdoor events or excursions.
While summers can be hot, the spring and fall months are ideal for open-air receptions, rooftop networking events, and golf tournaments.
You can schedule team-building hikes at Red Rock Canyon or organize desert excursions.
One of our recent conference groups hosted a sunrise yoga session overlooking the Las Vegas Strip, adding a wellness component to the business-heavy agenda.
Ready to host your next unforgettable conference in Las Vegas?
Partner with GoGather to help you plan your next best conference or corporate event in Las Vegas. Let’s make it happen!
