Las Vegas is no stranger to mass tourism, but an ongoing trade show has made Sin City even busier than usual for the past several days.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show began in Las Vegas on Monday. More than 100,000 people traveled to Las Vegas for the annual six-day event in which broadcasters from all over the country gather to share ideas and heap praise on their peers.
The NAB Show is a staple in the yearly Las Vegas convention calendar, drawing media stars from industries such as television, radio, and podcasting. The convention got off to a good start with a few titans of the industry being inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame.
Chuck Lorre, creator and writer for some of television’s most popular comedies, was inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame on Monday by actor Jon Cryer. On Tuesday, ESPN Radio hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic were also inducted.
The trade show is taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Westgate Las Vegas. Traffic for the event will be even heavier than usual due to a lane-blocking road construction project that is currently taking place on Convention Center Drive, which is the main route to the show.
This year’s convention will mark the 25th consecutive NAB Trade Show held in Las Vegas, and the 35th NAB event since 1975. About 50% of the largest 200 shows in the U.S. take place in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando, so it’s not surprising that the NAB keeps returning to Vegas for its annual convention.
In fact, the Casino City Times recently reported that the Trade Show News Network named Las Vegas as the “#1 Trade Show Destination” for the 22nd consecutive year. The city’s spacious convention centers, world-class food, and bright lights make it appealing to trade shows that attract people from all over the globe.
While celebrities will get most of the press throughout the week, several technological innovations will also be on display in the NAB show. One of the biggest draws this year is the use of drones for aerial content creation, and more than 30 drone demonstrations have been scheduled for attendees to enjoy.
Local hotels are enjoying the rapid influx of tourists, and resort rates are topping $300 per night at some locations. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority expects the NAB Show to net the city nearly $163.2 million in revenue.
