Venetian Expo

The Venetian Expo (also known as the Venetian Convention and Expo Center)[1] is a convention center located in Paradise, Nevada, near the Las Vegas Strip.[2] It is part of the Venetian and Palazzo resort complex, owned by Vici Properties and operated by Apollo Global Management.

Venetian Expo
Main entrance in 2010
Address201 Sands Avenue
LocationParadise, Nevada, U.S.
Coordinates36°07′18″N 115°09′57″W
OwnerVici Properties
OperatorApollo Global Management
OpenedNovember 9, 1990
Renovated2013
Expanded2003
Former names
Sands Expo (1990–2021)
Enclosed space
 • Total space2.25-million sq ft (209,000 m2)
Website
www.venetianlasvegas.com/meetings/

The convention facility was developed by Las Vegas Sands and opened as the Sands Expo on November 9, 1990. It was built as part of the Sands Hotel, since replaced by the Venetian. The Sands Expo was renamed the Venetian Expo in 2021, while Vici and Apollo were in the process of purchasing it. The facility is frequently used for conventions booked at the Venetian and Palazzo. It is also used as overflow space for conventions that outgrow the Las Vegas Convention Center.

History

In October 1989, the Sands Hotel received county approval for a convention center with approximately 1.1-million-square-foot, rivaling the Las Vegas Convention Center.[3] The new facility was developed by Las Vegas Sands, owner of the Sands Hotel. Groundbreaking took place on November 12, 1989.[4] The Sands Expo, located behind the hotel,[5] opened on November 9, 1990. The COMDEX computer trade show was the first event held in the space.[6][7] At its launch, it was the only privately owned and operated convention center in the United States, and was the second largest convention center in the world.

The Sands Hotel closed in 1996, and the Venetian resort opened in its place three years later. Since then, the Sands Expo has helped popularize Las Vegas as a convention city.[8] An expansion was completed in 2003,[9] and a $35 million renovation took place 10 years later, adding new carpeting, lighting and motion sensors as part of environmental efforts.[10]

The convention center has 2.25-million sq ft (209,000 m2).[11] Notable events have included the Consumer Electronics Show, the Adult Entertainment Expo, and the Global Gaming Expo.[12][13] In 2020, the 12th season of Shark Tank was filmed at the convention center.[14]

In 2021, Las Vegas Sands announced that it would sell the Venetian-Palazzo complex, including the Sands Expo, to Vici Properties and Apollo Global Management. Under the deal, Vici owns the real estate while Apollo purchased the operations for the three facilities.[15] Las Vegas Sands renamed the convention center as the Venetian Expo in September 2021, while still in the process of selling the facility.[11][16] The sale was finalized in February 2022.[17]

References


  1. Stutz, Howard (October 6, 2022). "Former Venetian convention center boss joining Oak View project". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  2. "Sands Expo and Convention Center - Show Managers - Why Meet at Sands Expo". 2012-10-09. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  3. Krane, Elliot (October 29, 1989). "Sands to Build Huge Convention Center". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  4. Austin, Monica (November 13, 1989). "Sands Expo construction under way". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  5. Caruso, Monica (September 3, 1989). "Sands Expo nears completion". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  6. Welling, Stacey (November 10, 1990). "Sands opens huge convention center". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  7. "Sands' Convention Center Completed". The Press of Atlantic City. November 18, 1990. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  8. Velotta, Richard N. (May 1, 2019). "Venetian's convention model 'transformed' Las Vegas Strip 20 years ago". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  9. Smith, Rod (June 21, 2003). "Sands Expo expansion opens". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 29, 2004.
  10. Carroll, Laura (September 11, 2013). "Sands Expo and Convention Center receives green certification". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  11. Velotta, Richard N. (July 15, 2021). "Sands Expo changing name to The Venetian Expo on Sept. 2". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  12. Spillman, Benjamin (July 29, 2009). "Annual Consumer Electronics Show to leave Sands Expo Center". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  13. Velotta, Richard N. (September 14, 2017). "IMEX America trade show leaving Sands for Mandalay Bay". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  14. Lawrence, Christopher (October 15, 2020). "How The Venetian's million-square-foot bubble kept 'Shark Tank' cast, crew safe". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  15. "Las Vegas Sands sells the Venetian, Palazzo, Sands Expo for $6.25B". Las Vegas Sun. March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  16. Velotta, Richard N. (September 1, 2021). "Signs beginning to change as Sands adopts The Venetian Expo name". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  17. Velotta, Richard N. (February 23, 2022). "Las Vegas Sands closes $6.4 billion sale of Venetian to Apollo, Vici". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
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