LAS VEGAS— Informa Market’s World of Concrete (WOC), the first major U.S. trade show since COVID-19 brought the industry to a grinding halt, opened with great fanfare in the new $1 billion West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).
A ribbon-cutting ceremony drew industry leaders, elected officials and other dignitaries. The energy in the convention center and surrounding outdoor spaces was electric as everyone was excited to meet in person again.
The event, which brings together tens of thousands of members of the concrete, construction and masonry industries, marked the opening of LVCC’s West Hall as well as Elon Musk’s underground Center Loop, which transports attendees around the convention center in two minutes, typically a 25-minute walk.
“This is our renaissance,” Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. In Las Vegas, the trade show industry accounts for $11.4 billion in economic impact. WOC alone contributed $109 million to the city’s economic impact in 2019.
“Over the last 15 months, this entire industry has completely disappeared, leaving tens of thousands of people out of work and all of that economic impact completely gone,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the LVCVA.
All eyes were on the show, which was meant to set the benchmark for other major conventions. While no longer a state requirement, capacity was limited to 80% for health and safety reasons. In addition to thermal screening at the convention center entrance and digital badges, aisles were spaced 15 to 20 feet apart, in keeping with social distancing.
Charlie McCurdy, CEO of Informa Markets, stressed the importance of the show’s opening. “The widespread and lasting impact of this pandemic is significant, both personally and professionally, and being here today is a testament to humanity and a beacon of hope for the return of conventions,” he said at the show.
WOC has been ranked in the TSE Gold 100 13 times and has been ranked in the Fastest 50 three times. Typically held in January or February at the LVCC, in 2019 it attracted more than 60,000 attendees to nearly 2.4 million square feet of indoor/outdoor exhibit space, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).
In addition to WOC, Informa Markets will also host the following trade shows in Las Vegas, with plans to return other key events throughout the remainder of the year.
- Cosmetic Surgery in Las Vegas (June 2021)
- The International Surface Event (June 2021)
- WasteExpo (June 2021)
- The Aesthetics Show (July 2021)
- Inside Self Storage World Expo (July 2021)
- MAGIC Autumn (August 2021)
- International Roofing Exhibition (August 2021)
- License Fair (August 2021)
- SupplySide West and Food Ingredients North America (October 2021)
- International Sanitary Ware Suppliers Association North America Trade Show (November 2021)