Venetian Expo Explained

Venetian Expo
Address:201 Sands Avenue
Location:Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Coordinates:36.1217°N -115.1658°W
Owner:Vici Properties
Operator:Apollo Global Management
Opened:November 9, 1990
Renovated:2013
Expanded:2003
Former Names:Sands Expo (1990–2021)
Total Space:2.25adj=onNaNadj=on

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.

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 2.25adj=onNaNadj=on. Notable events have included the Consumer Electronics Show, the Adult Entertainment Expo, and the Global Gaming Expo.[11] [12] In 2020, the 12th season of Shark Tank was filmed at the convention center.[13]

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.[14] Las Vegas Sands renamed the convention center as the Venetian Expo in September 2021, while still in the process of selling the facility.[15] [16] The sale was finalized in February 2022.[17]

References

  1. News: Stutz . Howard . Former Venetian convention center boss joining Oak View project . May 25, 2023 . The Nevada Independent . October 6, 2022.
  2. Web site: Sands Expo and Convention Center - Show Managers - Why Meet at Sands Expo . 2012-10-09 . 2014-06-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121009115112/http://www.sandsexpo.com/Show-Managers/Why-Sands-Expo// . October 9, 2012 .
  3. News: Krane . Elliot . Sands to Build Huge Convention Center . October 15, 2020 . The Press of Atlantic City . October 29, 1989 . subscription.
  4. News: Austin . Monica . Sands Expo construction under way . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 13, 1989 . May 25, 2023 . subscription.
  5. News: Caruso . Monica . Sands Expo nears completion . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 3, 1989 . May 25, 2023 . subscription.
  6. News: Welling . Stacey . Sands opens huge convention center . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 10, 1990 . May 25, 2023 . subscription.
  7. News: Sands' Convention Center Completed . March 5, 2021 . The Press of Atlantic City . November 18, 1990 . subscription.
  8. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Venetian's convention model 'transformed' Las Vegas Strip 20 years ago . May 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 1, 2019.
  9. News: Smith . Rod . Sands Expo expansion opens . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 21, 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041029125120/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jun-21-Sat-2003/business/21574794.html . October 29, 2004.
  10. News: Carroll . Laura . Sands Expo and Convention Center receives green certification . May 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 11, 2013.
  11. News: Spillman . Benjamin . Annual Consumer Electronics Show to leave Sands Expo Center . May 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . July 29, 2009.
  12. News: Velotta . Richard N. . IMEX America trade show leaving Sands for Mandalay Bay . May 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 14, 2017.
  13. News: Lawrence . Christopher . How The Venetian's million-square-foot bubble kept 'Shark Tank' cast, crew safe . October 15, 2020 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . October 15, 2020.
  14. News: Las Vegas Sands sells the Venetian, Palazzo, Sands Expo for $6.25B . March 5, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . March 3, 2021.
  15. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Sands Expo changing name to The Venetian Expo on Sept. 2 . May 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . July 15, 2021.
  16. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Signs beginning to change as Sands adopts The Venetian Expo name . May 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 1, 2021.
  17. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Las Vegas Sands closes $6.4 billion sale of Venetian to Apollo, Vici . May 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 23, 2022.

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