For the 19th consecutive year, Las Vegas has maintained its reigning title as the top trade show destination in United States, according to Trade Show News Network’s (TSNN) “2012 TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows in the U.S.” list. Las Vegas hosted 53 of the largest shows, more than the next two competitors combined. 

“Las Vegas is honored to be recognized as the No. 1 trade show destination for the 19th year in a row, and we share this achievement with our colleagues in the meetings and convention industry of Las Vegas who make this ranking possible,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “The success of Las Vegas is a testament to our ability to provide exceptional customer service and more value for the experience than any other destination.”

The largest single show on the 2012 list was the International CES, held in the Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center, an official World Trade Center site. The Consumer Electronics Association, owner and producer of the CES, recently announced the results of 2013 CES which welcomed nearly 153,000 industry professionals with a record number of international delegates – more than 36,000 – from 150 countries. In addition, almost 3,300 exhibitors from around the globe and a record number of startup companies attended 2013 CES, which spanned more than 1.92 million net square feet of exhibit space. 

The coveted list by Tarsus Group represents the top 250 trade shows held in the U.S. last year, ranked by net square footage. The 53 shows in Las Vegas encompassed 20,460,671 million square feet, or 31.2 percent of the total space for all 250 shows. The two closest competitors hosted 47 shows combined.

Looking beyond the U.S., the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is working to expand international business as well. Las Vegas currently welcomes more than 6.7 million annual international visitors and has a long-term goal of 30 percent international visitation within the next decade. To help meet this goal, the organization recently unveiled its plans for the Las Vegas Global Business District which will create an international business center by leveraging and expanding the World Trade Center designation. In addition, the LVCVA is working closely with the U.S. government and elected leaders to improve the existing visa process and expand the visa waiver program to make travel to the U.S. easier and more efficient for international visitors.