Las Vegas is a convention city. More people flock to this once dusty town in the Southern Nevada each year for business events that any other city in the United States. Estimates suggest that in 2011 the economic impact of conventions reached $6.3 billion.
While there are literally hundreds of conventions each year this article will focus on the bigger events to come to Las Vegas in January. From the biggest of the big in the
Consumer Electronics Show to the naughtiest if the naught with the
AVN Awards the convention season in Las Vegas begins the year with a bang.
The New Media Expo: Each year Las Vegas is invaded by thousands of bloggers, social media gurus and others on the cutting edge of new media. It is a great place to network, learn new techniques. It is the place to be if you want to be on the cutting edge of the future of online media.
The Consumer Electronics Show: The Consumer Electronics Show is arguably the biggest convention on the Las Vegas Convention calendar. Each year over 150,000 geek heads, tech gurus and movers and shakers in the electronics industry descend on the Las Vegas Convention Center for a week of nerding out over the soon to be released must have tech. The iPhone, Xbox One and many an amazing gadget saw its first days of glory at CES.
CES Official Website January 7 - 10, 2014.
The Promotional Products Association International: It may sound like business speak to you and I, but he PPAI draws upwards of 20,000 people a year. What are they in Las Vegas for? Promotional items are anything that businesses give away to get their name out intot he marketplace. From the old standby, the pen to mouse pads to cutting edge gadget, widgets and swag, this is a fun place to wander about if you own a business that you want to get attention for.
The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show: This annual event that caters to fans of the Second Ammendment. It is a gathering of hunters, outdoors-men and those who love the wilds of our great country. I have two friends with decidedly different opinions on this event. One says it is "the greatest representation of America" and the other says it is for those "who love to kill cute animals for no reason." While both have their aspects of truth, I imagine most pf us fall somewhere in the middle.
AVN Adult Expo and the AVN Awards: Aptly dubbed the Porn Oscars the AVN Awards Show is the culminating event of the annual AVN Adult Expo. Think of it as Comic Con for naughty movies, but these fanboys won't be lining up for a Stan Lee signing session, though I suspect many of them have his autograph as well. Over 25,000 attendees descend upon the Hard Rock Hotel for this annual event and it remains one of the best people watching opportunities in Vegas.
January 15th - 18th , 2014.
The World of Concrete: While this may sound like the worst idea for a Disney theme attraction in the world, this convention that caters to those who build our modern world one batch of concrete at a time draws 50,000 people a year. While concrete may seem boring to you and me, it is a realm rife with constant technological changes. The World of Concrete is where the movers and shakers in their industry begin to build their brand.
The World of Concrete Official Website. January 20th - 24th, 2014.
The Las Vegas Market: Home goods, furniture and various gifts are the focus of the Las Vegas Market. Each January 50,000 home desgners, builders, shop owners and buyers come to Vegas to see the newest of the new in home furnishing and decor. If you like shopping at Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn or even Target then this is the show you'll want to attend.
Surfaces: This expo is for anyone in the tile, flooring and stone business. It brings together those who make these items with those who install them and is a great educational tool for builders and consumers alike. 25,000 people attend Surfaces annually and it tops the month of January off with a well polished endcap.
Surfaces Official Website. January 27th - 30th, 2014.
