LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Las Vegas recently hosted approximately 100,000 guests, driven by major events such as NASCAR weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Raiders and UNLV Rebels games at Allegiant Stadium, and the Global Gaming Expo (G2E).
Despite these events, the city’s hospitality sector is still grappling with challenges reminiscent of past downturns, according to Paul Anthony, a long-time food server on the Strip.
“There are a lot of people having a lot of issues – hurting – so we’re dealing with that now,” Anthony said.
Convention attendance in August was down 8% compared to the previous year, but the G2E, with an estimated attendance of 25,000, offered a glimmer of hope.
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Alan Feldman from UNLV’s International Gaming Institute highlighted the expo’s broader economic impact, noting, “G2E is also a place where a lot of contracts get signed, and those contracts go to manufacturers and designers right here in Nevada.”
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway reported increased attendance and revenue for the South Point 400, attracting fans from Hawaii and Canada.
Sports Illustrated noted the event’s success, suggesting the Speedway could host NASCAR’s Championship Weekend in 2027.
Looking ahead, Anthony and others in the hospitality industry are optimistic about upcoming events like the Grand Prix and New Year’s Eve. “Hopefully. There are things coming up at the end of the year – like you said – F1, the race, New Year’s Eve is busy for us,” Anthony said.
Meanwhile, NBC Sports reports that the NFL is in talks to bring the Super Bowl back to Las Vegas in 2029, just five years after the city first hosted the event.