LAS VEGAS—Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International, plans to expand its Convention Center. Based on demand for additional space, the resort will add new exhibit space, underground parking and increase overall square footage.
Plans include the addition of more than 350,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space to the existing 1.7 million-sq.-ft. Mandalay Bay Convention Center as well as underground parking and more carpeted ballroom space. The new spaces will allow Mandalay Bay to grow current shows, pursue new and larger corporate partners and achieve greater utilization of the entire facility.
Upon completion, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center will have more than 2 million total sq. ft. and 1.1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space.
“Several long-standing customers approached us with a need for additional space to grow their business; they looked to us to be a solution provider, and we went to work,” said Chuck Bowling, president and COO of Mandalay Bay. “In addition to enabling our current clients to develop larger events, the additional space and new flexibility will allow us to attract new business to Las Vegas. We believe this investment will increase visitation to Las Vegas, driving incremental business to MGM Resorts’ portfolio and the city overall.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in late fall 2014 with new exhibit space available in August 2015 and anticipated completion of all spaces in January 2016. The project is estimated to cost approximately $66 million.
Featuring a 70,000-sq.-ft. ballroom that is divisible by five, the new space will allow for maximum flexibility and more breakout areas for corporate groups. The bandwidth of the Convention Center’s state-of-the-art technology also will increase to accommodate more attendees and to allow for the most advanced presentations.
The Mandalay Bay Convention Center hosted the Wyndham Hotel Group Conference last September. The HD Expo will be held at the convention center next month.