Las Vegas is the champion metropolis successful the state to person a conference, U.S. News & World Report said Tuesday successful its inaugural 2026-2027 Best Conference Cities ranking.
After evaluating 52 destinations, U.S. News produced a apical 30 database of champion league locations based connected information gathered connected gathering and lawsuit space, destination appeal, accessibility, affordability, information and sustainability.
“We’re grateful to U.S. News & World Report for this meaningful recognition,” Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said successful a merchandise connected study results. “This favoritism underscores what sets Las Vegas isolated — best-in-class gathering and lawsuit infrastructure combined with the iconic Las Vegas acquisition that inspires attendees and elevates events. We admit our customers who proceed to take Las Vegas to thrust their industries forward.”
Las Vegas outshined large normal cities Chicago (No. 2), New York (6), Washington, D.C. (7) and San Diego (10) successful the rankings. The remainder of the apical 10 included Orlando, Florida (3), Phoenix (4), Houston (5), Anaheim, California (8) and San Antonio, Texas (9).
15 cardinal quadrate feet
Southern Nevada offers astir 15 cardinal quadrate feet of gathering and normal space, including 3 of the 10 largest normal centers successful the United States: the newly renovated, 4.6-million-square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center, owned and operated by the LVCVA; The Venetian Convention & Expo Center, 2.25 cardinal quadrate feet, operated by Apollo Global Management; and Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 2.1 cardinal quadrate feet, owned and operated by MGM Resorts International.
Las Vegas’ meetings infrastructure is complemented by much than 150,000 edifice rooms and casual entree done Harry Reid International Airport, which provides nonstop work to much than 150 destinations. That accessibility, combined with the destination’s appeal, helps thrust results for lawsuit organizers, who study an mean 10 percent summation successful attendance erstwhile hosting meetings successful Las Vegas.
More than 6 cardinal attendees
The destination’s meetings and conventions manufacture continues to show its strength, welcoming much than 6 cardinal normal attendees successful 2025, astir matching 2024 levels contempt broader economical uncertainty and shifting question policies. That show has carried into 2026, with much than 2.5 cardinal normal attendees visiting successful the archetypal 4 months of the year, a 10.1 percent year-over-year increase.
The U.S. News ranking was made successful consultation with lawsuit manufacture experts and done a broad investigation of cardinal show indicators. The methodology balanced applicable considerations, specified arsenic affordability and infrastructure, with experiential factors, specified arsenic destination entreaty and sustainability initiatives.
The U.S. News valuation of Las Vegas said, “Earlier this year, the Las Vegas Convention Center completed a $600 cardinal renovation effort. Combine this spacious, modernized installation with a convenient airdrome and the astir edifice rooms of immoderate U.S. metropolis and Las Vegas is tailor-made for hosting events. The metropolis is nary alien to prodigious gatherings, from Formula One races to the Super Bowl, and has virtually nary capableness limit.
“When the meetings are done, attendees volition person a veritable playground astatine their feet. Las Vegas’ attractions (the Sphere, the Venetian’s Grand Canal and the Bellagio fountains, to sanction a few), expansive casinos, pulsating nightclubs and – for the overstimulated – top-notch spas await.”
Each city’s ranking besides included a weakness successful the destination. For Las Vegas, the listing said, “Walking from constituent A to constituent B is ne'er arsenic casual arsenic it seems.”
Contact Richard N. Velotta astatine rvelotta@reviewjournal.com oregon 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta connected X.
Pros and cons
The U.S. News & World Report ranking of the nation's apical league cities listed the apical pros and cons of each metropolis successful the apical 10. Here's what it said astir Las Vegas' rivals:
-Chicago: "This Midwestern mecca offers precocious formation measurement and a immense transit web without the premium pricing of East Coast hubs," but added, "First- and fourth-quarter events are risky owed to wintertime storms and notorious delays astatine O'Hare International Airport."
-Orlando: "The Convention Center District is stacked with walkable properties," but, "Orlando doesn't connection rather arsenic overmuch entreaty and assortment successful presumption of taste attractions and cuisine."
-Phoenix: "Morning meetings pb to poolside afternoons," but, "Phoenix doesn't person the transit systems oregon walkability of different apical cities."
-Houston: "Houston has immoderate of the lowest lodging rates connected this list," but, "Summer storms tin beryllium unpredictable."
-New York: "NYC is simply a premier destination for attractions, nutrient and nightlife," but "Lodging rates are higher than immoderate different destination connected this ranking."
-Washington D.C.: "With 3 airports and 1 of the largest transit systems successful the U.S., getting to and astir the metropolis is simply a breeze," but, "D.C.'s full country number is little than different apical cities."
-Anaheim, California: "Mild temperatures and minimal precipitation year-round mean events tin comfortably instrumentality spot immoderate clip of year," but, "Immediate offerings astir the normal halfway are much generic than successful different destinations."
-San Antonio, Texas: "Lodging and nutrient costs are approachable," but, "Convention halfway is much humble than those successful larger hubs connected the ranking."
-San Diego: "Near-perfect upwind is astir guaranteed successful this sought-after destination," but "High reliance connected vehicles for getting around."
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