Las Vegas tourism officials are touting a new report confirming what they’ve been saying for years: It’s the best city to host meetings and conventions. A second report has three Strip resorts among the top meeting hotels in the nation.
U.S. News & World Report released its inaugural Best Conference Cities ranking. Las Vegas topped the list, followed by Chicago, Orlando, Phoenix, Houston, New York, Washington, D.C., Anaheim, San Antonio, and San Diego at No. 10.
“Earlier this year, the Las Vegas Convention Center completed a $600 million renovation effort,” the publication said in its rankings. “Combine this spacious, modernized facility with a convenient airport and the most hotel rooms of any U.S. city, and Las Vegas is tailor-made for hosting events. The city is no stranger to prodigious gatherings, from Formula One races to the Super Bowl, and has virtually no capacity limit.
“When the meetings are done, attendees have a veritable playground at their feet. Las Vegas’ attractions (the Sphere, the Venetian’s Grand Canal and the Bellagio fountains, to name a few), expansive casinos, pulsating nightclubs and – for the overstimulated – top-notch spas await,” the publication said.
The study evaluated 52 major U.S. destinations across key criteria, including meeting and event space, destination appeal, accessibility, affordability, safety, and sustainability. Thirty cities earned a place in the final ranking, with Las Vegas securing the top spot among the 10 destinations recognized with Gold Badge status.
“We’re grateful to U.S. News & World Report for this meaningful recognition,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “This distinction underscores what sets Las Vegas apart – best-in-class meeting and event infrastructure combined with the iconic Las Vegas experience that inspires attendees and elevates events. We appreciate our customers who continue to choose Las Vegas to drive their industries forward.”
Southern Nevada offers nearly 15 million square feet of meeting and convention space, including three of the 10 largest convention centers in the United States: the newly renovated 4.6-million-square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center owned and operated by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Mandalay Bay Convention Center; and The Venetian Convention & Expo Center.
Hill said Las Vegas’ meetings infrastructure is complemented by more than 150,000 hotel rooms and convenient access through Harry Reid International Airport, which provides nonstop service to more than 150 destinations.
“That accessibility, combined with the destination’s unique appeal, helps drive results for event organizers, who report an average 10 percent increase in attendance when hosting meetings in Las Vegas,” Hill said.
The destination’s meetings and conventions industry continues to demonstrate its strength, welcoming six million convention attendees in 2025, nearly matching 2024 levels, despite broader economic uncertainty and shifting travel policies, Hill said. “That performance has carried into 2026, with more than 2.5 million convention attendees visiting in the first four months of the year, a 10.1 percent year-over-year increase.”
Convention visitors in Las Vegas spend an average of $1,520 per trip. This makes them significantly more lucrative than the average leisure tourist, with their per-trip spending tracking about 25% higher than typical visitors.
U.S. News & World Report developed the ranking in consultation with event-industry experts and through a comprehensive analysis of key performance indicators. The methodology balanced affordability and infrastructure with experiential factors, such as destination appeal and sustainability initiatives.
In another ranking, CVENT released its top 2026 Meeting Hotels, naming named the Venetian Resort Las Vegas as the top meeting hotel in Las Vegas and No. 3 in North America.
JW Marriott Austin claimed CVENT’s No. 1 position this year, underscoring Austin’s continued strength as a sought-after meetings destination. The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center was ranked No. 2, followed by The Venetian and the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center at No. 4 and Fontainebleau Las Vegas No. 5. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess was No. 7, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore No. 7, Omni Nashville Hotel No. 8, followed by the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in the Dallas area at No. 9 and the Fairmont Austin at No. 10.
“The strong showing from both the Gaylord portfolio and multiple Las Vegas properties reflects a growing premium placed on destinations and brands that can reliably support large, complex events at scale – without sacrificing responsiveness or planner partnership,” CVENT said.
This Venetian recognition as No. 1 in Las Vegas comes as the resort has nearly completed its $1.5 billion property-wide redevelopment, which includes Lusso Lounge, a 10,000 square-foot space specially curated for what the company says is “to elevate executive gatherings.” It’s scheduled to open later this year. The redevelopment also includes the remodeling of more than 4,000 of 7,000 suites so far, 12 new culinary concepts opened in 2025, and an overall refresh of the Venetian Convention Center, one of the largest privately owned convention centers in the world.
“We’re deeply honored to be recognized as the number one convention hotel in Las Vegas,” said Tony Yousfi, chief sales officer at the Venetian. “Our 26-year legacy in the convention market is arguably one of our greatest assets. It means our team doesn’t just facilitate an event; we act as strategic consultants. The personal connection we build with every planner, attendee, and guest, showing that even in one of the largest hotels in the world, we never lose sight of what matters most: making each person feel seen, valued, and genuinely cared for. It’s those relationships, thoughtful touches, and shared moments that turn events into something unforgettable.”
