The Las Vegas tourism agency Tuesday approved $4.6 million in expenditures as part of its efforts to attract visitors and conventions to the city, including continued funding for the NBA Summer League hosted by Las Vegas since 2004.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors authorized $4.25 million to host the annual NBA Summer League basketball competition through July 2028. This year’s event runs July 9-19 at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of UNLV.
The LVCVA is spending $1.25 million this year and will increase that to $1.5 million in 2027 and $1.5 million in 2028 as part of a sponsorship agreement.
The NBA Summer League is an 11-day 76-game showcase where all 30 NBA franchises evaluate talent, develop emerging players, and spotlight top rookies making the jump from college basketball to the professional league. Games are broadcast nationally on ESPN and NBA TV, with live streaming available through the NBA mobile app.
The NBA Summer League is projected to attract more than 76,000 out-of-town visitors, generating over 132,000 incremental room nights for the Las Vegas market.
The Board also allocated $345,000 to MGM Resorts International for hosting the ASAE CEO Conclave at the MGM Grand in 2025. The ASAE represents organizations and professionals in the meetings and events industry with resources, strategies, and solutions to improve and enhance event planning. The ASAE CEO Conclave is ASAE’s signature executive experience for top industry leaders to engage with peers and gain insight into emerging industry trends.
Las Vegas served as the official destination of the 2025 Conclave, which took place at MGM Grand. This event was co-sponsored between the LVCVA, MGM Resorts, Allegiant Stadium, and ASAE Foundation. As part of its obligations as a Conclave sponsor and destination host, the LVCVA engaged MGM for catering, exhibitor services, audio-visual equipment, and receptions for the attendees. LVCVA representatives attended the Conclave and engaged with more than 100 association CEOs during educational sessions and receptions.
In addition, the Board approved an agreement with Vegas Loop Operations Co. in the amount of $25 million for a five-year term through June 2031 for operations and management services for the Vegas Loop at the Las Vegas Convention Center. That comes to $5 million a year.
In May 2019, the Board approved a design and construction contract with The Boring Company for a campus-wide people mover to transport visitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center across campus.
The system has moved over 3.5 million passengers within the campus.
