BluefoxToday blog : Off-Strip hotels attract conventions

Las Vegas is all about the Strip. Everybody knows what the Strip is, and means. To many visitors it's the only game in town, and why not? There certainly is within walking distance a whole slew of things to do, day and night.

Lately, though, several outlying properties in the valley have deftly created a niche market for themselves, not so much in gaming and entertainment, but in conventions. That business nowadays plays a major role in the city's diversifying economy, bringing in huge revenues every year. Among them are JW Marriott Las Vegas, Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson, South Point and Red Rock Resort. In the meeting industry they all can be categorized as mid-size in actual available space which is perfectly suited to what they want to do.

These venues appeal to the smaller conventions which generally get "lost" in one of the larger Strip hotels that continuously cater to larger events, starting, say, at 1,000 attendees and on up. People will enjoy the more personalized service they are treated to at these niche properties. Perhaps the best draw they have to offer is that conventioneers typically are more attentive and productive while attending them due to fewer distractions that the Strip environment can be full of.

Some companies that have considered taking their events out of the Strip for out-of-town locations have decided to stay and hold them at these suburban hotels. So, losing a convention there doesn't necessarily mean Las Vegas will lose it, which is a good thing. The market segment is right now doing very well and the future looks bright, too.