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What Is Black Hat USA?
Black Hat USA is the world’s leading information security conference, held every August at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The 2026 edition runs August 2-7, combining two days of intensive technical training (August 2-5) with a two-day main conference and exposition (August 6-7). Black Hat draws over 20,000 security professionals, researchers, and executives from government agencies, corporations, and the cybersecurity vendor community.
Black Hat’s audience is notably technical — unlike most Las Vegas trade shows, a significant proportion of attendees are hands-on practitioners attending for the technical content rather than business development. The Briefings — 30-minute technical presentations by researchers — are the core of the event and often sell out well in advance.
Venue — Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Black Hat USA takes place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. The venue hosts both the training sessions (in dedicated classroom spaces) and the main conference exposition floor. August in Las Vegas means outdoor temperatures of 40-42°C — the indoor connection between Mandalay Bay hotel and convention center makes it possible to navigate the entire event without stepping outside.
The Black Hat Business Hall — the exhibition floor — is significantly smaller than shows like SEMA or CES. Black Hat’s primary value is in content and networking, not the exhibition itself. Plan to spend most of your time in Briefings sessions and Arsenal (the open-source tool showcase) rather than walking the exhibition floor.
Black Hat vs DEF CON — The Overlap
DEF CON — the world’s largest hacker conference — runs immediately after Black Hat every year, typically at the Las Vegas Convention Center or Caesar’s Forum. Many security professionals attend both events back-to-back, treating the combined week as the premier annual gathering of the global cybersecurity community. If you’re attending both, book accommodation for the full period — hotels near both venues are scarce and expensive during the combined Black Hat/DEF CON week.
Best Hotels for Black Hat USA
Mandalay Bay is the on-property choice with direct convention access and is strongly recommended for the August heat. Delano Las Vegas in the same tower offers all-suite accommodation with the same indoor access at a premium price point. Luxor, connected via indoor walkway, provides a more affordable alternative within the same building complex.
For detailed hotel recommendations see our Black Hat USA Las Vegas hotel guide.
👉 Compare August hotel rates on Booking.com
👉 Search Mandalay Bay area hotels on Expedia
👉 Browse Hotels.com for Black Hat week
Essential Tips for First-Time Black Hat Attendees
Register for Briefings early. Popular sessions — especially those covering high-profile vulnerabilities or novel attack research — fill to capacity. The conference app allows you to schedule sessions in advance; use it.
Bring your own charger and a VPN. Black Hat’s network is a known target environment — thousands of security researchers in one place means the wireless infrastructure should be treated as hostile. Use cellular data or a VPN for anything sensitive. The “Wall of Sheep” — a public display of intercepted credentials — is a perennial reminder that the conference network is not safe.
Business cards are still currency. Despite the technical audience, Black Hat has a strong networking culture. Bring more than you think you’ll need — the researcher community is small and well-connected.
The vendor swag is exceptional. Black Hat exhibitors are known for high-quality giveaways — plan for bag space if you’re combining with DEF CON immediately after.
Las Vegas in August — What to Know
August is peak heat season in Las Vegas — temperatures regularly exceed 40°C and rarely drop below 28°C overnight. The Mandalay Bay complex’s indoor connections make it possible to navigate the conference without outdoor exposure, but any activity outside the venue requires appropriate preparation. Stay hydrated, use sunscreen for any outdoor time, and keep outdoor sessions brief during peak afternoon hours.
The heat also means Mandalay Bay’s pool area is at its best during Black Hat week. The Beach at Mandalay Bay — an outdoor wave pool and beach complex — is a genuine post-session decompression option that Black Hat attendees regularly use.
🗺️ Viator — tours and experiences in Las Vegas for conference attendees.
🎭 Book Las Vegas shows via Caesars Rewards.
🚗 Carla — car rental comparison for Las Vegas.
🎟️ GetYourGuide — activities and experiences.
📍 Related: Looking for the complete picture? Check our complete LVCC hotel guide with all 25+ hotels ranked by walking distance to the LVCC, real trade show prices, and insider booking tips.
About this guide
Independent guide for trade show professionals attending events in Las Vegas. We cover hotels near the LVCC and Venetian Expo, transport options, dining, and exhibitor tips for CES, NAB Show, CONEXPO, SHOT Show and 20+ other major Las Vegas trade shows.