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Planning a Las Vegas trade show trip? Book in this order: (1) Hotel — 60-90 days out, near your venue; (2) Flight — 45-60 days out; (3) Car rental if needed; (4) Airport transfer — rideshare or taxi. Hotel: our Price Watch measured all-in averages from $104 a night (quiet February week) to $242 (SHOT Show week) on September 27, 2026; check live rates for your dates. Harry Reid Airport (LAS) is a short ride from the Strip.
Step 1: Book Your Hotel First
Hotels near convention venues sell out 60-90 days before major shows. Book before flights. Use our show-specific hotel guides to find the best options near your venue — LVCC, Venetian Expo, Mandalay Bay, Caesars Forum. Our Price Watch averages, all-in, measured September 27, 2026: $104 a night for a quiet February week, $126 to $145 for most of the big-show weeks we track, and $242 for SHOT Show week. Individual hotels can be far above or below these averages.
- Near LVCC (SEMA, CES, NAB, MINExpo): Westgate (walkable), Renaissance, Marriott Convention Center
- Near Venetian Expo (Oracle, AWS, HIMSS): Venetian/Palazzo (on-site), Wynn/Encore, Resorts World
- Near Mandalay Bay (HR Tech, SupplySide): Mandalay Bay/Delano (on-site), MGM Grand, Park MGM
- Near Caesars Forum (IMEX, G2E): Caesars Palace (on-site), Bally’s, Paris Las Vegas
Compare Las Vegas convention hotels on Hotels.com | Complete hotel guide by venue
Budget alternatives near the LVCC: Sonesta Simply Suites (recently renovated, walking distance to the LVCC, meeting room for up to 24 guests) is one of the best value options for trade show attendees who prioritize proximity over Strip glitz. Further south, M Resort Spa & Casino completed a $206 million expansion in late 2025, doubling capacity to 765 rooms and adding the 15,000-square-foot Montese Ballroom. It is off-Strip in Henderson, but rates during convention weeks can run 40-60% below comparable Strip properties. Two other options worth checking: AC Las Vegas Symphony Park (Downtown, the only dual-branded non-gaming hotel, with 18,000 square feet of event space near The Smith Center) and Green Valley Ranch in Henderson (completing a $200 million renovation by December 2026, with 69,000 square feet of modernized meeting space).
Step 2: Book Your Flight
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) serves Las Vegas with direct flights from most major US cities and international hubs. Best booking window: 45-60 days before departure for domestic US routes. Avoid the Sunday after major conventions — everyone leaves at once and flights spike.
- From the East Coast (NYC, Boston, Miami): 5-6h direct; check fares on Google Flights
- From the West Coast (LA, SF, Seattle): 1-2h direct; check fares on Google Flights
- From Chicago / Dallas: 3-4h direct; check fares on Google Flights
- International: Connect through LA, San Francisco, or Chicago
Search and compare flights: Kiwi.com US flight search
Fewer seats, book earlier (updated October 2026): Harry Reid International Airport passenger traffic fell 9.2% in August 2026 versus a year earlier, largely driven by Spirit Airlines ending operations in May 2026. Southwest (-4.6%) and Delta (-8.8%) also carried fewer passengers, while Frontier Airlines picked up share (+35.3%). Fewer available seats can mean less fare flexibility during peak convention weeks — book your flight as soon as your show dates are confirmed. (Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, Sept 29, 2026)
Step 3: Airport to Hotel — Transport Options
Harry Reid Airport (LAS) is 4 miles from the Strip. Transport options:
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): the price changes with demand, so check the app. Best option for most attendees.
- Taxi: flat zone fares to the Strip, roughly $22 to $30 depending on the zone (Las Vegas Advisor), available outside baggage claim.
- Hotel shuttle: Many Strip hotels offer free shuttles — check with your hotel.
- Las Vegas Monorail: Connects MGM Grand to SLS (Sahara) — useful for mid-Strip.
- Rental car: Only if you plan to explore outside the Strip/convention corridor.
Full guide: Las Vegas airport to convention center transport
New at Reid International (2026): The TSA Gateside program now allows trusted travelers (TSA PreCheck, Global Entry) and their children to proceed to airport gates without a boarding pass — useful for accompanying colleagues or clients to their departure gate. Available at Reid International and 12 other major US airports. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, September 2026.
Step 4: Car Rental (If Needed)
Most trade show attendees don’t need a car — rideshare covers the Strip and convention venues efficiently. Rent a car only if you plan day trips to Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, or meetings outside the convention corridor. Las Vegas has a rental car facility (CONRAC) connected to the airport by shuttle.
Compare rental car options via Carla | EconomyBookings Las Vegas
Step 5: Restaurants Near Your Convention Venue
Las Vegas has excellent dining options near every convention venue. For client dinners and team meals during convention week, book ahead — popular spots fill up 2-3 weeks in advance during major shows.
- Near LVCC: Westgate buffet, Wingstop, local options on Paradise Rd
- Near Venetian/Palazzo: The Venetian has 20+ restaurants on-site; Bouchon, Sugarcane, Mercado
- Near Mandalay Bay: Fleur by Hubert Keller, Border Grill, Libertine Social
- Mid-Strip (for all venues): Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, Secret Pizza (The Cosmopolitan), Eataly (Park MGM)
See: Michelin Guide Las Vegas 2026 — Best restaurants for convention attendees
New in 2026 for client dinners: CARBONE Riviera at Bellagio (Italian, front-row Fountain views, private dining), COTE at The Venetian (first Michelin-starred Korean BBQ in Vegas, ideal for group dinners), Gymkhana at ARIA (two Michelin stars, first US location), and Maroon at SAHARA Las Vegas (Afro-Caribbean, walkable from LVCC). Also worth knowing: Bazaar Meat by José Andrés at The Palazzo (tableside experience, private dining rooms), Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse at Wynn (group celebrations), and Cantina Contramar at Fontainebleau (Mexican coastal cuisine by Chef Gabriela Cámara).
Save Money with Vegas Unlocked (Show Your Badge)
Most trade show attendees never hear about this: the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority runs a free program called Vegas Unlocked that offers exclusive discounts to anyone wearing a convention badge. No app download required. Sign up online, receive your pass instantly by text and email, then show your badge at participating venues.
Current deals include: 15% off Las Vegas Monorail unlimited-ride passes, up to 20% off KA by Cirque du Soleil tickets, 20% off food and drinks at Flight Club Social Darts, and a free Passport Savings Book at Grand Canal Shoppes. Deals rotate, so check the official page before your trip.
This is one of the easiest ways to offset convention-week pricing. Ask your show organizer if they have registered for the program, or sign up directly through the LVCVA attendee deals page.
Step 6: Evening Activities
After a full day on the show floor, Las Vegas offers world-class entertainment. Three options that work especially well for trade show groups:
- The Sphere: Immersive concert/film experience at 255 Sands Ave. 17,600-seat capacity. Book well in advance. Sphere Las Vegas guide
- High Roller Observation Wheel: 550 ft ferris wheel at The LINQ. 30-min rides. Open bar cabins available. Great for team outings. Book via Vegas.com
- Las Vegas Shows: Cirque du Soleil (multiple venues), residency concerts, comedy shows. Book 2-4 weeks out during convention season.
Go City’s Las Vegas All-Inclusive Pass bundles top attractions and tours into one ticket. Promotions change through the year — check the current offer on their site. See current pass prices →
Las Vegas Trade Show Trip Budget Calculator
| Hotel | nights × the all-in rate for your dates. Our Price Watch averages: $104 a night (quiet February week) to $242 (SHOT Show week) |
| Registration | from the official show page (CES 2027 Standard Pass: $149 until November 30) |
| Flights | Google Flights for your city and dates |
| Airport transfers | taxi zone fare (about $30 to the LVCC) or the rideshare price in the app |
| Meals and evenings | your own daily budget |
Source: LasVegasTrade Price Watch, Google Hotels listed prices including taxes and resort fees, measured September 27, 2026. These are averages across the hotels returned for each show: check live rates for your dates.
See also: Las Vegas Trade Show Budget Guide: Real Costs | Las Vegas Trade Show Calendar 2026-2027
International Flights to Las Vegas
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) receives direct international flights from an increasing number of cities. Key routes for trade show professionals:
- Sydney, Australia (Qantas) – New nonstop service launching December 2026. First direct Sydney to Las Vegas route. ~15h flight. Ideal for Australian professionals attending CES, NAB Show, or InfoComm.
- London, UK (Virgin Atlantic, British Airways) – Connecting via LA or direct seasonal service. 10-11h.
- Toronto, Canada (Air Canada) – 5h direct. Strong Canadian B2B convention attendance.
- Frankfurt, Germany (Lufthansa connect) – Via hub. European trade show professionals.
For international attendees, book flights 60-90 days out. During major convention weeks (CES, SEMA), LAS airport gets congested on arrival/departure days. Search international flights to Las Vegas
Travel Medical Insurance for Las Vegas Trade Shows
If you travel internationally for Las Vegas conventions, standard health insurance may not cover medical transport home in a serious emergency — evacuation can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Medjet is a global air-medical transport membership program: if you are hospitalized more than 150 miles from home, Medjet arranges transport to your preferred home hospital. Popular with frequent B2B travelers attending CES, NAB Show, and InfoComm. Annual membership from $315/year. Learn more about Medjet travel medical coverage
Affiliate disclosure: LasVegasTrade.com may earn a commission from Medjet memberships purchased through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Stay Connected: eSIM for International Visitors
If you are flying in from outside the US, sorting out mobile data before you land saves time and money. An eSIM from Simsima lets you activate a US data plan directly on your phone — no physical SIM card to swap, no kiosk queue at the airport. You download the eSIM profile before departure and switch it on when you land at Harry Reid. Check current plan prices on Simsima before you buy. Works with most phones made after 2019 (iPhone XS and later, recent Samsung Galaxy and Pixel models). Having data from the moment you arrive means ride apps, maps, and real-time convention schedules work immediately — essential when your first meeting is the morning after landing.