Published on: June 23, 2026, 06:37h. 

Updated on: June 23, 2026, 06:37h.

• Las Vegas has claimed the top position in U.S. News & World Report‘s first-ever ranking of the finest conference cities in the nation.
• This research-focused study emphasized the city’s extensive 150,000 hotel accommodations, convenient airport access, and the recently upgraded 4.6 million-square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center.
• According to the LVCVA, convention attendance in Las Vegas is on the rise, experiencing a 10.1% year-over-year growth with over 2.5 million participants in the initial months of 2026.

Las Vegas has been recognized as the premier conference city in U.S. News & World Report‘s inaugural list of “Best Conference Cities.” The analytical study, released on Tuesday, assessed 52 major U.S. destinations based on essential criteria such as meeting and event facilities, destination appeal, accessibility, affordability, safety, and sustainability.

“The recent $600 million renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center culminates a transformative endeavor,” the publication noted. “When you integrate this expansive, modernized venue with convenient airport access and the largest hotel inventory in any U.S. city, Las Vegas becomes a premier location for events.”

“We sincerely appreciate U.S. News & World Report for this significant acknowledgment,” expressed Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). “This honor emphasizes what distinguishes Las Vegas — unparalleled meeting and event facilities combined with the iconic Las Vegas atmosphere that motivates attendees and enhances events. We are thankful for our clients who persist in selecting Las Vegas to advance their industries.”

U.S. News & World Report named the Venetian as the top conference hotel in Las Vegas.

Thirty U.S. cities were featured in the final rankings. Chicago secured the second position, benefiting from dual airports, high transit efficiency, and notable walkability, alongside having the largest exhibit hall in the country (McCormick Place).

Orlando, with “the second most extensive hotel room availability,” placed third.

Business Thrives in Vegas

As per an LVCVA announcement celebrating the accolade, Las Vegas offers approximately 15 million square feet of meeting and convention space, which includes three of the ten largest convention centers in the United States: the Las Vegas Convention Center, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and the Venetian Convention & Expo Center.

The extensive meetings infrastructure in Las Vegas is further supported by over 150,000 hotel rooms and easy accessibility via Harry Reid International Airport, which offers nonstop flights to more than 150 locations.

In 2025, Las Vegas welcomed six million convention visitors, nearing 2024 figures despite wider economic challenges and changing travel regulations, according to the LVCVA. This positive trend has continued into 2026, with over 2.5 million convention attendees recorded in the first four months, marking a 10.1% increase compared to the previous year.

The ranking by U.S. News & World Report was crafted in collaboration with event industry specialists and involved a thorough examination of key performance indicators. The methodology integrated practical aspects, such as cost-effectiveness and infrastructure, along with experiential elements, like destination allure and sustainability initiatives.