Las Vegas is the best city in the country to have a conference, U.S. News & World Report said Tuesday in its inaugural 2026-2027 Best Conference Cities ranking.
After evaluating 52 destinations, U.S. News produced a top 30 list of best conference locations based on data gathered on meeting and event space, destination appeal, accessibility, affordability, safety and sustainability.
“We’re grateful to U.S. News & World Report for this meaningful recognition,” Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said in a release on report results. “This distinction underscores what sets Las Vegas apart — best-in-class meeting and event infrastructure combined with the iconic Las Vegas experience that inspires attendees and elevates events. We appreciate our customers who continue to choose Las Vegas to drive their industries forward.”
Las Vegas outshined major convention cities Chicago (No. 2), New York (6), Washington, D.C. (7) and San Diego (10) in the rankings. The rest of the top 10 included Orlando, Florida (3), Phoenix (4), Houston (5), Anaheim, California (8) and San Antonio, Texas (9).
15 million square feet
Southern Nevada offers nearly 15 million square feet of meeting and convention space, including three of the 10 largest convention centers in the United States: the newly renovated, 4.6-million-square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center, owned and operated by the LVCVA; The Venetian Convention & Expo Center, 2.25 million square feet, operated by Apollo Global Management; and Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 2.1 million square feet, owned and operated by MGM Resorts International.
Las Vegas’ meetings infrastructure is complemented by more than 150,000 hotel rooms and easy access through Harry Reid International Airport, which provides nonstop service to more than 150 destinations. That accessibility, combined with the destination’s appeal, helps drive results for event organizers, who report an average 10 percent increase in attendance when hosting meetings in Las Vegas.
More than 6 million attendees
The destination’s meetings and conventions industry continues to demonstrate its strength, welcoming more than 6 million convention attendees in 2025, nearly matching 2024 levels despite broader economic uncertainty and shifting travel policies. That performance has carried into 2026, with more than 2.5 million convention attendees visiting in the first four months of the year, a 10.1 percent year-over-year increase.
The U.S. News ranking was made in consultation with event industry experts and through a comprehensive analysis of key performance indicators. The methodology balanced practical considerations, such as affordability and infrastructure, with experiential factors, such as destination appeal and sustainability initiatives.
The U.S. News evaluation of Las Vegas said, “Earlier this year, the Las Vegas Convention Center completed a $600 million renovation effort. Combine this spacious, modernized facility with a convenient airport and the most hotel rooms of any U.S. city and Las Vegas is tailor-made for hosting events. The city is no stranger to prodigious gatherings, from Formula One races to the Super Bowl, and has virtually no capacity limit.
“When the meetings are done, attendees will have a veritable playground at their feet. Las Vegas’ attractions (the Sphere, the Venetian’s Grand Canal and the Bellagio fountains, to name a few), expansive casinos, pulsating nightclubs and – for the overstimulated – top-notch spas await.”
Each city’s ranking also included a weakness in the destination. For Las Vegas, the listing said, “Walking from point A to point B is never as easy as it seems.”
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.
Pros and cons
The U.S. News & World Report ranking of the nation’s top conference cities listed the top pros and cons of each city in the top 10. Here’s what it said about Las Vegas’ rivals:
-Chicago: “This Midwestern mecca offers high flight volume and a vast transit network without the premium pricing of East Coast hubs,” but added, “First- and fourth-quarter events are risky due to winter storms and notorious delays at O’Hare International Airport.”
-Orlando: “The Convention Center District is stacked with walkable properties,” but, “Orlando doesn’t offer quite as much appeal and variety in terms of cultural attractions and cuisine.”
-Phoenix: “Morning meetings lead to poolside afternoons,” but, “Phoenix doesn’t have the transit systems or walkability of other top cities.”
-Houston: “Houston has some of the lowest lodging rates on this list,” but, “Summer storms can be unpredictable.”
-New York: “NYC is a prime destination for attractions, food and nightlife,” but “Lodging rates are higher than any other destination on this ranking.”
-Washington D.C.: “With three airports and one of the largest transit systems in the U.S., getting to and around the city is a breeze,” but, “D.C.’s total room count is lower than other top cities.”
-Anaheim, California: “Mild temperatures and minimal precipitation year-round mean events can comfortably take place any time of year,” but, “Immediate offerings around the convention center are more generic than in other destinations.”
-San Antonio, Texas: “Lodging and food costs are approachable,” but, “Convention center is more modest than those in larger hubs on the ranking.”
-San Diego: “Near-perfect weather is almost guaranteed in this sought-after destination,” but “High reliance on vehicles for getting around.”
