4 ms·

Las Vegas has a uniquely scalable infrastructure for conventions. Lodging, restaurants, meeting spaces, entertainment.

0cf8612b2e1e 2y ago
Surely DEFCON has more limited attendance than any number more mainstream conferences. Search results are saying that defcon sees some 30k people. The 2023 Chicago Auto Show had 300k. Major city with all the amenities. https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/the-2023-chicago-auto-show-continues-its-strong-rebound-signaling-a-return-for-auto-shows-1/ https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/the-2023-chicago-auto-show-c...
- rahimnathwani 2y ago
  Does the Chicago Auto Show host 300k people on a single day?
  - selectodude 2y ago
    Nah, it’s about 30,000 per day for a week a half.
  - monksy 2y ago
    The Mccormick center is also hosting the DNC. (Alongside the United Center) It's very capable to handle large conferences and does throughout the year.
HWR_14 2y ago
There are other US cities that can support a convention DefCon's size. Historically, Vegas had a cost advantage. I don't know if that's still the case.
- barryrandall 2y ago
  Orlando could probably handle it, but DefCon seems a bit off-brand for Disney.
kelnos 2y ago
I agree that it's probably the best situated for that, but most conferences don't need the best. Let's look at San Francisco. A city that is not as well-suited for conventions as Las Vegas. Dreamforce (Salesforce's annual conference) draws 40,000 people. DEFCON drew 30,000 this year. DEFCON could easily be held in SF. I'm not suggesting they'd want to or should move to SF, but it would be... fine. As someone who (very) occasionally goes to conferences, Vegas is fun! I get that. I enjoy Vegas, at least for a few days before I get sick of it. There are good restaurants and shows, and virtually no puritanical laws around alcohol consumption like you find in nearly all other places in the US. It's a 24/7 city, the only one in the US. I see the appeal. (And also get why many people dislike it, largely for the same reasons many people like it.) But c'mon, there are plenty of other US cities that have the infrastructure to support a conference like DEFCON. Conference organizers pick Vegas because they like it, not because other cities can't support them.

Surely DEFCON has more limited attendance than any number more mainstream conferences. Search results are saying that defcon sees some 30k people. The 2023 Chicago Auto Show had 300k. Major city with all the amenities. https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/the-2023-chicago-auto-show-continues-its-strong-rebound-signaling-a-return-for-auto-shows-1/ https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/the-2023-chicago-auto-show-c...

rahimnathwani 2y ago
Does the Chicago Auto Show host 300k people on a single day?
- selectodude 2y ago
  Nah, it’s about 30,000 per day for a week a half.
- monksy 2y ago
  The Mccormick center is also hosting the DNC. (Alongside the United Center) It's very capable to handle large conferences and does throughout the year.

HWR_14 2y ago

There are other US cities that can support a convention DefCon's size. Historically, Vegas had a cost advantage. I don't know if that's still the case.

barryrandall 2y ago
Orlando could probably handle it, but DefCon seems a bit off-brand for Disney.

kelnos 2y ago

I agree that it's probably the best situated for that, but most conferences don't need the best. Let's look at San Francisco. A city that is not as well-suited for conventions as Las Vegas. Dreamforce (Salesforce's annual conference) draws 40,000 people. DEFCON drew 30,000 this year. DEFCON could easily be held in SF. I'm not suggesting they'd want to or should move to SF, but it would be... fine. As someone who (very) occasionally goes to conferences, Vegas is fun! I get that. I enjoy Vegas, at least for a few days before I get sick of it. There are good restaurants and shows, and virtually no puritanical laws around alcohol consumption like you find in nearly all other places in the US. It's a 24/7 city, the only one in the US. I see the appeal. (And also get why many people dislike it, largely for the same reasons many people like it.) But c'mon, there are plenty of other US cities that have the infrastructure to support a conference like DEFCON. Conference organizers pick Vegas because they like it, not because other cities can't support them.