Meeting attendance is close to pre-2008 level.

"We're seeing increasing strength in the meetings and convention sectors,
said Alan Feldman, a spokesman for MGM Resorts International, which hosts large
trade shows at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and smaller gatherings at the Aria,
MGM Grand, Bellagio and Mirage.

"Not only are meetings bookings up but the number of room bookings are also up and cancellations are down, all of which is good."
"It's a sign that business is getting back to business across the country."

Feldman said that another sign the economy is improving is that conventioneers are
staying longer after their meetings.

"Future bookings are looking good and we are seeing strength in numbers of bookings
and room rates."

In the first 11 months of 2011 attendees of meetings and conventions represented
more than 13.1 percent of the city's tourist visitation. In 2010 it was just under 12 percent.

In the first 11 months of last year, the city played host to 17,756 conventions,
trade shows, meetings and conferences, a 4.6 percent increase over 2010. Attendance
was up 9.2 percent to 4.7 million people.