Dec. 27, 2004 – Las Vegas' popularity is now at a fever pitch. By the end of 2004, the destination is expected to host a record-breaking 37 million visitors, with nearly half of those visitors arriving and departing through McCarran International Airport, the world’s 7th busiest airport.

Robust development activity throughout the destination confirms that Las Vegas' future looks brighter than ever: More than $1.2 billion in new construction and property expansions were recently completed with an additional $6 billion currently under way. With all of this construction, this will add nearly 4,500 new hotel rooms in 2005 to Las Vegas' current room inventory of approximately 130,000.

The destination's campaign, "Vegas Stories" and its ubiquitous tagline, "What Happens Here, Stays Here" continued to influence pop culture. The fact everyone from First Lady Laura Bush to Billy Crystal at the Academy Awards have uttered the tagline in one-way, shape or form cemented its place in the American lexicon. An independent survey of 2003 television commercials conducted by USA Today ranked "Vegas Stories" as the No. 1 most effective and No. 7 most likeable national advertising campaign of the year. As a result of the campaign's burgeoning popularity, Brandweek Magazine named the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's president and CEO, Rossi Ralenkotter, and R&R Partner's CEO, Billy Vassiliadis, 2004's Grand Marketer of the Year.

For television viewers, they can barely go a night sans Las Vegas-esque programming. NBC first jumped on board with its popular primetime drama, "Las Vegas" - which performed so well during its first season, it was one of the first to be renewed for the current fall line-up. CBS recently debuted "dr. vegas" with Rob Lowe as well as NBC's "Father of the Pride," a popular animated series based on Siegfried & Roy and their beloved tigers. In the world of reality television, FOX anted up "The Casino" which featured Golden Nugget owners Tim Poster and Tom Breitling as well as the Discovery Channel's critically-acclaimed, "American Casino." Caesars Palace will be the next property to be showcased in this new genre.

The hotel and casino recently signed a development deal with the A&E network; the show is expected to debut in early 2005. Wayne Newton and E! Entertainment are also teaming up for, "The Entertainer." Aspiring entertainers will compete for the chance to become a featured performer in Newton's show at the Stardust Hotel & Casino. The show will debut in January.

Speaking of 2005 - what an exciting year it is going to be for the destination.

For entertainment, in February, Las Vegas will welcome the fourth resident Cirque du Soleil show, "KA" at MGM Grand. "KA," ancient Hebrew for "duality", will be the first Cirque show to have a storyline. The show will tell the epic tale of twins who embark on a perilous journey to fulfill their shared destiny. The show will showcase puppetry, multimedia, pyrotechnics and martial arts.

In April, the much anticipated, Wynn Las Vegas will open. The $2.5 billion dollar resort will be the most expensive hotel in the world with more than 2,800 luxurious rooms, an in-house Ferrari and Maserati dealership and world-class restaurants and entertainment.

But 2005 belongs to the Centennial. On May 15, Las Vegas will celebrate its 100th birthday in a way only Las Vegas can. Birthday festivities officially kick off New Year's Eve with the largest fireworks show in the destination's history. Events are scheduled to run throughout the year and will range from the baking of the world' largest birthday cake to be recorded by the Guinness World Book of Records to a nationwide search for 100 altar-bound couples interested in participating in one giant ceremony.

With a multitude of momentous openings, activities and events planned for Las Vegas, there has never been a better time to visit the "Entertainment Capital of the World."

Contact:
Marina G. Nicola - Public Relations
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
3150 Paradise Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89109-9096
Tel: +1 (702) 892-7686
Fax: +1 (702) 892-7630