Three new tech shows coming to Las Vegas next year

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000 | 11:19 a.m.

Two technology trade shows that have outgrown their San Jose, Calif., home will debut at the Las Vegas Convention Center next year. A third show produced by the same company will have its inaugural event here.

IDG World Expo, Framingham, Mass., which produces the three shows, will bring more than 80,000 people to the city for the conferences and exhibitions.

The inaugural Internet Entertainment Expo (IEX), which will focus on high-tech products to expand entertainment Internet sites, will meet March 19-22. The Internet Commerce Expo (ICe), at which companies display e-commerce and business-to-business products, is planned July 30-Aug. 2. The ASPWorld Conference & Expo (ASP), a general interest information technology show, is scheduled Aug. 13-16.

IDG spokeswoman Sasha Navas said the shows left San Jose because the community didn't have the amenities to meet their needs. She cited hotel rooms, restaurants and evening activities available in Las Vegas as key to the move.

Navas said the ICe and ASP shows will bring a combined 60,000 people and each will occupy 150,000 square feet of exhibit space. Organizers aren't projecting attendance figures for the IEX show, but plan to have 300,000 square feet of exhibit space. Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority officials say they have been asked to gear up for 20,000 people for that show.

By comparison, the giant Comdex show, scheduled to begin in 11 days, draws more than 200,000 people and exhibits in more than 1 million square feet in multiple venues.

IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers about technology and produces 168 computer-related shows worldwide.