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November 11, 2009

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Cost has driven away conventions before

Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008 | 2 a.m.

That the Consumer Electronics Show is considering dropping out of Las Vegas may not be just a threat. Exhibitors and attendees are hurting from aggressive rates for floor space and hotel rooms, even with an overabundance of both. All the while the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority spends (wastes?) lots of room tax money advertising Las Vegas’ facilities.

I remember the 1960s, when Boston was the center of the universe for the exchange of information regarding electronics and the emerging computers. These were the days when transistors began replacing vacuum tubes and console lights/switches, Teletype, punch cards and paper tape.

These shows, where I worked the floor and walked the aisles, suddenly shut down the day parking became $7 a day (around the display area as well as Scollay Square and Washington Street). Everything moved to New York for 1967, where it stayed until that city became too expensive.

Las Vegas was built on the ripple of the green. Should we allow one segment of the hospitality industry to kill the golden egg?

Richard E. Law, Las Vegas

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