The
Consumer Electronics Show 2008 could be the last edition of this exhibition
held in Las Vegas.
The CES organizers raised some concerns yesterday about the increasing prices
of the hotel accommodations as well as the food and beverage services. The
largest consumer electronic trade show organized in the U.S is a very
profitable event for the city of Las
Vegas as it brings thousands of visitors and dozens of
companies that bring the best electronic products available to the exposition. Unfortunately
the CES and organizers have told to the media that the price of doing business and organizing Las Vegas events
has increased in the recent years, a concern that is taking the organizers to
move to another city.
“We’ve
heard from our attendees, from our exhibitors, that the rates of hotels during
the International CES are increasing out of proportion from what they think it
should be,” declared the chief of the Consumer Electronics Association.Among
the several complaints received, it seems that some hotels raise their rates,
sometimes over five times the normal charge during this event, rooms
availability is also a big issue for the attendants because the reservations
should be made with several days of anticipation, sometimes even weeks. Also the prices of the food and drinks as well
as some other amusements were among the major issues the visitors and
organizers found. "The rates have become astronomical. Some of the resorts
are requiring a food and beverage guarantee on top of the hotel rooms and that
has gone up by 365 percent in the past two years. Las Vegas is no longer the cost-effective
destination it once was."
The Las
Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority expressed in a statement that they are
carefully paying attention “to the concerns of trade show partners.” They also
declared that they are discussing the issues with the Hotel Industry managers
as well as the Consume Electronic Show representatives. CES organizers said the
show may be back next year but they also confirm that they are already planning
to provide new and less expensive arrangements not only for this show but for
the visitors too.
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