Local vendors hope omicron won’t affect upcoming conventions

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – With the Omicron variant now confirmed in Clark County, many upcoming shows and conventions fear being canceled again.
At the LVCVA, several conventions are expected to take place, with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) being a major event in the coming weeks.
8News Now spoke to the vendors about their thoughts on the cancellations and whether they have any concerns about their business.
I was going to be in different wedding shows and those got moved again,” makeup artist Justine Hill said. “I don’t think things have recovered as much as they seem,” she added.
Vendors and indie artists like Justine are seeing an increase in canceled and/or postponed events, and many believe this is due to the Omicron variant.
“I’ve tried to go out and market in the convention space, but I feel like with the makeup and this new variation, it’s definitely making cancellations a thing now,” she said. .
Currently, no cancellations have been announced at the Convention Center and in a statement, LVCVA said, “We will continue to follow our benchmark protocols in effect since the Las Vegas Convention Center reopened in June.”
CES back in Vegas in January said in a statement, “While it is too early to determine the impact of this latest variant, we will continue to monitor and adjust health plans and protocols as necessary. .”
Calanit Atia, owner of A to Z Events in Las Vegas, says that while this new twist could pose a threat to her business, she’s not worried. “We’ve been working with the convention and events industry for 20 years and I’m so sure of the future that I’m even hiring people now.”
CES will take place from January 5 to 8 at the Convention Center.