Plan your event
Answer a few questions and get the permits, licenses, tax steps and safety approvals your Las Vegas event needs, with a target date and source for each.
Still choosing dates? Check them against big Las Vegas shows. Running a show? Make a free exhibitor info page.
Start from your event size
25 to 100 peopleQuick event
A meeting, dinner or reception. Usually one room, one caterer and a guest list.
101 to 500 peopleMeeting or conference
A training, conference or gala. Fire permits change at 300 people, so pick the checklist for your count.
501 to 2,500 peopleFull event
A conference with exhibits or a consumer show. Vendors, staffing and a saved plan your team shares.
2,501 to 10,000 peopleConvention
A multi-day show with exhibitors and sponsors. Fire plan review starts at 3,600 people.
10,000 people or moreMajor convention
A citywide show with a general contractor, housing company and many venues. Use the lifecycle to coordinate the rest.
Start from your event type
- Corporate meeting or offsiteA company meeting, sales kickoff or offsite in a hotel or conference space, with catered meals.
- Ballroom gala or awards dinnerA seated dinner, gala or awards night in a hotel ballroom, with a bar and live entertainment.
- Consumer expoA public show where exhibitors sell to visitors, often with food samples and stage demos.
- Wedding or bridal expoA bridal show with vendor booths, tastings, a fashion show and on-site booking.
- Side party during a showA client reception, happy hour or after-party during a big show week.
5 items for your event
Permits and licenses
Fire permit, likely by inspection
Indoor exhibits with 300 or more people need a Clark County fire permit. Events with an occupant load under 3,600, within 75% of the exit capacity, and with no pyrotechnics, open flame or flame effects can use a permit by inspection instead of plan review. Ask your venue how far ahead to file.
ConfirmedClark County Fire Department, usually filed with your venueClark County Fire: permit by inspection for indoor exhibits
Special event permit
Clark County says indoor events need a special event permit, with a location agreement and a safety and security plan. Several event types also need a bond or certificate of insurance in the packet; check that your business policy covers off-site events. Submissions are by appointment (BLSpecialEvents@ClarkCountyNV.gov, 702-455-4252). Registered charities with a county Certificate of Recognition don't pay this department's permit fees.
ConfirmedClark County Temporary Events teamClark County special events FAQ
Tax
No one-time sales tax permit if nothing is sold
A one-time permit isn't required for a trade show closed to the public with no retail sales.
Not yet confirmedNevada Department of TaxationNevada Department of Taxation one-time event guidelines
Contracts and housing
Negotiate room block attrition
Room block contracts usually allow 10 to 20% slippage before you owe for unused rooms. Negotiate it, plus cancellation and force majeure terms, before signing.
ConfirmedHotels and your contract reviewerCAP study guide: RFPs and room block attrition
Publish a scam warning for your attendees
Big shows warn attendees and exhibitors that they don't sell attendee lists and name their only official housing vendor. Scammers target new shows too.
ConfirmedYou, on your event websiteCES customer scam notice
This is a planning guide, not legal advice. Target dates are suggestions, not agency deadlines. Confirm every item with the agency or your venue.