Check Vegas’ convention schedule before planning your trip

It’s a dull Wednesday at work and you’re hoping for a little excitement this weekend. Perhaps a last-minute trip to Vegas would cure the workaday blues? Or, you may be thinking of a pull-out-all-the-stops luxury trip a few months from now, with a stay at the Bellagio and dining at some of the city’s finest restaurants.

For either type of trip, it’s wise to first check the Las Vegas convention calendar before booking. Vegas is one of the country’s top spots for conventions, and if a few major ones are in town at the same time, you may be hard pressed to find a decently priced hotel room—or any vacancies at all.

Use the website to see which groups will be in town during your anticipated trip dates, how many people will be in attendance, and which hotels will be hosting these large groups. Hoping to stay at the Las Vegas Hilton? You may want to avoid traveling July 17 through 27, when 8,000 representatives from the American Contract Bridge League will be on-site. If you had your heart set on Caesars Palace, you might have difficulty finding a room there July 21 through 24, when the national rally for the Home & Garden Party rolls into town.

By taking a look at which properties are affected by heavy convention schedules, you’ll get a good sense of the best availability (and, as a result, prices) for your properties of choice.

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