IMEX America 2017 will be held as scheduled Oct. 10–12 (and Smart Monday, the 9th) in the aftermath of the Las Vegas massacre on Oct. 1 in which at least 58 people were killed and more than 500 were injured, but organizers will be collaborating with local authorities to determine what, if any, additional security measures to take.

Sands Expo, The Venetian and The Palazzo will host the event, though participants will also be staying at other properties.

“Over the coming days, we will be working closely with the Sands, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Las Vegas authorities to assess any additional security measures that are needed at this time,” said IMEX Group’s Chairman Ray Bloom and CEO Carina Bauer. “We will take their full advice in ensuring the best possible security and safety of our guests.”

The meetings and hotel industries are a large part of the Las Vegas culture. Many organizations and hospitality companies were quick to take to Twitter to react to this horrific news.

Monday morning, IMEX released a statement to Smart Meetings and the more than 12,000 people attending next week’s trade show. “We are shocked and saddened at the events that have taken place in Las Vegas over the past 24 hours,” the statement reads. “Both IMEX America and the Sands have very strong security in place, with both visible and plain clothes security teams in the venue and at the trade show.”

Starting at 10:08 p.m. on Sunday, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada, began firing from the window of his room on the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino as the final act of the night, Jason Aldean, was playing. He targeted the thousands of people attending the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in an area across from the hotel. It was the deadliest massacre in U.S. history. Paddock was found dead by authorities after the shooting. His motive has not been determined.

MGM Resorts International, which owns Mandalay Bay and several other hotels on The Strip, tweeted, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of last night’s tragic events. We’re grateful for the immediate actions of our first responders.”

Rossi Ralenkotter, president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, issued a statement saying, “The thoughts and prayers of all of Las Vegas go out to the victims and their families. This was a horrific, yet isolated, incident. At this time, it is important to allow the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police to conclude their investigation into the incident and to attend to the needs of the victims and their families.

“Las Vegas is a strong community that will work through this tragic incident. We are grateful beyond words to our incomparable law enforcement, first responders and everyone who continues to help victims and their families.”

For anyone looking for a way to help in the aftermath of this mass shooting, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is directing people to unitedbloodservices.org and redcross.org to donate blood.

Here are a few of the tweets from major Las Vegas properties and CVB.

 

 

advertisement