Venues · Rigging and LED
MGM Grand Conference Center: services, power and loading
MGM-GRAND identifies MGM Grand Las Vegas Conference Center at 3799 S Las Vegas Boulevard. It is separate from Grand Garden Arena, Park MGM, MGM Grand Detroit and Mandalay Bay. This preparation guide does not establish bookings, permits or work performed by GLMedia.
Which room, level and document revision will be used?
Capacities Guide V2.26 identifies center levels and room subdivisions. Its capacities do not automatically include stages, screens, FOH or other equipment. Confirm room, subdivision, layout, usable heights and current drawings; an elevator symbol does not provide a load rating.
Planner V.12.25 with V.4.26 schedule pages, Policies V3.26 and the Encore PDF bearing copyright 2021 linked by Planner were compared. These marks do not establish the revision applicable to your contract. The library’s old price sheet and undocumented structural capacities are not adopted.
Where can an outside AV provider work, and which services are reserved?
Policies allows outside AV companies subject to production guidelines, vendor policy, insurance and approved plans. It requires Encore equipment and operation for meetings and breakouts, excluding General Sessions from that specific obligation. This exception does not release rigging or power requirements.
The Encore PDF lists a house-audio patch charge and operation by Encore personnel in sleeping-room towers. Confirm use, interfaces, coverage and crew in writing; a published charge does not establish an accepted patch.
| Area | What the guides document | Confirmation needed |
|---|---|---|
| General Sessions / outside AV | Exception to meeting/breakout AV requirement; outside vendors subject to conditions. | Contract authorization, interfaces and responsibilities. |
| Meetings and breakouts | Encore for AV supply, setup and operation. | Included rooms and services. |
| Rigging | Encore: truss, motors and hanging services. | CAD, weights, crew and load acceptance. |
| Power | Encore and Edlen language has overlapping scope. | Written task assignments before final pricing. |
| Internet | Hotel / Meeting Innovations Team in Planner. | Contracted service, devices and approved configuration. |
Why must electrical responsibilities be clarified before contracting?
Planner and Policies reserve rigging and power to Encore while also assigning electrical services to Edlen in broad terms. The Encore PDF limits its production connections to non-tradeshow events; Policies details Edlen tasks for exhibits, LED, distribution and other settings.
Do not resolve this by assuming one replaces the other or that outside production can connect power. Request a written split from the Convention Services Manager (CSM) by event, room and task: supply, distribution, final connection, LED assembly, crew, connectors and billing. Available capacity remains unconfirmed.
What do rigging, crew and banners require?
The Encore PDF reserves truss and motors and describes at least 3 riggers plus a Rigging Event Lead who stays through final trim. Request current CAD, complete weights, reactions, point WLL and combined loads: a motor package or point charge does not certify ceiling capacity.
Banners require locations, material and schedule, with Convention Services approval; renting a foyer does not authorize hanging. The document distinguishes 4-hour general calls and 8-hour broadcast calls. It lists 7 days for changes/cancellations and 24 hours in the union section. Confirm scope and the applicable agreement without choosing the shorter notice.
How do production, vendor-list and permit deadlines differ?
The table summarizes hotel and Encore submissions. Some use arrival, others load-in, event date or service date: agree on the reference date and contract revision. Submission, hotel review and authority approval are separate stages.
Policies requests setup information for hotel drawing assistance before load-in and separately lists business-day lead time for submission. This does not guarantee a permit. Clark County Fire Prevention reviews plans and conducts inspections; event-specific permits still need determination, with approved documents available onsite.
| Submission / source | Published timing | Scope to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Public signage, Planner p. 5 | 60 days before arrival. | Proposal and diagrams to CSM. |
| Production, Planner p. 5 | 45 days before arrival. | Outside contacts, scope and production schedule. |
| Vendors, COI, network, Planner p. 6 | 30 days before arrival. | Submissions and signed terms; not automatic acceptance. |
| Approved list, Planner p. 14 | 14 days before load-in. | Companies approved for access. |
| Plans, Policies pp. 12–13 | 30 days before load-in; 10–14 business days before event. | Hotel assistance and submission: separate stages and reference dates. |
| Banners, Encore p. 3 | 14 days before load-in. | Information and location plot; does not replace foyer approval. |
How should loading and route protection be planned?
Planner requires an approved vendor list, identification and assigned staff access. Trucks cannot stage on surrounding streets; arrange offsite holding and dispatch when dock space becomes available. Loading activity requires security.
Pallet jacks are restricted to exhibit halls and back of house, not public or carpeted meeting spaces. Wheel, turning and carpet protection is required. Confirm the route, doors, elevator, wheel/support loads and floors. Those ratings were not verified; FedEx parcel service does not book production freight.
What is required for customer networking, streaming and effects?
The hotel reserves internet and requires approval for customer networking equipment. Planner identifies the Meeting Innovations Team. Do not apply the Encore PDF’s network terms to contracted hotel service without clarification. As a technical recommendation, agree on upload, dedicated service, devices and a full streaming test.
Haze, pyrotechnics and effects need hotel and authority coordination as applicable. Fire-watch language does not authorize a vendor to alter fire systems. Keep exits and signage clear; include effects and layout changes in project review.
What remains to be accepted before scope and pricing are finalized?
CAD, point/floor ratings, trim, power assignments, route, network, crew, insurance, a clarified schedule and permits remain open. The contract sets coverage requirements; submitting a COI does not establish acceptance.
Separate hotel acceptance, provider review, the organizer’s contract and public authorization. Rates, minimums and setup changes require an event-specific quote. This guide prepares the scope and does not order services.
Frequently asked questions
Does the General Sessions exception let an outside vendor provide everything?
No. It is a specific exception to meeting and breakout AV requirements. Rigging, power and other services retain their conditions, and the outside provider must meet hotel requirements.
Should all power be ordered from Encore or Edlen?
The sources overlap in scope. Ask the CSM to assign responsibilities by event, space and task before contracting. Do not interpret the difference as permission to connect power yourself.
Do hotel deadlines guarantee a permit or floor capacity?
No. They concern submissions and processes with different scopes. Permits, structural ratings and setup acceptance require project-specific verification.
Official documentation
Reviewed October 23, 2026; cutoff October 18. Official MGM and Clark County sources. Relevant sections of Capacities V2.26, Planner V.12.25/V.4.26, Policies V3.26 and Encore ©2021 linked by Planner. Electrical assignments and crew terms need clarification; CAD, structural loads, route and acceptances remain open.