The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority announced Tuesday that it has hired Dan Hayes as chief operating officer.
As COO, Hayes will lead operations, expansion, and renovation initiatives at the Las Vegas Convention Center, oversee the organization’s broader operational strategy and planning, and lead the teams responsible for convention services, guest experience, facility operations, maintenance, and energy and utility services. He will start on Nov. 3.
Hayes brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in convention and event-venue management, most recently serving as general manager of the Salt Palace Convention Center and the Mountain America Expo Center in Salt Lake County. In that role, he led a team of more than 600, oversaw major capital projects, and played a key role in planning a $1.5 billion convention center renovation, according to the LVCVA.
“Dan has a proven track record of building high-performing teams, driving results, and bolstering key partnerships,” said Steve Hill, CEO and president of the LVCVA. “His vision will be instrumental in maintaining Las Vegas’s position as the premier destination for world-class events and ensuring an exceptional convention center experience.”
Hill said Hayes is widely respected in the industry for his commitment to operational excellence, organizational culture, and sustainability, earning the Visit Salt Lake Tourism Achievement Award and multiple certifications for sustainable operations.
Hayes holds a Bachelor of Science from the School of Natural Resources at the University of Vermont.