Las Vegas relies heavily on the meetings and events industry (Image Las Vegas News Bureau)

Concerned by the current state of the U.S. meetings industry, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority president Rossi Ralenkotter has called for a new national agenda to "support and strengthen" the MICE industry.

"Meetings and conventions are a major driver of the economy in every community across America, supporting more than six million jobs for American workers," said Mr Ralenkotter of the US$460 billion industry.

"We need to support and strengthen this industry by establishing a new agenda for change that promotes the value of business travel to the economy and to corporate bottom lines."

In a newly released white paper, the Las Vegas boss identified three significant trends that will impact the future of the meetings industry: technology and the consequences for face-to-face meetings; cost cutting measures in government and business agencies; and growing challenges to long haul travel.

"In Las Vegas, we pride ourselves as being the meetings capital of the world - from trade shows and job fairs, to corporate board meetings and company sales meetings, we understand the value of face-to-face meetings," he remarked.

In addition to his role as president and chief executive of the Las Vegas CVB, Mr Ralenkotter was recently installed as chair of the U.S. Travel Association, having served as chairman of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board from 2009 to 2011.