World of Concrete trade show opened Tuesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, its the first major trade show in the U.S. since the March 2020 onset of the pandemic. Las Vegas tourism officials hope it will help the casino economy recover .

As part of that recovery effort, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has touted its new $1 billion West Hall at the Convention Center and $52.5 million Tesla people mover by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company.

Officials said that the only people who can use the underground Tesla system for the convention are attendees with official badges. Convention Center staff also will be allowed to ride in the Teslas.

The intent of the 1.7 mile underground tunnel system is to move attendees from different sites at the convention center. As many as 60000 people attended pre-pandemic World of Concrete events in Las Vegas. This year’s number has not been released.

Conventions are considered important in filling up Las Vegas hotel rooms, especially during the slower middle of the week.

Beyond that, plans are in place to expand the Tesla tunnels in Vegas.  The Boring Company has entered into an agreement with local governments to build a 15 mile “Vegas Loop” to include hotel-casinos and attractions.

Plans are underway to built a tunnel to Encore Las Vegas and Resorts World Las Vegas. Encore is on the east side of the Strip. Resorts World was built at the location of the now-demolished Stardust Casino.

The Las Vegas Raiders also have been in discussions to connect Allegiant Stadium to the underground Tesla network. The off-Strip, 65000-seat stadium is just west of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Editing by Rachel Hu