The addition would beat out the nearby Venetian resort and its Sands Expo, which had a combined total of 1,600,000 sq ft (150,000 m2).

[2][5][6] Construction began in June 2001,[4][7] but was subsequently put on hold for nearly six months,[4] due to the economic impact of the September 11 attacks.

[10] The $236 million Mandalay Bay Convention Center opened on January 6, 2003,[4][11] with 1,500,000 sq ft (140,000 m2) of space.

MGM Mirage acquired the facility and Mandalay Bay in 2005, and convention bookings improved under the new ownership.

[20][21] Construction began in October 2014,[21] and the addition opened in August 2015,[22][23] bringing the facility to 2,000,000 sq ft (190,000 m2).

Renovations to the existing facilities concluded in January 2016,[24] with second-floor space converted into the 70,000 sq ft (6,500 m2) Oceanside Ballroom.