Washington, D.C. (Map, News) - Mayor Adrian Fenty will lead a delegation of D.C. leaders to Las Vegas tomorrow for the be-all and end-all of retailer conventions, where they will attempt to lure businesses to the city and stem the bleeding of local dollars to the suburbs.

Former Mayor Anthony Williams made the International Conference of Shopping Centers convention a highlight of his work year and a must-attend event for jurisdictions nationwide, making contact with major retailers Best Buy, H&M, Target, Wal-Mart, Harris Teeter, West Elm and many others during his seven visits.

Last year, Fenty’s three days in Sin City featured dozens of sit-downs with retailers, developers and investors.

“If we were not there, it would be a huge lost opportunity for the city,” said Ward 2 D.C. Councilman Jack Evans, who leaves Sunday and returns late Tuesday.

D.C. residents spend more than $1 billion a year outside of the city due to the dearth of retail options here, city officials say. And never before has retail been so important: The success of new neighborhoods to be developed on the Southwest Waterfront, at Hill East, on Poplar Point and at the old convention center site may depend on the willingness of retailers to set up shop there, bringing the amenities that residents and visitors demand.

“The development pipeline is huge,” said Sean Madigan, spokesman for the deputy mayor for economic development and planning. “Projects are hitting that point when it’s time to start making deals to bring retailers to town. We’re not just going out there saying, ‘Hey, you should think about Washington.’ ”

Some 50,000 participants will storm the Las Vegas Convention Center over the next four days.

The District’s delegation includes D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray and seven council members. The hub of the District’s operation will be a 40-by-60-foot booth on the North Hall exhibit floor operated by the Washington D.C. Economic Partnership.

“Outside of what happens in the booth, we’re going to be actively recruiting for projects in my ward,” said Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr., who will focus his attention on New York Avenue, the former Hecht’s warehouse site and Fort Lincoln. “We’re taking our bag to the West to bring back some of the gold.”

Who’s going to Las Vegas

— Mayor Adrian Fenty

— Deputy Mayor Neil Albert

— David Jannarone, director of development

— Valerie Santos Young, chief operating officer

— Steve Sigel, project manager for old convention center site

— Ayris Scales, project manager for projects in Wards 7 and 8

— Council Chairman Vincent Gray

— Councilman Kwame Brown

— Councilman Jack Evans

— Councilwoman Muriel Bowser

— Councilman Harry Thomas Jr.

— Councilman Tommy Wells

— Councilwoman Yvette Alexander

— Councilman Marion Barry

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com