China Electronics Wholesaler

The Electronic Entertainment Expo -- formerly the biggest convention in gaming -- has been in flux for a few years now, but things are about to get a lot more concrete. According to a Gamasutra report, E3 is not only returning to its extravagant roots at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but it's also apparently scheduled to remain there until 2011.

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is enthusiastic over the gaming expo's renewed allegiance to the L.A. Convention Center, telling Gamasutra, "There is much to be said about a convention of this magnitude returning to the entertainment capital of the world," adding, "The video game industry is one of the few industries in the nation that continues to show signs of growth, and ESA's three-year commitment to Los Angeles is a testament to our city's formidable hospitality and technology sectors."

The L.A. mayor has good reason to be excited; with attendees expected to buy up over 33,000 hotel room nights, the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau predicts that next year's E3 will employ over 470,000 locals in the aforementioned hospitality and tech industries, as well as raking in an estimated $18 million in revenue for the city.

It certainly looks like E3 2009 will benefit the city of Los Angeles, but we'll have to wait and see if it ends up paying off for gamers as well. Public shows like the overwhelmingly popular Penny Arcade Expo have already started to eclipse the spectacle of E3's past. With no announced plans to make E3 a public event, it'll be interesting to see how gaming's trade show of choice maintains its relevance in the coming years.