Helicopter Association International (HAI) president Matt Zuccaro joined with staff members Tuesday at the show center to formally open the 2013 edition of Heli-Expo in Las Vegas.

“This is the biggest show we’ve ever had,” Zuccaro told the crowd before the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “All the numbers exceed anything we’ve ever had previously…I think we have a show that will probably take you all three days to walk through here and meet everybody.

“And remember, this is Las Vegas…so whatever you do here, stays here,” Zuccaro quipped.

HAI anticipates more than 23,000 industry personnel and helicopter enthusiasts will attend the show, with approximately 750 exhibitors and 60 helicopters on display throughout two convention halls.