City officials and developers are in Las Vegas this week, trying to lure retailers to Baltimore.

Mayor Dixon and the other members of Maryland’s delegation are out west attending ReCon: The Global Retail Real Estate convention (possibly the most awkward name ever for a convention), a place where retailers and developers network in hopes of striking future deals. Dixon is reportedly interested in finding a major department store to accompany the new arena — Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue were two options she mentioned.

Local developers are attending ReCon to mingle and look for financing. They expect deals to be made in the months following the convention, not during it. Representatives for the developers of McHenry Row, State Center, and the Oldtown Mall are passing out business cards and crossing their fingers. The developer of Harbor East is hoping to land some high-end retail (like Barney’s) for the new Legg Mason building, as well as more “chef-driven restaurants.”

Mayor Dixon seems quite optimistic and has promised some “big announcements” about new retailers — particularly supermarkets and department stores — very soon.

I have to say, I’m finding it difficult to imagine a Barney’s/Neiman Marcus/Saks anywhere within city limits. It will be interesting to see what — if anything — materializes from this Vegas trip.

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