VEGAS CHAMBER OCTOBER 2021 BUSINESS VOICE
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BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER
MARY BETH SEWALD PRESIDENT & CEO
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his month, we celebrate the very best of our vibrant and diverse business community – the small businesses and employers that make our community thrive. This issue is dedicated to showcasing the more than 50 nominees of our new Business of the Year Awards.
This diverse group of outstanding companies – large and small - represent the very best in our community. Despite the tremendous challenges of the past year and a half, they have demonstrated resilience, leadership, community spirit, and optimism about the future. You can read about the nominees in this issue to discover their unique DNA. And please join us for the Business of the Year Awards luncheon, in partnership with Nevada State Bank, on October 27 at the World Market Center. It will be a celebration for the entire Chamber community that you do not want to miss.
This partnership with Workforce Connections is one-of-a-kind, as the Vegas Chamber is the only chamber in the United States that provides this type of resource directly to its members. Over the past year, the Business Hub has helped many businesses with their employment needs, whether finding qualified employees, plugging into training programs, or accessing government resources to help cover payroll. Please reach out to us to help you with your hiring, recruitment, and training needs. There are many amazing things ahead at the Vegas Chamber, including exciting announcements about Preview Las Vegas 2022. Please keep your eyes open for information about speakers and the venue. Preview will definitely be the place to be in January. Every day, we live our purpose at the Vegas Chamber – to help you grow and thrive, and to drive prosperity throughout our entire community. Please reach out to us; the Vegas Chamber is here to serve you.
October is the first anniversary of the Employ NV Business Hub inside the Vegas Chamber.
VEGAS CHAMBER OCTOBER 2021 BUSINESS VOICE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
BusinessVoice Voice Business
October 2021 3 7 8
VOLUME 44 NUMBER 10 Vegas Chamber
Message from our President & CEO Mary Beth Sewald
575 Symphony Park Avenue, Ste. 100 Las Vegas, NV 89106 702.641.5822 • VegasChamber.com
Housing Déjà Vu? Nevada State Bank Business of the Year Awards: Snapshots of the nominees
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Vegas Chamber 401K Plan - National Retirement Security by Joe Caldera / Caldera Wealth Management
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What’s Happening - Chamber Events
Mary Beth Sewald President & CEO Vegas Chamber 2021 Board of Trustees Executive Committee Gina Bongiovi
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Partners In Actions: New WC Podcast!
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Watersmart: Landscape Conversions
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WELCOME New Members!
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Member News
Immediate Past Chair Cragin & Pike
Executive Women’s Council - Ivette Fernandez
Hugh Anderson
President’s Club Member Spotlight
Mike Bolognini
Chamber Benefits: Exclusive Health Plan for Members
Betsy Fretwell
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Chairwoman Bongiovi Law Firm
Michael Feder
Tom Burns
Hightower Las Vegas Cox Communications
Bank of Nevada
John Guedry Lisa Howfield KLAS-TV
Lori Nelson-Kraft LVCA
Ellen Schulhofer Brownstein
Terrance Shirey Nevada State Bank
Chris Wilcox Eide Bailly LLP
Ryan Woodward National Technical Institute
The Business Voice (USPS #717-970) is published by Vegas Chamber 575 Symphony Park Ave., Ste. 100 Las Vegas, NV 89106 Annual Subscription $25 Periodical postage paid at Las Vegas, NV POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Vegas Chamber, 575 Symphony Park Ave., Ste. 100 Las Vegas, NV 89106
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6830 S. Ft. Apache Rd. Las Vegas, NV, 89148 www.TheLearningExperience.com BUSINESS VOICErhodesranch@tlechildcare.com OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER www.facebook.com/TheLearningExperienceLasVegas
Senator Richard Bryan
Danielle Bisterfeldt The Howard Hughes Corporation
Chamber News: Vegas Chamber Launches New Workforce Solutions Portal
Ages 6 Weeks to 6 Years | Hours: Monday - Friday from 6:30AM - 6:30PM
Jay Barrett
Joe Asher IGT
Chair Elect Dickinson Wright PLLC
LV in DC is a Wrap! Recap of our Fly-In
Call (702) 463-7442 to speak to an Enrollment Specialist!
Emeritus Board
Paul Anderson Boyd Gaming Corporation
Brandon Barkhuff NV Energy
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From preschool through kindergarten, we make early education and childcare joyful, engaging and fun so children are happy to learn, play and grow!
Trustees
The JABarrett Company Fennemore Craig, P.C.
Fafie Moore
ERA Brokers Consolidated
Bill Noonan
Kerry Bubolz Vegas Golden Knights
Boyd Gaming Corporation (Retired)
Vincent Ciminise Valley Bank of Nevada
Jim Prather
Tyler Corder Findlay Automotive Teresa Di Loreto Nevada Military Support Alliance
Las Vegas ReviewJournal
Bruce Spotleson
The Neon Museum
John Wilcox JDW Group LLC Brigadier Gen. Michael Drowley (Air Force Liaison) Nellis AFB Past Chairpersons Kelly Hahn Wells Fargo Berlyn Miller 1979 Mark Hutchison Hutchison & Steffen, PLLC
Phil Arce 1984
Jan Jones-Blackhurst Caesars Board of Diretors
Dave Vlaming 1986
Elaina Blake 1985
Gregory Lee Eureka Casino Resort
Jeffrey A. Silver 1988
Rex Liu Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
William Martin 1991
Boyd Nelson Southwest Gas Corporation
John O’Reilly 1996
Ret. Brig. Gen. Robert Novotny Skyracer Consulting
Edward Crispell 1998
Shaundell Newsome Sumnu Marketing
Jay Kornmayer 2002
Peter Thomas 1989
Bob Maxey 1992 Napoleon McCallum Denny Weddle 1993 The Las Vegas Sands Corporation David Smith 1994 Bill Nelson Ted Wiens, Jr. 1995 BDO
Karla Perez Valley Health System
Diane Dickerson 1997 Bill Wells 2001 Lou Emmert 2003 Tim Cashman 2004
Chase Rankin Las Vegas Review-Journal
Hugh Anderson 2005
Mark Shearer Las Vegas Raiders
Fafie Moore 2008
EDITORIAL POLICY:
Larry Singer Newmark
Kristin McMillan 2010
The Business Voice is a member newsletter of the Vegas Chamber. The Vegas Chamber welcomes input, ideas and suggestions from our members. As with any periodical, we must adhere to strict deadlines and we reserve the right to edit all materials submitted for publication. Commentaries that are marked as such do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the Chamber, its trustees or employees. The Chamber cannot guarantee the validity or accuracy of the content of paid advertisements. All content is subject to change. Questions or concerns about content of the Business Voice can be addressed to the Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy, Vegas Chamber, 575 Symphony Park Avenue, Ste. 100, Las Vegas, NV 89106.
Bryant Thornton Republic Services Vicky VanMeetren Roseman University of Health Sciences Chris Way KTNV-TV 13 Action News Dr. Keith Whitfield UNLV
John Wilcox 2006 Steve Hill 2009 Michael Bonner 2011 Kevin Orrock 2012 Jay Barrett 2013 Bruce Spotleson 2014 Bob Brown 2015 John Guedry 2016 Bill Noonan 2017 Michael Bolognini 2018 Terrance Shirey 2019 Tom Burns 2020
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BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER
A Positive Outlook
Housing Déjà Vu? It’s hard not to feel a little bit of déjà vu with today’s Southern
still, some Californians are acquiring homes in Southern Nevada
Nevada housing market. Prices are leaping higher by the day,
while continuing to work remotely and earn California wages.
with median closing prices setting record highs month after month. New listings are being flooded with offers, with homes
Demand is just one side of the housing price equation. On the
selling almost as fast as they get listed. Potential buyers are being
supply side, the number of homes on the market has not been
left disappointed as they lose the home of their dreams in an
able to keep pace. The effective inventory of resale homes for
increasingly competitive market.
sale has plummeted to less than one month. For comparison, that figure has hovered closer to two or three months or more for most
These signs may evoke reminders of the overheated housing
of the past decade. Current homeowners just aren’t selling much,
market 15 years ago that ended when the bubble burst into a full-
which may be a factor of broader uncertainty and the recovering
fledged housing crisis. While the two periods share similarities, the
economy as much as the unappealing prospect of becoming a
underlying fundamentals driving today’s market are far different
homebuyer in the highly competitive market. New home builders
than in the mid-2000s, when demand was fueled by lax lending
have responded to greater demand by significantly increasing
standards that saturated the housing market with easy money and
building activity over the past year, but rising labor and materials
unqualified buyers whose untenable finances eventually gave way.
costs, notably the skyrocketing price of lumber earlier this year, have added a layer of uncertainty to the bottom line even as new
Today’s housing market, like most things in economics, can be
home prices have also reached record highs.
explained by the laws of supply and demand from Economics 101. If the demand to buy something is outpacing the supply of that thing, prices rise. At its most basic level, that is the dynamic that is driving housing prices higher today even while our community is recovering from the pandemic-related recession. Many factors are driving demand for homes in Southern Nevada; perhaps none more so than record-low interest rates that have been historically low for a decade and have only gone lower during the pandemic. Low rates increase homebuyers’ purchasing power, allowing them to buy more house without increasing monthly payments. This has been especially key during the pandemic as we have spent more time at home working, schooling and recreating. At 3 percent or lower, interest rates are so attractive
Jeremy Aguero, Principal Analyst
that buyers who might have planned to buy a home months or years from now are pushing up plans to take advantage of the low rates before they head higher, which is fueling demand even more. The continued influx of new residents is also adding to the demand for housing. Despite the pandemic, Southern Nevada has continued to attract incoming residents by the tens of thousands, with the largest group hailing from California. These incoming Californians are often bringing liquid equity after selling their homes, giving them a leg up in the Southern Nevada housing market where, even with the rising price trend, homes are still far more affordable than comparable properties in California. Further
Looking ahead, the era of double-digit home price appreciation rates is not sustainable over the long term. A correction is inevitable, whether that’s related to interest rates going back up, the economy recovering or a host of other factors that have contributed to current conditions. But that correction shouldn’t be anything as severe as the bursting bubble of the mid-2000s and could very well take the form of sustainable stabilization. Today’s housing market is a symptom of the pandemic in one way or another. As we get back to normal, it will too.
IT MATTERS WHO YOU BANK WITH ®
CONTACT US TODAY nsbank.com/outlook 702.383.0009
VEGASof CHAMBER OCTOBER 2021 BUSINESS VOICE A division Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC 7
Who will win
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR ? Celebrate the nominees & winners!
Wednesday, Oct. 27 Buy tickets/tables at VegasChamber.com
Here’s a snapshot look at a handful of the nominees...find out which businesses are named as award recipients. Note: These briefs are based on actual nomination descriptions and have been edited to fit the format.
Join us on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 11:30 a.m. at the World Market Center to find out who will take home these prestigious awards! Tickets are $65 each or $650/table of 10 for members or $750/table of 10 for non-members. Register at VegasChamber.com
Exclusive Sponsor:
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BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINEE* SNAPSHOTS *These nominee briefs represent a small number of companies and were chosen for this article; inclusion in this publication does not indicate award status.
Coreprime is a Nevada-based, Nevada-bred commercial insurance brokerage specializing in the design and management of employee benefit programs for companies throughout Nevada and the Western United States. Matt Harris founded the company after seeing an opportunity to provide Nevada employers with a higher level of service and professionalism in the management of their employee benefit programs. Since its founding, out of Harris’ home with no revenue or staff, Coreprime has grown to be one of the region’s leading employee benefits advisory firms, working with many of the largest employers in Nevada including, Nevada Dispensary Association, R&R Partners, Las Vegas Day School, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, History Channel’s “Pawn Stars,” to name a few. This success is owed to the company’s mission – being customerobsessed and on the cutting-edge of employee benefits trends and best-practices, and consistently delivering the highest level of approachable, concierge-style service. Most recently, Coreprime has been instrumental in guiding many of Las Vegas’ largest employers through the myriad of employee health and wellness concerns created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Coreprime is a great homegrown Nevada success story, with plans to accelerate the company’s growth and broaden its impact on the local business community. With a mission to give back and support locals, Coreprime is active in many charitable organizations and programs including UNLV Football Foundation, Baller Dream Foundation and most recently, Hope Squad - a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program implemented at local high schools across the valley. Coreprime is proud to call Nevada home and is committed to creating significant longterm value for its team members, clients and community.
Hearts Alive Village is an animal rescue supporting all dogs and cats of all breeds, but we are so much more. To date, it has rescued and rehomed 5,500 animals. This doesn’t even take into account the thousands of pets who have been able to stay with their loving families because of our community support programs. Community support programs keep families together. The Pet Food Pantry, Kendall’s Kupboard, feeds approximately 1,000 pets in homes each month. Their parents are seniors, veterans, low-income, and many people who have been financially devastated because of COVID. Without Hearts Alive Village Las Vegas, they would be forced to give up their animals, losing their support system during the most difficult time in history. In addition to the pet food pantry, they have opened the first nonprofit, full-service, affordable veterinary clinic in the state. What started out as an entirely volunteer-run organization, now has a dedicated staff to meet the needs of the community and provide a life-saving service.
Junkluggers of Las Vegas is a family owned business focused on environmentally friendly junk removal in the Las Vegas Valley. They work to keep the items removed from the landfill and, according to the nomination, this sets them apart from their competitors.
The Pucci brothers launched Cubicall in 2017 after designing a solution to solve distraction and privacy issues within their own open plan office. After an appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2019, Cubicall helped launch the growing privacy pod market, offering prefabricated office solutions that include modular phone booths, meeting rooms, and custom designs. After COVID-19 forced the world to work from home, Cubicall pivoted and modified their designs to address the crisis — incorporating requirements from the Army Corps of Engineers and CDC. Cubicall’s Exam Pods and Isolation Rooms helped doctors perform double the number of COVID-19 tests and provided efficient, modular quarantine rooms for patients and families. The quick action from Cubicall opened up a new market for the growing company and kept the company busy throughout 2020. Cubicall products have been utilized in companies of all sizes and industries, from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies and leading healthcare facilities. The company has been featured on Fox Business Channel, The New York Times, Interior Design, Chicago Tribune, Fast Company, Inc. and was called “an efficient privacy solution to open-plan distractions” by Forbes magazine. Cubicall understands organizations are only as good as their people. So, they’ve set out to foster their creativity, facilitate workflows and meet needs through modular and efficient workplace solutions. And they’re proud to say that all Cubicall products are designed and manufactured in Las Vegas.
They also with local charities such as Hearts Alive Village and Hopelink of Southern Nevada to provide resources and furniture to families in need. This supports its mission of giving back to the community in addition to diverting 100 percent of the items they pick up from the landfill by 2025.
The Little Church of the West is the oldest building on the Strip and now the oldest wedding chapel in Las Vegas as next year marks its 80th birthday. On the first day of COVID-19 shutdown, they made a commitment their staff and community, and staff stayed employed throughout the pandemic and salaries increased to help families. They opened their parking lot to locals who wanted to cycle or walk on the strangely quiet Las Vegas strip. Now open again, Las Vegas locals returned immediately to marry or for a vow renewal. The Little Church of the West is not only a place where couple express their love, it’s a place for Las Vegas residence to show love for this unique city.
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EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR NOMINEE* SNAPSHOTS *These nominee briefs represent a small number of companies and were chosen for this article; inclusion in this publication does not indicate award status.
From working in the hotel industry, Penny Chutima is a prime example of women empowerment, according to the nomination. She demonstrates her caring nature by ensuring that all of her staff feels like family. She offers highly competitive wages, covers staff insurances, and consistently looks for ways to improve training so that staff is able to perform well on a dayto-day basis. Lotus of Siam has become a Vegas destination. People from all over the country and the world make a stop to experience the Thai Culinary Food Experience that only Lotus of Siam can deliver. For the community, Chutima contributes to youth by donating thousands of backpacks to Whitney Elementary School and others. Lotus of Siam is a family owned business and they do so much for so many families in our community. Lotus of Siam represents Las Vegas well due to the dedication, generosity and the commitment of delivering a memorable dining experience at Lotus of Siam lead by Penny Chutima. delson Hospice
As president and CEO, Karen Rubel is focused on developing programs to enhance the experience of the hospice’s patients and their loved ones. Thousands of individuals in the Southern Nevada community benefit from her leadership during their most vulnerable time of life. No one could have foreseen the issues arising from the 2020 pandemic. One of the most heartbreaking were restrictions preventing people from being at the bedside of their loved ones who were dying. There appeared to be no safe way to allow families to visit patients who were dying of COVID. But, Ms. Rubel led her team to find solutions. Under Rubel’s leadership, the hospice solved the problem by converting one of its in-patient units to a COVID isolation unit. Up to 16 of the 20 beds can be used at once, based on the need. The hospice established CDC infection control practices to safely allow family members to be at their loved ones’ bedside. Nathan Adelson Hospice has cared for over 10 percent of Nevada’s total COVID-19 fatalities, freeing up hospital beds across the city for other acutely ill patients. By allowing families to be together as a loved one passed, Rubel and her team were able to fulfill their mission that ‘no one end the journey of life alone afraid or in pain.’ Nevada B
Emily Smith is the chief executive officer for Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation (NBCF). A long-time advocate for Southern Nevada youth, Smith has more than 15 years’ experience leading youth-serving nonprofit organizations. Six weeks prior to the COVID-19 restrictions, Smith and her team opened the only licensed special needs preschool in the state of Nevada. When the stay-athome orders were given, Smith and her team worked diligently to connect family to the resources they needed. NBCF lent out technology and created drive by opportunities for families to grab a week’s worth of activities for students to connect online with their friends from NBCF. In August 2020, Smith worked with Clark County School District, parents, and our students’ individual teachers, to create a physically distanced learning environment for our students to attend at the NBCF Learning Center. Students were able to receive help from NBCF staff while logging in to their digital classrooms. After school and homework was completed, students could continue to NBCF programs such as life skill classes, like cooking. NBCF students did not hit the “COVID slide” in their education. They thrived in class with report cards showing A’s and B’s.
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BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER
CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR NOMINEE* SNAPSHOTS *These nominee briefs represent a small number of companies and were chosen for this article; inclusion in this publication does not indicate award status.
At AMR and MedicWest, the pandemic was something they had to face head on. Each of their EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, vehicle service technicians, transporters and mechanics stepped up and answered the call day in and day out without hesitation. They know the importance of the city’s need to function and wanted to provide a road of confidence. EMT’s and paramedics continued to answer the call for those in need of medical care. Their special events department turned themselves into a COVID screening department, then a COVID testing department and, finally, once the time was right, a COVID vaccine distribution center. Leadership introduced many programs to keep employees motivated as well as protected during the pandemic. They are proud to say that they have served the community since 1953. Grand Canyo Grand Canyon Development Partners is invested in growing the community in positive ways, both physically with its top-notch construction management services, and philanthropically through its support for nonprofits doing good in our community. It has had a hand in a plethora of major projects in Southern Nevada, many of which continue to put Las Vegas on the map for innovation, creativity and stellar projects. The company has supported many projects, including: St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, where the GCDP team provided pro bono services for the “Healing Center” project and remodeled children’s houses; pro bono work for CORE Academy; helped develop and construct Noah’s Animal House; helped remodel Southern Nevada Children’s First, and more. GCDP participates in annual drives for organizations like The Shade Tree, Communities in Schools and other Southern Nevada charities. When breaking ground on a new luxury apartment development, Ariva, GCDP and MartinHarris Construction teamed up to take the project “pink” in honor of American Cancer Society’s “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign and spread awareness about prevention in the fight against breast cancer, along with donating $4,000 to the organization. Starting in 2021, GCDP is also offering pro bono construction management services to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, as the nonprofit plans to build an expanded campus to provide a supportive “homeaway-from-home” for families and children who are receiving medical treatment for critical illnesses and injuries at local hospitals.
In its first year of business in Southern Nevada, the company has launched numerous initiatives dedicated to improving the lives of valley residents, including: In April 2020, just one month after it launched in Las Vegas and during the unprecedented business shutdown due to the pandemic, Homie partnered with United Way of Southern Nevada and donated a total of $14,000 to its fund to help hundreds of families pay their mortgage and utility bills and stay in their homes during the COVID economic crisis. In support of its mission to make homeownership easy, affordable, and accessible to all, Homie worked with local leaders to create the Coalition to Make Homes Possible to help close the Black homeownership gap in Southern Nevada, where only 35 percent of Blacks are homeowners. With the goal of helping up to 25,000 families buy a home over the next 10 years, Homie is sponsoring the coalition that leverages and promotes community resources, such as down payment assistance, financial coaching, credit repair, and housing counseling. Mass foreclosures put our community at risk for housing instability, so Homie convened a webinar with Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford and local leaders to provide education about getting out of forbearance and avoiding foreclosure. Finally, Homie’s co-founder, president, and UNLV alumni Mike Peregrina established the Homie Scholarship Fund that awarded ten scholarships of $1,000 each to students at the Lee School of Business. VEGAS CHAMBER OCTOBER 2021 BUSINESS VOICE
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BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER
National Retirement Security:
Saving for Retirement National Retirement Security Week begins October 17. It is a week to bring awareness to the importance of saving for retirement. We may all have different reasons why saving for retirement is important. A little knowledge and some effort may yield a significant difference. Consider the following:
into a retirement account. However, most retirement plans may allow a loan without penalty. Loans may include 50% of the account balance, not to exceed $50,000 or whichever is lower. Interest is paid back to the borrower over five years or longer if the loan is used for a down payment on a primary residence. ¹
Compounding. The longer investments have time in the market, the greater the savings potential to double, triple, or quadruple. For instance, assume a 7.2% return of a 27-year-old and a 47-yearold, contributing $300 every month. At 67, the 27-year-old would have contributed $144,000, and investments would have grown to $833,081. The 47-year-old would have contributed $72,000, and investments would have grown to $160,128. A monthly retirement savings budget can become more expensive the closer to retirement age.
Financial confidence. Our physical health is essential, but so is our mental health. Funding a retirement savings program may help reduce financial stress. A study released by the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center in April of 2021 polled 10,000 Americans before the pandemic. ² It revealed only 30% were not financially stressed. The study also linked financial stress due to a lack of financial literacy.
Freedom. Many Americans are forced to work past full retirement age due to a lack of savings and existing debt. It would be favorable to continue to work by choice with a little planning and increase savings. Consider the freedom and fulfillment with volunteering, starting a small business, spending time with family, or traveling. Maintain lifestyle. It is essential to save more than ten times annual income and eliminate all debt before retiring; include no revolving credit card debt, student loans, car payments, and mortgage. Consider making extra payments on your home to ensure the house is paid for before retirement. Accessibility. The loss of a job or a medical emergency can cripple a savings goal. It may be better to file bankruptcy before taping
In summary, be intentional, work with a financial advisor, and create a savings goal that inspires you to save more, spend less, and avoid debt. You can do it. To learn more about this topic or the Chamber’s Association Retirement Plan and how employers may gain access, visit groupretire.com or contact Joe Caldera at 702.846.4015.
Joe Caldera is an LPL Financial Advisor, Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist®, and principal at Caldera Wealth Management Group. CRPS conferred by The College for Financial Planning.
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BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER
What’s Happening
OCTOBER
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TUESDAY, OCT. 5 CHAMBER VOICES TOASTMASTERS Become a better speaker and a more effective presenter by joining Chamber Voices Toastmasters. Open to all members. 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Vegas Chamber (temperature reading, mask and social distancing required)
CHAMBER CONNECTIONS PM
Mixers are open to the entire business community. No cover or minimum with food and drink specials. 5:30 – 7 p.m. Rockstar Bar at The Las Vegas Golf Center 6730 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119
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THURSDAY, OCT. 7 MEMBER ORIENTATION
THURSDAY, OCT. 14 BIZ TALKS - GETTING A GRIP ON YOUR BUSINESS The 1st of a 6 part series to learn the 6 key components of the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). It is encouraged to take all 6 monthly classes. 10 – 11 a.m. Vegas Chamber – (Mask & Temp Reading Required)
TUESDAY, OCT. 19 ACCESS LAS VEGAS This program gives senior-level executives new to Las Vegas access to the information they need to know about the community to be an effective leader. This is the second day of a two-day community immersion program. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Venue – To Be Determined
CHAMBER VOICES TOASTMASTERS
A great time for you to connect with fellow Vegas Chamber members, staff & our volunteer Prospectors & Ambassadors. Advanced registration is required. Limit of 35. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Vegas Chamber - (Mask & Temp Reading Required)
Become a better speaker and a more effective presenter by joining Chamber Voices Toastmasters. Open to all members. 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Vegas Chamber - (Mask & Temp Reading Required)
CHAMBER CONNECTIONS PM A dedicated leads group comprised of professionals from a variety of industries who grow their network and their businesses by sharing referrals, contacts and ideas. 5:30 – 7 p.m. Vegas Chamber – (Mask & Temp Reading Required)
TUESDAY, OCT 12 ACCESS LAS VEGAS This program gives senior-level executives new to Las Vegas access to the information they need to know about the community to be an effective leader. This is the second day of a two-day community immersion program. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Vegas Chamber – (Mask & Temp Reading Required)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13
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CHAMBER CONNECTIONS AM This event is great for business professionals interested in expanding their network and optimizing their chamber membership. Each event will feature two speakers. 7:30 – 9 a.m. Virtual Event
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS One of the most popular networking events held each month. The crowd is welcoming & business minded. Chamber staff and Ambassadors ensure all members make strategic connections. Exclusive to Vegas Chamber members. 5 – 7 p.m. Action Coach Las Vegas 5781 S Fort Apache Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89148
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TUESDAY, OCT. 26 PRESIDENT’S CLUB RECEPTION Exclusive and by invitation only. Come mix and mingle with other industry leaders. 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The Stirling Club 2827 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS AM This event is great for business professionals interested in expanding their network and optimizing their chamber membership. Each event will feature two speakers. 7:30 – 9 a.m. Summerlin Hash House a Go-Go 10810 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS LUNCHEON High energy, dynamic event will recognize the outstanding and groundbreaking companies serving the Southern Nevada community. 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. World Market Center 475 Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89106 $65 Members - $75 Non-Members
Visit VegasChamber.com and click on the Events Calendar to register. Or call 702.641.5822. Information subject to change. VEGAS CHAMBER OCTOBER 2021 BUSINESS VOICE
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Partners In Action
NEW WC Podcast Produced By
Southern Nevada’s Local Workforce Development Board, Workforce Connections (WC). Vegas Chamber President and CEO Mary Beth Sewald is among the first guests on the new WC Podcast, produced by Southern Nevada’s Local Workforce Development Board, Workforce Connections (WC). Sewald also sits on the Workforce Connections board representing businesses in Southern Nevada. The WC Podcast was launched in September during National Workforce Development Month and can currently be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, BuzzSprout, and YouTube. Hosted by Workforce Connections Executive Director Jaime Cruz, the first six podcasts feature Workforce Connections board members discussing how workforce development impacts economic development. The interviews also dive into how industry sector partnerships are being convened in Southern Nevada to develop strategies and partnerships to meet the talent needs of business and industry. “When one of our board members first brought the idea to us about starting a podcast, our goal was to use it as a tool to introduce new board members,” said Cruz. “Then we quickly realized the topics we want to discuss have broad appeal, particularly given the unprecedented collaboration happening now in Southern Nevada on everything from securing federal recovery funding to diversifying the local economy.” Each podcast is about fifteen minutes long and the video versions on the YouTube channel include a light-hearted “Against the Wall” bonus segment after the interview to help listeners get to know the guests better.
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BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER
#WeLikeEachOther Initial episodes feature: • John “Jack” Martin, Clark County Department of Juvenile Justice Services, Director. Martin shares his vision for Workforce Connections and integrated services for “at opportunity” youth.
• Mary Beth Sewald, Vegas Chamber, President & CEO Sewald discusses the importance of business-led workforce development strategies and the new employer-focused One-Stop Centers, the Employ NV Business Hubs.
• Dr. Federico Zaragoza, College of Southern Nevada (CSN) President Zaragoza shares his vision for the community college meeting the needs of business and industry.
• Dan Giraldo, Bank of America, Senior VP-Market Manager Giraldo discusses the importance of businesses having a voice when investments are being made in workforce development for the region.
• Cecil Fielder, Keolis Transit America, LLC, Director of Safety, Training, and Security Fielder shares his experience on the Workforce Connections board and his new leadership role.
• Jared Smith, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), COO Smith discusses how economic diversification is taking place in Southern Nevada.
Additional episodes of the WC Podcast will be released regularly and cover a variety of workforce and economic development issues. If you have a topic you would like discussed on the WC Podcast, or if you would like to be a guest, please email Jaime Cruz at jcruz@nvworkforceconnections.org.
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Advanced Management Group finds landscape conversions reduce water bills, landscape maintenance costs With ongoing drought conditions continuing to impact water levels in Lake Mead, the federal government has issued a water shortage declaration on the Colorado River, reducing Southern Nevada’s water supply by 7 billion gallons next year – enough water to serve more than 40,000 households annually. “Conservation remains key to weathering this historic drought,” said Doug Bennett, Southern Nevada Water Authority conservation manager. “The long-term viability of our community depends not only upon continued conservation, but increased efforts by businesses and residents.” According to Bennett, the best way for the community to conserve water is to follow the mandatory seasonal watering restrictions, prevent and report water waste, and replace nonfunctional grass with drip-irrigated landscaping. “Reducing outdoor water use protects our water resources. Despite our efforts, there’s still an enormous amount of nonfunctional grass in this valley,” Bennett said. “The amount of water we’re applying to these decorative turf areas exceeds the shortage we’re facing. The solution to balancing our supply is literally beneath our feet.” To help property owners convert thirsty grass to a drip-irrigated landscape, the SNWA offers a Water Smart Landscapes rebate of up to $3 per square foot of grass converted. “We’ve converted grass at numerous multifamily properties and seen the benefits of water-smart landscapes,” said Bret Holmes, president of Advanced Management Group (AMG), a property management company overseeing more than 44 multifamily complexes in the Las Vegas area. “The landscape upgrades lowered the properties’ water bills thanks to much lower water usage. We also were able to reduce landscape maintenance costs.” AMG is one of the property management teams leading the way when it comes to water conservation. The company sees the benefit to the community and the customers it serves by replacing grass. “It really is better for the environment and the city,” Holmes said, noting that the water and cost savings also are good for the bottom line.
In 2019, Advanced Management Group converted 3,540 square feet of decorative grass to water-efficient landscaping at the Pecos Professional Park. The project garnered more than $10,000 in cash incentives and saves nearly 195,000 gallons of water a year.
properties have put off making the change despite the generous SNWA cash incentives and positive benefits to the bottom line. Assembly Bill 356, a new law enacted this summer, will help spur the replacement of waterthirsty grass with drip-irrigated landscapes. The legislation prohibits the use of Colorado River water to irrigate nonfunctional turf at commercial and multifamily properties by the end of 2026. Upgrading decorative grass to water-smart landscaping will help save more than 9.5 billion gallons of water annually – about 10 percent of Southern Nevada’s total annual water supply from the Colorado River. “Water is the very fuel of our economy and our citizen’s livelihoods. We need business leaders to champion water conservation as a measure of ensuring economic sustainability and quality of life in our community,” Bennett said. He added that SNWA conservation experts offer a consultation service to commercial properties and HOAs looking to save water. Contact one of SNWA’s business experts at cashincentives@snwa.com or call 702-862-3740 to learn more.
While businesses like AMG help their clients see the economic and environmental benefits of converting grass to a water-smart landscape, many commercial
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President’s Club
Atlantic Lab Services http://www.atlabservices.com
Associate President’s Club
DJL Sems http://www.djlsystemslv.com
Premier Mobility Providers http://www.mlitinc.com
Madison Square Garden Entertainment The Sphere http://www.american-consultingservices.com
TBI3 Nevada http://www.tbi3.com
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PuriFi Product Essentials
V.E.N.D. LLC http://www.vendlv.com
New Members
Andrew Lee, “The Sinatra Guy”
ProAm Sports Medicine
Bella MCXIV LLC
ProCare Hospice of Nevada
Chanel Ferguson - Realty ONE Group
Red Rock Anesthesia Consultants
Colonial Life and Health Insurance Company
RLC Veterans Assistance Inc.
Diamond Wealth Management
ShipHero
Digital SuperCat
Sole Sisters
Globe Life Family Heritage
The Evidence Based Practice of Nevada
Grifols Biomat USA Inc
The JoyFULL Travelers
Legacy Sports Clubhouse
Trask’s Chicken & Fish
Little Chapel in Vegas LLC
Vegas Top Marketers
Pinnacle Consulting & Advisors LLC
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Member News
Members Cultivating Growth & Prosperity “Sole Sisters” Work to Aid the Feet of Ugandans Thanks to Affiliation with Sedera Marian Leon-Lambert and Brandi Darnell traveled together to Uganda in 2019 where they cared for individuals who had jiggers, a debilitating sand flea infestation, in the soles of their feet. The two women helped remove the jiggers, gave the individuals shoes, and nursed them back to health. Upon returning home, they felt desperate to continue serving those individuals in Africa. That same year they met the founder and team behind Sedera, a medical cost sharing company that offers an alternative to traditional medical insurance for both businesses and individuals. LeonLambert and Darnell now work as affiliates for Sedera. “Sedera has given us a financial pathway to support our dear friends in Africa, as well as our lives as single moms. We have a heart for what Sedera stands for and are honored to be part of their team,” Leon-Lambert and Darnell stated.
The Neon Museum Receives Highest National
Recognition with Accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums
The Neon Museum has achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition bestowed to museums in the United States. Accreditation signifies excellence within the museum community and recognizes an institution’s commitment to good stewardship of resources as well as its pursuit of continual institutional growth and public accountability to its guests, community, governments, funders, and outside agencies. About three percent of all museums in the United States are currently accredited. “The Neon Museum is a truly unique institution,” AAM stated in its accreditation commendation. “The professionalism of the staff and invigorated education team, combined with the iconic Las Vegas sign collection, make The Neon Museum a leader in the care and collection of these objects. We also commend the museum’s thoughtfulness in pivoting its programming during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to reach audiences.”
Off Sitewide” campaign. It offers a 20% discount on all products, irrespective of starting price or category. This campaign is part of Promo Direct’s push to provide customers with maximum savings. Two Dickinson Wright Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America® 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” Dickinson Wright PLLC, a leading global law firm, has announced that two of the firm’s lawyers in Las Vegas have been identified as the leading practitioners in their practice areas as a Best Lawyers in America® 2022 “Lawyer of the Year”. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the “Lawyer of the Year”. The Dickinson Wright lawyers recognized include Gregory R. Gemignani, Trademark Law (left), and John L. Krieger, Litigation - Intellectual Property.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation Announces Two Fetching Ways to Support the LVMPD K-9 Section The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that exists to raise funds to support and supplement Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department programs, has announced two ways to support their cause. First is a business feature in their 2022 LVMPD K-9 Calendar. Proceeds from the 2022 LVMPD K-9 Calendar will benefit the LVMPD Foundation to support hundreds of programs and initiatives that help keep the community safer, including the LVMPD K-9 Section active and retired officer dogs. Businesses can also partner with the LVMPD Foundation as a sponsor of their first Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade & Brunch. The family friendly event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 17 from 10 AM to 12 PM. Proceeds from the registration of the Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade will go directly to support the LVMPD K-9 Section.
Communities In Schools of Nevada Names Debbie Palacios Southern Nevada Executive Director Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO and State Director for Communities In Schools of Nevada, the fifth largest state office of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization with affiliate offices in the Clark, Elko, Humboldt and Washoe County school districts, announces the appointment of Debbie Palacios to executive director for the organization’s Southern Nevada affiliate. Palacios brings to the job nearly two decades of experience in the education sector, starting as a teacher with the Clark County School District (CCSD) in 2005. She also held various positions with CCSD prior to taking her most recent position of director of Family and Community Engagement Services in 2019.
Promo Direct Helping Companies and Organizations Find Marketing Success
In 2021, Promo Direct, a promotional products company, partnered with hundreds of businesses and organizations to help them recover from the COVID-19 business downfall. To help customers during the financial crisis due to the pandemic, Promo Direct is currently running a “20%
City National Bank, Nevada Premier Private and
Business Bank®
recently announced that it has provided Nevada HAND and Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada with Community Reinvestment Act Grants (CRA) totaling $15,000. The funds from City National will significantly enhance their work and allow them to better deliver services to those in need. “City National Bank is proud to provide Nevada HAND and Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada with some of the financial support they need for various programs that help low-income individuals and families,” said Paul Stowell, Nevada regional executive of City National. “We take great pride in supporting the communities where we work and live, and we commend the work being done by these wonderful nonprofit organizations to enhance the vitality and well-being of our communities.” City National contributes financial, in-kind and volunteer assistance to nonprofit institutions and organizations that enhance the quality of life and promote public interest where the company conducts its business. The main areas of the bank’s community outreach include education, health and human services, community development, and arts and culture.
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Executive Women’s Council Spotlight
EYES ON YOU Ivette Fernandez
Vice President of Government Relations for Endeavor
My name is Ivette Fernandez, and I am the Vice President of Government Relations for Endeavor. Endeavor is a global leader in sports, entertainment, fashion and talentmanagement operating in more than 30 countries. It is the parent of numerous brands, including UFC®, New York Fashion Week, Miss Universe, Professional Bull Riders, William Morris Endeavor and IMG. Endeavor is based in Beverly Hills, CA, but I am based at UFC headquarters in Las Vegas.
I serve as a Commissioner on the Nevada Equal Rights Commission; as a Board Member of the Women in Sports & Events Las Vegas chapter; as a Member of the Las Vegas Mayor’s Fund Advisory Committee, Nevada State College President’s Advisory Council, Girls Scouts of Southern Nevada’s Development Committee, Hispanic Scholarship Fund Las Vegas Advisory Council and Junior League of Las Vegas.
Q: Tell us about yourself I moved to Las Vegas 4 years ago from Washington, DC to help my father with my mother, who has late stages of Alzheimer’s. I was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, and I have 25 years of experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Q: What inspires you? My faith in God, as well as my family, friends and that we each have a purpose while we are on earth. I aspire to leave the world a better place than I entered it, and to be a better person tomorrow than today.
I worked for President George W. Bush at The White House and in the U.S. Senate for two of Alaska’s senators. I participated in a cultural study abroad to Argentina in college and was selected to be a Rotary Foreign Exchange Student to Sweden in high school. I have traveled to over 30 countries and 35 states in the U.S. and speak three languages.
Q: What are your favorite books and are there any you recommend EWC members read? 1. “Attached” by Amir Levine, Rachel Heller 2. “Boundary Boss” by Terri Cole 3. “What Happened to You?” by Oprah Winfrey, Bruce D. Perry 4. “The Four Agreements” by don Miguel Ruiz 5. “Braving the Wilderness” by Brene Brown 6. “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg 7. “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy 8. “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman 9. “Calling In ‘The One’” by Katherine Woodward Thomas 10. “How to Get a Date Worth Keeping” by Henry Cloud
In 2000, I won the title of Miss Alaska USA and Miss Congeniality and competed in the 2001 Miss USA Pageant. In 2006, I was a semi-finalist for the reality TV show “Survivor.” I was honored with the United Way of NYC’s 2012 Women’s Leadership Council “Woman of Distinction Award,” and featured in New York Post’s “Page 6,” as well as selected one of PODER Magazine’s 2013 “20 under 40: Latinos Going Places.”
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President’s Club Spotlights (B) Donovan Campbell, Branch Manager - Pacific Lending Donovan Campbell has been in the mortgage industry since 2015. After graduating from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Campbell got right to work in the mortgage business. He started out doing quality control for a small brokerage but has been able to quickly work his way up the ladder. He now runs the first Branch for Pacific Lending out of Las Vegas, Nevada. As a mortgage professional Campbell values honesty, integrity, and helping others. He is here to serve you at all times with any and every mortgage need you may have.
(A) Alex Slocum CEO – Game On Players, LLC Alex Slocum has been disrupting big businesses for over 3 decades with his innovative and revolutionary designs, development and successful deployment of projects. His trailblazing track record encompasses his out of the box visionary abilities combined with his technical and analytical planning skills. This trifecta creates massive shifts in the industry and spectacular outcomes for his clients, Slocum is now embarking on his greatest adventure yet… Game On Players and the GOPX Token - the FIRST patent pending cryptocurrency which will revolutionize the crypto space creating a new, global selfconsuming ecosystem and a true fusion economy.
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C) Becky Stonebarger Owner & Founder – The Beacon Center – Las Vegas
D) Stefan Gastager President – Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas
Becky Stonebarger is the Owner and Founder of The Beacon Center – Las Vegas, a Meeting and Life Event venue. Originally from the St. Louis area, she has made Las Vegas home. She is a retired Business Strategist and has operated several successful businesses prior to The Beacon Center. Her 30+ years of entrepreneurship and a dedication to excellent customer service has made her successful. She graduated from the College of Southern Nevada with a focus in Casino Management, is active with several non-profits and has a passion to help other small business owners succeed.
Stefan Gastager visited Las Vegas in 2000 and decided to introduce high-quality Bavarian food, premium beer, and coziness — “Gemütlichkeit” — at a location that would appeal to tourists and locals. Together with his partners Klaus Gastager, Franz Krondorfer and Anton Sinzger, Stefan Gastager spent three years making Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas a reality. They have created an authentic replica of the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany that was originally commissioned in 1589 by King William V.
BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER
President’s Club Spotlights E) Krisanne Cunningham Managing Partner – Rice Reuther Sullivan & Carroll Krisanne Cunningham has a broad-based transactional experience spanning 20 years and includes mergers and acquisitions, business law, corporate governance, securities, tax planning and non-profit organizations. Cunningham was named a Mountain States Super Lawyer for Mergers & Acquisitions and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law and received an L. L. M. degree in Taxation from Georgetown Law Center. Krisanne is currently the Chair of the Tax Section of the Nevada Bar and on the Board of Directors of the Nellis Support Team.
(F) Nicholas Groat CEO – Safe Life Defense Nick Groat is the president of Safe Life Defense, a Las Vegas based company known for award-winning body armor. Safe Life Defense armor offers unparalleled protection and is favored by police, EMS, security and civilians all over the United States. Safe Life Defense has revolutionized the body armor industry effectively using social marketing and eliminating barriers to ownership through easy online ordering. A lifelong entrepreneur, Groat is known for being an action driven businessman, fearlessly taking risks, quickly adopting new technology and redefining the future of personal protection.
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G) Rony S. Delgarde Founder & CEO – Global Paint for Charity Rony Delgarde is the founder & CEO of Global Paint for Charity (GPC) — the world’s first sustainable paint waste management organization and largest exporter of recycled paint. The environmental aspects of his work are significant. His efforts bring hope, colors, and happiness to millions in 45 countries, with goals to serve 55 countries worldwide and 45 cities in the USA by 2025. Delgarde has been recognized for his humanitarian work including the recipient of the 2017 Energy Globe Award, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber E3 Award.
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H (H) Teresa DiLoreto Managing Partner – Nevada Military Support AllianceLas Vegas Office Teresa DiLoreto has been executive director of the Nevada Military Support Alliance (NMSA) since its creation in 2010. Under DiLoreto’s leadership, the NMSA has raised more than $7 million for military and veterans’ projects to include resource centers at the University of Nevada, Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College, Great Basin College and three adaptive homes for severely injured disabled veterans. She serves on the City of Reno Building Enterprise Fund. DiLoreto is a life director and past president of Builders Association of Northern Nevada and is a Board Trustee of the Vegas Chamber. VEGAS CHAMBER OCTOBER 2021 BUSINESS VOICE
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ANTHEM BALANCED FUNDING An opportunity for businesses to experience predictability and cost savings, all in one health plan Anthem Balanced Funding provides you annual savings potential with built-in safeguards to cap your costs.
Protect the health of your employees and keep predictable monthly payments.
Skip some of the fees and taxes of traditional, fully-insured plans.
The financial control you deserve and the savings you have earned Your monthly payment is all-inclusive and covers administrative services, stop loss insurance and claims liability. If the amount of your claims is more than what you have paid, you do not owe more.
You are covered when you have a good claims year or a bad claims year A bad year means higher-than-expected claims, but you do not need to worry Stop loss protection takes care of these costs.
Built-in safeguards to cap your costs Savings start day one You can avoid the worry of certain fees and taxes with Anthem Balanced Funding plans. Choice and simplicity You deserve access to a large suite of plans and health provider choices as well as high-quality doctors and hospitals close to home — and across the country — through the BlueCard® program. You can also have secure access to online tools to enroll your employees and make changes to their accounts in real time.
ANTHEM BALANCED FUNDING Contact your broker or Anthem Sales representative about Anthem Balanced Funding
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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. Independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield provides administrative claims payment services only and does not assume any financial risk or obligation with respect to claims. BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER 110073NVEENABS Rev. 08/20
Chamber Benefits
Vegas Chamber Now Offering
New Health Plan for Employers With 5+ Employees
The Vegas Chamber is excited to announce the Anthem Balanced Funding (ABF) health plan through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for employers with five or more employees. Traditionally in the open market, the ABF plan minimum requirement is ten enrollees. The minimum moving to only five enrollees through the Vegas Chamber makes this chamber member plan a valuable option for small businesses. The Anthem Balanced Funding health plan boasts money savings and better financial control for employers. Monthly payments are all-inclusive and cover administrative services, stop loss insurance and claims liability. Nearly 75% of businesses on this plan also receive end-of-year savings when claims experience is lower than expected. Wellbeing solutions encompassed in the ABF health plan are dedicated to maintaining employees’ health, and include access to programs such as 24/7 NurseLine, Future Moms, MyHealth Advantage, and more. Vegas Chamber members also have access to four new exclusive plan designs with median pricing effective October 1, 2021. Quotes through Vegas Chamber member brokers can be requested now for these new plans. These
plans offer a variety of choices that will help employers give their employees options to fit their health insurance needs. “The Vegas Chamber is proud to partner with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to bring new options to our members, serving those with as few as five employees,” says Deborah Makiri, Director of Membership Development at the Vegas Chamber. “Anthem continues to raise the bar by bringing more affordable options to our members and we are very excited about the additional choices our members will have this year when considering their health insurance program for their employees in 2022.” Businesses can access the plan through their local chamber member insurance broker or agent. Along with the benefits and savings offered through the ABF plans, the Vegas Chamber is including a FREE one-year chamber membership (up to $599) to employers who sign up for the ABF plan. To find more information on the Anthem Balanced Funding health plan, visit the Vegas Chamber website or contact the Vegas Chamber at 702.641.5822.
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LV IN DC 2021 IS A WRAP! What a week! The Vegas Chamber and partner Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) hosted 180 guests in the largest-ever and most diverse delegation at the Washington, D.C. Fly-In.
We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for this historical week in making a memorable impact in our nation’s capital. As one of the largest chamber Fly-In events in the country, the Vegas Chamber is acutely aware that this would not be possible without the support of all of you. Along with meetings with our Nevada Congressional leadership and presenting the Nevada Business Champion Award to U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, our attendees heard from several U.S. Chamber of Commerce executives on healthcare, employer relations and infrastructure, keynote speakers Ambassador of Mexico Esteban Moctezuma and national pollster Frank Luntz and many more.
Plus, the Vegas Chamber held a special Facebook Live event from D.C. to announce its new Southern Nevada Workforce Solutions web portal at SNVWorkforce.com to assist the community with upskilling, training and potential funding for training and educational resources. This new portal aligns directly with the Chamber’s priority of workforce development. See more details on page 35. Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor Cox Communications, Signature Sponsors Boyd Gaming Corporation, Southwest Gas and the Porter Group, and to our 45 sponsors who, without them, we could not do what we do to provide an outstanding guest experience for both virtually and in-person attendees. Additional thanks to President’s Club Member Karl Nickoley/Frequency Pictures for capturing interviews, editing videos on-the-daily and ensuring that our work on behalf of Nevada’s businesses is more evident than ever.
Congratulations to the Vegas Chamber Government Affairs team who pulled off an amazing feat during a time like no other in the world’s history. Special thanks to Political Affairs and Fundraising Manager Erica Valdriz, and the Porter Group, who was the behind-the-scenes masterminds of the whole trip and spent countless hours in the past year to make this trip an overwhelming success that it was. VEGAS CHAMBER OCTOBER 2021 BUSINESS VOICE
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Holiday pre-orders happening now!
MERRY & BRIGHT
Whether you are looking to create a personalized gift or you prefer a premade gift, we offer solutions to your gifting needs. Call or email today to preorder your holiday gifts. 702-755-2794 | admin@aoblv.com 32
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Serving Las Vegas for more than 21 years. Northern Trust is committed to investing in the communities we serve. Across the country, for more than 130 years, we’ve been fostering a culture of caring while focusing on our client’s financial needs.
PAUL JOHNSON, CPWA®, CFP® Nevada President 702-304-6836 PAJ5@ntrs.com Find answers to your questions visit us at locations.northerntrust.com/us/nv/las-vegas or contact us at 702-304-6800 WEALTH PLANNING / BANKING / TRUST & ESTATE SERVICES INVESTING / FAMILY OFFICE Member FDIC. © 2021 Northern Trust Corporation. VEGAS CHAMBER OCTOBER 2021 BUSINESS VOICE
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COMING TO VEGAS FOR THE FIRST TIME!
BOOK NOW
FRIDAY, OCT 22, 2021 Paris Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
BOOK NOW
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 Southern Highlands Golf Club, Las Vegas
Interested in sponsoring or participating in one of our annual events? Learn more and register at:
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BUSINESS VOICE OCTOBER 2021 VEGAS CHAMBER
Chamber NEWS
Vegas Chamber Launches New Workforce Solutions Portal to Connect Job Seekers with Training and Employment Resources Public-private collaboration creates one-stop solution to help solve critical workforce challenges The Vegas Chamber, the largest business association in Nevada, launched phase one of its Southern Nevada Workforce Solutions (SNVWFS), a portal created as a result of a public-private collaboration to help job seekers find their next job, get trained or retrained, and identify potential funds to provide tuition assistance for training. The portal was recently announced during a Facebook Live presentation, which featured: • Mary Beth Sewald, President and CEO of the Vegas Chamber • Hugh Anderson, Chairman of the Vegas Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee and managing partner of High Tower Las Vegas • Jaime Cruz, Executive Director of Workforce Connections of Southern Nevada •Justin Cohen, Executive Vice President of REQ Phase one was officially rolled out in conjunction with the Vegas Chamber’s annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In to Capitol Hill last
month. One of the Vegas Chamber’s top priorities during the trip is workforce development and retraining, especially in light of job losses resulting from the economic impact of COVID. During the multi-day trip, the Chamber group of roughly 180 business and community leaders met with the entire Nevada Congressional delegation and other national-level leaders focused on workforce development. SNVWFS is the result of an effort from institutions of higher and further education, and the business community – all working together to create solutions to the significant workforce challenges in Southern Nevada. SNVWFS partners include the Vegas Chamber, College of Southern Nevada, Urban Chamber of Commerce Las Vegas, National Technical Institute, Workforce Connections, Latin Chamber of Commerce Nevada, Henderson Chamber of Commerce, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada State College, Clark County School District, Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation and the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance.
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