2025 Washington, D.C. Fly-In - Briefing Book by Vegas Chamber

STAFF CONTACT & HOTEL INFORMATION

VEGAS CHAMBER

Mary Beth Sewald

President & CEO mbsewald@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.575.8020

Paul Moradkhan

Executive Vice President of Government Affairs pmoradkhan@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.810.9124

Cara Clarke

Vice President of Marketing & Communications cclarke@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.743.9362

Jose Valle

Vice President of Membership & Revenue jvalle@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.743.9354

Janel Herbert

Sr. Executive Assistant to President/CEO jherbert@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.371.2134

Deborah Makiri

Senior Director of Membership & Revenue dmakiri@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.366.6644

Nick Schneider Director of Government Affairs nschneider@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.343.8123

Jasmine Juarez Director of Events jjuarez@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.845.1675

Trevor Parrish Manager of Government Affairs tparrish@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.205.7232

Jonathan Porras Manager of Marketing & Communications

jporras@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.581.3836

Cariela Santana

Marketing Manager csantana@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.343.7397

Taylor Avery

Manager of Political Affairs tavery@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.833.0081

Emilie Cabanyog

Assistant Manager of Events ecabanyog@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.305.3523

Abbie Johnson

Coordinator of Political Affairs and Fundraising ajohnson@vegaschamber.com

Cell Phone: 702.743.9354

PORTER GROUP

Federal Lobbying Team

The Honorable Jon C. Porter President & CEO

Chris Porter Executive Vice President

Stephanie Walker Senior Vice President

Ben Rosenbaum Vice President

Rachel Layher Director of Operations

Brian Bates Director of Government Affairs

Nathan Fiala Director, Defense

Haydyn Hendricks Government Affairs Coordinator

Brian Burns Communications Manager

Magui Rojas Controller BLACK & WADHAMS ATTORNEYS AT LAW

State Lobbying Team

James Wadhams Partner

Jesse Wadhams Partner

Amy Shogren Director of Government Relations

HOTEL INFORMATION

JW Marriott Washington, D.C. 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004

Main Phone Number: 202.393.2000

The Willard InterContinental Hotel 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004

Main Phone Number: 202.628.9100

WELCOME TO WASHINGTON, D.C.!

On behalf of the Vegas Chamber, it is our pleasure to welcome you to our 18th Annual Washington D.C. Fly-In. Thank you for being part of our large and broad contingent of Nevada’s business leaders, elected officials, and community stakeholders who are coming together to advocate for the needs of our state in our nation’s capital.

This week, we will unite to engage with federal policymakers and champion federal policies that will benefit all Nevadans. The agenda for the next few days includes high-level policy briefings, discussions with thought leaders and decision-makers, networking events to strengthen relationships, and exclusive receptions connecting you with influential leaders in Washington, D.C.

The Fly-In provides a chance to build strategic connections and engage in crucial dialogue with Congressional members, collaborate with think tanks and national trade associations, and share best practices. You will have the opportunity to participate and engage on a federal agenda that addresses key policy issues throughout the week. The goal is to find solutions in areas such as transportation infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, economic development, education, and workforce development.

The Vegas Chamber is also proud to offer social events to enhance your experience. The week begins with the return of the Washington D.C. Cruise on Sunday, September 14 followed by the much-anticipated Welcome Reception on Monday, September 15.

Our very popular Vegas Night at the Capitol will be on Tuesday evening, September 16. And the week concludes with the Nevada State Dinner Gala at the elegant Conrad Hotel Washington, D.C. on Thursday, September 18.

Thank you for being part of this leadership trip to our nation’s capital. Your engagement demonstrates a strong commitment to Nevada’s future. We hope you will have a meaningful and productive week.

Sincerely,

Mary Beth Sewald President & CEO

Hugh Anderson Chair, Government Affairs Committee

Monday, September 15 Check-in

Optional Policy Briefings Welcome Reception

Tuesday, September 16

Policy Briefings

Congressional Transportation Luncheon

Vegas Night at the Capitol

Wednesday, September 17

Meetings with Members of Congress

The Future of American Politics and the 2026 Election Luncheon

Thursday, September 18

Policy Briefings

Hail to the Chiefs Luncheon

Nevada State Dinner Gala

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 AGENDA

5:45 p.m.

Bus departs from JW Marriott Hotel for Washington, D.C. Cruise 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Pre-Registration and Advance Ticket Purchase Required

6:30-8:30 p.m.

8:45 p.m..

CEO Welcome to Washington, D.C. Cruise 580 Water Street, SW

Pre-Registration and Advance Ticket Purchase Required

Bus departs from The Wharf for the JW Marriott Hotel 580 Water Street, SW

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

WELCOME EVENTS

MORNING, AFTERNOON & EVENING PROGRAMMING

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 AGENDA

WELCOME EVENTS

MORNING & AFTERNOON PROGRAMMING

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Fly-in Check-in

JW Marriott Hotel, Congressional Room 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Policy Briefing at the U.S. Capitol by Congressman Jon Porter 101 Constitution Ave, NW, Main Lobby

Pre-Registration Required, limited capacity.

Exclusive Policy Briefing at U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Headquarters, Lee Anderson Veterans Center 1615 Street, NW, Washington, DC 20062 Pre-Registration Required, limited capacity.

EVENING PROGRAMMING

5:45 p.m.

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Meet at JW Marriott Hotel, Lobby to walk to Welcome Reception 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Welcome to Washington, D.C. Reception at Holland & Hart 500 8th Street, NW, Rooftop Terrace

POLICY BRIEFING AT THE U.S. CAPITOL BY CONGRESSMAN JON PORTER

MEETING TOPIC:

Monday, September 15, 2025

10:30 a.m.

Congressman Jon Porter 101 Constitution Ave, NW, Main Lobby

Congressman Porter (ret.) and his team will give a policy briefing on the latest federal legislation that will impact Nevada. The briefing will be held at the U.S. Capitol, where Congressman Porter will explore the dynamics of policy messaging and the impact it has on the dissemination of information nationally and how these policy impacts the state of Nevada and what it means for employers.

SPEAKER:

Congressman Jon Porter (ret.)

Founder and CEO, Porter Group

Congressman Jon Porter’s trademark always has been bipartisan relationship and coalition building whether in business, policy or politics. As a former business owner, City Councilman, Mayor, state Senator, and three-term Member of Congress, he has built a sizable network of bipartisan relationships and connections, which provides access to a large group of decision makers at the highest level of business, government and political leadership.

Having experienced the pressures of running a business and holding political office, Jon has an exceptional grasp of the intersection between policy and politics combined with a depth of understanding that enables him to find pathways for solutions to complex issues that are not always apparent. This quality is amplified by the sizable network of trusted relationships he has built over the years with decision makers at the highest level of business, government, and political leadership. The combination of these attributes enables him to connect people to new opportunities, find unique pathways to government and legislative solutions, and provide deep insights for those who are pursuing ventures or expanding into new business models.

Source: Porter Group

EXCLUSIVE POLICY BRIEFING AT U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OVERVIEW:

Monday, September 15, 2025

2:00 p.m.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Lee Anderson Veterans Center

The United States Chamber of Commerce was founded in April 1912 at the urging of U.S. President William Howard Taft. Since then, the U.S. Chamber has worked to promote policies that help businesses grow and strengthen the economy. The organization represents nearly 3 million businesses, state and local chambers and business associations. Vegas Chamber President & CEO Mary Beth Sewald serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

MEETING TOPIC:

The discussion will delve into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1), which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025. The bill makes significant tax and spending changes meant to shape the U.S. economy. Many provisions of the bill are designed to support small businesses, including:

• Permanently extending the 20% deduction for qualified business income, which will ensure American small businesses have long-term tax stability

• Permanently increasing the employer-provided child care credit, which will help small businesses address workforce challenges posed by limited child care choices

• Allowing workers to deduct up to $25,000 in tip income from their federal taxable income

The U.S. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Clark praised the passage of the OBBB. In a statement, Clark said the enactment of the bill “is a win for economic growth, a win for workers, and a win for communities across the country.”

SPEAKER:

Tom Wickham

Vice President and Managing Director of Government Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Tom Wickham serves as Vice President and Managing Director of Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In this role, Wickham oversees a team of D.C. and regional U.S. Chamber lobbyists and serves as the Chamber’s policy lead on anti-crime efforts.

Wickham’s career on Capitol Hill spanned over 25 years, beginning under Speaker Newt Gingrich and concluding under Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Wickham is a winner of the Speaker John W. McCormack Award of Excellence given to House employees.

Wickham serves on the advisory board of the Center for Effective Lawmaking, a partnership between the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University. He is also a member of the University of Iowa Department of Political Science Alumni Advisory Board. He is active in his community as a volunteer citizenship teacher and coordinator of a local Adopt-a-Highway organization.

Wickham is a native of Epworth, Iowa, and a graduate of the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa College of Law.

Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Department of State

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

MEETING & EVENTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 SCHEDULE

8:15 a.m.

MORNING SESSIONS

Welcome Breakfast and Opening Program at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

8:45 a.m.

A Nevada Perspective on Federal Issues Impacting the Economic Climate and What it Means at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

POLICY SESSION OPTION 1: Attainable Housing and the Impact on the Workforce and Economy at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

POLICY SESSION OPTION 2: Navigating a Sustainable Course: Federal Leadership on Water Resource Management at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

POLICY SESSION OPTION 1: Not Just a Talking Point: The Importance of Buy America to Our National Security, Businesses and Consumers at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

POLICY SESSION OPTION 2: K-12 Innovation to Workforce Pathways at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

11:15 a.m.

POLICY MEETINGS

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL

CAPITOL HILL GROUP PHOTO

THE U.S. CAPITOL, SENATE SIDE

& VEGAS NIGHT AT THE CAPITOL

POLICY SESSION OPTION 1: Tariffs, Trade Wars, and What it Means for Businesses at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

POLICY SESSION OPTION 2: Public Lands Policy in the Post OBBB Environment at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

Congressional Transportation & Infrastructure Luncheon at the JW Marriott, Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

POLICY SESSION OPTION 2: Leveling the Playing Field: Advancing a Fairer Legal System for Businesses at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

Option 1: Congressional Staff Roundtables

Education, Healthcare, Labor, Small Business, Workforce at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

Option 2: Congressional Staff Roundtables

Natural Resources, Taxes, Transportation at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

Meetings Conclude

POLICY SESSION OPTION 1: Federal Healthcare: Charting the Course Ahead at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

POLICY SESSION OPTION 2: The Standards Game: How U.S. Businesses Can Stay Ahead in a World of Competing Tech Standards at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

POLICY SESSION OPTION 1: Future of Payments for the Benefits of Small Businesses at JW Marriott Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

Buses depart from JW Marriott Hotel for Capitol Hill Photo and Vegas Night at the Capitol 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 13th Street Entrance

Delegation Group Photo on The U.S. Capitol, Senate Side

Depart U.S. Capitol for Vegas Night at the Capitol

Vegas Night at the Capitol 101 Constitution Ave, NW

A NEVADA PERSPECTIVE ON FEDERAL ISSUES

IMPACTING THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE AND WHAT IT MEANS

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

8:45 a.m.

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

This panel will discuss the intricate relationship between federal policies and how it impacts Nevada’s economic landscape throughout the state. Discussions will also focus on how these policies significantly affect economic development efforts, infrastructure investments, and key sectors of the state’s economy like tourism, gaming, construction, and real estate. Furthermore, this panel will discuss how working together from a statewide level to address these issues can foster a thriving and robust economy for Nevadans.

MODERATOR:

Tom Burns

Director, Governor’s Office of Economic Development

Governor Joe Lombardo appointed Tom Burns as Nevada Governor’s of Economic Development (GOED) Executive Director on January 30th, 2023. Burns started his career by attaining his Certified Public Accountant designation with Deloitte and was subsequently the Assistant Corporate Controller at United Gaming, the predecessor of Light & Wonder. For more than 30 years he was an insurance executive in Southern Nevada, specializing in commercial insurance surety.

Burns has served numerous professional boards, including charitable organizations and governmentappointed committees. He served on the Government Affairs Committees and Board of Trustees for numerous civic and trade group organizations including: the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce where he also served as chair for two years beginning in 2020. He was named to the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance Board in 2023. Burns is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno.

PANELISTS:

Taylor Adams

President & CEO, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada

Taylor Adams joined the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) in July 2023, where he currently serves as President & CEO. Prior to coming to EDAWN, Adams held professionally responsible positions in Finance and Economic Development and served the City of Virginia Beach as the Deputy City Manager for Economic Development, Convention and Visitor Bureau, Resort Management, and Cultural Affairs.

Prior to his role at the City of Virginia Beach, Adams held positions in both the private and public sectors, including chief administrative officer/director of finance for the City of Starkville, MS, purchasing manager for Mississippi State University, Chief Marketing Officer/Managing Partner for Benefits Concepts PA in Columbus, MS and business development officer/commercial credit analyst for the National Bank of Commerce of MS.

Adams earned his B.B.A., Marketing Management/General, from Mississippi State University, and his M.B.A., Business Administration/Management, from Hult International Business School. Adams is the Chair of the Governing Board of the National Institute of Governmental Procurement.

Betsy Fretwell

Strategic Advisor, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance

Betsy Fretwell has over 30 years of experience working in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors in Southern Nevada. Her wide-ranging experiences as a public-sector CEO/City Manager and as a private sector executive notably position her to provide valuable leadership in a variety of settings. Most recently, Fretwel served as COO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix prior to returning to the company she founded, C4WARD STRATEGIES LTD, an independent consulting firm, specializing in management, government, and technology consulting, executive development, business development, program management and strategic advisory services.

She worked for Switch (an IT infrastructure ecosystem and data center company) for over 5 years. Fretwell served as Executive Vice President of Strategy leading efforts in government affairs, public sector business development, mergers and acquisitions, strategic initiatives, real estate, entitlements and land development, and emerging technologies.

Prior to working for Switch, Betsy retired from the City of Las Vegas, the nation’s 25th largest city, after 17 years and served as the second-longest serving City Manager in the city’s history, from 2009 to 2017. She also served as the Executive Director of the Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency charged with the economic revitalization of downtown Las Vegas. Fretwell’s prior work experience includes providing government relations, lobbying, strategic planning, organizational development, process improvement and special projects management at both the City of Henderson from 1998-2000 and Clark County from 1991- 1998.

Fretwell is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. She completed the Harvard University Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program in 2007. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Daren Griffin

President & CEO, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority

Daren Griffin serves as the President and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. He is responsible for leading and directing the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and Reno-Stead Airport (RTS) with an annual operating budget of nearly $58 million.

Griffin has worked in partnership with the Board, airlines, and elected officials to make the biggest infrastructure investment in RNO history, known as MoreRNO. The program will expand the ticketing hall, update the road in front of the airport, construct a CONRAC/Ground Transportation Center and culminate with the building of two new concourses.

Formerly the Director of the PDXNext Program at the Port of Portland, Griffin also served the Port as Interim Director of Business Properties, Director of Operations, and General Aviation Manager. Prior to that, Griffin was the State Airports Manager for the State of Oregon and the Deputy Director of Yuma International Airport in Arizona. A U.S. Army veteran, Griffin holds a bachelor’s degree from EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University in Arizona and is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.).

8:45 a.m.

A NEVADA PERSPECTIVE ON FEDERAL ISSUES IMPACTING THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE AND WHAT IT MEANS

Steve Hill

CEO & President, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

8:45 a.m.

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

Steve Hill is the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the destination marketing organization that promotes and attracts tourism, conventions, meetings, and special events to Las Vegas and throughout Southern Nevada. The LVCVA also owns and operates the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), the premier destination for meetings and conventions in the United States.

Under Hill’s leadership, the LVCC debuted its $1 billion, 1.4 million-square-foot expansion in June 2021, growing the campus to 4.6 million square feet. He is currently leading the LVCVA through a $600 million renovation of the existing campus. In conjunction with the convention center expansion, Hill brought the Convention Center Loop to fruition.

An outspoken advocate for the economic and marketing benefits of hosting high-profile sporting events, Hill, together with resort partners and government leaders, has secured marquee events such as the NFL’s Pro Bowl and Draft in 2022, Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, the NCAA Final Four in 2028, and an annual Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix beginning in November 2023.

Hill owned Silver State Materials from 1987 until its purchase by CalPortland in 2008 where he served as Senior Vice President until 2011. He was then appointed director of the newly established Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) by Governor Brian Sandoval where during his tenure he lured numerous businesses to the state, including Tesla, Apple, and Hyperloop One.

Joanna Jacob

Government Affairs Manager, Clark County, Nevada

Joanna Jacob is the Government Affairs Manager for Clark County, Nevada, the 13th largest county in the United States and home to the Las Vegas Strip. In this role, Jacob is responsible for all local, state, and federal advocacy efforts for the County. Her career in Nevada state government affairs spans over a decade in state legislative affairs. She also gained experience as an Associate Attorney at Millstein and Associates specializing in complex civil litigation and business law, and as an Attorney at Lepine Law Group.

Jacob holds a J.D., cum laude, from California Western School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, with a double major in International Relations and French from Wheaton College.

Mike Larragueta

President & CEO, Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority

Mike Larragueta serves as the President and CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, Larragueta has 30 years of experience in the gaming, travel and hospitality industry. Larragueta works closely with the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, among other regional stakeholders and hoteliers, to increase support for additional air service and to bolster Reno Tahoe’s reputation as a region experiencing dramatic growth. Overseeing all components of the premier Destination Marketing Organization in Northern Nevada, Larragueta is also responsible for operating the four major event venues in Washoe County: the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, the Reno Events Center, the National Bowling Stadium, and the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

Larragueta’s extensive background in the travel industry includes more than 12 years of executive hotel experience at Las Vegas resorts, including The Venetian, Palazzo, Hard Rock, and The Palms, as well as time in the Bahamas as the corporate vice president of global distribution for Baha Mar Casino & Hotel. A Winnemucca native, Larragueta is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Source: Clark County, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority

ATTAINABLE HOUSING AND THE IMPACT ON THE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY

MEETING

TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

9:45 a.m.

Option 1

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salon D,E,F

The demand for attainable housing, which is aimed at middle income households earning slightly below or around the area median income has only increased in recent years, but the availability has not kept up with demand. Panelists will share their perspectives on how important attainable housing is to communities and their workforce. They will also discuss how trends both locally and nationally have affected efforts to expand the number of units available in Southern Nevada. The discussion will also explore how the lack of attainable housing impacts employees’ ability to attract employees and can negatively impact the economy.

MODERATOR:

Audra Hamernik

President & CEO, Nevada HAND

Audra Hamernik leads the largest nonprofit developer, builder, and manager of affordable housing in Nevada. Under her leadership, Nevada HAND operates with a $137M annual budget and manages over $1B in assets, providing affordable housing to more than 8,200 residents across 36 communities. Before joining Nevada HAND, Audra was appointed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to lead as Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), which since its creation has financed over $27B in asset-based loans leading to the creation of over 300,000 units of affordable housing. Prior to her time at IHDA, Audra founded and led A. Hamernik & Associates, a planning and development firm specializing in affordable housing finance, and served as Executive Director of Bluestem Housing Partners. Audra holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

PANELISTS:

Andrew Cribbs

CEO & Co-Founder, Onda Housing Group

Andrew Cribbs is a financial professional currently serving as the CEO and Co-Founder of Onda Housing Group since March 2023. Prior to this role, Cribbs was the Vice President at Lincoln Avenue Capital from August 2018 to August 2022. His career includes experience as an Associate at Fiume Capital and as an Investment Banker at both J.P. Morgan and PNC. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Economics and Finance from Loyola University Chicago.

Sam Gilboard

Director, National Association of Home Builders

Sam Gilboard is the Director of Federal Legislative for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), with a specific focus on issues concerning labor, immigration, and healthcare. He is a frequent speaker on housing and workforce issues, often highlighting the challenges faced by the construction industry.

Appointed to the position in late 2023, Gilboard’s role involves advocating for the homebuilding industry on Capitol Hill.

His work primarily involves legislation related to the workforce shortage in construction, immigration reform, and healthcare policy as it affects builders.

Dabney Hegg

Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Dabney Hegg has more than 25 years of experience in the U.S. Senate specializing in transportation, housing, economic development, homeland security, and disaster response and recovery. Dabney most recently served as Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. Prior to this role, Dabney served as Senior Professional Staff on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security. Dabney received a dual bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the College of Charleston and her Master of Arts in public administration from George Mason University.

Lewis Jordan

Executive Director, Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority

Lewis Jordan serves as the Executive Director of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority, bringing over 40 years of extensive public and private management experience to the role. In his leadership role, Lewis oversees a $202 million operating budget and manages comprehensive housing programs and services for approximately 17,000 residents. Under his guidance, the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority has become one of the nation’s largest public housing authorities, providing the largest stock of affordable housing in Clark County.

Source: Cornerstone Government Affairs, LinkedIn, Nevada HAND, Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority

CHARTING A SUSTAINABLE COURSE: FEDERAL LEADERSHIP ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

9:45 a.m.

Option 2

JW Marriott, Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

Navigating the complexities of federal water policy, this discussion delves into the challenges surrounding access to water resources and the evolving federal role in water management. The panel will also discuss the impacts of water management, resources, and infrastructure needs of states and the role of the federal government. Conversations will also focus on how federal policies influence development and conservation strategies in the state.

MODERATOR:

Dr. David Damore

Executive Director, The Lincy Institute and Brooking Mountain West, UNLV

Dr. David F. Damore is Professor of Political Science and the Executive Director of The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West. In addition to his positions at UNLV, Dr. Damore is a Brookings Institution Nonresident Senior Fellow in Governance Studies.

An expert in electoral politics and applied public policy, Dr. Damore has written extensively on Nevada politics and policy. He has published dozens of policy briefs, book chapters, and journal articles and is coauthor of Blue Metros, Red States: The Shifting Urban/Rural Divide in America’s Swing States, with Robert E. Lang and Karen A. Danielsen, and Latinos in Nevada: A Political, Economic and Social Profile with John P. Tuman, Tiffiany O. Howard, and Nerses Kopalyan.

Dr. Damore earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, his M.A. from the University of Georgia, and his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego, all in Political Science.

PANELISTS:

Steven Barringer

Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP

Steven Barringer is a member of Greenberg Traurig’s (GT) Environmental and Government Law and Policy practice group. Barringer’s practice is unique in that it combines substantive environmental law knowledge with deep policy experience, beginning as an attorney-adviser and Special Assistant to the Solicitor at the Department of Interior. Barringer’s broad experience representing environmental clients led to his work in policy matters. Barringer served on an EPA advisory committee examining hazardous waste regulations, and was selected by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to negotiate amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Barringer has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal as one of the top environmental practitioners representing the mining industry.

Zane Marshall

Director of Water Resources, Southern Nevada Water Authority

Zane Marshall is the Director of the Water Resources Department of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), where he has worked for the past 29 years. A Las Vegas native, Marshall leads six divisions that oversee the management of water, land and environmental resources, and the implementation of environmental restoration and compliance, conservation, climate change and sustainability programs.

Marshall has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, and a Master of Arts in Science in Biology and Statistics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is a 2014 graduate of the Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Water and Waste Water Leadership Center, and a 2015 graduate of the Vegas Commerce’s Leadership Las Vegas Program.

Doug Thornley

Of Counsel, Holland & Hart

Doug Thornley rejoins Holland & Hart after serving as the Reno City Manager for four years. In his role as chief executive of Nevada’s third largest city, he led a team of 1,800 employees across 26 departments, and worked directly for the elected city council as its primary policy advisor and administrator of a nearly $1 billion annual budget. He counsels clients on virtually every phase of commercial and residential real estate development, from land use and zoning approvals and reapprovals, to development applications, to master plan amendments. Leveraging negotiation skills honed as City Manager, he strives to resolve disputes up front with creative solutions. When litigation is inevitable, he is a tenacious advocate.

Thornley’s deep understanding of government mechanics and municipal land use law make him a valued strategic counselor for clients in real estate and public land matters. By seeing the whole field, he helps clients set objectives and design holistic legal solutions for their unique circumstances. Clients appreciate his ability to focus on near-term objectives and to proactively anticipate legal challenges that may emerge.

Thornley has managed disputes before myriad administrative and regulatory agencies and state and federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Nevada, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Sources: Greenberg Traurig, Holland & Hart, Southern Nevada Water Authority, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

NOT JUST A TALKING POINT: THE IMPORTANCE OF BUY AMERICA TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

10:30 a.m.

Option 1

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

What does “Made in America” mean for our future? How does prioritizing domestic production enhance national security and insulate against global shocks? How can businesses adapt to new policies and market demands to turn domestic production challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth for America’s businesses and consumers?

MODERATOR:

Congressman Jon Porter (ret.)

Founder and CEO, Porter Group

PANELIST:

Christopher Wlibus

Chief Financial Officer, Drone America

As Chief Financial Officer for the unmanned aerial systems company Drone America, Christopher Wilbus oversees the financial strategy for a national leader in drone technology.

Located in Reno, Nevada, Drone America specializes in designing, manufacturing, and operating advanced unmanned aircraft for a wide range of applications, from public safety and emergency response to utility inspections and infrastructure monitoring. His unique background bridges the gap between advanced economic theory and the practical financial demands of pioneering the future of autonomous flight

Sources: LinkedIn, Porter Group

K-12 INNOVATION TO WORKFORCE PATHWAYS

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

10:30 a.m.

Option 2

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

Education is the bedrock to economic success. As workforce development is essential to the success of any economy, there needs to be strong alignment between employers, workforce initiatives, and our education system. K-12 education, along with higher education, has the sole responsibility of preparing the next generation of the workforce. The reality is the economy is always changing and so are the needs of employers. This means that the education system needs to evolve and change, so it can meet the demands of students and businesses. For an economy to grow and be competitive, the strength of the education system must increase efforts to prepare students to enter the workforce in the ever-evolving economy.

MODERATOR:

Gina Bongiovi

Founder, Bongiovi Law Firm

Gina Bongiovi is a Las Vegas native and the managing partner of Bongiovi Law Firm. Her practice focuses on providing business owners with legal advice tailored to their growth objectives, covering areas such as business formation, contracts, corporate law, and commercial real estate. The firm also provides outside general counsel services to businesses throughout the state with offices in Las Vegas and Reno.

She has held leadership roles and served on numerous boards, including Chair of the Vegas Chamber Board of Trustees, UNLV Alumni Association, Founding Board Member of Dress for Success Southern Nevada, Founding Board Member of Vegas Shepherd Rescue, and Chair of the Vegas Young Professionals. Bongiovi holds a dual law degree/MBA from UNLV, graduating from the William S. Boyd School of Law and College of Business. Previously, she graduated magna cum laude from the UNLV Honors College with a B.S.B.A in marketing and a minor in business law. Bongiovi is licensed to practice in all Nevada state courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

PANELISTS:

Chris Gabrieli

Co-Founder & Senior Advisor, Empower Schools and Chairman, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education

Chris Gabrieli is the co-founder and Senior Advisor of Empower Schools, Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, and a lecturer at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. He pioneered the Empowerment Zone effort in Empower’s first site in Springfield, MA. His current work at Empower focuses on growing Empower, providing critical research and community action towards Early College and Career Pathways efforts.

Chris has been at the forefront of several movements to expand educational opportunity and improve schooling and has been the founder of three successful non-profit education innovation and policy organizations including the National Center on Time & Learning. Chris is a graduate of Harvard College. He has been active in civic and political life in Massachusetts for thirty years.

Jennie Niles

CEO, CityWorks DC

Jennifer C. Niles leads the CityWorks DC team as an experienced educational leader. She founded and led the acclaimed E.L. Haynes Public Charter School. Niles built myriad programs focused on improving urban education beyond the school’s own walls, including cross-sector initiatives to build a teacher pipeline, race and equity seminars, and ongoing professional development for teachers.

After her twelve-year tenure, she served as DC’s Deputy Mayor for Education for three years overseeing DC Public Schools, the Office of the Superintendent of Education, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the DC Public Library, and the University of the District of Columbia. CityWorks DC was the outcome of her research and design project as a Senior Fellow based at CityBridge Education.

Tamara Shear

CEO, Opportunity 180

Tamara Shear was born and raised in southern California where she earned her B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Riverside. She began her education career through Teach For America in Washington D.C. as a middle school math teacher where she earned her Master’s of Arts in Teaching. She worked for Friendship Public Charter School and the District of Columbia Public Schools. She moved to Los Angeles to be closer to family and worked for Animo Watts, a Green Dot Public Charter School.

In 2014, Shear found her new home in Las Vegas where she explored many types of development and training to support the teachers and leaders, she works with to reach their full potential. Prior to working for Opportunity 180 she worked with Teach for America, TNTP, and Achievement Network. Her time in those organizations was spent working alongside birth through 12th-grade teachers, coaches, principals, and district leadership to improve instructional outcomes for students from historically marginalized backgrounds. Recognizing the systemic barriers school districts and school leaders face, she joined Opportunity 180 and leads the program team by working collaboratively with her colleagues, partners, and our community to ensure all students and families in Nevada, especially our most underserved, have access to great public schools and people in those schools who are deeply committed to their success.

Sources: CareerWise DC, Empowerment Schools, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Opportunity 180

TARIFFS, TRADE WARS, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUSINESSES

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

11:15 a.m.

Option 1

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salon D,E,F

Panel members will talk about the international effects of recently imposed tariffs and the impacts that have trickled down through the national economy and how this will shape pricing for the near future. Conversations will focus on the impact these decisions have had on businesses large and small, and the supply chain challenges and opportunities recent federal action has created.

In the context of Nevada, current political strains from trade negotiations have resulted in softening international tourism, and reciprocal tariffs have resulted in sharp increases in the cost of building materials and consumer products that are estimated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to cost the average American household $4,000 in 2025.

MODERATOR:

Tyler Corder

Chief Financial Officer, Findlay Automotive Group

Tyler Corder is a highly-respected executive at the Findlay Automotive Group, where he serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

He has been a pivotal leader since joining the company in 1994, overseeing its growth from just four dealerships to over 30 locations across six western states. His strategic guidance has been instrumental in shaping the company’s expansion while staying true to its core values of family and community. Beyond his corporate role, Corder is known for his extensive charitable work and community involvement, having led initiatives supporting more than 100 charities.

PANELISTS:

Mike Goodman

Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Mike Goodman has nearly 20 years of experience in the policy and political arenas, including 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Goodman served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Ron Kind (D, WI) and Deputy Chief of Staff to Rep. Bruce Braley (D, IA). His federal policy work includes Healthcare, trade, tax, small business, and tech policy.

Robert Maxim

Fellow, Brookings Metro

Robert Maxim is a Fellow at Brookings Metro, conducting research exploring how technological change and other economic trends affect people and places. Maxim’s research also covers the effects of automation and artificial intelligence on U.S. workers, Native Americans’ access to the remote work economy, and the effects of U.S. tariffs and trade policy.

Laura Rabinowitz

Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP

Laura Rabinowitz counsels domestic and multinational businesses on supply chain issues, and has deep experience handling international trade projects, mitigating the impact of tariffs in supply chain strategy, and compliance with forced-labor enforcement. Prior to entering private practice, Rabinowitz served as an attorney with U.S. Customs, representing Customs in litigation at the Court of International Trade.

Ben Rosenbaum

Vice President, Porter Group

Benjamin J. Rosenbaum, Vice President, joined the Porter Group in 2021 with nearly fifteen years on Capitol Hill working in leadership roles for two prominent Members of Congress, including as Deputy Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Dina Titus. In those roles, Rosenbaum served as a senior staff member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee including the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

As staff director of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, Rosenbaum has a deep understanding of the link between tourism and economic development. Rosenbaum has extensive knowledge of the annual appropriations process, homeland security and emergency management, public lands and natural resources, and other issues impacting businesses and communities

Sources: Brookings Metro, Cornerstone Government Affairs, Greenberg Traurig, Porter Group, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

PUBLIC LANDS POLICY IN THE POST OBBB ENVIRONMENT

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

11:15 a.m.

Option 2

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

The scarcity of developable land in Nevada continues to be a major factor in economic constraint for the region – particularly in the context of diversification. During the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ consideration, there was debate on making more federal land available to develop in Nevada which ultimately resulted in no action. As Congress moves forward, what is the outlook on public lands and resources? What is the priority for Congress? Is there a path to an agreement on more available land in the west?

MODERATOR:

Stephanie Walker

Senior Vice President, Porter Group

Stephanie Walker is a Senior Vice President at Porter Group where she specializes in Capitol Hill strategy and project management including advocacy for policy in the fields of natural resources, labor, health care/social services and banking. Prior to her time with Porter Group, Walker was the Legislative Director for Congressman Mark Amodei. She is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and has an MBA from the Louisiana State University, Shreveport.

PANELISTS:

Sam Crofts

Policy Director, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Sam Crofts serves a critical role in the legislative process for lands and resources related bills in the United States Senate. Prior to his time serving the Senate, he worked for Americans for Tax Reform, Libertas Institute, and the Charles Koch Institute.

Terry Van Doren

Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Terry Van Doren has nearly three decades of legislative and policy experience having served in key legislative roles for U.S. Senate leaders and major agricultural organizations. With his extensive background in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure, Terry brings valuable insight into the firm. Before joining Cornerstone, Terry was the Senior Policy Advisor for U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), where he provided guidance on key issues, including agriculture, energy, environment and infrastructure.

Prior to this role, Terry was the Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE), where he led a legislative team yielding successful bipartisan initiatives that garnered supermajority support in the U.S. Senate. Other positions Terry held include Political Appointee for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Legislative Director and Agricultural Policy Director for the Office of U.S. Senator Peter G. Fitzgerald (R-IL), and Associate Director of Agriculture Policy for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Terry received his Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois and his Master of Agriculture degree from Colorado State University.

Sources: Cornerstone Government Affairs, Porter Group, U.S. Senate

CONGRESSIONAL TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE LUNCHEON

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

12:00 p.m.

JW Marriott, Capitol Ballroom, Salons E, D, F

This panel discussion will discuss the critical role federal policy has in transportation infrastructure as it relates to economic development and the creation of jobs in Nevada. The panel will address priorities and needs within the state and in local communities as well. They will also will explore how federal transportation initiatives and investment, including efforts to reduce congestion and improve safety and accessibility, can positively impact these vital transportation corridors

MODERATOR:

Angela Castro

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada

Angela Castro is Deputy CEO for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). In her role, Castro works directly with the CEO, serving as chief of staff and overseeing all strategic and public-facing initiatives that encompass public transportation, traffic management, roadway planning and funding. She directs state and federal government affairs and public policy; purchasing and contracts; traditional and digital marketing; transit advertising; community engagement; media relations and messaging. Castro also manages the agency’s transportation demand management program, Club Ride.

Before joining the RTC, Castro held several important marketing or media positions with the Las Vegas Monorail, MGM International and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Prior to her 2022 promotion to Deputy CEO, Castro served as the RTC’s Chief Strategy, Policy and Marketing Officer. Castro moved to Las Vegas to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations. She later earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Regis University.

PANELISTS:

Trevor Dean

Senior Policy Advisor for Transportation and Technology and Director of Government Investment, Office of United States Senator Catherine Cortez Masto

Trevor Dean has more than ten years of experience developing legislative and political strategies on campaigns, Capitol Hill, and within the Federal Government and has deep experience in transportation policy. Before joining Senator Cortez Masto’s staff, Trevor served the Obama Administration’s Department of Transportation in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration.

Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown

Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown, City of North Las Vegas

Pamela Goynes-Brown was elected Mayor of the City of North Las Vegas in 2022 and assumed office that same year on December 1, becoming the first black Mayor in Nevada history. A longtime educator turned public servant, Mayor Goynes-Brown previously served as Councilwoman of North Las Vegas’ Ward 2 for over a decade and was the first female African American Councilwoman in that role. She also was the first female African American Mayor Pro-Tempore, having served for two terms.

A long-time resident of North Las Vegas, Mayor Goynes-Brown has lived in the city since 1964 when her family moved to the area. She pursued a career in public education, following in both her parents’ footsteps, and worked for the Clark County School district for 35 years before retiring as assistant principal.

Mayor Goynes-Brown holds a master’s degree from NOVA Southeastern University in elementary education, with an endorsement in educational leadership. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Prairie View A & M University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

PANELISTS continued:

Tracy Larkin-Thomason

Director, Nevada Department of Transportation

Director Tracy Larkin Thomason leads the department’s approximately 1,900 team members in planning, constructing, operating and maintaining the states 5,400 centerline miles of highway and inspecting more than 2,000 bridges across the state.

Larkin-Thomason held numerous NDOT administrative, management, and technical roles, culminating in a position as deputy director before retiring in 2021. Following her NDOT retirement, LarkinThomason served as senior vice president of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA) where she drove national efforts in intelligent transportation systems. Larkin-Thomason returned to NDOT upon being appointed director in 2023, supporting Governor Lombardo’s plan to target critical transportation needs, build out new and alternative transportation modes, and expand new transportation opportunities through partnership with neighboring states and federal agencies.

Benjamin Siegrist

Director, Office of Public Liaison & Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Transportation

Benjamin J. Siegrist serves as Director of Public Liaison and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Transportation, a role he assumed in January 2025. In this position, he leads stakeholder engagement efforts and advises senior leadership on policy and outreach strategies that advance the Department’s transportation and infrastructure priorities.

Before joining USDOT, Siegrist built extensive experience across Congress, national associations, and the private sector. He served as Senior Professional Staff Member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee under Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) from 2023 to 2025, where he supported legislative initiatives on surface transportation, innovation, and infrastructure investment. Prior to that, he was Director of Infrastructure, Innovation, and Human Resources Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers, and earlier held senior legislative affairs roles at the National Automobile Dealers Association and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

Siegrist’s career also includes service as Special Assistant in the USDOT Office of the Secretary, campaign staff on Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, and early legislative experience in the U.S. Senate, including with Senators Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Strom Thurmond (R-SC).

A native of York, South Carolina, Siegrist earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is a graduate of Clover High School in Clover, SC.

Joey Paskey

Director of Public Works, City of Las Vegas

Joey Paskey was appointed as the Director of Public Works for the City of Las Vegas in October 2023. As Director of Public Works, Paskey oversees the city’s roadway and traffic network, wastewater and storm water management, underground infrastructure and more. Paskey previously served as the deputy director and city traffic engineer for the Public Works Department since May 2018. In this position, she managed a team that provides transportation system funding, planning, design, construction, operational analysis, maintenance services and private development coordination for the Las Vegas community.

Prior to her time at the city, Paskey worked as a consultant, providing technical expertise in intelligent transportation systems and transportation infrastructure throughout the United States. Paskey received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Montana State University. She is a professional engineer registered in the states of Nevada and California and also holds a Professional TrafficOperations Engineer certification.

Source: City of Las Vegas, Nevada Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, U.S Department of Transportation, United States Senate

FEDERAL HEALTHCARE:

CHARTING THE COURSE AHEAD

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

1:15 p.m.

Option 1

JW Marriott, Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

Discussion will focus on the impacts of recent federal legislation, including the impacts to Medicare and Medicaid funding by the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB), recent decisions by the Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding enforcement of the False Claims Act, and the impacts of recent federal decisions for businesses and consumers alike. The panel will also explore how the United States has one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world, faces the issue of increased affordability and accessibility continues to challenge the future of the healthcare system.

MODERATOR:

Michael Murphy

President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nevada

Michael “Mike” Murphy is President and General Manager of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nevada. Anthem is Nevada’s second largest carrier, with a membership of more than 300,000. Prior to his appointment as president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nevada, Murphy served in various leadership roles throughout the country, including the vice president of sales for the consumer services division of UniCare; vice president of sales for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky; and various leadership roles in the consumer and Medicare markets at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana.

PANELISTS:

Michael Andel

Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals

Michael Andel is the senior vice president of government affairs at the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP). Michael has extensive experience in government relations in the private sector and Congress.

Prior to joining NABIP, Andel was a director of federal relations at Aflac. There, he advocated for access to employee benefits, including life, disability, dental, vision, and supplemental health insurance.

Andel has also worked in the US House and Senate. He served as chief of staff for Congressman David Scott, where he successfully managed a full team of legislative and congressional casework experts and advised the congressman on legislative and campaign matters. He also worked for Senator Max Cleland as a legislative assistant and deputy press secretary. Andel is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

Lexi Branson

Vice President of Health Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Lexi Branson serves as the Vice President of Health Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she leads the Chamber’s Health Policy Division. Prior to this role, Branson served as the Deputy Vice President of Advocacy and Strategic Alliances at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, where she oversaw all federal field activities, managed a national team of activists to drive critical policy reform.

Carlos Jackson

Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Carlos Jackson has over twenty years of legislative experience, previously serving the American Hospital Association’s federal lobbying team for six years before joining Cornerstone, working on landmark legislation that includes both the Affordable Care Act and Budget Control Act. Jackson also managed federal and state government relations for the Cleveland Clinic and served as the Vice President of Legislative Affairs at America’s Essential Hospitals.

Tom Joseph

Vice President, Paragon Government Relations

Tom Joseph is Vice President of Paragon Government Relations, heading up the firm’s health and human services practice and overseeing various aspects of the firm’s operations. Joseph brings more than 30 years of lobbying expertise and previously served for more than 16 years as the deputy director of the Legislative Department at the National Association of Counties. Joseph also served as one of the chief advocates with Los Angeles County’s Washington Office.

Todd Sklamberg

Chief Executive Officer, Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center

Todd Sklamberg is the Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, Nevada’s largest acute care facility, and Sunrise Children’s Hospital, Nevada’s largest, most comprehensive children’s hospital. Located on the same campus, Sunrise Hospital and Sunrise Children’s is an 836-bed facility.

Prior to becoming CEO, Sklamberg served as the Chief Operating Officer of Sunrise Children’s Hospital in 2012. Sunrise Hospital and Sunrise Children’s Hospital are members of HCA Healthcare’s Sunrise Health System in Las Vegas. Prior to joining HCA, Sklamberg served as vice president at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Sklamberg’s commitment to Nevada extends to his community work as he currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee for the Nevada Hospital Association and has served previously as Chair. He is also active with the Vegas Chamber serving as a member of the Government Affairs Committee.

Sources: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cornerstone Government Affairs, National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, Sunrise Health System, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

THE STANDARDS GAME: HOW U.S. BUSINESSES CAN STAY AHEAD IN A WORLD OF COMPETING TECH STANDARDS

OVERVIEW:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

1:15 p.m.

Option 2

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is a community of scholars and supporters committed to expanding liberty, increasing individual opportunity and strengthening free enterprise. AEI pursues these unchanging ideals through independent thinking, open debate, reasoned argument, facts and the highest standards of research and exposition.

Without regard to politics or prevailing fashion, they dedicate their work to a more prosperous, safer and more democratic nation and world. AEI is a private, nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics and social welfare.

MEETING TOPIC:

Hear from Shane Tews, President of Logan Circle Strategies and Nonresident Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute as she discusses recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, “If the US Doesn’t Set Global Tech Standards, China Will.” Tews will examine the ongoing competition for shaping the future of global technology and how it will impact U.S. businesses. Her op-ed focuses on the notion that the United States risks ceding leadership to other countries in the race to define the standards for AI, telecommunications, and the internet.

SPEAKER:

Shane Tews

President of Logan Circle Strategies and Nonresident Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

Shane Tews is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she focuses on cybersecurity issues, including privacy and data protection, next-generation networking (5G), the Internet of Things, international internet governance, digital economic policy, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse, cryptocurrency and nonfungible tokens, and emerging technologies.

Along with her work at AEI Tews runs Logan Circle Strategies working with her clients to create a coordinated public policy approach to Information Communications and Technology policies and cyber security and cyber governance strategies on a global scale. Additionally, Tew is on the board of directors of the Internet Education Foundation; chair of the Internet Society’s Washington DC chapter, and chair of the board of directors at TechFreedom.

Sources: American Enterprise Institute

MODERNIZATION OF PAYMENT METHODS AND ADVANCEMENTS FOR BUSINESS

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

1:45 p.m.

Option 1

JW Marriott, Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

This dicussion will explore how small businesses can benefit from modern payment systems built on digital assets including how blockchain technology to offer faster, more secure, and fraud-proof transactions at lower costs compared to traditional payment methods.

MODERATOR:

Francisco V. Aguilar

Secretary of State, State of Nevada

Francisco “Cisco” Aguilar was elected as Nevada Secretary of State in 2022 and assumed office on January 2, 2023. Prior to being elected, Secretary Aguilar served twelve years as General Counsel for Agassi Graf, the management company for Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf, and the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education. In this role, he was responsible for communications and media, marketing and brand management, strategic partnerships, legal and government affairs. The Secretary also served as Special Counsel to the Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education, Jim Rogers, and as a lawyer for the parent company of the Las Vegas and Reno NBC affiliates, KSNV Channel 3 and KRNV Channel 4, and 15 other NBC affiliates.

The Secretary combined his expertise in business and sports to launch a sports technology startup company, Blueprint Sports & Entertainment, connecting athletes and brands where they live and play. Secretary Aguilar graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and accounting, an MBA and Juris Doctor. Secretary Aguilar is a member of the Nevada, California, and Arizona Bars.

PANELIST:

Daniel C. McCabe

Co-founder, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer, Flexa

Daniel C. McCabe is co-founder, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer of Flexa, a digital payments network that makes accepting money fast, affordable, and completely fraud-proof for merchants all over the world.

Prior to Flexa, McCabe was partner at Greensfelder Hemker & Gale in Chicago, where he served as outside general counsel for businesses in the technology and manufacturing sectors. During this time, his practice also focused on complex commercial litigation matters in the areas of financial services, intellectual property, and commercial contract litigation. Before that, he was Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Vanquish Capital Management, a private equity fund based in New York City.

McCabe is also an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, and was recently named one of the “Top 25 Crypto Lawyers in 2020” by the American Crypto Association. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and Illinois Tech’s Chicago Kent College of Law.

Sources: Nevada Secretary of State, Practicing Law Institute

LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD: ADVANCING A FAIRER LEGAL SYSTEM FOR BUSINESSES

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 1:45 p.m.

Option 2

JW Marriott, Capitol Ballroom, Salons G

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) is the most influential legal reform organization in the country, leading advocacy efforts at the state, federal, and international levels. Its primary mission is to champion a fair legal system that promotes economic growth and opportunity. ILR’s mission involves working on various legal reforms, including addressing issues related to class action lawsuits, regulatory enforcement, asbestos litigation, and third-party litigation funding. The discussion will focus on how ILR aims to improve the civil legal system for businesses and consumers, ultimately contributing to economic growth for businesses.

SPEAKER:

Page C. Faulk

Senior Vice President of Legal Reform, U.S. Chamber Institute of Legal Reform

Page C. Faulk is senior vice president of legal reform initiatives at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR). She provides strategy, advocacy, and policy guidance on key state, federal, and international issues, including managing ILR’s state attorneys general and transnational litigation programs. She also works on emerging issues and organizes key civil justice events.

Faulk joined ILR from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission where she served in various roles, most notably as general counsel. Her accomplishments included overseeing all federal court litigation and promulgating the agency’s first major product safety rule, which preempted a patchwork of state laws and provided a uniform national standard. She also educated international counterparts on U.S. safety standards and developed the inaugural U.S.-China Consumer Product Safety Summit.

Faulk also spent several years on Capitol Hill. There she served as a senior adviser to Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a legislative aide to Sen. Rick Santorum, and an intern on the Senate Judiciary Committee. She also practiced law with the firm Ungaretti & Harris.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Faulk received her Juris Doctor from the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law. She also holds a certificate in international law from The Hague Academy of International Law.

Sources: U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform

CONGRESSIONAL STAFF ROUNDTABLES

EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, LABOR, SMALL BUSINESS, WORKFORCE

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

2:15 p.m.

Option 1

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salons D,E,F

Attendees are invited to participate in a series of 15-minutes roundtable discussions with congressional staffers from Nevada’s Congressional Delegation along with staffers from several congressional committees. Each session will provide the opportunity to participate in three roundtables per session. These roundtables will give attendees to interact, engage, and discuss with congressional staffers who advise federal policy makers on critical policy matters impacting businesses in Nevada. This new engagement opportunity offered by the Vegas Chamber will allow you to share your insights and concerns on key issues that affect your business, while building valuable relationships and connections with congressional staff, creating an open channel for ongoing dialogue and future advocacy efforts. Engage and be a part of the conversation and contribute to supporting a stronger business environment in Nevada.

Source: U.S. House of Representatives

CONGRESSIONAL STAFF ROUNDTABLES

NATURAL RESOURCES, TAXES, TRANSPORTATION

MEETING TOPIC:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

2:15 p.m.

Option 2

JW Marriott Hotel, Capitol Ballroom, Salon G

Source: U.S. House of Representatives

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

CONGRESSIONAL

MEETINGS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 SCHEDULE

CONGRESSIONAL MEETINGS

WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Grand Ballroom, Lower Level

8:00 a.m.

8:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

11:45 a.m.

MORNING SESSIONS

Breakfast and Morning Program

U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, NV

How Sports Venues Can Increase Voter Participation

Congresswoman Susie Lee, NV-3

U.S. Congressman Dan Goldman (D) New York’s Tenth Congressional District

Congressman Mark Amodei, NV-4

Congresswoman Dina Titus, NV-1

Congressman Steven Horsford, NV-4

BREAK

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

12:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

The Future of American Politics and the 2026 Election Luncheon

U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, NV

OPEN AFTERNOON

U.S. SENATOR

JACKY ROSEN (D) NEVADA

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Committee on Armed Services

• Committee on Foreign Relations

• Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

• Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurs

SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Subcommittee on Cybersecurity (Ranking Member)

• Subcommittee on Strategic Forces

• Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities

• Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation

• Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media

• Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness

PUBLIC SERVICE:

• Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2018

• Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016

EDUCATION/ALMA MATER:

• University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

• College of Southern Nevada

CONGRESSIONAL MEETING TOPICS:

GAMING & TOURISM

• The Vegas Chamber supports efforts to restore the deduction standards for gaming losses back to 100% instead of the new standard of 90% that was adopted in the OBBB This restoration would require congressional action through the form of legislation. This is based on the premise of restoring fairness for taxpayers and consumers. The Chamber is concerned about additional fees, costs, or policies that may hinder international tourism, especially to Las Vegas.

PUBLIC LANDS

• The Vegas Chamber urges members of Congress and the Nevada community to continue supporting efforts across the state to update public land usage to align with population growth trajectories and current environmental needs.

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

• The Vegas Chamber supports federal assistance that expands capital access and improves the SBA’s technical and financial infrastructure, especially as small businesses and enterperners continue to face inflationary pressures, supply chain instability, and ongoing workforce shortages.

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

• The Vegas Chamber is requesting federal funding for the widening of the I-15 corridor and for the widening to expand further along the I-15 to better accommodate the millions of people that travel between Southern California and Nevada and goods and merchandise that utilize this route to transport goods throughout the West.

WATER POLICY

• The Vegas Chamber is urging federal leadership to help address the availability and sustainability of the water resources needs of the seven states including Nevada that rely on the Colorado River. The ongoing drought conditions within the Colorado River Basin and the impact on Lake Mead is a concern to economic stability to Southern Nevada.

YUCCA MOUNTAIN

• The Vegas Chamber continues to oppose the transportation and storage of any nuclear waste in the state because of the potential negative effects it could have on the safety and health of residents and visitors in Southern Nevada.

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT REAUTHORIZATION

• The Vegas Chamber supports the collective efforts to foster innovative workforce development programs through the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, with provisions that ensure streamlined, direct client services approach.

HOW SPORTS VENUES CAN INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION

MEETING TOPICS:

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

8:30 a.m.

Willard InterContinental Hotel

Grand Ballroom, Lower Level

Drawing lessons from successful initiatives, this panel will explore the innovative ways in which sports venues and organizations can serve as powerful platforms to boost civic engagement and increase voter participation.

The discussion will focus on strategies that leverage the influence of professional sports teams and the accessibility of stadiums to reach diverse communities, focusing on collaborations like that between Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar and the Las Vegas Raiders. In the 2024 General Election, the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office and the Clark County Election Department partnered with the Las Vegas Raiders and the NFL to open Allegiant Stadium as a polling location, allowing voters to cast ballots there for the first time.

MODERATOR:

Piper Overstreet-White

Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations, Las Vegas Raiders

Piper Overstreet-White has been with the Las Vegas Raiders for three seasons. As Senior Vice President of Government & Community Relations, she operates at the intersection of policy, sports, and community. Overstreet-White leads the club’s legislative efforts at the local and state levels advancing initiatives that engage stakeholders around the organization’s strategic business priorities. Piper also oversees the Raiders’ community outreach efforts, philanthropic giving, and football development initiatives.

Since her youth, volunteering for the betterment of her community has always been a priority for Overstreet-White. She currently serves on the board of several local committees and is an active member of multiple nonprofit organizations. She is a proud alumna of Hampton University and the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

PANELISTS:

Francisco V. Aguilar

Secretary of State, State of Nevada

Michael Hanmer

Director of Center Democracy and Civic Engagement, University of Maryland

Dr. Michael Hanmer is a Professor in the Department of Government and Politics and Director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland. His research focuses on political participation, public opinion, voting rights, election administration, and political methodology. He co-directs The Washington Post-UMD poll.

Hanmer is the author of Discount Voting: Voter Registration Laws and Their Effects and co-author of Voting Technology: The Not-So-Simple Act of Casting a Ballot. He has published articles on a variety of topics related to elections such as voter registration, absentee voting, voting-by-mail, ballot design, college student voting, early voting, public agency registration, and voter identification laws. He has also published public opinion toward foreign policy, methods to increase the accuracy of survey responses, and methods to improve the reporting of statistical analyses. Dr. Hanmer received his B.A. in economics from SUNY Geneseo and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan.

Sources: Las Vegas Raiders, Nevada Secretary of State, University of Maryland

U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN

SUSIE LEE (D)

Nevada’s Third Congressional District

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• House Committee on Appropriations

SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development, and Related Agencies

• Subcommittee on Defense

PUBLIC SERVICE:

• Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018

• Superintendent’s Educational Opportunities Advisory Committee

• Guinn Center Board of Directors

• Lincy Institute Education Committee Advisory Board

EDUCATION/ALMA MATER:

• Carnegie-Mellon University

CONGRESSIONAL MEETING TOPICS:

GAMING & TOURISM

PUBLIC LANDS

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

WATER POLICY

YUCCA MOUNTAIN

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

REAUTHORIZATION

U.S. Congressman

Dan Goldman (D)

NEW YORK’S TENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• House Committee on Homeland Security

• House Committee on Judiciary

PUBLIC SERVICE:

• Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022

• 10 years as Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York

• Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime Unit 2012 to 2014

• Served as Senior Trial Counsel in the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force from 2014 to 2017

EDUCATION/ALMA MATER:

• Bachelor of Arts from Yale College

• Juris Doctorate from Standford Law School

CONGRESSIONAL MEETING TOPICS:

GAMING & TOURISM

PUBLIC LANDS

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

WATER POLICY

YUCCA MOUNTAIN

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT REAUTHORIZATION

U.S. CONGRESSMAN MARK

AMODEI (R)

Nevada’s Second Congressional District

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• House Committee on Appropriation

• House Natural Resources

SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Subcommittee on Federal Lands

• Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government

• Subcommittee on Homeland Security

• Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

• Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

PUBLIC SERVICE:

• Re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024

• Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election in 2011

• Nevada State Senate from 1998 to 2010

• Nevada State Assembly from 1996 to 1998

EDUCATION/ALMA MATER:

• Carson City High School, Carson City, Nevada

• University of Nevada Reno

• McGeorge Law School

CONGRESSIONAL MEETING TOPICS:

GAMING & TOURISM

PUBLIC LANDS

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

WATER POLICY

YUCCA MOUNTAIN

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT REAUTHORIZATION

U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN

DINA TITUS (D)

Nevada’s First Congressional District

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

• House Committee on Foreign Affairs

SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Subcommittee on Aviation

• Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management

• Subcommittee on Europe

• Subcommittee on Highways & Transit

• Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials (Ranking Member)

• Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere

PUBLIC SERVICE:

• Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 to represent Nevada’s First Congressional District

• Previously elected to the House Representatives in 2008 representing Nevada’s Third Congressional District for one-term

• Minority Leader, Nevada State Senate from 1993 to 2008

• Nevada State Senate from 1988 to 2008

EDUCATION/ALMA MATER:

• Bachelor of Science from the College of William and Mary

• Master’s degree from the University of Georgia

• Doctorate degree at Florida State University

CONGRESSIONAL MEETING TOPICS:

GAMING & TOURISM

PUBLIC LANDS

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

WATER POLICY

YUCCA MOUNTAIN

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT REAUTHORIZATION

U.S. Congressman

Steve Horsford(D)

Nevada’s Fourth Congressional District

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS

• Chairman

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• House Committee on Ways & Means

SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Subcommittee on Health

• Subcommittee on Social Security

PUBLIC SERVICE:

• Nevada State Senate from 2004 to 2013

• Majority Leader, Nevada State Senate from 2009 to 2013

• Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and 2018

EDUCATION/ALMA MATER:

• Ed W. Clark High School, Las Vegas

• University of Nevada, Reno

CONGRESSIONAL MEETING TOPICS:

GAMING & TOURISM

PUBLIC LANDS

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

WATER POLICY

YUCCA MOUNTAIN

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT REAUTHORIZATION

THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN POLITICS AND THE 2026 ELECTION LUNCHEON

OVERVIEW:

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 12:00 p.m.

The Willard InterContinental Hotel Grand Ballroom

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is a full-service lobbying, public policy and legal representation practice that helps companies, associations, nonprofits, and other organizations interpret federal government actions, solve challenges, and seize opportunities through interaction with government officials.

Their work includes legislative consulting, lobbying, policy development, public relations strategy, political messaging, and representation in front of the Congress, federal agencies, and regulatory bodies. With seasoned government relations professionals in every office, Brownstein provides comprehensive service at the federal, state, and local levels throughout the country.

MEETING TOPIC:

A bipartisan and bicameral panel of Washington, D.C. insiders from Brownstein will discuss the upcoming mid-term elections, the impact on Nevada and the country and their own crystal ball projections. This panel will discuss many of today’s political topics and share their perspective ahead of the mid-term elections. What national issues will drive voters this election cycle, or is this an election driven by local and regional issues? How will the Trump Administration impact the control of the U.S House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and what does that mean for voters?

MODERATOR:

Drew Littman

Policy Director, Brownstein

Drew Littman’s deep, institutional knowledge of the U.S. Senate and relationships with Democrats across the caucus is leveraged to defuse crisis situations and pursue legislative opportunities. He blends advocacy and communications strategies to mitigate government scrutiny, understanding how the slightest nuances in political messaging can impact outcomes.

Having served as chief of staff in the U.S. Senate and as senior counselor in the Department of Health and Human Services, Littman understands the unique operations of legislative offices and cabinet departments. He provides access to Democrats at the highest levels in Washington, D.C., from Pennsylvania Avenue to Capitol Hill, and primarily represents companies from the internet and technology; health care; and media and entertainment industries.

Prior to joining Brownstein, Littman served in the administration of President Barack Obama as senior counselor to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Earlier, Littman served as Senator Al Franken’s (D-MN) chief of staff and spent the first eight years of his career in the office of Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), four of which he served as policy director..

PANELISTS:

Greta Joynes

Policy Director, Brownstein

Greta Joynes is co-chair of the firm’s technology and telecommunications practice. As federal policymakers consider industry-altering laws and regulations on data privacy, supply chain security, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, energy, infrastructure and transportation, Joynes positions companies for success. Her technical understanding of clients’ businesses and political intuition on when and how to engage the government on their behalf has resulted in market-changing outcomes for small business coalitions, Series-A startups and Fortune 15 corporations.

Joynes leverages her experience as a senior congressional aide to frame issues and pitch policy solutions in ways that resonate with key Republican decision-makers to forge enduring relationships between her clients, the administration and Congress. Whether she is navigating a high-profile antitrust review by the FCC, advocating on a regulatory policy under consideration by the Department of Commerce and the White House, or achieving appropriations wins that propel business growth, Joynes works hard to both protect and promote her clients.

Before joining Brownstein, Joynes served as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL), where she advised the congressman on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology and worked closely with the Energy, Health, Environment and Economy subcommittees.

Al Mottur

Shareholder, Brownstein

Al Mottur is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and a senior Democratic strategist who solves the most complex and thorny political issues clients face in Washington, D.C. He connects organizations with leaders at the highest levels of Democratic politics, in both Congress and the Biden administration, and uses his legal and policy intellect to build consensus around solutions. When Fortune 50 corporations or sovereign governments face a major crisis, Mottur is often the person they turn to. He is at his best in high-pressure, high-stakes scenarios. Al has successfully protected high-profile mergers and acquisitions, defended companies from contentious oversight battles, and delivered legislative victories that saved clients billions of dollars.

As co-chair of the firm’s technology and telecommunication practice, Mottur engages federal policymakers as they develop legislation and regulations to address emerging technologies, data privacy, Big Tech, competition law and infrastructure. He has strong relationships with political and career officials at the Department of Commerce, FTC and FCC, as well as with Democratic leadership in Congress, including senior members of the House and Senate commerce committees. Mottur formerly served as senior communications counsel for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

In addition to his advocacy, Mottur is a prolific fundraiser for the Democratic Party. He spearheaded the firm’s bundling efforts during the last presidential election, raising more money for the DNC than any other D.C. lobbying firm.

Bart Reising

Policy Director, Brownstein

Bart Reising served over a decade with Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), building his experience with the workings of GOP party politics. During his time in the legislature, Bart helped guide legislative victories on bills including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority.

Reising began his 14-year career on Capitol Hill in the House of Representatives as the director of operations for Reps. Scalise and Austin Scott (R-GA), as well as former Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX), developing skills in congressional dynamics and the communication between the executive branch, the legislature and constituents. He went on to become the director of member services for thenRepublican Whip Scalise. In this role, he helped steer legislation in the 2017–2019 Republican trifecta. Most recently, he was selected as Majority Leader Scalise’s deputy chief of staff, making him a critical figure managing the congressman’s office and legislative agenda.

Source: Brownstein

U.S. Senator

Catherine Cortez Masto (D) Nevada

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

• Committee on Finance

• Committee on Indian Affairs

SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Subcommittee on Energy

• Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection (Ranking)

• Subcommittee on Health Care

• Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness

• Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance

• Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining (Ranking)

• Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment

• Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy

• Subcommittee on Water and Power

PUBLIC SERVICE:

• Elected as Attorney General of Nevada in 2007

• Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2017

EDUCATION/ALMA MATER:

• University of Nevada, Reno

• Gonzaga University

CONGRESSIONAL MEETING TOPICS:

GAMING & TOURISM

PUBLIC LANDS

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

WATER POLICY

YUCCA MOUNTAIN

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT REAUTHORIZATION

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

POLICY MEETINGS

NEVADA STATE DINNER GALA

MORNING, AFTERNOON & EVENING PROGRAMMING

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

SCHEDULE

MORNING SESSIONS

8:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Breakfast and Morning Program at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Lower Level

Congressional Keynote with Congressman Rogers Williams, Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Lower Level

Congresswoman Lisa McClain, MI-9 and Chair of the House Republican Conference

9:50 a.m.

Investing in the Future with Workforce Innovation at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Lower Level

Security of the Nation Through Nuclear Energy Policy at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Lower Level

AI and the Law: Navigating the Legal and Ethical Challenges of Regulations at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Lower Level

POLICY MEETINGS

WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL

1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Grand Ballroom, Lower Level

NEVADA STATE DINNER GALA

CONRAD WASHINGTON, D.C. HOTEL

950 New York Ave, NW, Grand Ballroom, Level 2

AFTERNOON SESSION

Hail to the Chiefs Luncheon at The Willard InterContinental Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Lower Level 12:00 p.m.

OPEN AFTERNOON 1:00 p.m.

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

7:00-9:00 p.m.

EVENING PROGRAMMING

Shuttles depart from the JW Marriott to the Nevada State Dinner Gala 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 13th Street Entrance

Nevada State Dinner Gala Cocktail Reception Conrad Washington, D.C. Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Level 2 950 New York Ave, NW

Nevada State Dinner Gala Conrad Washington, D.C. Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Level 2 950 New York Ave, NW

CONGRESSIONAL

LEADERSHIP KEYNOTE

CONGRESSMAN ROGER WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS

OVERVIEW:

Thursday, September 18, 2025

9:00 a.m.

The Willard InterContinental Hotel Grand Ballroom

On December 4, 1941, The U.S. House of Representatives created the first House Select Committee on Small Business in response to a growing number of small business activists and organizations advocating for more protections and better policies for America’s Small businesses. It quickly became a popular committee with House members and was made a permanent committee in 1975 where it was granted with areas of legislative jurisdiction and oversight, increasing its scope and influence.

The Committee on Small Business primarily provides oversight to the Small Business Administration (SBA), ensuring the administration is a good steward of taxpayer dollars, and has a heavy focus on reducing burdensome regulations as they pertain to small businesses. Subcommittees focus on topics that include Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access; Contracting and Infrastructure; Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains; and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development.

MEETING TOPIC:

The discussion will delve into the role of the Committee within the House of Representatives and the impact that it has on federal legislation and policy. The responsibilities of the Committee include legislation that places undue burden on small businesses. The Committee also has oversight and responsibility for the Small Business Administration.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

U.S. Congressman Roger Williams

Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Small Business

Roger Williams serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Small business and represents the 25th congressional district of Texas which is located in North Texas. Williams was raised in the Fort Worth area and attended Texas Christian University (TCU), where he was an All-Southwest Conference baseball player and named to TCU’s All-Decade Team for the 1960s.

Upon graduating, Williams was drafted by the Atlanta Braves and played in their farm system for many years before deciding to begin a new career as a small business owner and the head baseball coach at TCU. Later, Williams was appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2005 to serve as Texas Secretary of State where he helped usher in unprecedented economic growth to the state. He also served as the state’s Chief Liaison for the Texas Border and Mexican Affairs.

In 2012, Williams was elected to Congress and has been the voice for Main Street America and families across the country. For over 50 years, he has run a family-owned car dealership and calf-cow operation. His real-world business experience has made him an effective leader and legislator. In the 118th Congress, Congressman Williams was selected to be the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and to serve on the House Financial Services Committee.

Williams is one of the few business owners in Congress and understands first-hand the effects of increased taxes, government regulation, and bureaucracy that hurt small businesses and economic growth.

Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Department of State

CONGRESSWOMAN LISA MCCLAIN, MI-9 AND CHAIR OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE

MEETING TOPIC:

Thursday, September 18, 2025 9:30 a.m.

The Willard InterContinental Hotel Grand Ballroom

The meeting will focus on the work being undertaken by Congresswoman Lisa McClain with her assignment to the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce, which oversees programs that affect all Americans, from early learning and higher education to job training and retirement security. On the Committee, Congresswoman McClain champions policies that empower both parents and students. She also advocates for small businesses in Michigan that are being crushed by overbearing labor regulations.

SPEAKER:

U.S. Congresswoman Lisa McClain, MI-9

Chair of the House Republican Conference, U.S. House of Representatives

Congresswoman Lisa McClain proudly represents Michigan’s 9th District in the United States House of Representatives.

After serving as Secretary of the House Republican Conference for the 118th Congress, Congresswoman McClain was elected by her colleagues to continue serving in leadership as Chairwoman of the Conference for the 119th Congress.

Congresswoman McClain has spent her time in Congress championing issues that impact her home State of Michigan as well as the entire country. Policy areas like agriculture, economics, financial services, national defense, homeland security, immigration, healthcare, and veterans affairs are just a few of the issues Congresswoman McClain passionately works on each day in Congress.

She currently serves as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Education and Workforce.

Prior to serving in Congress, she spent more than 30 years building and growing a top-tier business from the ground up. She has firsthand knowledge from the private sector that she uses to advocate for important issues on behalf of her constituents. Congresswoman McClain is proud to serve and work for the people

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE WITH WORKFORCE INNOVATION

MEETING TOPIC:

Thursday, September 18, 2025

9:45 a.m.

The Willard InterContinental Hotel Grand Ballroom

Nevada’s business leaders know better than most that a well-educated and developed workforce is key to a strong economy. Investment in workforce development programs ensures workers can grow their skills and connect with workplaces where they can be most successful. Panelists will discuss workforce development initiatives by several organizations, including Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation, Workforce Connections, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Nevadaworks, and the Office of Workforce Innovation. Panelists will also dive into what other efforts can be made to support workforce development and grow skilled workers from the ground up in Nevada.

MODERATOR:

Jaime Cruz

Executive Director, Workforce Connections

Jaime Cruz serves as Executive Director for Workforce Connections, Southern Nevada’s Local Workforce Development Board. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director in October 2017, Cruz served as Chief Strategy Officer for eight years and was instrumental in partnering with local libraries to expand WIOA driven workforce programs.

Cruz understands firsthand the barriers many face when trying to improve their careers. As a young man who immigrated to the United States, Cruz initially worked as a dish washer despite a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Escuela Nacional De Marina Mercante in Lima, Peru. By improving his command of the English language and capitalizing on the growth opportunities he was presented, Cruz was able to successfully return to the engineering field and later transition to the public sector.

Prior to his career at Workforce Connections, Cruz worked on sustainability initiatives for major hotel casino companies in Las Vegas, including overseeing the development and implementation of energy management and building automation systems at MGM Resorts International’s CityCenter. He is recognized as a Certified Energy Manager and Certified Sustainable Development Professional by the Association of Energy Engineers, as well as a Certified Public Manager by the State of Nevada.

PANELISTS:

Chris Andresen

Senior Vice President, Dutko Government Relations, United States Workforce Associations

Chris Andresen is the current Senior Vice President at Dutko Government Relations. His policy areas include Appropriations, Federal Lobbying/strategic Planning, and Renewable Energy Policy. He has a master’s degree from the University of Maryland’s School of Business and received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia.

Trevor Hustus

Senior Legislative Assistant, Office of U.S. Congresswoman Lisa McClain

Trevor Hustus has served as a policy advisor to U.S. Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-Michigan) since July 2023, advising the Congresswoman on issues including education and workforce, transportation and infrastructure, appropriations, natural resources, veteran affairs, foreign policy and defense. Prior to serving in this role, Hustus worked as the grants director for U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine). Hustus attended the University of Southern Maine and received his master’s degree in professional studies at George Washington University in December 2024

PANELISTS continued:

Walter Simmons

President & CEO, Employ Prince George’s Incorporated

Walter Simmons is the President and CEO of Employ Prince George’s, a workforce development nonprofit. He has worked in workforce development for over a decade, holding various positions in states including South Carolina, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. He helped establish the organization in 2018, becoming one of the youngest workforce development board directors in the country.

Source: Employ Prince George’s Incorporated, LinkedIn, Workforce Connections

SECURITY OF THE NATION THROUGH NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY

MEETING TOPIC:

Thursday, September 18, 2025

10:30 a.m.

The Willard InterContinental Hotel Grand Ballroom

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. Established by Congress in 2000, the agency protects our nation by designing and delivering a safe, secure, reliable, and effective U.S. nuclear stockpile. The agency forges solutions that enable global security and stability through nonproliferation, counterproliferation, and emergency response; providing nuclear propulsion to power a global U.S. Navy, while leveraging transformative technologies to address emerging challenges.

The Trump administration has made public statements urging the continued development of the United States’ nuclear energy sector coinciding with new congressional nuclear initiatives. Learn about these latest initiatives and what it could mean for Nevada as the conversations evolve at the national level about nuclear energy.

SPEAKER:

Charles Moran

Associate Administrator for External Affairs, National Nuclear Security Administration

Charles T. Moran is the Associate Administrator for External Affairs. He has 20 plus years of working in the political/non-profit fundraising consulting industry and organizational management before moving to Washington DC to take over leadership of a national advocacy organization.

Moran has developed a reputation for providing bold and principled leadership in high-visibility, high-pressure environments. His proven strengths include building durable stakeholder relationships, designing and executing comprehensive persuasion campaigns and grounded public policy analysis. He appears frequently on national and international cable news networks to opine on political/policy issues and is a trusted source for sound analysis of current events and political strategy.

A native of Los Angeles, Moran holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from Occidental College and a master’s degree in public policy from Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy.

Source: Coherent Market Insights, Goldman Sachs, U.S. Department of Energy

AI AND THE LAW: NAVIGATING THE LEGAL AND ETHICAL CHALLENGES OF REGULATIONS

MEETING TOPIC:

Thursday, September 18, 2025 11:15 a.m.

The Willard InterContinental Hotel

Grand Ballroom

Discussion will focus on the role of federal and state governments in the regulation of artificial intelligence. Conversations will also include the work of the Senate Working Group on AI’s findings and identifications of regulations and statutes that affect innovation or companies’ ability to compete in AI. Nevada’s Senate Bill 199 of the 83rd legislative session was touted as one of the worst artificial intelligence regulation bills in the country, it is essential for Nevada to find a pathway to ensure the ethical use of AI while competing on both the national and global stages.

MODERATOR:

Paul Anderson

Senior Vice President of Industry & Government Affairs, Boyd Gaming

Paul Anderson is Senior Vice President of Industry and Government Affairs for Boyd Gaming, one of the nation’s largest casino entertainment companies. In this role, Anderson oversees Boyd Gaming’s government relations initiatives across the country.

Prior to joining Boyd Gaming in 2019, Anderson had a distinguished career as an elected official in the state of Nevada. First elected to the Nevada State Assembly in 2012, Anderson served as Assembly Majority Leader and Chair of the Ways and Means Committee in the 2015-2016 session. In that role, Anderson worked with Governor Brian Sandoval to pass critical educational and economic reform legislation. He later led legislative special sessions that secured funding for Raiders Stadium, the expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the Tesla Gigafactory.

After leaving the legislature in 2017, Anderson served as Executive Director of the Governor’s Office for Economic Development (Nevada GOED), the state agency tasked with diversifying Nevada’s economy through the recruitment of new companies and industries. Previous to joining GOED, Anderson was president and founder of AndersonPC, a multimillion-dollar IT services company with clients across the western United States.

In addition to his role at Boyd Gaming, Anderson currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Council for a Better Nevada and the Board of Directors for Campus of Hope. He is also past chair and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

PANELISTS:

Jordan Crenshaw

Senior Vice President, C_TEC, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Jordan Crenshaw is the Senior Vice President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC), where he leads the day-to-day operations of the policy team. Crenshaw also manages the privacy working group, which is comprised of nearly 300 companies and trade associations and is responsible for developing model privacy legislation. Prior to joining the Chamber, Crenshaw was an attorney focused on consumer privacy laws and environmental issues, working with McGuireWoods LLP and serving in Virginia Senate leadership, the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Administrative Law Judges, and the National Right to Work Defense Foundation.

AI AND THE LAW: NAVIGATING THE LEGAL AND ETHICAL CHALLENGES OF REGULATIONS CONTINUED...

Andy Flick

Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Andy Flick is a political strategist with more than 15 years of experience navigating Washington, including within Congress and the White House. He leverages a wealth of knowledge and deep expertise in legislative strategy, coalition-building, and political advising to service a diverse array of clients.

Most recently, Flick served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Congressional Affairs and Strategic Outreach in the Office of Vice President Kamala Harris. Before joining the White House, Flick served as Executive Director of the New Democrat Coalition, where he served as the top policy and political advisor for the caucus of more than 100 center-left Members of Congress. In addition to leading the Coalition’s policy agenda, Flick also led the Coalition’s political efforts, recruiting and supporting candidates in competitive districts across the country.

Earlier in his career, he served as Chief of Staff to Rep. David Trone (D-MD), where he spearheaded efforts to advance bipartisan legislation related to substance use, mental health, and medical research. He also served in senior roles for several Members of Congress, including Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), and the late Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO).

Flick earned his Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis.

Barry Schindler

Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig

Barry Schindler is Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Patents and Innovation Strategies Group. Barry has over 30 years of legal experience in all aspects of patent prosecution and IP protection including in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Schindler has worked with foreign counsel in many other countries, including China, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. Schindler has been listed in IAM Global Leaders Guide, Chambers USA Guide, and Managing IP Magazine’s World IP Handbook as an IP Star.

Jill Tolles

Executive Director, The Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities

Jill Tolles is the Executive Director of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. She has taught at the University of Nevada since 2005, where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Studies. She is also on the faculty of the National Judicial College, where she teaches courtroom management, collaborative decision-making, and procedural fairness to judges from around the nation and the world.

Prior to joining the Guinn Center, Tolles served three terms in the Nevada Legislature as the Assemblywoman for District 25, where she has served on the Education, Judiciary, Commerce and Labor, and Ways and Means Committees. Additionally, she served in two special sessions and three interims on the Interim Finance Committee, Legislative Committee on Education, Legislative Committee on Energy, Commission on Special License Plates, and the Nevada Sentencing Commission.

Tolles has given back to the community by serving on numerous boards and commissions over the years.

Source: Boyd Gaming, Cornerstone Government Affairs, Greenberg Taurig, The Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, US. Chamber of Commerce

HAIL TO THE CHIEFS LUNCHEON

Thursday, September 18, 2025

12:00 p.m.

The Willard InterContinental Hotel

Grand Ballroom

MEETING TOPIC:

Several of the Chiefs of Staff from Nevada’s Congressional delegation will share their thoughts and perspective on policy issues affecting the business community. Chiefs of staff play a critical and unique role in the offices of Members of Congress. They serve as part policy advisors, political strategist, chief financial officer, and personal confidant, they are integral to the political process and have rare insights into the ways that legislators come to their decisions and what policies they prioritize.

With panelists representing decades of political experience, our speakers will share their thoughts on the news of the day from the upcoming elections to major legislation as well as advice on engaging with Members, Senators, and their staffs with insight that only a true Washington-insider can provide.

MODERATOR:

Danielle Casey

President & CEO, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance

Danielle Casey serves as the leader of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, bringing extensive experience in leadership, public administration, marketing, and strategic planning. Her career as an economic development professional has spanned across multiple states, including significant tenures in Albuquerque, Sacramento, and Scottsdale, leading to the creation of jobs and driving inclusive economic growth.

Before her current role, Casey was President & CEO of the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, where she led a major organizational transformation that earned the organization numerous awards, including the Bronze Award for Economic Development Organization of the Year. She also served as Executive Vice President for the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, overseeing business development and strategic initiatives. In that role, she successfully launched national strategies, established key partnerships, and helped the organization exceed its job creation goals even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier in her career, she served in the City of Scottsdale’s economic development officey.

PANELISTS:

Yvanna Cancela

Chief of Staff, Office of Congressman Steven Horsford, NV-4

Yvanna Cancela was appointed as Chief of Staff to Congressman Horsford in 2024. She was most recently special assistant to the president and senior adviser to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for state and local government officials. She previously served as Chief of Staff of Governor Steve Sisolak of Nevada. Prior to administrative leadership roles at the federal and state levels of government, Cancela also served as a State Senator in the Nevada State Legislature.

Dara Cohen

Chief of Staff, Office of U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen

Dara Cohen currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Senator Jacky Rosen, a position she previously held in then Congresswoman Rosen’s House office. Cohen brings over a decade of political and government experience, most recently serving as Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Bill Enyart (IL-12). Cohen is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and received her Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University.

HAIL TO THE CHIEFS LUNCHEON

Scott Fairchild

Chief of Staff, Office of U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto

Scott Fairchild currently serves as the Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto, a position he previously held from 2017 to 2018. From 2019 to December 2021, Scott served as the Executive Director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. He also previously served as the campaign manager to Senator Cortez-Masto, Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2011, and former Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA). He also served as former Congressman Murphy’s Chief of Staff.

Molly Lowe Cutrona

Chief of Staff, Office of Congressman Mark Amodei, NV-2

Molly Lowe Cutrona currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Congressman Amodei, a position she has held since 2021. She previously served as Congressman Amodei’s Legislative Director from July 2018. Prior to joining Congressman Amodei’s office, Lowe Cutrona served as a Senior Legislative Assistant in the office of Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) where she focused on Energy, Homeland Security, and Tax policy. She is originally from Visalia, California and began working on Capitol Hill following her graduation from Pepperdine University in 2013 where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Mitch Moonier

Chief of Staff, Office of Congresswoman Dina Titus, NV-1

Mitch Moonier serves as the Legislative Director for Congresswoman Dina Titus who represents Nevada’s First Congressional District in the heart of Southern Nevada. While overseeing the Congresswoman’s legislative team, Moonier is the Congresswoman’s advisor in her role as Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and on the many caucuses she Co-Chairs, including the House Travel and Tourism Caucus. In this capacity, Congresswoman Titus continues to focus on making the travel experience an enjoyable one that is built on the foundation of hospitality and starts the moment people leave their homes to make their journey. Moonier was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and is a graduate of the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri.

Lauren Toy

Chief of Staff, Office of Congresswoman Susie Lee, NV-3

Lauren Toy serves as Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV), a Frontline member of the House Appropriations and Natural Resources Committees.

Toy began her career as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. During the 2018 election cycle, Lauren answered a call to get involved in politics and moved to Las Vegas to organize for the NV Democratic Party. There, she met and helped elect then-candidate Susie Lee, then followed Rep. Lee to D.C. to join her congressional office at the start of her freshman term.

Toy holds a B.A. in International Relations from Brown University, where she also captained the Division I lacrosse team. Lauren is a native of northern California and currently resides in Washington, D.C. In her free time, you’ll find Lauren running, biking, and playing basketball or pickleball – outdoors as much as possible.

Source: Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, U.S. House of Representatives

FEDERAL PRIORITIES

• Artificial Intelligence Regulations

• Gaming Deduction Losses Standards

• International Tourism

• Interstate 15 Investment Priorities

• Preserving Homeland Security Funding

• Public Land Management Development and Conservation

• Small Business Administration

• Southern Nevada Water Resources Management

• State of the Southern Nevada Economy and Business Climate

• Tariffs and Economic Impact

• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Reauthorization

• Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE REGULATIONS

ISSUE POSITION:

• Artificial Intelligence has broad impacts and implications on almost every facet of Nevadan’s lives including in the professional work setting. AI has the potential to effectively analyze data, generate responses, and provide material in seconds and become integrated in the daily lives of Nevadans.

• The U.S. Senate has convened a working group on AI and as a result has urged the Comptroller General of the United States to identify any federal statutes or regulations that effect innovation or the ability of companies of all sizes to compete in AI.

• The Senate working group has encouraged the clarification that business software and cloud computing are allowable expenses under SBA 7a loan programs.

• Artificial Intelligence stands to improve service delivery for countless sectors including government services delivery.

• 40% of small business owners utilize generative AI and it is likely that nearly all small businesses use digital tools that are somewhat powered by AI.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

The Vegas Chamber is requesting that federal leadership prioritize creating a unified national approach to AI regulation that fosters growth in the industry sector to establish the United States as a global leader in the Artificial Intelligence sector to protect consumers and empower small businesses.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• The United States has seen a patchwork of legislation from states that would make it incredibly difficult for small businesses in the sector to comply with and cause inconsistencies for larger businesses across the country.

• There is existing authorization for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to study the impact of AI on the workforce through the Workforce Data for Analyzing and Tracking Automation Act.

• Data Center consumption made up 4.4% of total energy consumption in the U.S., it is estimated to increase to 6% by 2026 because of AI.

• AI queries are highly water intensive; a UK study estimates water usage for data processing could reach half of the country’s total usage by 2027.

• Brookings currently classifies Nevada as a Focused Mover in Artificial Intelligence, excelling in adoption, but lagging in talent availability per their pillars of AI readiness.

• A Forbes Advisor study showed that 97% of business owners believe ChatGPT will help their businesses, and 1 in 3 plan to use it to write website content.

Sources: Brookings Institute, US Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Senate AI Working Group

GAMING DEDUCTION LOSSES STANDARDS

ISSUE POSITION:

• The passage of the One Big Beautiful Act (OBBB) made several changes to existing tax policy. One of the provisions of OBBB changed the existing gaming losses from 100 percent to 90 percent for deductions on an individual’s tax return. The changes to the existing deduction standards will take effect on January 1, 2026.

• This change creates a scenario where even a break-even player (winning and losing the same amount) could face a tax liability on 10% of their winnings, despite not having any net profit. For example, a player who wins $100,000 and loses $100,000 would only be able to deduct $90,000 in losses, resulting in $10,000 of taxable income, what is referred to as “phantom income”.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

• The Vegas Chamber supports efforts to restore the deduction standards for gaming losses back to 100% instead of the new standard of 90% that was adopted in the OBBB by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. This restoration would require congressional action through the form of legislation. This is based on the premise of restoring fairness for taxpayers and consumers.

• The Vegas Chamber supports the position taken by Nevada’s Congressional Delegation, Governor Joseph Lombardo, American Gaming Association, and the Nevada Resort Association to restoring the full deduction as soon as possible.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• The OBBB included modification of the provisions relating to state and local taxes, individual, business and international tax provisions, and energy-tax credits, which also included the changes to the gaming deduction loss standards as it relates to federal income reporting.

• The deduction change was not part of the original House version of the bill, it was drafted and submitted by the Senate Finance Committee as part of the reconciliation process to comply with the budgetary roles of the U.S. Senate.

• The provision applies to sports betting and other games as well such as table games, slot machines, video pokers, and baccarat as well.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS:

• The change in the deduction loss is a concern to Nevada’s economy and the impact that it could have on the tourism and resort sector. This change could negatively impact behavior for both professional and casual players, which will have a direct economic on the tourism and resort industry along with state and local revenues.

• The state’s economy relies on 37 percent of its gross domestic product from tourism, which equates to $100 billion in economic impact.

• The tourism sector generates approximately 438,000 jobs or 28% of Nevada’s total workforce.

• Nevada’s tourism and resort industry generates about 34% of the state’s General Fund.

Sources: American Gaming Association, Nevada Resort Association

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM

ISSUE POSITION:

The Vegas Chamber supports efforts to attract international tourists, whose travel to Las Vegas greatly spurs the local economy. The hospitality and leisure sector are the largest employer in the valley, and gaming and hotels pay a significant portion of taxes that fund public services. Tourism is not just part of the economy; it is the backbone. That is why the Vegas Chamber has long supported efforts and initiatives to attract international business and leisure travelers to Las Vegas.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

The Chamber calls on elected officials to support policies that promote – not discourage – international tourism, including investing in programs like Brand USA and removing fees for travel visas.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• Nearly 30% of Las Vegas’ local workforce works in the hospitality and leisure sector, making it the main industry in the region.

• The total economic output from visitor spending hit nearly $80 million in 2022.

• The Vegas Chamber was instrumental in encouraging international tourism during the 1950s by engaging in trade missions across the world.

• Tourism volume dropped by 6.5% or 1.2 million fewer visitors since last year.

• Strip gaming revenue is nearly 4% down in the first half of 2025.

• International travel to Las Vegas, especially from Mexico and Canada, has declined.

• National policies, including tariffs, stricter immigration and visa policies, and controversial rhetoric have made travel more expensive or less attractive for many international travelers.

• There is a concern that the new requirement for U.S. international visitors to obtain a nonimmigrant visa will soon be subject to a new $250 “visa integrity fee” starting October 1, 2025. will deter international visitors to coming to the United States and the Nevada. This new fee was part of the OBBB that was passed by Congress earlier this year.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS:

Earlier this year, state economists predicted the state would would be $191 million short of what it originally predicted for the 2025-2026 biennium.

The shortfall is due to expected drops in revenue from the state’s sales and use tax, modified business and commerce taxes.

Amid the Trump administration’s trade policies, economists said they expected a decreased labor force, minimal gains in unemployment and decreased tourism, particularly from international travelers.

Hotels are making nearly 6% less per available hotel room and hotel occupancy is down more than 3% compared to last May.

Sources: Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Nevada Resort Association

INTERSTATE 15 INVESTMENT PRIORITIES

ISSUE POSITION:

• Interstate 15 (I-15) is one of the most traveled routes as it relates to the state’s economy and transportation network. It is essential that the federal government, Congress, and the administration’s transportation priorities align to investing I-15. Congestion relief of I-15 along critical points will not only increase the easy flow of tourist traffic to and from Las Vegas but will continue to provide a critical artery to logistics facilities throughout Clark County.

• I-15 serves as the single most important tourism and freight corridor for Southern Nevada, generating $95 billion in annual commerce and supporting over 166,000 jobs in the region, particularly within the leisure, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors. Disruptions to I-15 can lead to significant economic losses.

• As a primary access route between Southern California and Las Vegas, I-15 is critical for Nevada’s tourism, with Las Vegas attracting nearly 10 million Southern California visitors annually via this route. Investment in I-15 helps improve the travel experience for these visitors, potentially leading to increased tourism revenue.

• Over 92% of Southern Nevada’s goods are transported by truck along I-15. Investment ensures efficient freight movement, which is crucial for businesses and consumers alike.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

• The Vegas Chamber is requesting funding for the widening of the I-15 corridor and for the widening to expand further along the I-15 to better accommodate the millions of people that travel between Southern California and Nevada.

• The need to examine and study the possible feasibility of identifying additional travel routes independent of I-15 corridor for commercial traffic and movement of goods and products between California and Nevada.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• Over 40 million people visit Las Vegas annually, with about 25% of those traveling between Southern California and Nevada. During busy holiday weekends and peak travel times, travel time can exceed the four and half hours to almost ten hours between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

• A temporary solution to widen 5-miles of I-15 by the California-Nevada Border, was completed in the fall of 2022 at a cost of $12 million. The funds were used to repave and restripe the right shoulder for use as a third lane between the border and the California Department of Food and Agriculture station during peak traffic periods between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. To further help with traffic flow, the NDOT also installed a ramp meter and directional signage at the Primm Boulevard onramp to I-15 southbound.

• While this 5-mile stretch helps alleviate some of the bottlenecks that drivers experience, it is not a long-term solution to address the ongoing mobility and congestion issues along I-15.

• In regards of other improvements along the I-15 corridor, NDOT reopened all travel lanes in May 2025. This is as part of the I-15 Project, NDOT’s I-15 Tropicana Interchange Project, which started in 2022. Final components of the project will be completed by the end of 2025. This project widened Tropicana, constructed new bridges, realign Dean Martin Rd under I-15, add capacity, and improve traffic operations along this portion of the I-15.

• In July 2025, NDOT completed the $83 million I-15 North Phase 3 project, which widened a 10.7-mile stretch of I-15 from Speedway Boulevard to the Garnet Interchange (US 93) in Nevada, expanding it from two to three lanes in each direction. This project is the final phase of improvements to the I-15 North Corridor and includes additional features like wider shoulders, rehabilitated bridges, expanded truck parking, and upgrades to drainage systems..

ECONOMIC IMPACTS:

• Widening the I-15 provides an opportunity to increase the efficiency of one of the primary arteries of people and goods traveling between Southern California and Nevada, it also would serve to mitigate risks of supply chain complications.

• The I-15 provides opportunities to increase the connection with the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana megapolitan cluster and provides an opportunity for Las Vegas to serve as a connecting point between the Southwest and Mountain Megapolitan clusters.

• The I-15 provides support for economic growth to the Southwest Triangle by providing more efficient access to water ports like the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles.

Sources: California Department of Transportation, Nevada Department of Transportation

HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING

ISSUE POSITION:

• The Vegas Chamber has been a staunch advocate for securing Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding for Southern Nevada to bolster homeland security efforts and ensure the safety of our region’s approximately 2 million residents and 40.8 million annual visitors.

• The Vegas Chamber supports revising the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) methodology for risk assessments, which currently hinders Southern Nevada from receiving adequate funding despite its unique challenges and contributions to the nation’s economy.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

• The Vegas Chamber urges Congress to continue funding UASI and keep the vital program a priority.

• The Vegas Chamber calls upon the Administration to ensure timely award and distribution of UASI funds to ensure the safety and security of American citizens who gather in large groups in the Las Vegas area for both regular tourism a variety of major special events.

• The Vegas Chamber asks state and local elected officials and the Administration to collaborate and coordinate to ensure there are no barriers to local jurisdictions receipt of UASI and other appropriate DHS funding.

• The Vegas Chamber calls upon Congress to act and revise the DHS methodology for developing risk assessments associated with the UASI program.

• By doing so, this can ensure that Southern Nevada receives a fair and equitable share of funding that aligns with its security needs and vital role in contributing to the nation’s economic prosperity.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• In 2025, UASI funding has not been distributed to award cities including Las Vegas and there have been reports of internal memos at FEMA indicate ending the program entirely.

• The Homeland Security Act of 2002 mandates an annual assessment of the 100 most populous Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) based on factors like threat, vulnerability, consequence, economic index, and Gross Domestic Product.

• Current DHS methodology considers casinos and hotels as one facility, overlooking their status as independent buildings with thousands of visitors and workers. This misrepresentation neglects their attractiveness as potential targets for terrorist activities.

• DHS assumes that a single incident at a casino/hotel would halt the region’s economy for a year, while the reality is that the impact could be far more detrimental and long-term.

• Although Southern Nevada’s economy heavily relies on tourism, UASI funding has remained stagnant, creating challenges in meeting our community’s security needs.

CHALLENGES:

• UASI funding for the Las Vegas area has decreased from $5.2 million in fiscal year 2023 to $4.3 million in 2024.

• The UASI funding stream’s singular focus within the broader Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) exacerbates Southern Nevada’s dependence on this funding source.

• Cities without official ports or international borders receive lower priority rankings in DHS’ Relative Risk Profile formulas, creating a disadvantage for areas like Las Vegas.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS:

• Securing UASI funding is essential for the local and state economy, as terrorism threats could severely affect Southern Nevada’s vital tourism industry.

• With major federal assets like Hoover Dam, Harry Reid International Airport, sporting arenas, and numerous world class hotels, Southern Nevada is critical to the nation’s economic prosperity.

• Tourism accounts for nearly half of all revenue in Nevada’s State General Fund Budget. In 2023, it was estimated that the overall estimated economic impact from tourism in Southern Nevada was $85.2 billion.

Sources: City of Las Vegas, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT, DEVELOPMENT, AND CONSERVATION

ISSUE POSITION:

• Nevada’s public lands are of immense economic benefit to our state, enriching the quality of life for residents through various recreational activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, and biking.

• Over 80 percent of Nevada’s land is federally owned and managed, offering abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. However, this unique situation also presents challenges for economic development in urban areas.

• To strike a balance, Nevada needs federal lands bill measures to allow for sensible economic development while preserving critical areas for hunting, hiking, camping, and wildlife habitats.

• Nevada’s Congressional delegation have introduced and meticulously worked on several provisions to achieve these ends.

• Federal legislation can also address affordable housing needs in Southern Nevada and designate land for conservation and recreation.

• Numerous other legislative considerations are in progress throughout the state, particularly in the Vegas Valley, to address the region’s distinct land use requirements.

• Local management and conservation efforts are vital to safeguarding natural landscapes and fostering sustainable growth for Nevada’s business community.

• As time continues to pass without action to transfer reasonable federal lands to local control for new uses, the strain on the community intensifies and approaches a crisis point.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

• The Vegas Chamber seeks support for federal public land legislation that thoughtfully balances economic development and conservation concerns in Southern Nevada.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• Notably, the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA), passed with bipartisan support in 1998, serves as a successful model for Southern Nevada.

• The legislation permits the sale of Bureau of Land Management-owned public lands in the Las Vegas Valley for development, with proceeds primarily dedicated to conservation and public parks throughout Clark County and the entire State of Nevada.

Source: Porter Group

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

ISSUE POSITION:

• The Vegas Chamber continues to identify workforce shortages as a top concern for Nevada employers, particularly small businesses. Supporting initiatives between employees and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) remains essential to providing connectivity to workforce solutions including technical assistance and training.

• The Vegas Chamber supports programs that empower minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses to succeed as entrepreneurs. SBA efforts to modernize technical assistance and align programs with regional needs are vital to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial environment, especially in high-impact sectors.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

• The Vegas Chamber supports federal assistance that expands capital access and improves the SBA’s technical and financial infrastructure, especially as businesses continue to face inflationary pressures, supply chain instability, and ongoing workforce shortages.

• The Vegas Chamber encourages continued modernization of SBA loan programs, including restoration of sound underwriting standards and proper oversight mechanisms. We support the expansion of SBA loan limits, new streamlined processing tools, and tailored capital access programs for underserved businesses.

• While the SBA ended its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Hardship Accommodation Plan in 2025, a one-time hardship relief option is now available and should be widely communicated. The Vegas Chamber urges policymakers to extend repayment flexibility for small borrowers and to protect job-creating enterprises from default or closure.

• The Vegas Chamber also support SBA’s re-prioritized collaboration with local partners such as SCORE, the Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Women’s Business Centers to ensure entrepreneurs have access to real-time, localized support.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• In 2024, Nevada was among the top recipients of EIDL funds, averaging over $12,200 per business, nearly double the national average. Basic terms included loans up to $2 million, at 3.75% interest for up to 30 years.

• As of March 2025, the SBA terminated the EIDL Hardship Accommodation Plan, halting new enrollments. Borrowers may now request a single six-month hardship assistance plan, though broader forgiveness for sub-$100,000 loans has not been enacted.

• The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness process remains available, but new rules implemented in 2025 include stronger identity verification (e.g., checking DOB and citizenship status) to reduce fraud.

• SBA’s 7(a) and 504 loan programs have been overhauled:

o Loan limits increased from $5M to $6.5M;

o Underwriting standards were restored to pre-pandemic norms;

o Lender guarantee fees reinstated to ensure financial sustainability;

o 504 loans now offer enhanced benefits for energy-efficient business projects.

• The SBA also announced a major agency-wide reorganization in early 2025, cutting approximately 2,700 jobs (43% of the workforce), phasing out temporary COVID-era roles and shifting its mission focus to long-term program stability.

• Local SBA resource partners, including SCORE Las Vegas, SBDC, and Women’s Business Centers remain central to delivering mentoring, training, and capital navigation tools.

Sources: Nevada Small Business Administration, U.S. Small Business Administration

SOUTHERN NEVADA WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

ISSUE POSITION:

• The availability and sustainability of water resources are essential to Southern Nevada. The ongoing drought within the Colorado River Basin and the impact to Lake Mead are of great concern to the region’s economic stability.

• Southern Nevada’s business community relies on adequate and stable supplies of water for operations and development to support a vital economy.

• Impending water shortages underscores the critical need for more water conservation among all water users, including businesses, industries, and residents.

• The Vegas Chamber supports conservation initiatives, maintaining water delivery systems and sources, and planning anticipated future water needs of the Las Vegas Valley to mitigate drought impacts.

• The Vegas Chamber supports federal assistance for large scale water recycling projects, drought contingency planning, conservation programs, and collaboration with other basin states to address declining water levels in Lake Mead.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

The Vegas Chamber is requesting that federal leadership prioritize water conservation and effects from climate change and make federal funding available for projects that mitigate the impacts of drought or conserve water in the Colorado River Basin.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• The Colorado River Basin spans approximately 246,000 square miles, through the seven “Basin States” of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as into the country of Mexico.

• The Colorado River Basin is the world’s fifth largest economy and generates $1.4 trillion in economic benefits annually. The river serves some of the country’s largest population centers: Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, and Las Vegas.

• Nearly 5.5 million acres of irrigated land, 40 million municipals users and 16 million jobs rely on water from the Colorado River.

• Declining water levels along the Colorado River not only affect agricultural and municipal uses but also impact hydroelectric power for over a dozen states in the western United States.

• Nevada is entitled to 300,000 acre-feet of water annually. In years of shortage, Nevada and Arizona are required to take less water from the Colorado River under several river agreements, while California does not need to take any reductions in the first round of cuts, which is referred to as “Tier 1”.

• Since 2000, the Colorado River region has been experiencing a historic, prolonged drought that has impacted storage basins, inflows, and other environmental resources. While the wet winter does help ease some constraints along the Colorado River, it does not address more than 20 years of drought conditions.

• Lake Mead, the reservoir where Nevada accesses its Colorado River allocation, has been reduced to 33 percent of capacity because of drought conditions and reduced inflows. Water levels have fallen more than 170 feet since the onset of the drought.

• The water level at Lake Mead as of May 2025 is 1,057 ft. Lake Mead reached its lowest level of 1,040 ft. in July 2022, which was its lowest since the lake was first filled following the construction of Hoover Dam in the 1930s.

• Much of the West is experiencing drought in some form, and Nevada is often in a situation where the majority of its land is experiencing “severe” to “exceptional” levels.

• In 2021, the federal government declared a shortage on the Colorado River for the first time in its history, triggering cutbacks in water deliveries to Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico.

• The following year, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation asked Basin States to conserve 2 to 4 million acre-feet of to help slow the declining water levels of Lake Powell and Lake Mead. If the states were unable to agree on a plan, the Bureau of Reclamation would step in to impose water cuts on the states.

• In May 2023, Nevada, California, and Arizona, which make up the Lower Basin states, voluntarily agreed to reduce their collective use from the Colorado River by 3 million acre-feet through 2026.

• The federal government is supporting this effort and other western drought resiliency measures with more than $15 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

SOUTHERN NEVADA’S DROUGHT RESPONSE:

• Beginning in the early 1990s and continuing today, Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has entered into various local and interstate agreements to bank water supplies.

• Southern Nevada has more than 2 million acre-feet of water banked for future use, which represents approximately a decade of supplies for Southern Nevada.

• SNWA’s Water Smart Landscapes Program has yielded remarkable water savings for Southern Nevada by removing 223 million square feet of grass and conserving over 176 billion gallons of water since the program began in 1999.

• In 2015, SNWA began operations of a new water intake in Lake Mead. The new intake draws water from the deepest and coldest part of Lake Mead and offers better water quality, thereby decreasing treatment costs.

• In 2020, SNWA completed its Low Lake Level Pumping Station near Lake Mead which ensures that Nevada can access its Colorado River allocation even if Lake Mead’s water levels fall below 1,000 feet.

• This is important as the original pump station is no longer operational because of the low water levels at Lake Mead. This intake valve first began supplying Southern Nevada customers in 1971. There are a total of three intake valves at Lake Mead owned and operated by SNWA.

• In Southern Nevada, 99 percent of all indoor water use that reaches the sanitary sewer is captured, treated, and reused.

• In 2023, Southern Nevada consumed just 187,000 acre-feet of water, and the region’s use is on pace to remain at record-low levels in 2024.

• Conservation remains an important effort to mitigate local drought impacts. The SNWA is prioritizing conservation initiatives, with a focus on reducing consumptive uses and targeting water waste.

• From a State Legislative perspective, the Vegas Chamber joined with SNWA to pass legislation in 2021 prohibiting the irrigation of non-functional grass beginning in 2027. Southern Nevada will save billions of gallons by replacing this unused grass with water efficient landscaping.

• During the 2023 State Legislative Session, the Vegas Chamber supported AB 220, which increases water conservation efforts and allows for the establishment of a voluntary program for property owners on a septic system to connect to the municipal sewer system at no cost to the homeowner.

• The SNWA is participating in a major reuse project with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The SNWA anticipates that 20,000 - 40,000 acre-feet per year will be available to the SNWA in exchange for funding participation.

Sources: Southern Nevada Water Authority, U.S. Drought Monitor, Western Area Power Administration

STATE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA ECONOMY AND BUSINESS CLIMATE

ISSUE POSITION:

• The Vegas Chamber knows that Nevada thrives when the state’s businesses thrive. That’s why the organization works tirelessly to ensure businesses have a stable and supportive environment to operate in.

• As part of that mission, the Vegas Chamber actively opposes measures that impose blanket mandates on businesses and make it harder for businesses large and small to operate.

• As Nevada faces increasing challenges at the national and international level, supporting Nevada’s businesses is more important now than ever.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

The Chamber calls for investment in programs like Brand USA, which helps attract international visitors to the United States. The program is currently awaiting a $100 million appropriation in the U.S. Senate. The Vegas Chamber also calls on elected officials at all levels to support policies to improve the state’s business climate and tax policy that would help small businesses to be more resilient.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• Chamber members are concerned about the current fluctuations in the economy, especially current tourism trends and the impact of tariff policies on businesses.

• Las Vegas hotel room rates have dropped during the second quarter of the year, which indicates a softening market.

• Overall, 2025 is trending down compared to last year. Markets softened in May, June and July.

• The number of international tourists coming to Las Vegas has also declined this year. The valley is experiencing a decline in international tourism, particularly from Mexico and Canada, its two largest source markets.

o This has been demonstrated by the drop of passengers on flights operated by Air Canada and AeroMexico.

• The decline in international tourists can be attributed to various factors, including economic pressures, political rhetoric, and policies that may be deterring international visitors from spending time and money in Las Vegas.

• Industry experts believe that the downward trend may be linked to consumer uncertainty to the economy and the possibility of a recession.

• Tariffs have also caused uncertainty for businesses in the valley, making it harder for businesses to expand or keep their doors open.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS:

• A state board of economists which makes revenue predictions for the state forecasted in May that the state would be $191 million short of what it originally predicted for the 2025-2026 biennium.

• The shortfall is due to expected drops in revenue from the state’s sales and use tax, modified business and commerce taxes.

• Amid the Trump administration’s trade policies, economists said they expected a decreased labor force, minimal gains in unemployment and decreased tourism, particularly from international travelers.

Sources: Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Nevada Resort Association

TARIFFS AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

ISSUE POSITION:

• While tariffs can be a useful tool in international trade negotiations the current tariff structure has caused significant cost increases for the average consumer and a compounding impact on Nevada’s economy.

• Current tariffs have resulted in significant increases in building materials, particularly steel, aluminum, and lumber, which has increased the costs of construction projects throughout the state.

• Political strains caused by trade negotiations have resulted in softening tourism from many of Nevada’s primary markets like Canada and Mexico.

• Imposed tariffs are estimated to cost the average American household $4,000 in 2025.

• The U.S. Chamber estimates that Nevada has nearly 5,000 importers in the state that represent more than $17 billion of imports, nearly one third of which are by small businesses.

• If the current tariff structure were to stay in place, businesses would not be able to eat the rising costs they experience, further contributing to inflation.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

The Vegas Chamber is requesting that federal leadership prioritize zero for zero reciprocity on tariffs and other trade barriers by negotiating enforceable trade agreements that open foreign markets and guarantee reciprocity. Free trade agreements with the United States are responsible for the purchase of nearly half of US exports.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• More than 41 million American jobs rely on foreign trade

• Approximately 8 million jobs are supported by international companies investing in the United States

• 59% of Americans think international trade is more positive than negative to their standard of living

• 97% of importers are small businesses, as tariffs rise, these companies face steep cost increases

• Small manufacturers often face the brunt of tariff impacts as many rely on specific components and lack the scale to maintain significant supplier diversity.

• Consumer goods have seen drastic increases in prices, for example air conditioners seeing up to a 55% tariff tax.

• 68.4% of manufacturers, 64.3% of wholesalers, and 63.8% of retailers expect the prices they pay to increase over the next 6 months according to US Census surveys.

• 48.6% of Manufacturers, 51.1% of wholesalers, and 50.1% of retailers expect the prices the charge to increase over the next 6 months per that same study.

Source: Brand USA, National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY REAUTHORIZATION

ISSUE POSITION:

• The Vegas Chamber is intimately familiar with the ongoing workforce shortages in today’s labor market, which have impeded growth for businesses both large and small in Nevada. Those shortages extend across a broad range of industries, including gaming, manufacturing, education, childcare and health care.

• Even worse, shortages in one industry bleeds into others. Where children and home-health workers are in short supply, Nevadans are forced to leave the workforce to care for their families.

• The Vegas Chamber believes federal legislation must align with workforce investments and economic development efforts by local communities. Legislation should create a pathway for residents to attain sustainable employment in an ever-changing labor market.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

• The Chamber calls on federal lawmakers to make key changes to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to ensure innovative partnerships like the one between the Vegas Chamber and Workforce Connections can continue. The Chamber also suggests lawmakers make several changes, including those that would make more funds available to local boards.

• The Vegas Chamber also calls for the legislation to lower or eliminate the 50% training requirement to ensure America’s Job Centers can functionally connect employers to workforce with tools like transportation, childcare, equipment/tools and uniforms or appropriate clothes.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• Signed into law in 2014, WIOA was landmark legislation designed to strengthen the country’s public workforce system.

• The legislation expired in 2020 and has operated through annual appropriations rather than formal reauthorization since its expiration.

• In March 2025, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held hearings on the bill. Legislators of both parties expressed support for its reauthorization but disagreements about funding, program flexibility and structural reforms have held up its progress forward.

• The Trump administration’s budget proposed replacing many WIOA program lines with the Make America Skilled Again block grant, which would consolidate many programs and funding mechanisms.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS:

• If there are no federal funds for WIOA, workforce programs at the state’s universities will be forced to downsize or end, cutting off a significant pipeline of workers into Nevada’s labor market.

• Advanced manufacturing businesses, which have relocated to Nevada in droves in recent years, need skilled workers. Employers would be impacted if there are no longer WIOA-backed workforce programs, because training local workers to fill those positions will become more difficult.

• Federal support is essential without it, local workforce programs will be forced to cut services, reduce training slots and slash staff, meaning individuals lacking skills will likely remain unemployed or underemployed.

• Without resources to train workers, employers will struggle to find and employ a qualified workforce, which hurts the state’s overall economy.

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. House of Representatives, Workforce Connections

YUCCA MOUNTAIN NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY

ISSUE POSITION:

The Vegas Chamber remains opposed to the storage or transportation of nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, citing enduring concerns over public safety, infrastructure strain, environmental impact, and reputational risk to Nevada’s economy; especially in Southern Nevada, where the state’s population and tourism industry are most concentrated.

The Chamber strongly supports Nevada’s right to consent-based decision making and opposes any effort, legislative or administrative, that would force nuclear waste storage on the state without broad support from elected officials, local governments, tribal nations, and the public.

VEGAS CHAMBER’S CALL TO ACTION:

The Vegas Chamber continues to support Nevada’s Governor, Attorney General, and bipartisan Federal Delegation in their opposition to restarting the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository. The Chamber agrees with the premise of the Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act, which affirms the principle that no community should be compelled to host high-level radioactive waste against its will, and we thank our federal delegation for sponsoring and carrying that legislation.

The Chamber remains opposed to any transportation of nuclear waste, radioactive or repurposed, through Nevada. This position is rooted in deep concerns about the safety of rail and truck corridors, emergency preparedness limitations, and potential long-term liability for the state.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• In 2025, Nevada’s full Congressional Delegation, including Congresswoman Dina Titus and Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, reintroduced the Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act to reaffirm that Nevada has the right to decline any federal nuclear waste storage project.

• The State of Nevada continues to oppose the Yucca Mountain project on multiple grounds, including seismic instability, water table vulnerability, long-term monitoring concerns, and the fact that no viable transportation plan exists that would not involve densely populated areas of the Las Vegas Valley.

• Attorney General Aaron Ford has emphasized that legal challenges will persist if the federal government attempts to override Nevada’s opposition, including ongoing litigation related to land use, transportation, and federal preemption.

• Meanwhile, national focus on nuclear energy as part of a diversified clean energy strategy has grown, sparking increased federal interest in permanent waste solutions. Hearings held in early 2025 have revisited Yucca Mountain, though no formal move to restart construction has occurred.

CONCLUSION:

The Vegas Chamber remains committed to opposing the storage or transportation of nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. The Chamber calls on federal policymakers to uphold Nevada’s right to informed consent, protect the state’s economy and population centers, and prioritize health, safety, and sovereignty.

Sources: Idaho National Laboratory Model for Federal-Backed Site Operations, The Nevada Independent, U.S. House of Representatives, Western Water Notes, Vox – National Waste Site Debates & Policy Implications

FEDERAL LEADERSHIP

President of United States

DONALD J. TRUMP

PRESIDENTIAL CABINET

The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet’s role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office.

The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.

In order of succession to the Presidency:

J.D. VANCE Vice President of the United States

MARCO RUBIO Secretary of State

SCOTT BESSENT Secretary of the Treasury

PETE HEGSETH Secretary of Defense

continued

PAM BONDI

Attorney General

HOWARD LUTNICK

Secretary of Commerce

SCOTT TURNER

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

DOUG BURGUM

Secretary of the Interior

LORI CHAVEZDEREMER

Secretary of Labor

SEAN DUFFY

Secretary of Transportation

BROOKE ROLLINS

Secretary of Agriculture

ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.

Secretary of Health and Human Services

CHRIS WRIGHT

Secretary of Energy

LINDA MCMAHON

Secretary of Education

LEE ZELDIN

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

TULSI GABBARD

Director of National Intelligence

DOUG COLLINS

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

JOHN RATCLIFFE

Director of Central Intelligence Agency

RUSS VOUGHT

Director of the Office of Management and Budget

KRISTI NOEM

Secretary of Homeland Security

KELLY LOEFFLER

Administrator of the Small Business Administration

JAMIESON GREER

United States Trade Representative

U.S. SENATE LEADERSHIP

President of the

119th Congress, 1st session

Vice President of the United States

J.D. VANCE

UNITED STATES SENATE MAJORITY LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE - REPUBLICAN

119th Congress, 1st session

Senate

President Pro Tempore CHUCK GRASSLEY, R-IA

Senate Majority Leader JOHN THUNE, R-SD

Majority Whip JOHN BARRASSO, R-WY

Republican Policy Committee Chair SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, R-WV

Republican Conference Chair TOM COTTON, R-AR

Vice Chair of the Republican Conference JAMES LANKFORD, R-OK

Republican Senatorial Committee Chair TIM SCOTT, R-SC

U.S. SENATE LEADERSHIP

UNITED STATES SENATE MINORITY LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE - DEMOCRATS

119th Congress, 1st session

Democratic Leader Chair of the Conference CHARLES SCHUMER, D-NY

Democratic Whip DICK DURBIN, D-IL

Chair of Steering & Policy Committee AMY KLOBUCHAR, D-MN

Chair of Strategic Communications Committee CORY A. BOOKER, D-NJ

Vice Chair of the Conference MARK R. WARNER, D-VA

Vice Chair of the Conference ELIZABETH WARREN, D-MA

Chair of Outreach BERNIE SANDERS, I-VT

Democratic Conference Secretary TAMMY BALDWIN, D-WI

Deputy Democratic Conference Secretary BRIAN SCHATZ, D-HI

Vice Chair of Outreach CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO, D-NV

Deputy Democratic Conference Secretary CHRISTOPHER MURPHY, D-CT

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP

Speaker of the House Congressman MIKE

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAJORITY LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE - REPUBLICAN 119th Congress, 1st session

Majority Leader Congressman STEVE SCALISE, LA-1ST

Represents Republicans on the House Floor.

Majority Whip Congressman TOM EMMER, MN-6TH Assists leadership in managing the party’s legislative program.

JOHNSON, LA-4TH

Republican Policy Committee Chairman Congressman KEVIN HERN, OK-1ST Heads conference forum.

Republican Conference Chairman Congresswoman LISA MCCLAIN, MI-9TH Heads organization of all Republican Party members in the House.

U.S. HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MINORITY LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE - DEMOCRATS

119th Congress, 1st session

Democratic Leader

Congressman HAKEEM JEFFRIES, NY-8TH

Democratic Whip Congresswoman KATHERINE CLARK, MA-5TH Assists the Majority Leader.

Congressman PETE AGUILAR, CA-33RD Heads organization of all Democratic Party members in the House.

Assistant Democratic Leader

Congressman JOE NEGUSE, CO-2ND Assists leadership in managing the party’s legislative program.

Democratic Caucus Chairman

RESOURCES & INFORMATION

• Recommended Dress Attire Guide

• Health and Wellness Guide

• Museum Guide

• Restaurant Guide

• Retail Guide

• Metro Map

• National Mall Map

• Smithsonian Mall Map

Washington, D.C. Fly-in RECOMMENDED

DRESS ATTIRE CODE

September 14-18, 2025

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Welcome to Washington, D.C. Cruise Business Casual.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Congressional Policy Briefing with Congressman Jon C. Porter Business Attire.

Policy Briefing at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Attire.

Welcome to Washington, D.C. Reception at Holland & Hart Business Casual.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Policy Meetings at the JW Marriott Hotel Business Attire.

Delegation Group Photo on The Capitol Business Casual.

Vegas Night at the Capitol at 101 Constitution Ave Business Casual.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Congressional Meetings at the Willard InterContinental Hotel Business Attire.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Congressional Meetings at the Willard InterContinental Hotel Business Attire.

Nevada State Dinner at the Conrad Hotel Black Tie.

Provided as a courtesy

SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS

Washington, D.C. Fly-in MUSEUM GUIDE

Admission is free of charge at all museums and the zoo. Timed-entry passes are only required at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Zoo.

ANACOSTIA COMMUNITY MUSEUM

Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

1901 Fort Place, SE

Washington, D.C. 20020

202.633.4820

HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN

Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sculpture Garden open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Independence Ave and 7th St

Washington, D.C. 20560

202.633.4674

NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

Thursday through Monday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

655 Jefferson Drive, SW

Washington, D.C. 20560

202.633.2214

NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER

Chantilly, Virginia

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway

Chantilly, VA 20151

703.572.4118

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

1400 Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20560

1.844.750.3012

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART

Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

950 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, D.C. 20560

202.633.4600

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Friday through Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20560

202.633.1000

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN

Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fourth Street & Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20560

202.633.1000

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART FREER GALLERY

Friday through Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 1050 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, D.C. 20560

202.633.1000

Washington, D.C. Fly-in MUSEUM GUIDE

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20560

202.633.1000

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY AND SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEU m

Wednesday through Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

F St., NW &, 8th St., NW

Washington, D.C. 20004

202.633.1000

NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM

Friday to Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20002

202.633.5555

RENWICK GALLERY OF THE SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM

Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 1661 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20006

202.633.7970

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BUILDING (CASTLE)

Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

1000 Jefferson Drive, SW

Washington, D.C. 20560

202.633.1000

SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO

3001 Connecticut Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

202.633.4888

Provided as a courtesy

Hirschhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

Washington, D.C. Fly-in WELLNESS GUIDE

CVS PHARMACY

717 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

202.737-9525

CVS PHARMACY

1275 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

202.638.4583

WALGREENS

1155 F St., NW Ste. 975, Washington, D.C. 20004

202.969.8814

MEDSTAR HEALTH – URGENT CARE AT CAPITOL HILL

228 7th St., SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

202.698.0795

Open 24-hours

MINUTE CLINIC – CVS PHARMACY

1275 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

202.638.4583

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

900 23rd St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

202.715.4000

Open 24-hours

WASHINGTON, D.C. HEALTH DEPARTMENT

899 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Main Number: 202.442.5955

Fax: 202.442-4795

TTY: 711

Website: https://dchealth.dc.gov/ Email: doh@dc.gov

Provided as a courtesy

Washington, D.C. Fly-in RETAIL GUIDE

CITYCENTERDC

Large, modern shopping center with high-end retailers and sophisticated restaurants.

825 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

MACY’S

Macy’s has the latest fashion brands on women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, beauty, shoes and home products.

1201 G St NW, Washington, DC 20005

NORDSTROM RACK

Offers a wide range of products from shoes, clothing, jewelry, makeup, dresses and more from top brands.

555 12th St NW Suite C120, Washington, DC 20004

T.J. MAXX

Retail chain featuring stylish brand-name apparel, shoes & accessories.

601 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

TYSONS CORNER CENTER

Massive mall located in Virginia with hundreds of upscale stores and major department stores.

1961 Chain Bridge Rd, Tysons, VA 22102

Provided as a courtesy

Washington, D.C. Fly-in RESTAURANT GUIDE

1789

A luxe scene for refined seasonal American fare. It is the quintessential dining experience.

1226 36th St., NW

Washington, D.C. 20007 1789restaurant.com

202.965.1789

FIG & OLIVE

An upscale restaurant and bar serving seasonal Mediterranean fare.

934 Palmer Alley, NW

Washington, D.C. 20001 figandolive.com

202.559.5004

HIPCITYVEG

A Vegan take on burgers and chicken wraps offered in a counter-serve setting.

712 7th St., NW

Washington, D.C. 20001 hipcityveg.com

202.621-8057

LE DIPLOMATE

Bustling brasserie serves classic French fare and drinks amid a zinc bar, tile floors and sidewalk cafe. 1601 14th St., NW

Washington, D.C. 20009 lediplomatedc.com

202.332.3333

OLD EBBIT GRILL

Iconic tavern offering American meals, including popular oyster specials.

675 15th St., NW

Washington, D.C. 20005 ebbitt.com

202.347.4800

REREN LAMEN AND BAR

A low-key choice for Chinese-style ramen made with fresh noodles, plus dumplings and Asian entrees. 817 7th St, NW

Washington, D.C. 20001 rerenlamen.com

202.290.3677

Washington, D.C. Fly-in RESTAURANT GUIDE

SFOGLINA

Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Italian restaurant providing elevated fare at a good price 1099 New York Ave NW

Washington, D.C. 20001 Sfoglinapasta.com

202.628.1099

SUCCOTASH

Star chef Lee’s classy eatery melds Dixie & Asian flavors in curry succotash, fried chicken, and ribs. 915 F St, NW

Washington, D.C. 20004 succotashrestaurant.com

202.849-6933

THE SMITH

NYC offshoot for upscale American eats, specialty drinks and brunch in hip, upbeat surrounds. 901 F St., NW

Washington, D.C. 20004 thesmithrestaurant.com

202.868.4900

Provided as a courtesy

FIG & OLIVE

Washington,

D.C. Fly-in METRO MAP

To plan your trip go to Trip Planner | WMATA

Source: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Washington, D.C. Fly-in NATIONAL MALL & SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS

To plan your trip go to Trip Planner | WMATA

To Our Sponsors of Washington, D.C. Fly-in 2025

Presenting Sponsors:

Signature Sponsors:

Cox proudly powers Nevada through innovation, advanced technology, and a Cox Fiber-backed network.

Intermountain Health and Select Health are proud to support the state of Nevada and the advancement of healthcare.

Since 1976, Martin-Harris Construction has helped our clients build in Nevada. Together, we have created projects that are both purpose-driven and awe-inspiring.

We just finished a major renovation to our own Las Vegas headquarters. See how we showcased construction elements in our design at

PRECONSTRUCTION // GENERAL CONTRACTOR // CMAR DESIGN-BUILD // RENOVATIONS // VDC & BIM

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Anthem and Carelon believe connecting members of our communities to employment resources is part of

be supporters of the Las

Humankindness connects us all.

Dignity Health –St. Rose Dominican is proud to support the 2025 Washington D.C. Fly-In, advocating for change in the communities we serve.

Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican, a not-for-profit healthcare system, has served the Las Vegas Valley since 1947.

Serving the Community

Since 1961

Holland

702.235.4018

MCMorris@hollandhart.com

www.hollandhart.com

HOSTED BY: Megan Comfort Executive Vice President, Small Business Manager

“Workforce development is economic development.”

– Dr. DeRionne Pollard,

President, Nevada State University

With more than 60 majors, minors, and graduate degrees in areas of key state workforce demands, and more than 80% of our students remaining in Nevada after graduating, we are doing our part to unlock the full potential of our great state. Visit NevadaState.edu and follow us @NevadaStateU to learn more about our students and our mission.

KUDOS

SOUTHERN NEVADA

CONVERTED TO DRY & HYBRID COOLING SYSTEMS

CHANGED WATERING CLOCKS EACH SEASON

REMOVED USELESS GRASS

TOGETHER, WE SAVED 12 BILLION GALLONS IN 2023 • KEEP ON CONSERVING

Southwest Airlines® is airline of the Las Vegas Chamber ’s DC Fly-in 2024.

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Elevate Nevada's Voice

Wynn Resorts is proud to join the Vegas Chamber in Washington, D.C., to amplify Nevada’s voice, champion the causes that matter most to our community, and help shape the policies that impact our employees, guests, and the future of hospitality.

Your Friends at

BOARD OF TRUSTEES & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

MARY BETH SEWALD

President & CEO - Vegas Chamber

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

JANET UTHMAN

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Cox Communications

TYLER CORDER

Chair-Elect of the Board of Trustees

Findlay Automative Group

BETSY FRETWELL

Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees

C4ward Strategies

HUGH ANDERSON

Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee, Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Hightower Las Vegas

PAUL ANDERSON

Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Boyd Gaming Corporation

MICHAEL BOLOGNINI

Past Chair of the Board of Trustees

MFB Enterprise

GINA BONGIOVI

Past Chair of the Board of Trustees

Bongiovi Law Firm, LLC

MICHAEL CROME

Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee

Las Vegas Raiders & Allegiant Stadium

MICHAEL FEDER

Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Dickinson Wright

LORI NELSON-KRAFT

Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix

ELLEN SCHULHOFER Brownstein

TERRY SHIREY

Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Nevada State Bank

CHRIS WILCOX

Eide Bailly, LLP

RYAN WOODWARD

National Technical Institute

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

JEREMY AGUERO

Applied Analysis

BRANDON BARKHUFF

NV Energy

DANIELLE BISTERFELDT

Howard Hughes Corporation

MICHAEL BRITT

Station Casinos

JUSTIN BROWN

Southwest Gas

MARK BROWN

Mark Brown Strategies

KERRY BUBOLZ

Vegas Golden Knights

CAROLINE BATEMAN

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

VINCENT CIMINISE

Valley Bank of Nevada

RICHARD E. CONSTABLE III

Madison Square Garden Company

JAIME CRUZ

Workforce Connections

TERESA DI LORETO

Nevada Military Support Alliance

VICTOR FUCHS

Helix Electric

JAN JONES BLACKHURST

Caesars Entertainment Board of Directors

CHUCK LEY

Cornerstone Merchants

DR. REX LIU, D.D.S.

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Inc.

NAPOLEON MCCALLUM

Las Vegas Sands Corporation

BILL NELSON

BDO USA

SHAUNDELL NEWSOME

Sumnu Marketing

KARLA PEREZ

Valley Health System

AMANDA SIGNORELLI

Golden Steer Steak Company

JOYCE SMITH

MidFirst Bank

BRIGADIER GENERAL LAWRENCE SULLIVAN

Commander 57th Wing, Nellis Air Force Base

BRYANT THORNTON

Republic Services

BRIGADIER GENERAL D. RODGERS WATERS

Nevada National Guard

LORI WILKINSON

Brown & Brown

MICHAEL WOODFIELD

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

MARY BETH SEWALD

President & CEO - Vegas Chamber

HUGH ANDERSON

Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee

Past Chair of the Board of Trustees Hightower Las Vegas

JANET UTHMAN

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Cox Communications

TYLER CORDER

Chair-Elect of the Board of Trustees

Findlay Automotive Group

BETSY FRETWELL

Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees C4ward Strategies

MICHAEL FEDER

Past Chair of the Board of Trustees

Dickinson Wright

GINA BONGIOVI

Past Chair of the Board of Trustees

Bongiovi Law Firm

MICHAEL BRITT

Station Casinos

MARYKAYE CASHMAN

MC Squared Consulting

TIM CASHMAN

Past Chair of the Board of Trustees The Cashman Companies

LISA DE MARIGNY

Terra West Management Services

CRAIG GALATI

LGA Architecture, Inc.

JASON GRAY

MGM Resorts International

KARLOS LASANE

Caesars Entertainment Corporation

CHAD LEAVITT

Findlay Automotive Group

SCOTT LEEDOM

Southwest Gas

CLIFF MARSHALL

Battle Born Burgers

ERIN MCMULLEN MIDBY

Vice Chair of the Government Affairs Committee

Boyd Gaming Corporation

GEORGE F. OGILVIE III, ESQ.

McDonald Carano

JOHN O’REILLY

Past Chair of the Board of Trustees O’Reilly Law Group

GRETA SEIDMAN

BIZPAC Chair Opportunity 180

JENNIFER SIMICH Republic Services

TODD SKLAMBERG

Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center

CRAIG STEVENS

Cox Communications

DREW TEITELBAUM

Allegiant Travel Company

CHASE WHITTEMORE

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

TED WIENS, JR.

Past Chair of the Board of Trustees

Ted Wiens Tire & Auto