The marketing executives of the travel industry convened in Las Vegas at the TravelCom Conference 2011. The theme this year was “Reservations: Some Have Them… Everyone Wants Them.” The conference was hosted at the Palms Casino Resort from March 30th to April 1st with Jeff Hazlett, celebrity CMO and author, as the emcee. Presentations and attendees seemed generally optimistic … [Read more...] about TravelCom Conference 2011: Searching for the Right Answers in Social Media
Departments
May 2011: Around the State
Las Vegas Named No. 1 Trade Show Destination According to a list from Trade Show News Network, Las Vegas has been ranked as the number one trade show destination for the seventeenth consecutive year. Last year, Las Vegas was host to 60 of the 250 largest shows in North America, encompassing 20.7 million square feet or 32 percent of the total space used for all 250 … [Read more...] about May 2011: Around the State
A Model of Failure: A New Study Exposes the Law Behind Nevada’s Educational Woes
If you were to build a business enterprise from scratch, you’d likely consider a number of different models — various ways to strike a proper balance between necessarily competing objectives. For example, while you would probably seek to offer competitive salaries or wages to your employees, you would also be mindful of the need to limit your overhead costs. Your goal, … [Read more...] about A Model of Failure: A New Study Exposes the Law Behind Nevada’s Educational Woes
Industrial Summary: First Quarter 2011
Las Vegas The Las Vegas Valley industrial market remained fragile as significant move-outs continued to place downward pressure on pricing. The vacancy rate moved upward to 17.9 percent as 1.1 million square feet of negative net absorption was reported during the quarter. For comparison purposes, the vacancy rate is up 1.0 percentage points from the previous quarter (Q4 2010) … [Read more...] about Industrial Summary: First Quarter 2011
May 2011: Business Indicators
The U.S. economy appears to be gaining momentum. The most recent estimate of real GDP growth for fourth quarter 2010 was 3.1 percent at an annualized rate—considerably stronger than the 2.6 percent figure posted for third quarter 2010. U.S. nonfarm employment rose by a robust 216,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in March, marking the sixth straight month of job increases. In … [Read more...] about May 2011: Business Indicators
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
“Mine was more of a ‘dangerous’ job. When I pursued my career in journalism, I became a newspaper crime reporter in San Diego. I used to cover shootings, drug busts and more. I didn’t think twice about going into gang-ridden neighborhoods for interviews. I should have received hazard pay and the use of a bullet-proof vest!” Holly Silvestri, Principal, The Ferraro … [Read more...] about What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
April 2011: Around the State
Northern Nevada Organizations Plan to Merge The Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce (RSCC), the Northern Nevada Chamber of Commerce (NNCC) and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) has announced an agreement to pursue combining the three business organizations. The final outcome would create a cohesive, streamlined organization that serves businesses in … [Read more...] about April 2011: Around the State
M. Donald Kowitz: Saint Mary’s Health Plans
President & CEO Reno Number of Employees: 225 Years in Nevada: 18 Years with Company: 14 How did you get into your profession? After graduating from Michigan State, I joined Arthur Andersen as a CPA, performing audits in Detroit and Madrid, Spain. Among my clients was a forerunner in managed care, Independence Health Plan. Eventually, Independence offered me a … [Read more...] about M. Donald Kowitz: Saint Mary’s Health Plans
Cashing in on Nevada’s Green Revolution: Doing Business With Alternative Energy Companies
It seems as though everywhere you turn these days, people are talking about green energy and going green. Given the alarming figures being cited on an increasingly regular basis regarding the rapid depletion of the world’s identifiable fossil based fuel sources, coupled with mounting evidence that alternative methods of energy generation are indeed better for our global … [Read more...] about Cashing in on Nevada’s Green Revolution: Doing Business With Alternative Energy Companies
New Data Shows Signs of Recovery: Tracking Business Filings
To plan and be able to seize opportunities in the future requires an ability to predict what that future will be. The newest tool for considering the future of the state’s economy is the result of a collaborative public-private effort by the Office of the Secretary of State and Applied Analysis. Statistics that show the number of filings of new entities, and total filings of … [Read more...] about New Data Shows Signs of Recovery: Tracking Business Filings
Limiting Loss and Liability Through Effective Social Media Policies
Drafting and implementing a social media policy should be a “to do” priority for any modern business seeking to protect its sensitive information and minimize risk and liability. Today’s reality is anyone in your company can be an instant global publisher. Consider the numbers; Facebook is the world’s third largest “community” by population with over 400 million users. … [Read more...] about Limiting Loss and Liability Through Effective Social Media Policies
Unions Prevail, While Most Nevadans Struggle: Prevailing wage laws cost taxpayers billions
In the 2011 Nevada Legislature, lawmakers in the majority are again carrying water for organized trade unions — from the Keynesian “jobs fund” proposal to the mercantilist “Nevada Jobs First” proposal. Longtime Nevada residents know this is nothing new. It began in the 1930s, when legislators first adopted the state’s prevailing wage requirements on public works … [Read more...] about Unions Prevail, While Most Nevadans Struggle: Prevailing wage laws cost taxpayers billions
Retail Summary: Fourth Quarter 2010
Las Vegas Retail vacancies declined for the third consecutive quarter, as second-generation space in anchored retail centers was absorbed amid a decline in average asking rents. The vacancy rate fell to 10.2 percent during the quarter, a decline of 0.3 percentage points compared to the previous quarter (Q3 2010) and the same period over the prior year (Q4 2009). During the … [Read more...] about Retail Summary: Fourth Quarter 2010
April 2011: Business Indicators
The U.S. economy continues an uneven recovery from its deepest recession since the Great Depression. The preliminary estimate of real GDP growth for fourth quarter 2010 was 3.1 percent at an annualized rate—considerably stronger than the 2.5 percent figure posted for the third quarter of 2010. U.S. nonfarm employment rose by a meager 36,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in … [Read more...] about April 2011: Business Indicators
What do you hope legislators will accomplish this session?
“It is my hope that the legislators will responsibly and thoroughly examine all issues that affect groups larger than just their constituents. Several bills concerning common-interest communities are being reviewed by the legislature, and I look forward to legislators enacting bills that are fair, balanced and beneficial to HOAs and homeowners alike.” Robert Rothwell, PhD, … [Read more...] about What do you hope legislators will accomplish this session?