In March of 2008, the Chamber relocated to the centrally-loctated Town Square. The new facility makes the Chamber more accessible to members and visitors, as well as provides new member benefits including additional meeting, conference and event space. The centerpiece of the new office is the CenturyLink™ Business Center, a professional lounge equipped with free wi-fi Internet access, as well as up-to-the-moment news information and broadcasts. Members are encouraged to use this complimentary space, which offers free coffee and water, for small informal meetings or to serve as an 'office away from the office'. Great for client meetings, the CenturyLink™ Business Center also offers copy and mail services.
The new location also includes affordable full-service meeting space facilities. The CenturyLink™ Conference Center features a large conference space which can accommodate up to 144 people. In addition, there are smaller meeting spaces available that include teleconference and video/audio services. These rooms can hold up to 15 people and room rentals are available in hourly increments. Full catering services can be coordinated for any size meeting using a variety of Chamber members.
The Chamber published "How to Stay When the Economy is Down", Business Survival as an free online publication that offers expert advice on topics ranging from cash flow strategies to marketing on a budget to human resource management.
The Chamber partnered with KTNV Channel 13 Action News for a series of news stories on what members are doing to survive the tough economy. In addition, the Chamber launched a series of free workshops and low cost seminars on vital business survival topics.
Held at the Chamber's Business Center, the topics included; maximizing social media, cutting expenses and financing.
This two-day event was an opportunity for Southern Nevada's business leaders to build partnerships with federal lawmakers, highlight the successes of our dynamic community and explore future opportunities. The delegation held several meetings with key lawmakers and administration officials regarding small business issues, fiscal policy, transportation funding, health care, renewable energy tax credits and our continued to fight against the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).
In order to understand one of the largest expenses in the state and local government budget, the Chamber commissioned a series of studies designed to bring to light the compensation of public employees. A number of studies examined topics such as public employees' pay, pensions and health care subsidies. These landmark studies offered insight into and raised public awareness of the long-term unfunded liabilities these promises are creating for taxpayers. The reports are available in the Chamber's Fiscal Anaylsis Center.
After months of work in Carson City, the Chamber was successful in crafting a compromise including substantial reform of the PERS and PEBP system in order to stabilize the State's budget deficit. See the Chamber's Government Affairs information and more details on the Chamber's public policy and reform agenda.
The Chamber's grassroots program increased its number of participants by 300 percent in 2008. Now, with more than 5,000 active participants, the Chamber can mobilize and engage its membership on a variety of issues using the latest Web-based technology. The goal of the program is to have an active base from which to effectively advocate on issues affecting the business community.
