Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce

• 1911: Cragin & Pike became the Chamber’s first member business.
• 1915: Chamber chairman Dr. Roy Martin co-founded the valley’s first hospital.
• 1924:  The Chamber helped secure the first Federal building and U.S. Post Office.
• 1929:  Chamber president Pop Squires helped promote efforts to pave the way for construction of Hoover Dam.
• 1933: The Chamber commissioned Jack Albright to build a model of Hoover Dam. The model was an early promotional tool for touting Hoover Dam tourism.
• 1935:  “Big” Jim Cashman created Helldorado Days. 
• 1941: Chamber leaders worked with Nevada Senator Pat McCarran and Charles Belknap to spur development of McCarran International Airport.
• 1945: Chamber chairman Maxwell Kelch led efforts to create the Livewire Fund, an advertising collective that funded early promotion of Las Vegas.
• 1945: The Chamber led formation of the Las Vegas Valley Water District.
• 1949: the Chamber formed the Desert Sea News Bureau to promote Las Vegas to media outlets all over the world.
• 1953: Chamber chairman Ed Converse helped create the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority.
• 1955: The Chamber launched the Better Business Bureau and United Way of Southern Nevada.
• 1966: Chamber chairman Frank Scott founded the organization that is now the Nevada Development Authority.
• 1976: Gaming regulators started work cleaning up organized crime; future Chamber chairman Jeff Silver helped officiate these efforts.
• 1983: The Chamber assisted in the founding of Las Vegas Events.
• 1985: With assistance from the Chamber’s Las Vegas Events, the city hosted the first National Finals Rodeo.
• 1986:  The Chamber launched its premier executive development program, Leadership Las Vegas.
• 1989: The Chamber created the Customer Service Excellence program to recognize and reward superior service valley-wide.
• 1993: The Chamber spearheaded workers’ compensation, reducing the financial burden on small business.
• 1998: The Chamber advocated for passage of school bonds to fund $3.5 billion for school construction and renovation. It also helped pass a 1/4 cent sales tax increase for a second intake pipe in Lake Mead to ensure future access to our water supply.
• 2005: The Chamber helped pass an 8 percent cap on property taxes for businesses.
• 2006: The Chamber launched Vegas Young Professionals.
• 2007: The Chamber introduced Chamber Insurance & Benefits, LLC and helped pass legislation to fund $1 billion in highway projects.
• 2009: The Chamber published landmark studies on public employee pay and benefits. It was also successful during the legislative session in having comprehensive reform measures passed to help reduce the state's unfunded future billion-dollar budget liability and shortfall.
• 2010: The Chamber developed the Viva Las Business campaign to support the local economy and help business owners weather a challenging economy. It also worked with U.S. Senator Reid to help create language for the Small Business Jobs Act.

The Chamber’s Membership Division creates innovative programs, benefits and services designed to enhance the value of Chamber membership. Each year the Chamber conducts more than 100 programs and events designed to connect members with the information, resources and connections they need to make their businesses thrive. The Membership Division understands the needs of the small business community are continually changing. Staff members work to make sure programs remain relevant and evolve as needed to meet the diversifying needs of member businesses. The goal: give members a significant return on their investment.

Join Today

• Preview Las Vegas
• Business Expo
• Membership Power Luncheons
• The Biz Es - Small Business Excellence Awards

• Leadership Las Vegas
• Customer Service Excellence

Recognizing the valley’s changing demographics, in 2006, the Chamber created an organization dedicated to the pursuit of attracting and nurturing the next generation of business and community leaders: Vegas Young Professionals (VYP).

Open to business owners, managers, supervisors and executives ages 21-39, membership in VYP provides exclusive access to a range of opportunities. The organization conducts numerous programs and events throughout the year designed to provide educational, networking and social opportunities for members.

Today, VYP is shaping the future of the Las Vegas business community. Technological advances influence the way many VYP-aged business leaders engage in commerce. The most savvy among this demographic both embrace the advantages of technology while acknowledging the need to remain connected in more traditional ways, combining “high tech” with “high touch.”

www.vegasyp.com

• Discounts on office supplies, printing and copy services
• Affordable health insurance
• Access to a free discount prescription drug card
• Worker’s compensation coverage and business insurance packages
• Discounts on merchant services
• Cost-effective and highly-targeted advertising opportunities
• Member-to-Member discounts

Click Here for a listing of member benefits.

A vocal advocate for the small business community, the Chamber has a rich history of working with legislators and policy makers to ensure Nevada retains its pro-business climate.
As one of the most influential and respected voices in Nevada politics, the Chamber researches issues and proposed legislation that has the potential to impact small businesses. It also interviews and endorses candidates who share the Chamber’s pro-business philosophy, and provides lawmakers with a business perspective on pivotal issues.
The Chamber supports an environment where companies can relocate, grow and expand without undue government regulation and taxation. Chamber advocacy programs include:

• Monthly newsletters and calls to action
• Trips to Washington D.C.
• BizPAC
• Political Action Committees

The Chamber’s Government Affairs Division keeps members informed on current legislative and legal business issues so they can concentrate on running day-to-day business operations. Chamber staff and professional strategists make sure the voice of business is heard in the halls of government.
Click Here for a complete recap of recent Chamber accomplishments at the 2010 Nevada Legislature.

The Chamber’s Marketing & Communications Department ensures that members are continually connected to the inner workings of the organization. The department notifies members of programs, events, enhancements to membership benefits and Chamber news. The primary forms of communication between the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and its members include:

• The Business Voice monthly news magazine
• E-mail communications and blogs about upcoming programs and events, as well as breaking Chamber news and updates
• Social media updates via Facebook and Twitter

In addition to these communication vehicles, the Chamber’s website, LVChamber.com, serves as an interactive resource for both members and site visitors.

• Chamber members are promoted through a business directory listing and referral system and have the opportunity to upload commercials and promote discounts for additional exposure.
• Updated daily, the site provides a wealth of information for businesses and individuals relocating to Las Vegas or starting a new business. This includes a guide to business start-up and links to relevant local and state governmental agencies.
• The site is an excellent source of information when looking for suppliers, vendors and potential clients. Visitors can find a business by category or by name with just one click.
• Effective, targeted advertising vehicles are available for members looking for innovative, low-cost ways to promote their businesses.

Click Here for more information.

The Chamber’s state-of-the-art CenturyLink™ Business and Conference Center, which can accommodate up to 144 people in more than 2,300 square feet of meeting space, is an exceptional location for hosting business meetings and events. High-tech features include:

• 103” 1080P HD and 50” and 65” 1080P HD plasma displays with CD/DVD
• WiFi and wired high-speed T1 Internet 
• Wireless handheld and lavaliere microphones
• 12-person focus room with video conferencing capability
• Multi-media podiums
• Catering and beverage services

The Chamber’s Business Center features small-group meeting space, private work areas, free wireless access and a host of business services including printing, copying and a full-service U.S. Post Office. Complimentary coffee and refreshments are provided and the center is available exclusively to Chamber members and their guests. Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Services include:

• Standard, Priority, Flat Rate Priority, Express Mail, Military and International mailing services
• Confirmation, insurance, certified and return receipt
• Packing and shipping materials
• Copy, fax and notary services

All Chamber members have the exclusive, free opportunity to display their company’s collateral and business materials in the Chamber’s high-profile Visitor Center. Simply drop off your business cards, flyers or brochures and our Chamber staff will display them in your business category section.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
3150 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702.892.0711
lvcva.com

Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
6671 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Ste. 300
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702.641.LVCC (5822)
LVChamber.com

Nevada Commission on Economic Development
555 E. Washington St., Ste. 5400
Las Vegas, NV 89101
800.336.1600
702.486.2700
expand2nevada.com

Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation
500 E. Third St.
Carson City, NV 89713
775.684.3849
detr.state.nv.us

Nevada Development Authority
6700 Via Austi Pkwy., Ste. B
Las Vegas, NV 89119
888.466.8293
702.791.0000
nevadadevelopment.org

The Center for Business and Economic Research
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
4505 Maryland Pkwy., BEH 205, Box 456002
Las Vegas, NV 89154-6002
702.895.3191
cber.unlv.edu

Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning
500 S. Grand Central Pkwy.
Las Vegas, NV 89155
702.455.4181
co.clark.nv.us