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Nearly a century after its founding in 1911, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce remains the most influential business organization in the state of Nevada. Embracing the principles of free enterprise and fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit, the Chamber continues to promote a strong local economy for businesses of all size.

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is the third largest local chamber of commerce in the nation. The Chamber has nearly 7,000 business members employing approximately 200,000 employees. Eighty-five percent of Chamber member businesses have 25 or fewer employees.

Over the years, the Chamber has been at the forefront of Las Vegas’ growth. In the early years, when Las Vegas was in its infancy, the Chamber was a key player in laying the foundation for a strong, vibrant community. Through the Chamber, Las Vegas has developed its commerce and evolved as a desirable place to live, work and play. Key milestones include:

• 1911 – The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce was founded.
• 1924 – The Chamber helped secure the first Federal building and U.S. Post Office.
• 1930s–The Chamber served as a lobbying vehicle for community leaders promoting the construction of Hoover Dam.
• 1943 –    The Chamber led the formation of  the Las Vegas Valley Water District.
• 1944 –    The Chamber created the Livewire Fund to promote Las Vegas as a tourism destination.
• 1950s–    The Chamber formed the Desert Sea News Bureau to promote Las Vegas to media outlets all over the world.  
• 1952 –    The Chamber helped create the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to take advantage of the nation’s appetite for post-war travel.
• 1955 –    The Chamber created the Better Business Bureau and United Way of Southern Nevada.  
• 1993 –    The Chamber spearheaded workers compensation reform, reducing the financial burden placed on small businesses.  
• 1999 –    The Chamber lobbied heavily in the state legislature against the growing trend of government-mandated health care benefits that were driving up health insurance premiums.
• 2004 –    The Chamber successfully fought against several ballot measures that would have driven up the cost of health care and taxes.
• 2005 –    The Chamber helped defeat several anti-business proposals and capped escalating property taxes for businesses during the 2005 legislative session.
• 2006 –    The Chamber had a 92 percent win ratio in electing candidates in statewide election

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce at A Glance:
Vision:
To be recognized as the pre-eminent advocate for business in Nevada
Mission:
To strengthen, enhance and protect business
Values:

• Leadership
• Excellence
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Teamwork
• Member Focus
• Diversity

Chamber Objectives:

• Enhance commerce through communication stewardship
• Represent & advocate on behalf of business
• Leverage info-technology for competitive advantage
• Deliver programs to help business grow
• Build a high-performance staff

The three main divisions of the Chamber responsible for delivering value and benefits to members are described below:

Membership & Community Development
The goal of the Chamber’s Membership and Community Development Department is to develop programs, events and services that enhance the value of Chamber membership by giving members a strong return on their investment. Throughout the year, the Chamber hosts more than 100 events, including a number of signature events that provide members with information and connections to help them compete in the marketplace.
Signature events:

• Preview Las Vegas
• Business Expo
• Membership Power Luncheons
• Business After Hours

Signature programs:

• Leadership Las Vegas
• Focus Las Vegas
• Business Education Series (BES)

In early 2006, the Chamber introduced Vegas Young Professionals (VYP), an exciting new division designed to provide a forum for young executives to meet, socialize and network. Open to business owners, managers, supervisors and executives ages 21-39, membership in this organization provides exclusive access to a range of opportunities, from mixers at some of the valley’s hottest spots to executive mentoring with business leaders.

The Chamber offers many additional benefits to members under the umbrella of its Chamber Advantage program, including:

• Discounts on office supplies, printing and copying services
• Affordable health insurance
• Cost-effective advertising opportunities
• Workers compensation insurance
• Member-to-Member discounts
• “Always Buy Chamber” programs and referrals

The Chamber partners with other local organizations to affect positive change in the community. One such partnership is with the Clark County READS program, in association with the Clark County Public Education Foundation. Clark County READS provides books to local schools and trains volunteers to assist struggling readers. The goal: promoting a literate and educated workforce.

The Chamber also works in conjunction with the Clark County School District’s WE CARE program, which enlists business professionals to assist in the recruitment of qualified teachers to Nevada, ensuring a strong future workforce.

Government Affairs
The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce has a rich history of actively working with legislators and policy makers to ensure Nevada is a place where business can grow and thrive without undue government regulation and taxation. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Department keeps members informed and up-to-date on current legislative issues so members can concentrate on running their day-to-day business operations. Chamber staff and professional lobbyists make sure the voice of business is heard in the halls of government. Other Chamber advocacy programs include:

• Grassroots Organization for Action and Leadership (GOAL)
• Center for Polling and Research
• BizPAC

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce played a significant role in making sure Southern Nevada businesses were strongly represented in the 2005 Nevada State Legislature. The Chamber helped Nevada remain pro-business by working to defeat anti-business proposals. The Chamber also:

• Worked to cap property taxes for businesses
• Stopped collective bargaining for state employees
• Killed a measure for mandatory union membership
• Backed a $300 million tax rebate
• Halted legislative committee access to a company’s private information
• Stopped radical changes to employee overtime compensation

Keeping with the Chamber’s tradition of involvement in community planning, the Chamber is represented on Clark County’s 17-member Growth Task Force. This task force was formed to create a comprehensive plan for development in the Las Vegas Valley.

In early 2006, the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee announced its slate of endorsed pro-business candidates for the upcoming election season (see www.lvchamber.com) and stated its position on a number of ballot initiative proposals.

Marketing & Communications
Creating a strong sense of connection to the Chamber is the responsibility of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Marketing & Communications Department. As a member-driven business organization, the Chamber regularly surveys its members to ascertain their current and projected business needs. Solutions for those needs are then created and delivered.

The principal forms of communication between the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and its members include:

• The Business Voice monthly news magazine
• The President’s Voice, a monthly electronic newsletter from the desk of Kara Kelley, President & CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber’s Web site, www.lvchamber.com, is a great source of information for members and consumers, providing more than one million member referrals every month. The “Members Only” section of the Web site provides additional value, containing several special services for members including:

• Special Publications
• Relationship-Building Tips
• “Buy From a Member” Program Details
• “Open for Business” program, designed to help businesses prepare for the unexpected.

Chamber Media is a collection of niche advertising vehicles with special pricing for Chamber members. Each medium is targeted, effective and affordable. Promotional opportunities are available in:

• The Business Voice
• www.lvchamber.com
• Buyer’s Guide and Membership Directory
• Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Relocation Guide
• Mailing lists

In 2004, the Chamber’s Business On Guard initiative was launched to raise awareness about steps the business community must play in protecting itself and the community from potential terrorist threats. A poster called “Ten Ways Business Can Help Keep Southern Nevada Safe For Everyone” was designed to assist employers and employees in recognizing potential threats and communicating them to law enforcement. Beyond the obvious need to protect personal safety, keeping Nevada safe is essential for ensuring a healthy local economy.

The Marketing and Communications Department also directs the annual economic forecasting event, Preview Las Vegas. The event features a panel of expert local and national speakers who deliver timely and relevant information on contemporary business issues.

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is proud to support and celebrate the rich heritage of courage, leadership and innovation demonstrated by Las Vegas business owners and executives throughout the past 100 years. The Centennial Business Chronicle publication captures a century of their achievements.