BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS Chamberpaid for by the Vegas Chamber

Navigating Together: Governor Steve Sisolak Shares Roadmap to Recovery Page 14

Layoff Aversion Economy Insight from Pilot Saves Jobs Jeremy Aguero Page 13 Page 24

Cultivating growth and prosperity DON’T MISS THE VEGAS CHAMBER’S MONTHLY TV SHOW!

Special Guest: Featuring Governor of Nevada, Steve Sisolak

Episodes Air the First Sunday and Various Times/Day Each Month Time: 4 p.m. PST | Channel: Cox Yurview LV 14 and 1014 View archived episodes at youtube.com/lasvegaschamber

Presenting Location Sponsor: Sponsor:

VegasChamber.com | 702.641.5822 | @VegasChamber Cultivating growth and prosperity

MARY BETH SEWALD PRESIDENT & CEO

s the road to economic recovery problems. The Vegas Chamber, through our begins, the Vegas Chamber is alongside Leadership Foundation, has two development A you as your partner, advocate, and programs to help you and your teams become more leading source of the latest and most insightful and inspirational leaders. reliable information. This will be a long journey, and there will be some twists and turns, and Our Leadership Advance program gives talented many tests along the way. For most of us in business, professionals at all levels the training necessary to we are living through the most challenging times we be effective leaders and managers. The program will ever face as leaders. is tailored specifically to professionals wanting to enhance their leadership skills so they can be One area where we can find inspiration is through transformational managers and leaders. Our 5-month sports. Competing at the top levels requires fall session kicks off on Aug. 7. You can enroll at continuous motivation, goal-setting, and inspired Leadership.Vegas. leadership. Our hometown sports teams not only bring some excitement to our lives, but they also are Additionally, Leadership Las Vegas, the most models of moving forward through adversity. prestigious community leadership program in our region, is taking applications for the Class of 2021, In that team spirit, please join us for The Comeback: which kicks off in September. Through the 10-month Sports, Hope and Recovery series. Each episode awe-inspiring program, you will learn about the will feature business leaders from across the many facets of Southern Nevada, its challenges and state interviewing top sports leaders to get their opportunities to become a more effective community perspective on dealing with challenges, what leader. Applications are due June 11. inspires them, as well as insights into their upcoming seasons. Guests will include T.J. Otzelberger, UNLV Reopening and recovering our businesses and jobs basketball coach and Kerry Bulbolz, president of the will not be easy. It will be daunting. But you aren’t in Vegas Golden Knights. And I am honored to lead a this alone. The Vegas Chamber is here for you every conversation with Marc Badain, president of the Las step of the way – as a valued source of information; Vegas Raiders. The series kicks off on June 12. Look as a resource you can count on; as an advocate that for more information on our social media channels. will champion for your business. We are on your team. Speaking of leadership, every organization needs great leaders to be successful – coaches who can motivate teams to succeed and achieve goals, effectively communicate, and strategically solve

VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 3 Business Voice

We're In VOLUME 41 NUMBER 06

Vegas Chamber This Together 575 Symphony Park Avenue, Ste. 100 Las Vegas, NV 89106 702.641.5822 • VegasChamber.com

Mary Beth Sewald Free Short-Term Memberships President & CEO Now Available Vegas Chamber

2020 Board of Trustees Trustees Emeritus Board Executive Committee

Tom Burns Paul Anderson Jay Barrett Chairman Boyd Gaming The JABarrett Company Cragin & Pike Joseph Asher Senator Richard Bryan Gina Bongiovi William Hill US Fennemore Craig, P.C. Chair-Elect Bongiovi Law Firm Brandon Barkhuff Fafie Moore NV Energy ERA Brokers Terrance Shirey Consolidated Immediate Past Chairman Lisa Beckley Nevada State Bank The Beckley Group Bill Noonan Boyd Gaming Hugh Anderson Danielle Bisterfeldt Corporation (Retired) HighTower Las Vegas The Howard Hughes Corporation Jim Prather Michael Bolognini Michael Bonner Las Vegas Review- Cox Communications Greenberg Traurig, LLP Journal

Betsy Fretwell Bob Brown Bruce Spotleson Switch Opportunity Village The Neon Museum

John Guedry Kerry Bubolz John Wilcox Bank of Nevada Vegas Golden Knights JDW Group LLC

Lisa Howfield Tyler Corder KLAS-TV Findlay Automotive Past Chairpersons

Lori Nelson-Kraft Alex Dixon Las Vegas Convention and Visitors PureStar Berlyn Miller 1979 Authority Michael Feder Phil Arce 1984 Ellen Schulhofer Dickinson-Wright, PLLC Elaina Blake 1985 Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Jeff Grace Dave Vlaming 1986 Chris Wilcox Gartner Eide Bailly LLP Jeffrey A. Silver 1988 Mark Hutchison Peter Thomas 1989 Ryan Woodward Hutchison & Steffen, PLLC National Technical Institute William Martin 1991 Gregory Lee Eureka Casino Resort Bob Maxey 1992 Production Team Denny Weddle 1993 Sara Lindgren JPMorgan Chase David Smith 1994

Joyce Goedeke Ted Wiens, Jr. 1995 Publisher/Editor Rex Liu Family & Cosmetic Dentistry John O’Reilly 1996

Cara Clarke Diane Dickerson 1997 Editor Marta Meana University of Nevada, Las Vegas Edward Crispell 1998 Pomai Weall Production Coordinator/ Napoleon McCallum Bill Wells 2001 Contributor The Las Vegas Sands Corporation Jay Kornmayer 2002 Noel Gonzalez Bill Nelson Lou Emmert 2003 Graphic Designer Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern Tim Cashman 2004 Jacey Gonzalez Boyd Nelson Contributor Southwest Gas Corporation Hugh Anderson 2005 John Wilcox 2006 The Vegas Chamber team is here to nuture Brig. Gen. Robert Novotny Nellis Air Force Base Fafie Moore2008

businesses through this difficult time. Karla Perez Steve Hill 2009 Valley Health System Kristin McMillan 2010

Teresa Di Loreto Michael Bonner 2011 The Business Voice Nevada Military Support Alliance Kevin Orrock 2012 We're offering small businesses a free short-term (USPS #717-970) is published by Vegas Chamber Tina Quigley Jay Barrett 2013 575 Symphony Park Ave., Ste. 100 membership to access our webinars & COVID-19 Las Vegas, NV 89106 Bruce Spotleson 2014 Chase Rankin Bob Brown 2015 Annual Subscription $25 Las Vegas Review-Journal resources. Plus, earn up to $500 for referrals! Periodical postage paid at John Guedry 2016 Las Vegas, NV Mark Shearer POSTMASTER: Raiders Bill Noonan 2017

Send address changes to: Michael Bolognini 2018 Vegas Chamber, Larry Singer 575 Symphony Park Ave., Ste. 100 Newmark Knight Frank Terrance Shirey 2019 Las Vegas, NV 89106 For more information, Vicky VanMeetren Roseman University of Health Sciences

visit VegasChamber.com Chris Way KTNV-TV 13 Action News

EDITORIAL POLICY: The Business Voice is a member newsletter of the Vegas Chamber. The Vegas Chamber welcomes input, ideas and suggestions from our members. As with any periodical, we must adhere to strict deadlines and we reserve the right to edit all materials submitted for publication. Commentaries that are marked as such do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the Chamber, its trustees or employees. The Chamber cannot guarantee the validity or accuracy of the content of paid advertisements. All content is subject to change. Questions or concerns about content of the Business Voice can be addressed to the Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy, Vegas Chamber, 575 Symphony Park Avenue, Ste. 100, Las Vegas, NV 89106. Table of Contents 12 JUNE 2020

My Point of View 7

Candidate Endorsement Guide 8

Working For You 9

Welcome New Members 10 13 14 Member News 12

Workforce Connections’ Layoff Aversion Pilot is Helping Keep Employees on the Payroll 13

Navigating Together: Governor Steve Sisolak Shares Roadmap to Recovery 14

What's Virtually Happening 21

Board of Trustees: Spotlights 23

A Snapshot in an Uncertain Time: Insight from Jeremy Aguero, Applied Analysis 24

Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness 27

Chamber News 32 23 24

Advance Your Leadership Skills Prepared by the U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Become a Better Leader 34 GUIDE TO PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS 27

VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 5 Under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created by the CARES Act, loans may be forgiven if borrowers use the proceeds to maintain their payrolls and pay other specified expenses.

The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration recently released the application form and instructions for loan forgiveness. The forgiveness forms, instructions, and worksheets can be downloaded here.

PPP borrowers must apply for loan forgiveness with the lender that processed the loan. This guide is designed to help borrowers understand the process by which their loan forgiveness amount will be calculated and the overall approach of the loan forgiveness process.

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING PARTNER Type to enter text

8985 S. Eastern Ave., #205 Las Vegas, NV 89123 A Positive Outlook My Point of View

Being a Las Vegan is a special thing. It means you live in these businesses are who will lead the way out of this for the most exciting city on Earth, drawing over 40 million our city, and they needed our help. visitors a year to experience for a weekend what we are blessed to enjoy every day. It means living in a city that is I’ve never been prouder of my colleagues. In the end, we constantly pushing itself forward, reinventing itself, and processed over 4,200 PPP loans for a total of $592 million. doing audacious things that the rest of the world says Based on applicant data, this supports nearly 66,000 jobs are crazy, yet we prove them wrong every time and keep in the state of Nevada. And many very small businesses moving forward. received funding, with more than 68% of the loans made to businesses with fewer than 10 employees. These But that’s just what the world sees. What they don’t see, businesses needed a lifeline and it was our obligation to be or at least what is not as readily apparent to the typical there for them. visitor, is the fantastic quality of life we all enjoy. They don’t know how great it is that so many Las Vegans are And now we see some real signs of hope. We’ve entered from somewhere else – who came here to build something phase 1, with many of these small businesses able to open. great, to make a better life for themselves and their families. The health data is encouraging. And hopefully, we will soon These entrepreneurs and risk takers are key to the culture see a return of visitors to our city. We have a long way to of our city and are why we are never afraid to take those go, and a lot of hard work ahead of us. Certain national leaps that propel this city ever forward.

After a decade of growth, ever increasing visitor numbers, and an amazing transformation of our city, we now face a challenge. We’ve faced challenges before, sure. But this one feels different. Never before has the Strip been empty – so empty you can ride your bike down Las Vegas Boulevard on a Saturday afternoon. Never before have so many been unemployed. And never before have so many small business owners, who’ve poured their hearts and souls into their dream of building something for their families and their employees, had to close their doors at the same time.

As the CEO of Nevada State Bank, I’ve spoken to many of these small business owners over the last 60 days. Our Terry Shirey, President & CEO conversations have been inspiring, heart-breaking, and often a combination of the two. These are the people pundits are counting us out. But they always do, and they who create new jobs, who risk their own capital to start are always wrong. What they never account for is what something new. These are the quintessential Las Vegans. really matters in the equation – Las Vegas is populated by When Congress passed the CARES act, creating the Las Vegans. We are at our core entrepreneurs, risk takers, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the team at NSB and people who never listen when outsiders tell us it isn’t mobilized quickly, understanding how important it was to possible. The virus has changed many things, but it hasn’t our city. More than 200 of my colleagues worked nights changed that. We’ll be back, and if history is our guide, and weekends to process as many applications as humanly we’ll be stronger than ever. possible. Why? Because we all live here too. We care about ® Las Vegas, and we care about our businesses. We know IT MATTERS WHO YOU BANK WITH

A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC Candidate Endorsement Guide Primary Election, Tuesday, June 9, 2020

State District 4 Dina Neal (D) District 7 Ellen Spiegel (D) Senate District 19 Pete Goicoechea (R)

State District 1 Daniele Monroe-Moreno (D) District 2 Heidi Kasama (R) Assembly District 8 Jason Frierson (D) District 10 Rochelle Nguyen (D) District 13 Tom Roberts (R) District 14 Maggie Carlton (D) District 15 Howard Watts (D) District 19 Chris Edwards (R) District 22 Melissa Hardy (R) District 23 Glen Leavitt (R) District 25 Jill Tolles (R) District 26 Lisa Krasner (R) District 29 Steven Delisle (R) District 31 David Espinosa (R) District 33 John Ellison (R) District 36 Gregory Hafen (R) District 38 Robin Titus (R) District 40 PK O'Neill (R) District 42 Alex Assefa (D)

State District 1 Tim Hughes (NP)

Board of Education Board of District 3 Stephen Silberkraus (NP)

Regents Clark District A Michael Naft (D) County District B Marilyn Kirkpatrick (D)

CCSD District A Liberty Leavitt (NP) District B Bryan Wachter (NP) 8 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBERPaid for by the Vegas Chamber. For more information on these endorsements, or to learn more about BizPAC, visit VegasChamber.com. These endorsements are as of May 29, 2020. Working For You Primary Election

As the largest and most broad-based business organization in Nevada, the Vegas Chamber has been the steady and consistent leader in advocacy efforts. It has been this focus that drives Candidate Endorsement Guide the Vegas Chamber’s government affairs operations at the local, state and federal levels of Primary Election, Tuesday, June 9, 2020 government. Our advocacy work, policy priorities, political acumen and thought leadership by our volunteer leaders have helped shape Nevada into being a state where employers are encouraged to grow and expand their businesses, where unnecessary and burdensome regulations do not cripple the State District 4 Dina Neal (D) needs of employers and do not hinder the hiring of Nevadans for good paying jobs. District 7 Ellen Spiegel (D) Senate In today’s changing world, it is more important than ever before to elect candidates that want to District 19 Pete Goicoechea (R) work with organizations such as the Vegas Chamber with a fair, pragmatic approach for the good of all Nevadans. You, our members and your employees play a pivotal rule in the 2020 election. District 1 Daniele Monroe-Moreno (D) We need you to make your voice heard by taking action and supporting the Vegas Chamber State endorsed candidates. The single most important thing you can do is to vote. District 2 Heidi Kasama (R) Assembly District 8 Jason Frierson (D) It is for that reason that the Vegas Chamber has compiled the 2020 General Election Guide that highlights candidates that have been endorsed by the Vegas Chamber’s Government Affairs District 10 Rochelle Nguyen (D) Committee. Endorsements include State Senate, State Assembly, Board of Regents, Clark District 13 Tom Roberts (R) County Commission and Clark County Boards of School Trustees. These endorsed candidates are reflective of Republican, Democrat and nonpartisan candidates that are committed to working District 14 Maggie Carlton (D) with the Vegas Chamber. Candidates that are listed in the guide will be on the primary ballot. District 15 Howard Watts (D) District 19 Chris Edwards (R) District 22 Melissa Hardy (R) District 23 Glen Leavitt (R) Guide on page 8 District 25 Jill Tolles (R) Please note that because of 2017 changes to state election laws, if a candidate won their primary District 26 Lisa Krasner (R) with no other challengers from a different political party or ran unopposed, they will not be on the November ballot and not be listed in the 2020 General Election Guide. District 29 Steven Delisle (R) District 31 David Espinosa (R) District 33 John Ellison (R) Candidate endorsements are decided by the Vegas Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, District 36 Gregory Hafen (R) comprised of Chamber members who represent a vast array of businesses, including small District 38 Robin Titus (R) businesses, from several different industries. District 40 PK O'Neill (R) Government Affairs Committee members take the time to thoroughly interview and question candidates on behalf of the business community on priority principles including less regulatory District 42 Alex Assefa (D) burden on businesses, more efficiency in government, building a strong future workforce, education reform, taxation, and improving the business climate.

We ask you to share this election guide information with fellow employers, colleagues, community State District 1 Tim Hughes (NP) leaders and your employees. Leverage your circle and expand the business community’s influence by voting. United as a business community, we will be stronger and will be able to influence the Board of policy decisions that will happen in the State Legislature and local government. Stand with the Education Vegas Chamber and take action. Vote this election and support pro-business candidates! Board of District 3 Stephen Silberkraus (NP)

Regents Clark District A Michael Naft (D) County District B Marilyn Kirkpatrick (D)

CCSD District A Liberty Leavitt (NP) District B Bryan Wachter (NP) Paid for by the Vegas Chamber. For more information on these endorsements, or to learn more VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 9 about BizPAC, visit VegasChamber.com. These endorsements are as of May 29, 2020. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! ganc.io PRESIDENT'S CLUB: www.ganc.io

Chick-fil-A Flamingo and Valley View Elevated Lifestyle Development LLC The Defenders Criminal Defense Lawyers JMPForce Organization McEvilly Benefits Ticket Busters Nanotechnology Partners, LLC Southern Land Company Nevada Hospital Association Anchor Chiropractic Richard Harris Law Firm CCI Home Care Smart Tyme Consultants Cornel Realty Southern Nevada Conservancy Organization CRQ Corporation

Affiliates 3rd Eye Productions Cravin' Creole LLC Abel Consulting & Executive Search Crystal Clear Management Group (CCM) Accretive Consulting Cure 4 The Kids Advocate Estate & Fiduciary LLC Cyberguard Compliance Alchemy Tax Reduction Dakem & Associates, LLC - Lic. # 47757 Alex Isom DDS PLLC Deborah Campbell & Associates LLC Amaxima Realty Debug Computer Amelia C & Co Desert Community Management, LLC American Family-Kendal Haynie Desert Shores Community Association ARC Services Divine Events Avenue West Las Vegas LLC DK Entertainment LLC BioLife Plasma Services DK Las Vegas, LLC Black Knights Transportation Logistics LLC Downtown DMC Block9 Thai Street Eats Downtown LV Art Walk Boom Commerce Dream Las Vegas Bridges Document Prep Eby Iron Designs Capelli Salon Echo & Rig Butcher and Steakhouse Card Z3N, LLC Economic Luxury LLC Carpets N More Edward Jones - Michael Eakman Carson Kitchen Eller Law Chicago Joe's Restaurant Eventure Choice Services Exclusively Vegas Cigary Capital, LLC FASTSIGNS NWST LV CleanBrand Flagstar Bank Cork & Thorn Flora Couture Corkscrews Flourish LV Floral & Event Design COSi Focus Plumbing LLC Country Financial Friends of Hunter Cain CPDD.Stuff Galindo Group Craft Haus Brewpub GKT Acquisitions Group

10 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER Members joined from April 1 - April 30.

Global Macro Asset Management Pitney Bowes, Inc GMG Savings Platinum Estate Group Inc Gryphon Valuation Consultants Inc Pop-A-Lock Hair Standard Poppy Bank Hharpp Business Services Inc Premier Showgirls Honey Salt Pure Barre Las Vegas India Kabob and Curry QBid Live Indigo Tickets Quality Corrections & Inspections Infinity Hospice Care Radius Track Inline Productions Rare Naturals Insite HR Solutions Rehab Directives LLC Interstate Batteries of Las Vegas Revenue Media Group ItsOnMe Rolling In Dough Bakery Jamie Y Photography Royal Realty JayRue Glam Salon Security 101 JE Power LLC Serene A Vegas Resort La Strega Sherri Simhayoff with Wardley Real Estate La Vie Insurance Sheryl Green Speaks Lake Industries Shu Business Consulting Services LandArt dba FireSky Silver State Real Estate Las Vegas Air Duct Cleaning Services Simply Radiant Las Vegas Oddities & Atomic Oddities Simply Vegas-Rob Wilner Let's Talk! Therapy Center Skin City Body Painting Lindstrom Radcliffe Group Smash Booth Logic Commercial Real Estate Speaking of Strategy LV Craft Shows Specibase LLC Maccabee Task Force Spiegelworld Major Mindz Square Color Salon and Spa Marathon Staffing Group Starfire Web Design Marche Bacchus French Bistro & Wine Shop Starry Eyed Events Mathnasium of Summerlin Stockwell Medical, Inc Maya Cinemas and Entertainment Sundance Media Group, LLC Micone Staffing Resources Sutton Watkins Advertising & Design Moonridge Group, LLC Symphony Weddings & Events Mountain View Financial Advisors teleMDcare Move4Less, LLC The Amin Law Group NV LTD Movedocs The Black Sheep Mpowerment Network LLC The Center (serving the LGBTQ Communty) My Pink Hare The Coder School of Las Vegas Neal Petermann Inc The Emergent Group Nectar Bath Treats The Learning Experience at Las Vegas-Rhodes Ranch Neon Collective The Prevetti Group Nevada CASA Association The Rocking H Ranch Nevada Homeless Alliance The Tiny Bloom Nittaya's Secret Kitchen The Warnick Group Nova Star Dance Company LLC Trinity Publications Group NXT Global Trosper Communications OHM Marketing and Creative Van Law Firm One Emprima Empowerment Coaching Vegas Direct Primary Care One17 Hair Studio Salon Vets365 OR Trading LLC- I Boomerang Wally Wombats Ornelas Real Estate Wardley Real Estate-Valerie DiBenedetto Owned Outcomes Water of Life School P4 Training Solutions Water Shark Systems Pacifica Senior Living (Spring Valley) We Do Deliveries Paylocity William McCauley PC Peak Performance Partners Zentrin CEO Systems

VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 11 Member News

RED - PRESIDENT’S CLUB MEMBER Fashion Show Mall has made a donation of 400 handcrafted In the Community masks to the Valley Health System, including Centennial Hills, Lexicon Bank and Greater Nevada Credit Union have opened Desert Springs, Henderson, Spring Valley, Summerlin and Valley their doors to any applicants of the Payroll Protection Program Medical Centers. The masks were created and designed by after Southern Nevada residents were having trouble finding Larissa Navarro of The Tailor Shop. Navarro has provided nearly banks to accept applicants to have an existing business 5,000 face masks and face coverings to date, producing account, credit card or loan. The banks are accepting applicants 150-300 masks per day. on a first-come, first-serve basis until they meet restrictions where they can’t process loans. Lexicon Bank has seen 144 loan applications approved by April 13 with roughly $42 million in funding expected to be dispersed. Nevada Credit Union has processed 1,300 applications totaling about $160 million.

Workforce Connections has launched a new pilot program that is saving over 275 jobs and allowing more than 60 Southern Nevada small businesses to remain on their normal payroll schedule. The Layoff Aversion Pilot utilizes $344,000 of federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds provided by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). An additional $100,000 was donated by Bank of Nevada, which significantly extends the reach of the initiative. More details on page 13.

Turkish Airlines has announced that they will be resuming flights gradually this month and will take around four months Screaming Images has transformed its business into one that is to return near to full operation. Turkish Airlines will fly to 22 now essential. The business pivoted from focusing on printing destinations in 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Austria, and is now producing protective barriers for respective clients. Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, This switch was made due to the demand for protective barriers Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Netherlands, and the downtime the company faced. Norway, Singapore, South Korea and Sweden, with a weekly frequency of 75 flights. The airline is projected to operate 60 Culinary Academy of Las percent of domestic flights to all destinations, then to add Vegas (CALV) served more destinations in July and August. than 846,320 pounds of food to Las Vegas residents Nevada HAND has partnered with Three Square to make sure in need. CALV is leveraging that its seniors in the Las Vegas Valley are well-fed during this its own dollars with public pandemic. Due to the “Golden Groceries” plan with Nevada and private support to HAND, 248 deliveries have been made more than 2,000 alleviate demand on individuals in Las Vegas. Each household got two boxes of existing food banks by groceries and produce, which will last almost a month and servicing displaced union alleviate the need for seniors to leave their houses during this workers from the industry crisis. For more information or to donate, visit NevadaHAND. that powers the Las Vegas com. community.

Southern Nevada Water Authority has completed work on the new Low Lake Level Pumping Station at Lake Mead. Working together with a third drinking water intake, the pumping station will ensure our community’s access to water at Lake Mead, even if lake levels continue to decline due to drought.

The Vegas Chamber is proud to provide members with a place to publish their current announcements as a benefit of membership. Email news items to [email protected].

12 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER Workforce Connections’ Layoff Aversion Pilot is Helping Keep Employees on the Payroll Private Funding From Bank of Nevada Boosts Reach of Initiative

Vegas Chamber member Grant a Gift Autism Foundation is Making a one of more than sixty small employers receiving help to keep Difference staff on the payroll thanks to a pilot program developed by Workforce Connections, Southern Nevada’s Local Workforce Together Development Board. Vegas Chamber

President & CEO “This pilot has provided a sense a relief,” said Terri Janison, Mary Beth Sewald president and CEO of Grant A Gift Autism Foundation. “It is is a member of truly an example of the local community taking care of the local the Workforce community.” Connections

board, helping The Layoff Aversion Pilot is a wage reimbursement program represent the that brings together public and private funding to support business voice as employers and employees impacted by COVID-19. the board gauges

community needs “We knew we had to do something to help keep employees and implements out of the overwhelmed unemployment insurance system,” said strategies. Workforce Connections executive director Jaime Cruz. “This pilot is a first-of-its-kind locally, and it’s a tremendous example “Any assistance of what can happen when our community joins forces.” we can give

small businesses The pilot started with $344,000 of federal Workforce and nonprofits Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds provided to preserve by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Grant A Gift President & CEO Terri Janison receives check jobs helps limit Rehabilitation (DETR). An additional $100,000 was donated from Vegas Chamber Chairman & Cragin & Pike the harm the by Bank of Nevada, which significantly extends the reach of the President Tom Burns Coronavirus is initiative. having on our

economy. The Vegas Chamber is proud to join with Workforce In all, the initiative is expected to help keep approximately 275 Connections, the LVGEA, and chambers of commerce Southern Nevadans employed. throughout Southern Nevada to offer this lifeline to small

employers,” said Sewald. “We are proud to work with our partners throughout the community to find innovative ways to help small businesses “The level of partnership in our region we have seen in response avoid, or delay layoffs,” said DETR Director Heather Korbulic. to COVID-19 has been unprecedented,” said Jonas Peterson, “Keeping Nevadans on the payroll is one of DETR’s primary president and CEO of LVGEA. “Together, our organizations goals. We are pleased to be a part of this collaborative effort.” know supporting our businesses and residents is crucial to

taking steps toward recovery. There are many great federal and "Small businesses have taken a direct hit as a result of the state initiatives to help, but we know every program makes a sudden economic changes and many can’t continue to pay difference. The Layoff Aversion Pilot is another great way to fill employees without help," said John Guedry, Division CEO, Bank in those gaps and help employees.” of Nevada. “We understand the impact these businesses have on our economy.” The LVGEA, DETR, Bank of Nevada, and the Latin Chamber of Commerce also have representatives on the board, as well How the Layoff Aversion Pilot Works as members of the education community and other partners. Together, they are working together to develop short and long Small businesses and nonprofits were identified to participate in term business-driven solutions to help keep Southern Nevadans the pilot using the collective expertise of the Las Vegas Global employed during this COVID-19 crisis, while implementing Economic Alliance (LVGEA), the Vegas Chamber and the Asian, recovery efforts to help employers successfully reopen and Boulder City, Henderson, India, Laughlin, Latin, Mesquite, and rehire. “The Workforce Connections staff receives direction Urban chambers. from our board and consortium of local elected officials,” said Cruz. “Because the funding is limited, we knew this pilot could not help every business that deserves assistance. That is why For Janison, the extra funds to help keep her employees on we enlisted our local chambers and economic development staff means the nonprofit can continue to support families with partners to identify businesses where this type of funding could autism. be maximized and distributed quickly,” said Cruz. “The funding actually creates a trickledown effect. We are Eligible employers participating in the pilot submit paystubs able to keep our employees on the payroll, and they in turn are to Workforce Connections. Those employers can then be available to support the families going through tough times in reimbursed 50-percent of a current employee’s wages. this crisis,” said Janison. Employers can have up to five employees enrolled in the pilot, and receive up to $8,000 total.

VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 13 Navigating Together: Governor Steve Sisolak Shares Roadmap to Recovery

In a time when the world is changing faster than ever, businesses, and the community alike, are anxiously watching the phases of reopening and how the new world will conduct business, enhance the consumer experience and strengthen the business-to-business relationship.

The Vegas Chamber is the first southern Nevada chamber of commerce to bring its members a protective equipment into our hospitals, to our first virtual visit with Governor Steve Sisolak. As the responders, and, frankly, it saved a lot of lives and we state continues to work on that delicate balancing sincerely appreciate that. act of ensuring the health and safety of its citizens and the priority of reinvigorating the economy, the As I said way back when I gave my State of the governor shared his perspective on the state’s plans State in January 2019, businesses are propelling our on implementing actions that address both sides of economy at an enormous trajectory, and things are the coin. looking good we’re looking for the next session and how we’re going to deal with being able to balance Vegas Chamber Chairman Tom Burns and President our budget and spend our money, but this pandemic and CEO Mary Beth Sewald moderated the virtual caused unimaginable problems, and the impacts event with nearly 1,000 attendees, and thanks to that it had on everything. From our businesses to Governor Sisolak, he provided direct insight on how our schools to our governmental entities, it required we move forward together. more of us and forced us to pull together, and to get together on how we’re going to deal with these Mary Beth Sewald (MBS): We’re so happy, Governor situations. Sisolak, that you can join us. I’d like to commend you on your driving passion to keep Nevadans safe, and I am thankful and I am grateful every single day for to keep this curve as flat as possible in an effort to Nevadans that have stepped up to be part of the keep us from overwhelming all our hospitals. solution, not to be part of the problem, but to be part of the solution. We are facing problems particularly, Tom Burns (TB): During these unprecedented times small businesses, are facing problems they could of COVID-19, Governor Sisolak has been an engaged never imagined. I could have never imagined, that leader, working with communities, healthcare you would have to shut down one day and I would officials, education officials, and the Vegas Chamber, have to make the decision to shut down the entire along with other business groups, to keep our state Strip…I know the impact that it has had on small open and safe for Nevadans. Please welcome the businesses, and I am confident we will be able to governor of the state of Nevada, Steve Sisolak. provide the energy and the resiliency for those businesses to move forward. Governor Steve Sisolak (GOVERNOR): Thank you that kind introduction. I sincerely appreciate your words I am proud how Nevadans have reacted during this and sentiment, and it’s a pleasure to be here with crisis together; they've managed too help us flatten all your members, or a lot of your members. I want this curve, and I can tell you that has saved literally to express my gratitude for this opportunity and for thousands of lives. There is no doubt in my mind that your willingness and your help to get us through the if we had not done this, we would’ve been in a much time that we’ve had. I can tell you that these days worse position today. it seems like this has been years that we’ve been in this COVID crisis because the days all run together, The community has worked with us to help [make] and I don’t know what day it is from one to the that happen. Our first responders, our state other, but I remember when [COVID-19 Task Force superintendent working on the education front, Chair] Jim [Murren] and I got together, and [the with all 17 superintendents across the state, to try to Vegas Chamber] offered to help me and using a lot develop a plan, not just for this year, but for next year of the resources of the chamber, and your members on how we’re going to deal with education, in trying and their contacts. That allowed us to get personal to get kids educated and continue them on their

14 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER educational that we were careers. able to use with these governors My team in obtaining has been supplies. absolutely [California] outstanding, Governor in terms of Newsom is dealing with one example. this entire He sent us 50 situation, ventilators when working 12 we were short to 14 hours of ventilators. a day, seven They are a big days a week tourist source because for us: We get there’s a lot of people always a Cultivating growth and prosperity driving here situation from California, we’re dealing Oregon, with whether Washington it’s statistics and Colorado, and testing, unemployment, reopening or phasing. and that communication is going to be extremely I can’t thank my team enough and I can’t thank the important as we start opening up the gaming. I don’t Chamber enough for being so cooperative to help us, want them [the states] quarantining their people to provide information and be a resource. when I want them coming to Las Vegas to gamble and to vacation; it’s a communication exchange of "I can’t thank my team enough and I can’t information is what has been the most beneficial for thank the Chamber enough for being so us. cooperative" MBS: Do you anticipate or envision any new state Thank you for what you’ve done, for your time, for programs that could possibly be offered to small your dedication to the Silver State. We are in this businesses that would help them additionally together. It’s going to be a road back, but we have a retaining their employees, or helping them stay open pathway to get back and I’m confident that we are with any type of governmental assistance? going to be able to do that by working together and we’re going to make that all possible. GOVERNOR: Yes, we’re working with [Governor’s For all your members in the Chamber that have Office of Economic Development] Director Michael helped so much; they’ve helped feed the folks who Brown who has been incredible, and I know he’s been didn’t have food, they’ve helped the businesses to in contact with the Chamber. We did get a significant continue, you got folks that are working from home amount of CARES Act money that we’re looking at schooling to kids at the same time and helping us working to develop programs. I am excited about getting our community back together, that’s what trying to recruit new businesses and attracting new the chamber is all about and it’s been just a delight industries here, [but] I am more concerned and my to work with you. I couldn’t ask for a better partner immediate concern is for the present members and than the Vegas Chamber and I’m thankful every day the businesses we have that have done and sacrificed for everything that you do for us. so much. I know that PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] was a great program, but a lot of people MBS: We know that you work closely with the got cut out of the first tranche and then the second governors of the other western states, especially tranche they didn’t get in, and there are concerns through the Western States Pact. How do you think about the timing of that and how the money has to joining this pact has benefited the state of Nevada, be expended. and what have been some of the key takeaways that have helped shape your policy decisions and your We’re definitely looking forward to working with the response to COVID-19? Chamber and coming up with ideas that can really help the small businesses that are struggling at this GOVERNOR: The Western States Pact has been time, and coordinate resources, and anything that extremely valuable for us. I know these governors we can do at the state level, I would be happy to from our different associations, and, quite frankly, participate in. there are some selfish reasons. At the beginning, it was an economy of scale, in terms of purchasing, VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 15 STAY SAFE, STAY OPEN. Your safety, the safety of others and the safety of our economy depend on you.

Please wear protective face coverings and maintain 6 feet of distance from others. TB: What are your thoughts and plans on helping GOVERNOR: I think that that, if anything good could Nevada’s economy recover? come out of this, we realized that our supply chain has been broken for a while. GOVERNOR: The economy definitely took a big hit. I mean, there’s no doubt. You’ve got small businesses I think we need to bring more of our supply chain that have poured their life savings into their back into this country. We exported a lot of that and businesses and now need some assistance in order to it’s unfortunate that it’s not viable here right now, but get out of it. We can bring back the economy, but we I think that there are some opportunities [and] we STAY SAFE, can’t bring back the lives. can learn from that. Our initial reaction and our initial motive to get that The same is true on the food chain; some of the curve down [was] for a couple reasons. One is to folks don’t get enough credit. When you look at save lives, and two is to make sure that we maintain the truckers and the front-end grocery store clerks a capacity in our healthcare facilities to deal with the that are stocking these shelves, it’s shocking for me surge. Thirdly, it’s important that when visitors come to believe that there could be a national shortage STAY OPEN. here and when they start coming back to Las Vegas of toilet paper, but there was for months because and Nevada, they know that this is the safest place in we just didn’t have the supply chains available but Your safety, the safety of others and the safety the world to come and vacation. We’re going out of they kept it going. I think we’re going to have to our way to make sure that happens, and hopefully the reevaluate that and get more technology in the businesses, as a result, will be the beneficiary from supply chains, and hopefully give some of the smaller of our economy depend on you. the actions that we’ve taken. companies an opportunity to participate in this.

TB: Do you have a sense of when our economy will TB: Governor, you recently declared a fiscal state of be back to pre-pandemic levels and how long that emergency for the state of Nevada. Can you share recovery will take? what that means for the state as a whole, how it helps local governments, and what it means to Nevadans? GOVERNOR: Wow, I don’t even know how you can even begin to look at that. Frankly, dealing with GOVERNOR: The fiscal emergency frees up more my health experts, I don’t think there’s any hope federal resources for us. It gives us more flexibility to getting back to where we were until we have with our state resources, in order to be able to a vaccine. I mean, you’re going to need a vaccine expend them in an efficient manner. It avails us to where people are comfortable that they can get on use the National Guard more than we previously had, Please wear protective face a plane. I know my wife booked a flight and she was which was just been a heaven sent to get those folks coming up here. There was going to be 25 percent in here to help respond to this virus in the way that people occupying the plane, and, all of a sudden, we did. It was a matter of providing us with more coverings and maintain they combined three flights and it was booked 100 resources and, at the same time, providing us with percent; she decided not to come, and I don’t blame more flexibility, so that was the reasoning behind it. her. 6 feet of distance from others. MBS: [The pandemic] is clearly impacting the People are going to need to feel comfortable to get state budget for 2020 and into 2021 and probably on an airplane and check into a hotel in Las Vegas. well beyond that, is K-12 education subject to the Until there’s a vaccine that they feel that they’ll be potential cuts as part of your call for state agencies immune, so to speak, from the virus, I don’t think it’s to provide budget cuts and recommendations? going to be back totally; we certainly won’t get our international travelers back. GOVERNOR: We’re going to have a lot that we need to a look at when it comes to budget cuts. We tried In dealing with the [U.S.] vice president and the to accumulate some savings in this current fiscal year [U.S.] president on the calls, they continue to be because we’re going to have into the next fiscal year. very hopeful that we could have something late this We did use a rainy-day fund; we freed that up and year or early next year. There are two things: The it’s going to help us provide our funding through the development of the vaccine and then there’s the DSA [Distributive School Account] to the schools and actual make up of 300 or 400 million doses of this higher ed at the same time. that we’re going to need just for the United States. Education has been a number one priority for me and It is important that we stay out in front of that. I think continues to be a priority educating our students. you’re going to need a vaccine, in order to get some I think they got kind of short-changed with the people to feel more comfortable. distance education. Some districts handled it much better than other districts did and were more in line MBS: How do you plan to use GOED [Governor’s to handle online education and parental involvement Office of Economic Development] to leverage than others were. recruitment efforts to attract new manufacturing operations to Nevada?

VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 17 We’re trying to get some more money. We’re talking MBS: Is there any advice you can give to businesses about another tranche of money coming from the who have customers who may not want to wear face federal government, which would provide us some coverings to go into their establishments, and do you resources at the state level to fill these budget holes. anticipate any mandates to that effect?

Without that kind of money, we are obviously looking GOVERNOR: I can tell you that you don’t wear a face at an enormous shortfall in the next fiscal year, which covering for yourself; you wear it for everybody else. will require legislature to get together and determine That’s what I’ve tried to stress to them. The virus how and when those cuts are going to be made. can be spread from an asymptomatic individual to someone without the virus, and they don’t realize it I asked for agencies to submit potential cuts and and suddenly you have a super spreader spreading it reductions in services. It’s not going to be an across- to 25, 50 or 100 people. the-board cut, where everybody gets the same. It’s going to be done on a I don’t think it’s a matter case-by-case basis. I don’t of the face covering. know how we’re going I think it’s a matter of to get out of this without people not wanting to be everybody participating. told what to do. That’s why we did not make it a We are certainly looking at mandate. any new potential revenue sources we could get from CDC [Centers for Disease the federal government. Control and Prevention) It’s not a time to be raising evidence has shown taxes clearly. But if the us that it does work to federal government is reduce the spread to going to have a package others individuals…I deal that’s going to provide with first responders, some resources for states, whether they’re our our unemployment is paramedics, police, fire, higher than anybody’s hospitals, nurses and our because of the hospitality ER folks; they tell me that industry, and hopefully the they want nothing more government can realize than for people to wear a that we’re going to get some resources. face covering because it does make a difference.

TB: It’s been clear that public health is your number Tough call that businesses have to make individually. one priority; I was wondering if you thought that We have mandated that the businesses have face would be a top priority in the upcoming legislative coverings for their employees, but they should make session and what you’d like to see us improve on that call and I encourage all businesses to encourage throughout the state? their customers to wear a face mask and to practice the protocols of social distancing, and not gathering GOVERNOR: Public health is clearly a top priority for in groups to continue to reduce the spread of the all of us and we learn certain things from this. For virus. In an ideal world, yes, please wear a face mask. example, we’ve learned that the virus has been much more impactful within an elderly population. It’s TB: If a business is following the CDC protocol, and been more impactful in our minority communities. reopening requirements, local ordinances; what other Whether that’s a result of education, whether it’s a suggestions do you have to recommend to them to lack of healthcare being provided in those areas, the protect themselves or employees or their customers? availability of testing, I know that all the legislature is looking at how to respond to a crisis like this and GOVERNOR: The best thing [businesses] can do is how to provide more flexibility, and to make sure to follow those protocols…the virus can only spread that everybody has equal access. When we got into if we assist it in its spread and businesses can do an statewide, some areas just don’t have Wi-Fi, and they awful lot to reduce the spread. don’t have access to Internet learning; some kids are having to go out to a bus with Internet access on it so MBS: I’d like to turn back to education. If needed, that kids [have] access. We’re learning a lot, and I’m who will determine if schools need to continue their sure the legislature is going to be looking at a lot of distance education in the fall, and would that be these things closely as we move forward into the next a decision that will be made by you, the Nevada legislative session without a doubt. Department of Education, or the Clark County School District, and how would that process work? GOVERNOR: The Department of Education ultimately

18 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER is one that’s going to be making that determination because it’s a two-way street. You are our conduit with me. I’ve charged Jhone Ebert, who is our state to your members as you talk about a campaign to superintendent to do that. She’s been in regular open back up and you get those materials out to meetings with all our superintendents. the individuals. I understand that you run into some pushback from some of the members as it relates I don’t know if it’s going to be the same for all our to a situation we put into place or executive order, districts; it probably won’t be. CCSD is one that’s whether it’s about a closure or wearing a mask. probably got most interest for your members; there’s no way that you can socially space in those As members, I can tell you that if you communicate classrooms. You just have too many kids in those with your chamber…sometimes, I know members classrooms, in order to be able to do that. that, when I was there, you pay the dues, you send in the check, and you may go to one or two of the They have to come up with a plan, whether that gatherings a year. That’s a big mistake. would be having them in so many days a week, dividing it in half and kids come two or three days a "If you don’t take advantage of the week and then homeschooled a couple days; whether services that the Chamber has to offer, that’s expanding the hours of the school. you’re really missing something that is beneficial." You’ve got other issues that are of real con cern. Athletics: I do not know how we could get If you don’t take advantage of the services that the people into a stand watching a football game or a Chamber has to offer, you’re really missing something basketball game and possibly social distance them. that is beneficial. Not just to the members and to We’re looking at teachers; a lot of our teachers are in the Chamber, but to an administration and every vulnerable groups because of their age or they have governmental body. an underlying health condition, and they’re more likely to be susceptible to the disease affecting them It’s just great to have somebody that you know in that situation. that you can call, and not only that you’ll give me information, but you’ll give me information that I can Everybody is handling it differently, and Nevada trust. is going to have to be involved, in terms of the school district, we’re talking to the school boards You’re never going to give me bad information or lie and, hopefully, they’ll have some input on this, but to me or tell me something that’s an untruth. That’s a it’s coming up quickly. We’re looking at a little less pretty rare commodity when you’re up here in Carson than three months; we have to make a decision in City. I deal with a lot of lobbyists that sometimes probably the next two months or so. represent some of their clients and just tell you what you want to hear. The Chamber is not that way; they MBS: Are there final thoughts that you would like tell you the good, they tell you the bad and they do a share? tremendous job at it.

GOVERNOR: I appreciate the opportunity to be with I want the members to understand that it’s a great you, and I want to talk to the members. I was a small resource that they have being a member of the Vegas business owner and I know what it’s like. I can tell Chamber. I will continue to work with you as we you I deal with a lot of chambers across the state, develop and move into Phase 2 and three and get and the Vegas Chamber does a remarkable job of gaming back open. representing their members. I promise to work as hard as we can to get this We go to the Chamber for input, for information, economy back on track, and get people coming that’s where we get my information. It’s difficult for back to visiting Las Vegas. It’s the greatest place me as much as I’d like to reach out to 800.,900 or in the world to have a vacation and an experience, 1000 of your members individually and say, “what and I look forward to working with you in the future does everyone think about this?” Time doesn’t allow so thank you for having me today…stay safe, stay that simply to happen for me, so it has to be done healthy and stay a member of the Vegas Chamber – through an organized setting. they do a lot of good for you!

"The Vegas Chamber has done a "Stay safe, stay healthy and stay a remarkable job in being, not just member of the Vegas Chamber – they do an advocate for their members, but a lot of good for you!" being a resource for my office and my administration" To view the full interview with Governor Sisolak, visit VegasChamber.com. The Vegas Chamber has done a remarkable job in being, not just an advocate for their members, but being a resource for my office and my administration

VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 19 HOW DO YOU REWARD GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE?

Customer Service Excellence is a free turnkey program that helps you recognize the customer service all-stars in your business.

• Easy ways to nominate • Recognition programs and ceremonies • Customer and staff engagement materials provided

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY AT VEGASCHAMBER.COM/CSE

For more information on enrolling your company in the program, visit VegasChamber.com or call 702.641.5822.

20 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER What’s Happening APRIL What’s Happening JUNE 6 MONDAY, APRIL 6 VEGAS CHAMBER PRESENTS: WEBINAR WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING & REHABILITATION (DETR) REGARDING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Nevada’s Director of DETR will discuss unemployment guidelines, applications, benefits, and resources available to employers 2 TUESDAY, JUNE 2 and employees. This webinar will provide Nevada’s businesses CHAMBER CONNECTIONS guidance on how their employees can access federal and state Chamber Connections is a dedicated leads group comprised unemployment benefits due to COVID-19. of professionals from a variety of industries. This is a place for 11 a.m. – Noon professionals to grow their network and their businesses by Webinar sharing contacts, referrals and ideas. 5:30 – 7 p.m. 7 TUESDAY, APRIL 7 Virtual CHAMBER CONNECTIONS Chamber Connections is a dedicated leads group comprised CHAMBER VOICES TOASTMASTERS of professionals from a variety of industries. This is a place for Looking for a way to improve your communication skills in both professionals to grow their network and their businesses by To attend your personal and professional life? The Vegas Chamber is home sharing contacts, referrals and ideas. to a Toastmasters club, Chamber Voices, open exclusively to 5:30 – 7 p.m. Virtual any of our Vegas Chamber members. 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. 8 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 online events, Virtual VYP BIGWIG LUNCH TIME: MARY BETH SEWALD, PRESIDENT AND CEO VEGAS CHAMBER 10 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 Please join us for our very first virtual Bigwig Lunch Time please visit CHAMBER CONNECTIONS A.M. featuring the Vegas Chamber's very own CEO, Mary Beth Sewald. This event is great for business professionals interested Mary Beth will share crucial information about resources available VegasChamber.com in expanding their network and optimizing their chamber to help businesses, 1099 contract workers, and employees, as well membership. In addition to quality networking time, each event as share what the Vegas Chamber, along with leaders throughout will feature two speakers: a member selected from the event Nevada, are doing to respond to the Coronavirus and minimize its to register. prior, and a Vegas Chamber team member. economic impact on our state. 7:30 – 9 a.m. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Virtual Virtual If you have any questions or interested in bringing a guest, please email Lita Stein at [email protected] SOUTHERN NEVADA FORUM - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE 12 FRIDAY, JUNE 12 The third meeting of the Southern Nevada Forum Committee on CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE: FACEBOOK LIVE Economic Development and Workforce WITH KTNV-TV CHANNEL 13 2 – 3:30 p.m. The Vegas Chamber and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Webinar Authority, with the help of KTNV-TV Channel 13 Action News is honoring all of first and second quarter nominees for their dedication to great customer service. This is our opportunity to 17 FRIDAY, APRIL 17 recognize our Customer Service Excellence stars! We invite you EGGS & ISSUES FEATURING U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN and your guests to celebrate your service and commitment to the SUSIE LEE Las Vegas valley. Eggs & Issues, a program designed to connect members with 10 – 10:15 a.m. key federal policymakers, is an affordable way to engage elected Virtual officials on the subjects that impact the Southern Nevada business community. The information imparted at these sessions TUESDAY, JUNE 16 gives members a better understanding about the federal issues 16 that affect the business community and the health of the CHAMBER CONNECTIONS economy in Nevada. Chamber Connections is a dedicated leads group comprised 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. of professionals from a variety of industries. This is a place for Teleconference professionals to grow their network and their businesses by Presenting Sponsor: Cox Communications sharing contacts, referrals and ideas. Sponsors: Allegiant Travel Company, America Medical Response, 5:30 – 7 p.m. GC Garcia Inc., The Howard Hughes Corporation, Nevada Virtual Broadcasters Association, NV Energy, Porter Group, Southwest Gas Corporation, Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, Switch, Touro CHAMBER VOICES TOASTMASTERS University Nevada. Looking for a way to improve your communication skills in both your personal and professional life? The Vegas Chamber is home to a Toastmasters club, Chamber Voices, open exclusively to TUESDAY, APRIL 21 Vegas Chamber members. 21 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Chamber Connections is a dedicated leads group comprised Virtual of professionals from a variety of industries. This is a place for professionals to grow their network and their businesses by sharing contacts, referrals and ideas. 5:30 – 7 p.m. Virtual

27 BUSINESS VOICE APRIL 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 21 LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION VEGAS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

VYP+ is an enhanced membership level for new and active VYP members that maximizes the VYP experience. VYP+ members have access to:

Special pricing at all VYP events

Advanced invitations to Bigwig Lunch Times and Community Conversations

VYP Excursions, to go behind-the-scenes to see some of Las Vegas’ most interesting businesses

A members-only database that you can use to update your information and connect with other VYP+ members

Added exposure, with a listing in the VYP+ member directory

Sitting on a VYP committee to help expand your leadership capacity and grow your network

VYP+ MEMBERSHIP IS $50 ANNUALLY. JOIN VYP+ BY CONTACTING [email protected].

22 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPOTLIGHTS JOHN GUEDRY CEO, Bank of Nevada Use one word to describe your leadership style. Example

Who are other leaders you look up to and why? Drew Brees – commitment to excellence; Abraham Lincoln – not afraid to tackle the big issues.

Which organizations outside your own do you admire the most and why? Vegas Golden Knights and New Orleans Saints – commitment to their communities. What’s your go-to productivity trick? Demonstrate what needs to be done; don’t just say it. Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work? Former sports coaches What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why? Never quit

LARRY SINGER Senior Managing Director, Newmark Knight Frank

Use one word to describe your leadership style. Humility

Who are other leaders you look up to and why? Dwight Eisenhower. Although not considered to be one of the great presidents, the interstate highway system was created under his presidency, which improved interstate travel and most importantly trade. He was a great General and one of only four Five Star Generals in United States Army history. There have not been any Five Star Generals since World War II. As Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World II, he is credited with orchestrating the Invasion of Normandy leading to the Allied Forces victory against Germany.

What kind of cultures do you like to work in? Where do you excel? How do you excel? One that allows independence and creativity. I would say that my negotiating skills are my strongest area. My skills are a result of knowing my market and how to apply that knowledge and proper negotiating pressures.

What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why? I believe I am a pretty likable person and that allows me to get meetings with decision makers. Once in a meeting, I call on presentation skills developed over the years to receive an assignment.

VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 23 A Snapshot in an Uncertain Time: Insight from Jeremy Aguero, Applied Analysis

Vegas Chamber President and CEO Mary Beth Sewald had the opportunity to speak with Jeremy Aguero, principal analyst at Applied Analysis, in the midst of the state shutdown for many businesses. Aguero shares his thoughts on several perspectives during this uniquely difficult time.

Mary Beth Sewald (MBS): The global impact of COVID-19 has affected every inch of our state. What is your perspective on how it has affected Nevada?

Jeremy Aguero (JA): It’s amazing how quickly our diversified states and least diversified economies of economic situation has changed, both nationally and our size in the United States today. here in Nevada, and most certainly here in southern Nevada, in terms of the economic condition itself. Tourism is to Las Vegas, even greater in Las Vegas, Obviously the most notable thing we’ve seen is [as] what auto manufacturing is in Detroit; what the dramatic increase in unemployment insurance aerospace is in Seattle; or music or entertainment claims right now with an excess of 330,000, actually is in Nashville. Thirty percent of our workforce is in higher than that as of today, which means were leisure and hospitality. It’s roughly about half of our sitting between 20 and 30 percent unemployment economy when you start to add up all of the supplier on the state impacts. [The of Nevada, tourism] industry is which is stopped right now remarkable and, and the economic in many ways, implications of unprecedented that, I think, are in our state’s formidable and modern history. staggering to That means anyone that takes a lot a lot of time to look at folks out of them. work a lot of paychecks MBS: What might being missed be some specific and I think it’s strategies to curve creating a lot of that economic anxiety around damage to you know how Nevada? we sort of make our way JA: There are back out of this economic economic situation. strategies that we might think of during a normal economic downturn. There are a whole different set I think incredible efforts have been made over the of economic strategies when we’re talking about a 20 past decade to diversify our economy. You all have to 30 percent unemployment rate. But it’s going to been very involved; your colleagues have been be about creating opportunities to get people back involved around the state and those have been to work. I want to be clear about this: I differentiate relatively successful. We remain one of the least 24 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER between economic development and economic I think that when you start to look at things like, diversification. I think our primary focus probably autonomy in businesses, I think you may see a lot needs to be on economic development right now. more of that.

How do we get the businesses that are in Nevada MBS: Some of our own business practices that we’re back open and running? How do we get confidence doing now are out of necessity and we’re going to back in our tourism industry? How do we get supply keep doing them because they’re more effective chains back open and how do we get people back to more efficient it’s a lot cheaper to do things in some work? That should be our fundamental focus, in terms of the ways that we are right now, so some of the of getting businesses that are already here back things were going to continue doing because they’re open. That’s the greatest opportunity we’re going to now a best practice.

JA: I think that is a wonderful thing. Again, just borrowing something from the Great Recession again, I cannot tell you how many companies I talked to during the Great Recession that once things started to go down, when they got really bad, they made these cuts and almost

have to put people back to work. Beyond that, I think that there are countless opportunities where businesses can do better here than maybe they could somewhere else.

MBS: What kind of shifts do you see in the economy happening; is there an emerging industry that you see coming out of this? everything that they did they were able to find efficiency in payroll and processes. They were able to JA: I always go back to my grandmother and she buy things for less than they did before and then you was a product of the Great Depression, at least her are sort of forced to ask the question: Why weren’t parents lived through that pretty significantly. There we doing all of that when things were good? Because were certain things that she did: Finishing all the food maybe the time and attention weren’t focused there. on her plate or kind of hoarding a lot of stuff. To be perfectly honest, she didn’t want to throw anything But having that time and attention to focus on away, and that was a product of her upbringing. some of those things and deciding, ‘hey, maybe our priorities need to be a little bit more different; maybe Let’s look at how things have changed as a result of our processes can be a little bit more efficient than this. Delivery service is normal, working from home, they were before, and that is something we should more telecommuting, more [virtual] conferences. keep and take into the recovery.’ I don’t know about you, but when all this started, that was terribly uncomfortable. I still don’t like it a To view the full interview with Jeremy Aguero, visit whole heck of a lot, but I’ve gotten a whole lot more VegasChamber.com. accustom to it and I think a lot of other folks have.

I think when you look at it, is the office market going to be the same as it was before? What about delivery services for a retailer? What about telemedicine?

VEGAS CHAMBER JUNE 2020 BUSINESS VOICE 25 READY SET OPEN

LAGUNA PRODUCTIONS IS PROUD AND HONORED TO PARTNER WITH THE VEGAS CHAMBER

VIDEO - FILM - WEB DESIGN - SEO - DRONE - MUSIC - ANIMATION

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

CREATIVE - INNOVATIVE - ON TIME

LET US HELP GUIDE YOU THROUGH YOUR NEXT PRODUCTION

NO MATTER WHAT SIZE OR BUDGET

A COMPELLING VIDEO OR ONLINE PRESENCE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN RIGHT NOW

DOUG MOMARY 702-596-7759

WWW.LAGUNAPRODUCTIONS.NET

26 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER Prepared by the U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GUIDE TO PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS

Under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created by the CARES Act, loans may be forgiven if borrowers use the proceeds to maintain their payrolls and pay other specified expenses.

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING PARTNER HOW MUCH will be forgiven? The process to calculate the amount of loan forgiveness requires three steps: 1. Determine the maximum amount of possible loan forgiveness based on the borrower’s expenditures during the 8 weeks after the loan is made; 2. Determine the amount, if any, by which the maximum loan forgiveness will be reduced because of reduced employment or reduced salaries and wages; and 3. Apply the 75% rule that requires that at least 75% of eligible loan forgiveness expenses go towards payroll costs.

1 Determine the maximum amount of possible loan forgiveness

1A. Expenses Qualifying for Loan Forgiveness: The following expenses incurred or paid by the borrower during the 8 weeks following loan origination (see below for determining the 8-week period) are eligible for forgiveness: • Payroll Expenses, defined as: • Compensation (not exceeding $15,385 per employee) in the form of: gross salary, gross wages, gross commissions, and gross tips, vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave (other than leave for which the employer was reimbursed under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act), and allowance for separation or dismissal; • Employer contribution for employee group health care coverage; • Employer contribution for employee retirement plans; and • Payment of state and local taxes assessed on compensation of employees.

Note: For an independent contractor or sole proprietor, payroll costs only include wages, commissions, income, or net earnings from self-employment, or similar compensation.

• Non-Payroll Expenses, defined as: • Mortgage interest payments for the business on real or personal property (debt incurred before February 15, 2020); • Rent or lease payments for the business on real or personal property (lease in force before February 15, 2020); and • Utility payments for the business for electricity, gas, water, transportation, telephone, or internet access (service began before February 15, 2020).

Note: For an independent contractor or sole proprietor, you must have claimed or be entitled to claim a deduction for these expenses on your 2019 Form 1040 Schedule C in order to claim them as expenses eligible for PPP loan forgiveness in 2020

1B. Identifying Your 8-Week Period: The 8-week period during which expenses must be incurred or paid: • The 8 weeks (56 days) beginning on the day the PPP loan was disbursed or • For borrowers with a biweekly (or more frequent) payroll schedule, the 8 weeks (56 days) beginning on the first day of the first pay period following the PPP loan disbursement.

Tip: If you are using an online date calculator, remember to count the date of the disbursement of the loan as part of the 56 days. For example, if the loan was disbursed on April 20, the last day of the 56 days would be June 14).

Prepared by the U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Determine the amount, if any, by which the maximum loan 2 forgiveness will be reduced

2A. Determine loan forgiveness reduction based on a reduction in salaries or wages of more than 25%: For employees who earned $100,000 or less in 2019 (or were not employed by the borrower in 2019), the borrower’s loan forgiveness will be reduced for each employee whose average pay (salary or hourly wage) during the 8-week period is less than 75% of their average pay from January 1 to March 31, 2020. The amount of the reduction in loan forgiveness is based on the amount of the reduction in pay. Safe Harbor: Borrowers can avoid having their loan forgiveness amount reduced if they restore an employee’s pay. Specifically, if the employee’s annual salary or hourly wage on June 30, 2020 is equal to or greater than their annual salary or hourly wage on February 15, 2020, the borrower’s loan forgiveness is not reduced. 2B. Determine loan forgiveness reduction based on a reduction in the average number of employees. The borrower’s loan forgiveness will be reduced if the average number of weekly full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) during the 8-week period is less than the average number of FTEs during the borrowers chosen reference period. Borrowers can choose between the following reference periods: • February 15 to June 30, 2019, • January 1 to February 29, 2020, or • In the case of a seasonal employer a consecutive 12-week period between May 1 and September 15, 2019

Exceptions: Borrowers will not be penalized for any FTE reductions if either of the following occurred: • The borrower made a good-faith, written offer to rehire the employee during the 8-week period that was rejected by the employee • The employee was fired for cause, voluntarily resigned, or voluntarily requested a reduction in hours

3 Apply the 75% Rule

A borrower’s maximum loan amount could also be reduced if the borrower’s eligible nonpayroll expenses exceed 25% of the total eligible expenses. The maximum eligible loan forgiveness is payroll expenses divided by 0.75. Example: If your payroll expenses for the 8-week period equal $75,000, your loan forgiveness cannot exceed $100,000. Any more than $100,000 would mean your non-payroll expenses represent more than 25 percent of the total forgiveness amount

LOAN FORGIVENESS AMOUNT Borrowers’ loan forgiveness will equal the smallest of the following: 1. Your PPP loan amount 2. The maximum loan forgiveness amount from Step 1 less any reductions from Step 2 3. The maximum loan forgiveness amount where eligible payroll expenses equals or exceeds 75% of the total forgiveness (i.e. your eligible payroll expenses ÷ 0.75)

Prepared by the U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE What happens to loan amounts NOT FORGIVEN? For any loan amounts not forgiven, the original loan terms—two-year maximum loan at 1% interest rate with payments deferred for the first six months—will apply.

There are no prepayment penalties or fees.

What are the POTENTIAL record keeping CONGRESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS? CHANGES Congress is currently Borrowers will be required to submit certain documentation with their loan forgiveness application: considering a number of changes to the PPP program, Payroll Documents: including eliminating the 75% • Bank account statement or third-party payroll service provider rule and extending the 8-week reports documenting cash compensation paid to employees, period to up to 24 weeks. • Tax forms or equivalent third-party payroll service provider However, enactment of these reports for periods overlapping with the 8-week period for: changes is not guaranteed. (1) payroll tax filings (typically Form 941), and (2) state quarterly wage reporting and unemployment insurance tax filings, and Until any changes are • Payment receipts, cancelled checks, or account statements documenting payment of employer contributions to employee enacted into law or until the health insurance and retirement plan. Treasury Department and SBA change any regulations Full-Time Employees (FTEs): and guidance, the current rules • Documentation showing the number of FTEs for the reference apply to all borrowers. period from Step 2. Documents may include payroll tax filings (typically Form 941) and state quarterly wage reporting and unemployment insurance tax filings.

Nonpayroll Expenses: • Business mortgage interest payments: amortization schedule and cancelled checks or lender account statements from February 2020 and covering the 8-week period. • Business rent and lease payments: Copy of current lease and receipts or cancelled checks or lessor account statements from February 2020 and covering the 8-week period. • Business utility payments: Copy of invoices from February 2020 and the 8-week period and receipts, cancelled checks, or account statements

Prepared by the U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE What happens to loan amounts NOT FORGIVEN? For any loan amounts not forgiven, the original loan terms—two-year maximum loan at 1% interest rate with WHERE INSPIRATION MEETS ENTERTAINMENT! payments deferred for the first six months—will apply. Watch Movies, Short Films & T.V. Shows.

There are no prepayment penalties or fees.

What are the POTENTIAL record keeping CONGRESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS? CHANGES Congress is currently Borrowers will be required to submit certain documentation with their loan forgiveness application: considering a number of changes to the PPP program, Payroll Documents: including eliminating the 75% WATCH FREE ANYWHERE, ANYTIME! • Bank account statement or third-party payroll service provider rule and extending the 8-week GET STARTED TODAY AT WWW.WYNNNETWORK.COM reports documenting cash compensation paid to employees, period to up to 24 weeks. • Tax forms or equivalent third-party payroll service provider However, enactment of these reports for periods overlapping with the 8-week period for: changes is not guaranteed. (1) payroll tax filings (typically Form 941), and (2) state quarterly wage reporting and unemployment insurance tax filings, and Until any changes are • Payment receipts, cancelled checks, or account statements documenting payment of employer contributions to employee enacted into law or until the health insurance and retirement plan. Treasury Department and SBA change any regulations Full-Time Employees (FTEs): and guidance, the current rules • Documentation showing the number of FTEs for the reference apply to all borrowers. period from Step 2. Documents may include payroll tax filings (typically Form 941) and state quarterly wage reporting and unemployment insurance tax filings.

Prepared by the U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Chamber News

Vegas Chamber, Switch, LVMPD Foundation, Christopher Crooks, New Vice Chair of Military and ItsOnMe Build Successful Partnership: Affairs Committee “Switch To Kindness!” Christopher Cooks has accepted the Last month, the Vegas Chamber created an position of vice chair opportunity to support local businesses while for the Military Affairs honoring heroes. The “Switch to Kindness” campaign Committee at the gives you the ability to drive revenue to a local Vegas Chamber. business by purchasing a gift card. You may give Christopher Crooks the electronic gift card to a friend or colleague, or was appointed senior you can donate it to a first responder through our managing director at partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Newmark Knight Frank Department Foundation. Go to VegasChamber.com in 2018. Crooks and for more details. his team help tenants, property owners and developers of office Vegas Chamber Offering Free Memberships and industrial buildings This is the last month to take advantage of the make strategic free memberships from the Vegas Chamber is giving decisions that are out. Membership expires on June 30, but being an critical to the success of their operations. Acting as affiliate member might be what your business a non-budgetary real estate department, the team's needs this summer. For more information, contact high-level strategic process is designed to assist their Will Ochoa at [email protected] clients in making educated decisions to maximize the value of their leased or owned real estate. Crooks' involvement in the Military Affairs Committee has Customer Service Excellence Awards Goes Virtual been second-to-none and the entire committee and The Vegas Chamber and the Las Vegas Convention Chamber is excited to see what he will do in his new and Visitors Authority, with the help of KTNV-TV role. Channel 13 Action News is honoring all of our first and second quarter nominees for their dedication to great Morning Chamber Connections Going Virtual in customer service. Wake of COVID-19 Coffee and Connections, formerly the morning This is our opportunity to recognize our Customer version of Chamber Connections, is going virtual to Service Excellence stars! We invite you and your elicit the maximum involvement from community guests to celebrate your service and commitment to members during this COVID-19 crisis. This event the Las Vegas Valley. Please join us to be honored is great for business professionals interested in on Friday, June 12 at 10 a.m. at Facebook.com/ expanding their network and optimizing their KTNVLasVegas/ for our first-ever virtual celebration. chamber membership. In addition to quality networking time, each event will feature two speakers: a member selected from the event prior, and a Vegas Chamber team member. If you have any questions or are interested in bringing a guest, email Lita Stein at [email protected].

Your Last Chance: Leadership Advance Applications Due in July! Time is running out to apply for the 2020 class of Leadership Advance. Applications are due on July 24. Leadership Advance is tailored specifically for emerging leaders searching to enhance their leadership skills with hands-on leadership training, while also learning about the inner workings of Las Vegas. For more information on Leadership Advance, visit leadership.vegas or call 702.641.5822. 32 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER Local journalism makes a difference.

The Oct. 1 shooting left 58 dead, and injured more than 700. For many, that meant losing fi nancial support in addition to a loved one. For others, it meant temporarily losing the ability to work because of physical or emotional trauma, or both. The tragedy sparked a desire to help the a ected recover from the fi nancial impact. A GoFundMe account was launched just hours after Nicole Raz the shooting. Local businesses announced donations or plans to hold fundraising events. But in the days that followed, I discovered the fundraising e ort was disorganized and key questions about how the money would be distributed had yet to be addressed. Within a week, more than $15 million had been donated, but the money was spread over several accounts and it was unclear how much would go directly to the intended recipients. My reporting helped highlight the lack of fi nancial resources available to victims of crime, and helped hundreds of people Help a Business navigate the fi nancial resources available. Thank a Hero

Vegas Chamber Launches Switch to Kindness! Gift Las Vegas Review-Journal Card Program Supporting Local Businesses & First Digital-Only Subscriptions Responders Unlimited Web, Mobile And E-Edition Access Partnership with Switch, LVMPD Foundation & ItsOnMe®️ will infuse much-needed cash to help small businesses

Switch to Kindness! offers a one-stop shop platform to purchase* electronic gift cards from local businesses, Introductory O er which will then be distributed to Southern Nevada first responders by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police 99¢ Per Month For Department (LVMPD) Foundation. First 2 Months Cancel Anytime. Buy gift cards & get details at VegasChamber.com

*Five percent processing fee applies Reviewjournal.com/Subscribe Advance Your Leadership Skills - Become a Better Leader

Great organizational leadership doesn’t just happen; it comes from investing in training to develop the skills that make great leaders. Research shows that companies that invest in quality leadership training are more likely to have a positive company culture that motivates employees at all levels to achieve greater results.

Leadership Advance is a 5-month leadership skills training program that is tailored specifically to professionals wanting to enhance their leadership abilities and advance their careers. The leadership training is facilitated by Aegis Learning, a Las Vegas-based company with more than 25 years of experience in creating and delivering learning solutions and leadership training for organizations of all sizes, including Fortune 500 companies.

During the program, class members gain extensive experience and insights into their own leadership strengths, and grow in understanding effective leadership, communication, and organizational management. Topics include:

• Strategic decision-making • Problem solving • Accountability • Managing vs. leading • Building a vision • Setting and achieving goals • Relationship building • Motivating teams • Emotional intelligence • Talent pipeline management • Communication * Productive conflict vs. fruitless conflict * Influencing at all levels of a company with impact * How to conduct difficult conversations * Collaboration * Delegation

The class meets once a month for five consecutive months for 10 session days. Because of COVID-19, class will meet twice per month via Zoom. Sessions will be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Class begins Friday, Aug. 7, and concludes in December. The program will be offered again February through June 2021. The cost for the program is $795 for Vegas Chamber members; $895 for non-members.

For more information or to enroll: https://bit.ly/36SeHgy

34 BUSINESS VOICE JUNE 2020 VEGAS CHAMBER Compliments of:

For more information contact: [email protected] Proud Supporter of: Learn more at NEVADADRUGCARD.COM This drug savings program will grant funds to local CMN Hospitals and get your Free Prescription Savings Coupon Card to help kids within the communities they do business. JUNE 2020 Customer Service Excellence: Facebook Live with KTNV-TV Channel 13 We're In This Together Friday, June 12 Free Short-Term Memberships 10 - 10:15 a.m. Now Available

The Vegas Chamber and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, with the help of KTNV-TV Channel 13 Action News is honoring all of first and second quarter nominees for their dedication to great customer service. This is our opportunity to recognize our Customer Service Excellence stars! We invite you and your guests to celebrate your service and commitment to the Las Vegas Valley.

For more information, visit VegasChamber.com