In this insightful episode, Kristopher sits down with Andrew Woods from the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to discuss the current and future economic landscape of Southern Nevada.

Andrew dives deep into the data behind the Southern Nevada Business Confidence Index and Las Vegas tourism, explaining how the city's reliance on discretionary spending makes it a leading indicator for the national economy. They explore the shifting demographics of visitors, the negative impact of rising costs and price gouging perceptions on domestic travel, and why convention attendance remains a crucial, stabilizing pillar for the Las Vegas Strip. Andrew also highlights shifting consumer habits, noting how national spending has heavily consolidated into budget-friendly giants like Amazon, Walmart, Costco, and TJ Maxx.

The conversation then shifts to the future of the Nevada workforce, tackling the realities of the soft skills gap and how artificial intelligence might actually increase the overall demand for certain white-collar jobs by significantly improving efficiency. Andrew also shares his vision for economic diversification in Las Vegas, highlighting the explosive growth of the healthcare sector driven by an aging demographic of new residents, while making a strong case for bringing a massive, large-scale manufacturing gigafactory to Southern Nevada to truly transform the region.

Finally, Andrew provides his expert economic forecast on whether the United States is heading into a recession, breaking down the warning signs of a cooling job market that is heavily reliant on healthcare growth. However, he balances this with an optimistic look at the incredible post-pandemic boom in local entrepreneurship that currently makes Nevada the third most entrepreneurial state in the country per capita. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into the business world!

In this episode, Director Sanchez explores the booming world of debt-free career training with two incredible guests: Nevada State Apprenticeship Director Toni Giddens and Dr. Bobbi Damrow, from the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas.

Toni kicks off the conversation by explaining how Nevada's unique apprenticeship model allows individuals to earn a living wage while receiving completely free related training and instruction. She details the massive expansion of the state's programs to nearly 9,000 apprentices, highlighting the highly successful teacher apprenticeship pathway with UNLV, as well as emerging opportunities in advanced manufacturing and healthcare to meet the state's growing demands.

The episode then shifts to an inside look at the hospitality industry with Dr. Bobbi Damrow. She discusses the Culinary Academy's incredible 33-year legacy of partnering with major Las Vegas resorts and labor unions to provide rapid, highly effective skills training. Dr. Damrow reveals how the Academy removes barriers to entry for students and details their massive campus expansion that includes exact hotel room replicas built by properties like the Wynn, Bellagio, and Caesars Palace for real-world housekeeper training. She also highlights the success of their professional cook and barista programs, offering a fast track to lucrative careers on the Las Vegas Strip.

Whether you are looking to avoid massive student loan debt or seeking to transition into a new high-paying industry, this episode provides a complete roadmap to finding success in Nevada. Discover how you can attend upcoming No Debt Career Fairs and connect with resources that will change your financial future.

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights into Nevada's business landscape!

To learn more about the No Debt Career Fair events and register to attend, visit:
https://labor.nv.gov/Apprenticeship_Council/No_Debt_Career_Fair/

• Dr. Bobbi Damrow – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbidamrow/
• Toni Giddens – https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-giddens-330a3153/
• Culinary Academy of Las Vegas – https://www.linkedin.com/company/theculinaryacademyoflasvegas/

In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Portteus from the Western Fire Chiefs Association to discuss the highly complex issue of wildfire risk management in the Wildland Urban Interface, also known as the WUI. With Nevada ranking in the top five states for wildfire risk and boasting over 750,000 homes located in the WUI, understanding how to protect our expanding communities has never been more vital.

Matthew dives deep into how the fire service is bridging the gap between traditional blue-collar firefighting and cutting-edge technology. He also addresses the growing challenge of homeowner insurance non-renewals across the Western United States. Matthew clarifies a crucial point: we do not actually have an insurance problem, but rather a risk problem on the ground. He outlines the development of the WUI Data Commons, a centralized platform designed to share aggregated community mitigation data directly with insurance modelers. By making this hard work visible to insurers, communities can improve insurance availability, stabilize property values, and protect local tax rolls and economies from the downward spiral caused by uninsurable markets.

Finally, Matthew emphasizes the need for local community champions and collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to drive behavioral change and secure Community Wildfire Defense Grants. Whether you are a homeowner, a city planner, or a local leader, this episode provides a comprehensive roadmap for building resilient communities.

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Hill, CEO and President of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), to discuss the massive economic and technological shifts happening in Southern Nevada — and how those developments reflect broader momentum across Nevada’s economy.

Steve breaks down the real story behind recent Las Vegas tourism numbers, addressing social media rumors and explaining why billion-dollar strip investments—like the transition of the Mirage to the Hard Rock and upcoming Bally's projects— highlight the scale of private investment flowing into Las Vegas and what it signals about Nevada’s continued economic growth. The conversation dives deep into the future of Vegas transportation, covering the decade-long Harry Reid International Airport expansion, the potential for a new Ivanpah airport, and the highly anticipated Brightline high-speed train.

The episode also explores cutting-edge transit technology reshaping the resort corridor. Steve shares operational insights on Elon Musk’s Boring Company and the Vegas Loop, the integration of autonomous vehicles like Waymo and Zoox, and vital updates on a bi-state coalition working to fix the notorious I-15 corridor traffic.

Finally, learn the inside details about the billion-dollar expansion and renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center that is revolutionizing mega-events like CES and World of Concrete. Steve and Kristopher also discuss the evolving AI workforce skills gap and why Las Vegas is positioned perfectly to land the next NBA expansion team.CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Intro: Steve Hill on the Future of Las Vegas & LVCVA00:01:30 The Truth About the Las Vegas Economy & Tourism Rumors00:04:20 Billion-Dollar Vegas Strip Mega-Projects (Hard Rock & The A's)00:07:08 Harry Reid Airport Expansion & The Proposed Ivanpah Airport00:10:21 Fixing the I-15 Traffic Crisis Between LA and Las Vegas00:14:30 Elon Musk's Vegas Loop & Autonomous Vehicles (Waymo & Zoox)00:18:16 Inside the $1 Billion Las Vegas Convention Center Expansion00:23:05 How Las Vegas Pulls Off the Super Bowl & F1: The Workforce00:27:02 The Tesla Effect: How Tech Transformed Nevada's Economy00:30:22 LeBron James & The Las Vegas NBA Expansion Team Rumors

In this episode of the Nevada Means Business Podcast, we dive into the world of insurance with Ned Gaines, Nevada’s Insurance Commissioner. He shares insights on the rising costs of auto insurance, the impact of accidents, and the challenges facing consumers across the state. With a focus on collaboration rather than punishment, Ned is working to strengthen relationships between the Division of Insurance and insurers and industry partners to promote transparency, compliance, and better outcomes for Nevadans. He also highlights the Division’s commitment to consumer protection, including recovering more than $9 million on behalf of Nevada consumers in 2025 alone.Tune in to learn how to better navigate the insurance landscape and what steps are being taken to ensure fair, accountable practices in Nevada’s insurance market.Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/department-of-business-and-industryCHAPTERS:00:00:00 Insurance Commissioner Ned Gains00:02:33 What Drives Auto Insurance Rates?00:05:55 Uninsured Motorists00:07:41 Does The Division Play A Role in Setting Rates?00:08:45 Are Carriers Staying or Leaving?00:09:29 Commercial Insurance Marketplace00:11:55 How Do Insurance Companies Determine Risk?00:16:00 What Is Non-Renewal?00:18:36 The Number Of Non-Renewals00:20:02 Trends in Policy Making00:24:30 What Will Ned Change?00:26:16 What Consumer Protections Are Put in Place?00:28:10 Helping Consumers Monetarily00:29:05 Is This An Industry That Innovates?

Welcome to the Nevada Means Business Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Brett Harris, Nevada’s Labor Commissioner, to explore how the office supports both employees and employers through preventative labor care, protections, and partnership-driven programs. From apprenticeships to AI—and a lot in between—the conversation highlights how the Labor Commissioner’s office helps Nevadans understand their rights, address workplace issues early, and resolve matters efficiently. With thousands of matters handled each year, the focus is not on running up fees, but on delivering real results for Nevada’s workforce while assisting employers in doing things right and staying compliant. The message is clear: partnership and prevention lead to better outcomes for everyone.CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Brett Harris - Labor Commissioner00:01:28 The Office Of The Labor Commissioner00:02:47 Working With Employees And Businesses00:03:54 Unpacking The 9,000 Complaints00:07:19 Getting A Hold Of The Commission00:08:16 Building Policy For 202700:10:06 General Funded00:10:48 Fixing The Next Gap00:13:06 Fluctuations In The Economy00:14:37 Apprenticeships00:18:16 Trends in A.I. and LLMs00:20:07 New Initiatives00:21:25 Partnering With The Labor Commissioner00:22:08 Lesser Known Areas Of Worker Protection00:24:20 Filing Claims00:27:24 Applying For Apprenticeships00:27:55 Misconceptions Of The Labor Commissioner00:30:42 Getting Help From The Office Of The Labor Commissioner

In the first episode of Nevada Means Business, Director Kristopher Sanchez sits down with Peter Guzman, President of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, to talk about the podcast’s goal: connecting government with Nevada’s business community. They discuss how collaboration, innovation, and modernizing regulations can help businesses thrive.

This episode explores how leaders in business and government can work together to improve transparency, public service, and Nevada’s competitiveness. We also encourage the community to share their ideas so everyone has a voice in shaping Nevada’s business landscape.

Tune in to learn how Nevada supports businesses at every stage and hear the stories behind the people, policies, and partnerships driving the state’s economic growth.

CHAPTERS:

00:00:00 Introducing Kristopher Sanchez

00:04:59 Role of Podcasts in Government

00:08:14 Innovation in Government Regulatory Agency

00:10:23 Technology and Government Operations

00:11:36 Innovation in Regulatory Agencies

00:15:04 Transparency and Trust in Government

00:16:14 Role of Technology in Government Transparency

00:17:05 Measuring Public Service Effectiveness

00:20:32 Regulatory Modernization and Competitiveness

00:23:08 Collaboration for Improved Outcomes

00:25:15 Regulatory Modernization and Nevada's Competitiveness

00:27:54 Collaboration for Better Business Outcomes

00:31:23 Vision for the Podcast and Engaging Nevadans

00:33:12 Staying Connected and Involved