Event Recap: 2017 Las Vegas Perspective

On Wednesday, May 24, the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) held its annual Las Vegas Perspective event, providing discussions on topics surrounding economic development data, analysis and forecasting for Southern Nevada.

A replay of Perspective can be viewed here.

Hosted by LVGEA President and CEO Jonas Peterson, more than 520 guests were in attendance for the sold-out event at the Four Seasons Hotel, which featured two keynote speakers and an expert panel on a topic central to the economy: healthcare in Southern Nevada.

Applied Analysis Principal Analyst Jeremy Aguero, gave an economic overview and outlook on the region. Guests were also treated to a presentation by American Gaming Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman, who gave insight on the future of gaming. Both presentations are included in the video replay, and Aguero’s pdf presentation is available here.

This year’s expert panel on “Advancing the Business of Healthcare” included Las Vegas City Manager Betsy Fretwell, Dean of UNLV School of Medicine Dr. Barbara Atkinson, Las Vegas HEALS CEO Doug Geinzer and Touro University Nevada CEO and Senior Provost Shelley Berkley. Conversation centered around areas such as the need for better access, as well as the growth of medical education in Southern Nevada.

“Healthcare is a critical industry for [the City of Las Vegas],” said Fretwell. “We know we have incredible quality in town, but we do have an access issue. We and the panelists here with me are working to improve that access by creating new doctors and medical professionals that will help us and help bolster our economy.”

Dr. Atkinson gave an update on the progress of the UNLV School of Medicine, telling guests that the first cohort of students will begin online classes this summer and that the medical education building—projected to break ground this fall—is currently on the second phase of its design. As for the school’s impact on economic development, Atkinson spoke on the school’s research component, saying, “Building infrastructure is what will drive the economic piece of the healthcare district.”

Berkley emphasized the importance of funding for graduate medical education and the shortage of primary care physicians. “Seventy percent of doctors end up practicing where they do their schooling,” said Berkley. “If we don’t have enough graduate medical education in Nevada, these future doctors end up going away. Unless they have a tie with the state, they are not coming back.”

Geinzer spoke on the transformation of academic medicine in the region, which is leading to the growth of more practices and healthcare programs. “Every hospital in this town is growing in some rate, and this is all improving access to care,” said Geinzer. “It’s an exciting time for medicine in Las Vegas. Healthcare is now top of mind. It is driving this community, and for true economic diversification to happen, it’s going to require strengthening that healthcare pillar.”

Las Vegas HEALS aggregates all healthcare news in the valley and delivers it via its “HEALS Headlines” newsletter that is produced every two weeks. Southern Nevadans can subscribe and stay up-to-date by texting “LVGEA” to 702-337-2297.

All Perspective attendees received a copy of the 37th edition of the Las Vegas Perspective data publication that provides informed insight and thoughtful market analysis, with the goal of helping business and community leaders make more informed decisions. Additionally, guests received a new LVGEA Community Map outlining major planned developments in Southern Nevada and other key community, education and business assets.

The annual event and data book are both part of the LVGEA’s Perspective brand, which also includes quarterly newsletters and access to LVGEA’s Data Portal. Powered by the LVGEA Perspective Council and its members—Applied Analysis, Cox Communications, Wells Fargo, 8 News NOW and Nevada State Bank— Perspective continues to be Southern Nevada’s premiere source of economic development data, forecasting and analysis.

Learn more at lvperspective.com