ConveneNV 2022 “Building on Our Sustainability Momentum”

ConveneNV, ImpactNV’s annual sustainability summit and signature event, was held on the afternoon of May 19th at Bally’s Las Vegas for an audience of 150 of Nevada’s sustainability leaders. This year’s theme was “Building On Our Sustainability Momentum” and the program was carefully planned by the ImpactNV Board of Directors to celebrate the sustainability momentum created by our state’s leaders over the past decade(+) while also addressing the urgent need for accelerated action created by the pandemic, inflation, drought, warming, critical housing issues, diversification challenges, education and more. Further, it was incredibly important for us that the program connected the dots between social, economic, and environmental sustainability for our state in a way that made the intersections and inter-reliance of all issues apparent and comprehensible. Our speakers did not disappoint and I am incredibly proud of the passion, shared data, conversations started, and continued work revealed throughout the afternoon of our most successful ConveneNV to date!

Senator Chris Brooks, was the perfect Master of Ceremonies for the event. He framed the day with a discussion on sustainability, resilience, and the lessons learned from his past work in the private and public sector and the need to examine the diversity and funding of our systems, infrastructure, resources, ideas, etc. to truly seize upon opportunities to create a more sustainable Nevada. Watch highlights from Senator Brooks’ opening here.

Next we heard keynote addresses from Treasurer Zach Conine and Jan Jones Blackhurst. Treasurer Conine discussed the best ways to move our state forward and improve the quality of life for all Nevadans now and in the future. Especially, the need to create better systems to be more resilient in good times so that we can better weather the hard times. Jan Jones Blackhurst continued this message with a very direct call to action for change. Harkening back to 1990, Jan discussed the issues and priorities of the state and how we have measured up over the past 30 years. Despite some progress, Jan emphasized the need for: collaboration instead of competition, a measurable plan, accountability, and focus in order to become the community we truly want to be.

Our panels delved much deeper into the theme of “Building on Our Sustainability Momentum” via a social, economic, and environmental lens. Our “Building On Our Social Sustainability” Momentum panel discussed the changing social fabric of the Silver State via the intersections of healthcare, housing, and human trafficking. The “Building on Our Economic Sustainability” Momentum panel showcased a very candid and transparent discussion of the health, competitiveness, and strategic economic development changes needed to our state’s economic sector statewide. Our “Building on Our Environmental Sustainability” panel celebrated Nevada’s noteworthy successes in clean energy and water conservation while also recognizing the need for additional leadership, innovation, and action to address increasing climate imperatives.

Finally, Senator Brooks came back for closing remarks to summarize the day’s program of turning obstacles into opportunities and progress into momentum by recognizing just some of the momentum already created by the efforts of leaders in the room over the past decade and the model our community and state have employed thus far that can provide encouragement to us all for the work to be done ahead.

In terms of the work ahead… ImpactNV recognizes that ConveneNV is a unique opportunity for convening and generating energy and making space for critical discussions but it also creates a responsibility for us to follow-up and accelerate change. We are working on that follow-up now and will reach out soon for ways for the community to stay involved.

I am extremely proud of the event this year, my board for all of their hard work, and the role ImpactNV gets to play in convening these important discussions. Thank you to all of our speakers for their expertise, candor, and passion. Thank you to our sponsor and host, Caesars Entertainment, for a beautiful venue and seamless event as well as to NVEnergy and MGM Resorts International for their generous support. Thank you to everyone who attended and we look forward to working with you over 2022 on continued momentum towards improving the sustainability of our state and seeing you all again in 2023!

CHECK-IN: 12:30-1 PM

WELCOME: 1-1:05 PM

PROGRAM COMMENCEMENT & FRAMING: Senator Chris Brooks 1:10-1:20 PM

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Jan Jones Blackhurst 1:20 – 1:40 PM

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Treasurer Zach Conine 1:40-2 PM

SOCIAL PANEL: “Building on Our Social Sustainability Momentum” 2 – 3 PM

ECONOMIC PANEL: “Building on Our Economic Sustainability Momentum” 3 – 4 PM

COFFEE BREAK: 4 – 4:10 PM

ENVIRONMENT PANEL: “Building on Our Environmental Sustainability Momentum” 4:10 – 5:10 PM

IMPACTNV: Trustee Video 5:10 – 5:20 PM

CLOSING: Senator Chris Brooks 5:20 – 5:30 PM

RECEPTION: Networking and continuing the conversation 5:30 – 7:00 PM

Leaders from the public, private, and NGO sectors who have tackled our biggest social sector issues will share with attendees our state’s significant successes in the 3 Hs: Healthcare, Housing, and Human Trafficking and how we can continue to build momentum while being responsive to the changing social fabric of the Silver State (the influx and increase of professional sports teams and large sporting events, affordable housing crises in the North and South, the social determinants of health, and more.) How do we continue to be a welcoming state with a spirit of hospitality for our visitors that is accountable to our residents and businesses by offering a good quality of life?

SPEAKERS:
Moderator: Dale Erquiaga, Executive Director, The Guinn Center
Eric Golebiewski, Co-Chair CSR Coalition Anti-Trafficking Working Group, Nevada Resorts Association
Nicholas Fritz, Impact Investing Director, Intermountain Health
Christine Hess, Nevada Housing Coalition

Economic roundtable exploring how Nevada has weathered COVID – a health crisis that became an economic crisis – in a state so heavily reliant on tourism and gaming. Speakers will discuss high-level lessons learned from how the state responded and recovered so quickly as well as the unique challenges we continue to tackle. This panel will pose several questions of our panelists; including: Will we ever have a truly diverse economy and how do we get there? How much money is coming in to the state, what is earmarked versus available, how can it best be accessed for sustainability needs? How do we best explore deepening connections between the north and south for better statewide collaboration, especially in the growing energy and tech industries? What are the opportunities for working towards a circular economy? And how do we continue to best leverage public/private collaboration?

SPEAKERS:
Moderator: John Restrepo, Principal, RCG Economics
Tina Quigley, President & CEO, LVGEA
Bob Potts, Deputy Director at the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Mike Kazmierski, President and CEO, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN )

The panel will discuss in-depth climate action imperatives, the need for more renewable energy generation, warming (i.e. Las Vegas being the fastest warming city), prolonged drought, Colorado River demands, etc. What does this mean for Nevada to be able to continue to attract recreational visitors, a competitive workforce looking for good quality of life, as well as considering the environmental justice issues facing our most vulnerable populations? We seek to celebrate Nevada’s national energy (gas & electric) leadership (grid infrastructure, reliability, electrification) while exploring a balance of needs and resources in the years to come while also applauding Nevada’s water conservation leadership and exploring innovative solutions for continued momentum to address climate action.

SPEAKERS:
Moderator: Rose McKinney-James
Doug Cannon, President & CEO NV Energy
Laura Nelson, Vice President of Sustainability and Public Policy, Southwest Gas
David Johnson, Deputy General Manager, SNWA

ConveneNV 2022 will take place at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Skyview rooms 5 & 6.
Registration begins at 12:30pm (please allow yourself ample time to park and make your way through the casino).
The Bally’s/Paris Parking Garage is located between the properties. Once in the garage, proceed to the Casino Entrance. At the bottom of the escalator and elevator, turn right to enter Bally’s. Once in Bally’s, proceed to the right, enter the Resort Tower elevators and go up to the 26th Floor where the Skyview Rooms are located.