Business leaders to outline expectations for 2010

January 28, 2010 -How Southern Nevada will fare economically in 2010 will be the key topic today at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce’s biggest networking event, Preview Las Vegas.

The event runs from 7 a.m. to noon at the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion and includes displays from 104 companies and organizations on the arena concourse.

New York Times bestselling author Steven Levitt, who co-wrote “Freakonomics” and “Superfreakonomics,” is the headline speaker for the event, which is using the theme “Engage, Evolve & Emerge” this year.

Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Cara Roberts said 2,000 tickets have been distributed for the event, which will include presentations by Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Jeremy Aguero, principal analyst for Applied Analysis; and Jim Murren, chairman of MGM Mirage.

Punam Mathur, vice president of human resources at NV Energy, will emcee the event.

Roberts said the number of tickets distributed is an increase over last year’s event and on par with the 2008 edition of Preview. The number of exhibitors is around the same as last year, she said.

Ralenkotter will discuss tourism trends for 2010 and show some of the LVCVA’s television ads for the year.

Aguero, who will discuss Southern Nevada’s economic outlook and trends in business, development and real estate for 2010, will follow.

Murren will offer his vision for Las Vegas and the outlook for MGM Mirage and its recently opened CityCenter development.

Levitt will be the concluding speaker and discuss unconventional thinking for an unpredictable economy.

Tickets for the event are $60 for chamber members and $80 for non-members and can be purchased at the door.