LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — About 1,500 business leaders are expected to attend Las Vegas Preview on Thursday at the Las Vegas Convention Center to hear about the trends that are shaping economic growth.
And this year, the event is spotlighting Wrestlemania 41 as it comes to Allegiant Stadium on April 19-20. The Las Vegas Chamber, sponsor of the Preview event, is calling this year’s economic event, “Preview Mania 2025.”
Chamber President and CEO Mary Beth Sewald spoke with Politics Now host John Langeler (video above) as the event approaches. Wrestlemania is a heavyweight as far as economic impact goes, carrying an estimated $200 million in economic activity for the host city.
“We have the president of WWE, Nick Khan, is going to be interviewed by Steve Hill from the LVCVA. So we’re trying to have a little fun with it,” Sewald said.
Business leaders will get a little smackdown mixed in with their networking opportunities.
“WWE and Wrestlemania are huge for us. It’ll bring a whole new demographic to Las Vegas,” Sewald said.
Las Vegas Preview has featured sports before, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaking at the 2020 event in advance of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. He was introduced by Las Vegas Raiders majority owner Mark Davis.
UFC is a well-known brand to Las Vegas, and Sewald acknowledged the popularity of combat sports, as well as the business opportunities that come with it.
“UFC are great friends and members of the chamber and they understand the importance of supporting the small businesses, as well. So the more they grow and the more they do, the more there’s a trickle-down effect to the mom-and-pops, the little bitty businesses, the flower shops and so forth.”
Sewald said the diversification that’s happening in the Las Vegas economy is getting noticed, and it’s creating optimism in the business community.
Among the topics at Preview this year: film tax credits and deals to bring movie studio giants to Las Vegas.
Two proposals to attract Warner Bros. and Sony to the valley could split support and ultimately hurt chances to succeed. But Sewald said workforce — and education — are critical elements of bringing new industries to Las Vegas.
“Workforce is dependent upon education, and so that’s why the chamber has always been very involved in education, whether it’s K-12 or higher education, even certifications and so forth,” she said.
Sewald also expressed optimism that past problems for the Clark County School District have been addressed and things look better going forward.
