CBER Outlook Event Nov. 7 Will Peer Into Future of Las Vegas Economy, Urban Development

CBER’s Fall Outlook, scheduled for Nov. 7, will delve into ways the urban landscape and economic conditions have changed over the past five years for Southern Nevada’s cities and Clark County. Researchers will also present forecasts on the U.S. and Southern Nevada economies,  unemployment, and the leisure and hospitality industry.

Since the pandemic, the Las Vegas metropolitan area has experienced growth in the number of new small businesses created; changes in the working habits of the traditional 9-to-5 workforce; and challenges with transportation, public safety, and the unhoused. Las Vegas is ranked first in North America for the number of unique visitors returning to downtown, according to the Downtown Recovery Project at the University of Toronto, which is run by keynote speaker Karen Chapple, PhD.  Outlook will bring together national and local experts to discuss best practices for addressing economic issues and what’s ahead for Southern Nevada.

Event Details

The event will be held from 7:45 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at the Strip View Pavilion inside the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV. For tickets and additional event details, visit the Center for Business and Economic Research website.

  • Opening Remarks – CBER’s Director, Andrew Woods
  • Keynote Speaker: Karen Chapple, Ph.D.International expert in urban cities, Dr. Karen Chapple, has been tracking the downtown recovery in Las Vegas and other major metropolitan areas across North America with the Downtown Recovery Project. As director of the School of Cities at the University of Toronto, she will present her research on urban development best practices that are relevant for Nevada’s local leaders.

    Her presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with CBER’s director.

  • What’s Ahead for Southern NevadaThe panel will focus on the impact of the pandemic on downtowns, transportation, public safety, small businesses, and the traditional 9-5 workforce, as well as the new economic development opportunities that lie ahead. Cecilia Maldonado, associate vice provost of workforce development at UNLV, will moderate. Panelists include:
    • David Shallow, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for RTC
    • Molly Kinder, Fellow at Brookings Metro
    • Brian Kundson, City Councilman for the City of Las Vegas
  • CBER’s Economic ForecastCBER’s U.S. and Southern Nevada forecasts for 2023 and 2024 will be presented by director Andrew Woods and research director Stephen Miller. John Restrepo, principal of Las Vegas-based RCG Economics, will provide his perspective on the economy. Gaby Turiel, a UNLV alumna and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council Member for USI, will moderate. In addition to our forecasts, CBER will release scenarios on the ways possible slowdowns in the U.S. economy could impact Southern Nevada’s leisure and hospitality industry and unemployment rate.

***Note for Media: Media wishing to obtain event credentials can contact Megan Neri, communications director for Lee Business School, at megan.neri@unlv.edu or (702) 895-3904