“Las Vegas Never Closes, Never”: COVID-19 and the Las Vegas Tourism Industry
Ms. Bartlett discuss how the Venetian shut its doors, and the challenges of re-opening them. She describes how the property learned of COVID, how it developed a response plan, and the importance of having a team made up of members with complimentary skill sets. Many creative solutions had to be developed to create a safe environment that allowed tourists to return. Communication played a vital role in creating these solutions, and Ms. Bartlett discusses the importance of this critical leadership tool, especially in times of crises. Produced ByBoyd BadaliGrecia PerezJasper WashingtonKatarina SchumacherLorna Booze Audio EngineeringKevin Krall Executive ProducerJoel D. Lieberman
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31:29
Illuminating Inequities: Caring for Vulnerable Populations During COVID
This episode of Leading Las Vegas delves into how COVID disrupted existing support systems for individuals in need of services, and examines leadership approaches that help vulnerable communities during a crisis. We learn how organizations responded to, and embraced, changes they were required to make during the pandemic. Carlito Rayos describes his experience working with the Moapa Band of Paiute, what he learned about their culture, including care of their elders, and the community’s willingness to make sacrifices to keep the population safe. We also hear from Arash Ghafoori, as he reflects on the unique aspects of youth homelessness, and the difficulties this population experienced when COVID led to closure of important resources for them. Throughout this episode, we focus on the importance of providing services to vulnerable populations, and the lessons learned that will help communities prepare for, and respond to, future emergencies and crises. Produced ByIonatana TuitasiJon BakkedahlKate WardenLois CummingPeter Mercado Audio EngineeringKevin Krall Executive ProducerJoel D. Lieberman
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Regional Response: How Las Vegas Public Health Agencies Managed a Highly Vulnerable Community During the Pandemic
Our guests discuss a wide range of topics related to COVID-19, including the financial burden the pandemic created in the region and for their agency, the mental stress created by COVID-19, and ways that the pandemic will continue to have an impact for years to come. In addition, Mr. Quinn and Ms. Robinson discuss characteristics needed to be a strong leader, and detail lessons learned that will be helpful for future leaders. Produced ByIan ImperialJonathan King-KaplanKelsey TerryKristina Donathan Audio EngineeringKevin Krall Executive ProducerJoel D. Lieberman
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State of Crisis: Nevada Leaders Use the National Guard to Combat COVID-19
Our guests in this episode discuss innovative ways that Nevada adapted its COVID response, from both a top-down and bottom-up approach. In particular, they discuss challenges arising from working with both federal and local partners, and how those challenges were overcome in unique ways, such as moving state agencies, including the Division of Emergency Management, under the National Guard. They also discuss how an individual on the front line was able to develop impactful solutions to protect Nevada citizens. Produced ByDaniel BarnesPeyton FullerSkye DunfieldTavai TuitasiTrey Curtis-Brown Audio EngineeringKevin Krall Executive ProducerJoel D. Lieberman
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City Solutions: The Las Vegas Response to COVID-19
Managing COVID-19 created enormous challenges for cities around the world. The early days of the response brought great uncertainty, as cities and healthcare providers worked to contain the spread of the virus, and treat those who contracted it. A shortage of hospital beds and medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, had to be overcome. Ultimately, a high level of collaboration between cities, hospitals, and other entities, was needed to develop creative and innovative solutions to respond to the greatest health crisis in a century. Produced ByAutumn AguileraCesalee CarnaghieJenifer EncalladoKevin HickeyMark Matulich Audio EngineeringKevin Krall Executive ProducerJoel D. Lieberman
Leading Las Vegas is a podcast produced by the Emergency and Crisis Management Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Each season, students in a Leadership, Innovation and Adaptability class interview prominent leaders, who discuss their leadership approaches, and how they prepare for, respond to, and recover from shocks and stresses faced by the community.
Las Vegas is known for being the entertainment capital of the world. However, it is also a complex environment, with a highly diverse community living in densely populated urban and suburban areas. It is situated near rugged and desolate land, with an arid climate and extreme temperatures in summer months. This unique nature of the city and its location create dynamic challenges for leaders.
Each season, the Leading Las Vegas podcast will focus on specific issues relevant to emergencies and crises, as well as community resilience. It’s a must-listen for emergency managers, leaders, community members, and students interested in the field of emergency crisis management.
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Season 1 of Leading Las Vegas focuses on Tourist Safety. Tourism is an integral part of Las Vegas, with over 42 million people visiting the city every year. Large-scale events from shows at hotel properties, to music festivals, to high-profile sporting events, occur on a nightly basis, along with conventions that can draw well over 100,000 attendees. Different agencies work together in the community to plan for these events, and respond when safety threats occur.
In this season, we discuss issues of event planning, current and future threats, as well as community resilience. Las Vegas was also the site of the October 1, 2017 Route 91 Music Festival shooting, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. The season contains an episode focused on the shooting, and conversations with the leaders involved with the security planning and response to the attack, and an interview with Las Vegas mayor, Carolyn Goodman, who discusses the city’s resilience.
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