Met with Kevin Page, Chairman of the Board of Regents and Wells Fargo Wealth Management to discuss NevBio's "Play for Pre-Med" golf tournament on October 15, 2014, a portion of the proceeds will go toward UNLV College of Sciences Pre-Professional Program for Pre-Med, Pre-Dent, Pre-Vet and Pre-Pharmacy. The program has an 80% acceptance rate for medical school admissions. Kevin supported the idea of helping pre-med students and golf.
Attended the Startup Grind featuring Felix Dancui, CEO of Elmcore Capital. Felix is a straight up, no nonsense angel investor. He likes to invest in retail products. As an investor, he will be an active part of the company and seeks to either have control or significant influence. Felix has a laser sharp mind that he uses to identify opportunities and problems. Over 40 attended the meeting. Michael Terpin of Social Radius and angel investor (President of Bitcoin Angels) opened the meeting at the UNLV startup Center. Startup Grind is the best entrepreneurial group in Las Vegas because of its speakers, how the speakers are interviewed and those who attend.
Attended the Ballard Spahr law firm luncheon featuring Jon Ralston (Ralston Report), Steve Sebelius (RJ Columnist) and Patrica Cunningham (KCEP Morning Show). Bill Curran, Managing Partner, opened up the meeting at which 50 clients and friends attended. The first discussion topic was medical marijuana. Each one talked about how the voters approved medical marijuana in 2000 but it has taken 14 years to allow it to happen. They believed that it is good for the state and should raise additional taxes. Next was the rancher in Bunkerville, Cliven Bundy. They were very critical of Cliven Bundy and how some politicians have supported his actions. The last issue was the county hospital, UMC. They all support the hospital and its mission. They felt that the low grades it received was most likely a result of the greater number of sick patients.
Attended the NevBio meeting featuring the Bill Arent, Economic Director of the City of Las Vegas, talking about the Strong Cities, Strong Communities Challenge Grant in which the top team will win $500,000. Bill talked about the ideas coming in as business plan proposals. They want to see detailed business plans and supporting teams. The city is looking at it as an investment in the community and will help to find additional money to help the winning idea. The plan is opened to any group but each group can only submit one proposal. Over 30 attended the meeting. Quite a few of the attendees had ideas and were developing proposals. One of the questions was the ownership of the intellectual property. Craig Miller of Pictographics mentioned that coming to the NevBio meetings has helped his business with contacts he never would have had. He said that NevBio has been invaluable. (Of course, I agree with Craig.)
Met with State Senator Tick Segerblom and talked about the Medical Marijuana industry in Nevada and how the industry needs to be organized so that it can deal with issues and work with community concerns.
Attended the American Marketing Association luncheon featuring Rob Elliot, SVP of Public Affairs at the Las Vegas Convention & Visitor Authority (LVCVA). Rob has had a history in public service having worked with the attorney general, the legislature and most recently, with Senator Harry Reid. Rob mentioned that this was the 10 year anniversary of "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas". Although the LVCVA has been successful with promoting Las Vegas and hosting some of the largest conventions in the world, a number of cities are upgrading their convention facilities - Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, Anaheim, San Diego, San Francisco. The LVCVA has a ten year, $2.5 billion plan to upgrade the convention facility and develop a Global Business District. The LVCVA plans to build a World Trade Center at the convention center. They believe that international companies will want to be close to the top convention destination in the world. The LVCVA will be asking the state of Nevada for an investment in the project. Over 100 attended the meeting at the Thomas & Mack Board Room.
Attended the 5th Annual Richard Harris Law Firm Party. The firm invites clients and friends to the event which is held outside - food, music and drinks. Several hundred attended, including judges, attorneys, legislative candidates and business people.
John Laub
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