We are pleased to announce IndyFest, our fourth annual conference focused on policy and politics, a two-day event held at beautiful Worre Studios in Las Vegas and including:  

Friday, October 6th (9:00am - 3:45pm)

Continental Breakfast offered from 8:00am - 9:00am - come mix and mingle)

• The Business of Sports in Nevada — Moderated by Nevada Independent Gaming, Tourism and Sports reporter Howard Stutz — Featuring Deryk Engelland, Special Assistant to the Owner of the Vegas Golden Knights; Marc Badain, President of Oak View Group; Nikki Fargas, president, Las Vegas Aces
• Southern Nevada Economic Development: The Path Forward – Moderated by Nevada Independent reporter Jacob Solis and featuring John Restrepo, Chief Economist, RCG Economics; Andrew Woods, Director, Center for Business and Economic Research, UNLV; and Robert Taylor, Board Member, Las Vegas Urban Chamber of Commerce
• Wildfire Science and Management — Featuring Christina Restaino, assistant professor and natural resources specialist, UNR; Dr. Tim Brown, research professor in climatology, Desert Research Institute and director, Western Regional Climate Center; Dr. Tamara Wall, research professor in atmospheric science, Desert Research Institute and deputy director, Western Regional Climate Center, moderated by Nevada Independent Editor Elizabeth Thompson
• Ask Us Anything! — A free-wheeling Q&A with Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston and Editor Elizabeth Thompson (both in-person and virtual attendees may participate)
• Election 2024: Perspectives on the Campaign Ahead — Two panels moderated by Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston and Editor Elizabeth Thompson and featuring key national and local operatives from both parties
  • Republicans - Matt Brooks, CEO, Republican Jewish Coalition; Omar de La Rosa, principal, Desert Strategy Group; Mike Slanker, co-founder, November Inc.
  •  Democrats - Alana Mounce, 2024 Biden-Harris campaign ballot access director; Rebecca Lambe, co-founder Senate Majority PAC; Asha Jones, chief of staff for Rep. Steven Horsford
• Media and Politics in the Modern Age – Moderated by Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston and featuring Major Garrett, chief Washington correspondent, CBS News; Molly Ball, senior political correspondent, Wall Street Journal; Ron Brownstein, senior editor, The Atlantic; Mark Barabak, political columnist, L.A. Times

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Saturday, October 7th (10:00am - 3:15pm)

Continental Breakfast offered from 9:30am - 10:00am - come mix and mingle)

• A Decade of Change: The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Expansion in Nevada – Moderated by Nevada Independent health care reporter Tabitha Mueller and featuring Dr. Jose Cucalon Calderon, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UNR; Politico Pro health care reporter Megan Messerly; and Brian Sandoval, former governor of Nevada
• Big Ideas for Creating Affordable Housing – Moderated by Nevada Independent reporter Tabitha Mueller, featuring assemblywoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong (D-Las Vegas); NLS Deputy Director of Litigation Alex Cherup; realtor at The Jessa Group at Urban Nest Realty and incoming chair of Nevada Realtors legislative committee for 2025 Azim Jessa; and Senior Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives for the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust Ted Chandler
• High School Debate: Top students from Palo Verde High School and Desert Pines High School debate teams face off on a policy topic related to housing and homelessness: The State of Nevada ought to guarantee the right to housing
• K-12 Education and Read by Three: Achievement Booster or Poor Policy? — Moderated by Nevada Independent Editor Elizabeth Thompson and featuring President of the Southern Nevada Chapter of the National Education Association Vicki Kreidel and Rebecca Garcia, administrator of the Clark County School District's largest Facebook parent group
• Focus Group: Big Issues in Election 2024 — Hear from everyday Nevadans on a major policy topic. Moderated by Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston

Note:  Panels are subject to change

Tickets now available at: https://one.bidpal.net/indyfest2023

You may access the detailed agenda here