Join us for IndyFest 2026!
October 22–23, 2026
Presented by: The Nevada Independent
Thursday, October 22
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Friday, October 23
Durango Casino & Resort
Founded in 2017, The Nevada Independent is Nevada's nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to in-depth reporting on government, policy, politics and the issues shaping our state.
Now in its seventh year, IndyFest has become Nevada's premier policy and politics conference, bringing together elected officials, industry leaders, journalists, and changemakers for two days of insightful conversations on the issues that matter most to Nevada.
This year's conference will feature an engaging lineup of panels and discussions, with additional speakers and sessions to be announced. You won't want to miss it.
Day One | Thursday, October 22nd at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
- BROTHER VS. BROTHER 10:05am - 10:50am PST
Jon Ralston, CEO + Geoff Ralston, AI Executive and founder of SAIF — AI, its possibilities and the challenges ahead - BLUEGRASS IN THE DESERT 11:05am - 11:50am PST
Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky + Mini Racker, D.C. Correspondent + Jon Ralston, CEO — Leading a red state, the Democratic Party and a possible presidential run - RO, RO, RO THE DEMOCRATIC BOAT 1:30pm - 2:15pm PST
Ro Khanna, U.S. Representative + Mini Racker, D.C. Correspondent + Jon Ralston, CEO — His political future, the Democratic Party and a possible presidential run - WILL THIS ASTRONAUT FLY HIGH IN TWO YEARS? 2:30pm - 3:15pm PST
Mark Kelly, U.S. Senator + Mini Racker, D.C. Correspondent + Jon Ralston, CEO — Is he eyeing the White House? A candid conversation about Kelly's political future - FROM TOKYO TO THE WHITE HOUSE 3:30pm - 4:15pm PST
Rahm Emanuel, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan + Mini Racker, D.C. Correspondent + Jon Ralston, CEO — He rarely minces words. Hear Emanuel on his political future and whether he's considering a run for the White House
Day Two | Friday, October 23rd at Durango Casino & Resort
- ARE NEVADA ELECTIONS SECURE? 9:05am - 9:50am PST
Richard Perkins, former Nevada Assembly Speaker + David Becker, Executive Director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research + Jon Ralston, CEO + Riley Snyder, co-editor — A bipartisan conversation about election security and the safety of Nevada's elections - THE DATA CENTER DILEMMA 10:05am - 10:50am PST
Olivia Tanager, Chapter Director of the Sierra Club + Erik Henzl, Staff Research Scientist at the Desert Research Institute + Missy Young, Senior Fellow at Switch + Eric Neugeboren, Politics & Data Reporter + Jon Ralston, CEO — Are data centers a threat to Nevada—or a gold mine? - THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF PREDICTION MARKETS 11:05am - 11:50am PST
Mike Dreitzer, Chairman & Executive Director of the Nevada Gaming Control Board + Daniel Wallach, Sports & Gaming Attorney + Gary Kalbaugh, Partner at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP + Howard Stutz, Senior Reporter + Jon Ralston, CEO — Are prediction markets gambling, polling—or something else? And why are they banned in Nevada? - NEVADA'S ECONOMY ON A RAZOR'S EDGE 1:30pm - 2:15pm PST
Nicholas Irwin, Associate Professor of Economics at UNLV + Taylor Adams, President & CEO of Northern NV Now + Doug Thornley, Holland & Hart LLP + Jon Ralston, CEO + Eric Neugeboren, reporter — What's driving Nevada's economy — and what comes next? - VAX, VAX AND NOTHING BUT THE VAX 2:30pm - 3:15pm PST
Brian Labus, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist at UNLV + Jose Cucalon Calderon, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UNR + Dr. Tracey Green, Chief Medical Officer at CareSource Nevada + Tabitha Mueller, Capital Bureau Chief + Jon Ralston, CEO — Vaccine science, safety and evolving recommendations
Click here to view and print the full agenda.
Please note: The IndyFest 2026 agenda, including panels and speakers, is subject to change. Additional speakers and program updates will be announced as they are confirmed.
Tickets are required to attend IndyFest 2026. Choose between in-person or virtual attendance, with your ticket providing access to both days.
Don't miss your chance to be part of IndyFest 2026. Get your tickets today at: https://onecau.se/indyfest2026
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