As a Las Vegas native, I have a vested interest in the progress of Las Vegas as a growing metropolitan city. I have a strong network of young professional friends who share that passion and who are committed to working, living and staying here. We are a blip of this community (18.6 percent of the Las Vegas population are college graduates who work in the professional sector and 24 percent are born-and-raised Nevadans). I have been through an endless cycle of talented, professional friends who have left Vegas to seek more attractive opportunities and get out of “Sin City.” This is an ongoing condition the city seems to struggle with.
Las Vegas is changing from a business perspective; gaming, once the sole breadwinner of our economy, no longer has the monopoly, forcing the business climate to diversify. Areas such as sports, entertainment, nightlife, tech and medical are helping the economy flourish. The definition of “old Las Vegas” is molding to meet the needs of a more diversified economy, but businesses still need to attract and keep top-tier talent. They have a problem with momentary.
Is it our reputation of being a salacious city that gets in our way of professional retention? Maybe. However, we should really be asking ourselves: How do we really make (to steal a slogan) “what happens here, stay here?” How do we attract the best and the brightest of diverse professionals, and how does the community make them want to stay?
The good news is that many facets of life that attract first-tier talent exist here already: low cost of living, ethnic diversity, opportunities for younger entrepreneurs and start-up businesses, plus endless sunshine and natural beauty. The bad news is we have a serious rep to shed. The “Sin City” moniker attracts tourists but it leaves a lot to be desired for someone seeking to be part of a true culture. Here is what we should focus on to build a professionally networked culture:
n Embrace the right culture and a meaningful mission: This city has a lot to be proud of in terms of growing arts and culture. We need to brag about it. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Arts District and Chinatown are all assets attractive to younger people striving to be a part of something bigger.
• Create a breeding ground for well-rounded professionals through diverse work/life programs. More focus on an integrated business model, less focus on margin and bottom line-driven companies.
• Become the catalyst for passionate professionals. Passionate professionals will influence not only business, but also like-minded professionals.
• Inspire future leaders by focusing on the integrity of the community and its leaders.
Ownership should be shared by all Las Vegans. The tourism market leaders can control the initiative to seek future employees who diversify the pool. Local media can control the conversation on a greater community value like the permanent professional landscape and the relationships established here. The community itself can welcome and retain engaged humanitarians and communitarians who make the city better. The universities and the greater education system can be vigilant recruiting talent.
Now is the time to make Las Vegas matter in the evolving business world. It is up to all of us to help shape the new Las Vegas professional by finding innovative and talented workers and, most importantly, giving them a real reason to stay.
Lauren Westerfield is vice president of interactive marketing at Station Casinos.