Shaping the Future of Las Vegas & Nevada Through Global Entrepreneurship Week

For years, I have carried a deep passion for connecting the people of Las Vegas and the broader state of Nevada to show the world who we really are. As someone deeply entrenched in the veteran entrepreneur community and beyond, my vision is simple: we don’t have to change the world, but we can change the way the world looks at Las Vegas. And I believe that Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the perfect vehicle to do just that.

The Power of Global Entrepreneurship Week

Global Entrepreneurship Week is more than just a collection of events—it’s a global movement designed to inspire millions to explore their entrepreneurial potential. GEW creates spaces where entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and communities connect and collaborate, promoting innovation and highlighting the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in economic growth and societal well-being. At its core, the mission of GEW is to empower individuals to turn ideas into reality, regardless of their background or resources. Through a combination of local and global initiatives, we foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem where anyone, anywhere, can access the resources and support needed to succeed.

My Role in Global Entrepreneurship Week

As the State Coordinator for GEW in Nevada, I’ve been honored to volunteer in this role to help foster a thriving entrepreneurial community. Over the years, we've built a team of passionate community organizers and expanded the committee who help support and expand our mission.

This year, our team is stronger than ever!

Nevada Global Entrepreneurship Network Team:

State Coordinator: Dave Burlin - VetsinTech

North Las Vegas Community Organizer: Elias Benjelloun - Nevada Partners, Inc.

Las Vegas Community Organizer: Nadya Rousseau - Alter New Media

Henderson Community Organizer: Ben Laifsky - Hunter Marketing

Reno Community Organizer: Lurdes Madrigal, MBA, ASBC? - Nevada Veterans Business Outreach Center

The Committee:

Suriel Cruz

Jason LeDuc

Shaquille Cruz - Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)

Ikram Mansori - Vets in Tech

Lauren Jones - Alter New Media

How We Got Here: A Timeline

2021:

In the wake of the pandemic, the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Las Vegas was still finding its footing. I began my journey with Global Entrepreneurship Week as a community organizer, trying to leverage opportunities to connect our city to the global GEW movement. While the efforts in 2021 were small, the foundation was laid.

2022:

This was the year we truly launched! With more than 20 events, including mixers, workshops, and panel discussions, we saw the community start to rally around the idea of entrepreneurship in Las Vegas. Key partners like Joshua Leavitt from Tech Alley , Lisa Richter , Mary Grace Yniguez and Adam Kent were a few of people who stepped up to host events. Sofia Lois Monroe with Daymaker Productions continued to connect the dots and push more media from events, and all of this was instrumental in bringing this vision to life. It was the inaugural year, and the momentum started to build.

2023:

The year of expansion... I transitioned from Community Organizer to State Coordinator, and we brought in key team members like Megan Buckley and Elias Benjelloun as organizers. A committed was formed and Taylor Goodyear , Tyler Gallo , Ben Laifsky , Nadya Rousseau and Lauren Jones stepped up to help streamline the process for people to host events.

Despite the challenge of coinciding with F1 in Las Vegas, we managed to host a successful kickoff at the Ahern Luxury Boutique Hotel , with panels, keynote speakers, and workshops. We had an incredible panel with Lisa Sutton Gunderson from The Veteran Fund , and Shaydi DeJesus from Austin, TX shared some incredible insight on how Las Vegas can leverage the momentum in our growing ecosystem.

Notably, we held a podcast marathon, conducting over 35 interviews in less than four days to amplify the voice of GEW Nevada, which helped capture national attention. One of our standout interviews was with Cecilia Wessinger , Director of Global Communities at Global Entrepreneurship Network .

What We’re Excited About for 2024

This year, we’re building on everything that has come before, with a particularly strong start in January. It all began with an impactful panel discussion with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, which laid the groundwork for an important milestone, launching Freedom Week 2024. Freedom Week was a series of Veteran entrepreneur events, including VetCap by VetsinTech , and launching the Veteran Entrepreneur Library at Nevada Partners, Inc.

The culmination and biggest highlight of Freedom Week was getting the proclamation signed by the Governor's Office, an achievement that only a few states have accomplished so far.

I had the opportunity to share this win at Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in Puerto Rico the following week. Locally,Freedom Week raised significant awareness for Veteran entrepreneurs, strengthening connections within our community. The impact reached far beyond Las Vegas. At GEC, this engagement sparked further interest from communities around the United States to host Freedom Week in 2025, positioning Las Vegas as a key player in the global entrepreneurship movement. We’ve also expanded our partnerships this year, bringing on board incredible organizations such as:- The Vegas Chamber- The Holistic Health Chamber of Commerce- The Asian American Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce- Southern Nevada Veterans Chamber of Commerce- Warrior Rising- Bunker Labs- And, critically, the Governor's Office of Economic Development and the Lieutenant Governor's Office of Small Business.

Key Dates to Remember

This year, Global Entrepreneurship Week will take place from November 18th through the 24th, but we’re also including events from the week before, Veteran Small Business Week. This gives us the opportunity to spotlight veteran entrepreneurs while building momentum for GEW itself.

Here’s How to Get Involved

There are many ways to participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week:- Host an event: Whether it’s a workshop, a panel discussion, or something unique to your industry, we’re here to help you get involved.- Sponsor an event: Help make these events possible by offering your support.- Volunteer: Lend a hand and help make this year’s GEW a success.- Donate a venue or space: We’re always looking for great locations to host events.

STEP ONE: Create a profile and setup your event at www.gew.co

STEP TWO: Find us and sign up locally at www.gewnevada.com

STEP THREE: We will help you get all of your marketing assets and help you maximize promotions for your event!

With support from both local and state leaders, including press coverage, recaps, and media highlights from partners like Ervinas Media , we will be showcasing the essence of entrepreneurship in Las Vegas on a national level, across an international stage.

The partnerships we build this year will create lasting impact, setting the stage for even more success in 2025 and beyond!

Special Thanks and Shout Outs:

Sarah Reeves Johnson & Denise Daniels Fanning with Nevada Office of Small Business Advocacy

Edgar Rodriguez with Master The Network / IVMF BunkerLabs