Pat Christenson has been in the event industry for more than 33 years. In that time he has been involved with more than 3,000 special events. In 1983 he opened the Thomas & Mack Center and began management of what is now Sam Boyd Stadium. In 1999, he oversaw the renovation of both venues and built Cox Pavilion.

In 2001, he joined Las Vegas Events as its President. During his tenure, LVE has averaged 45 events per year, up from 21 the year before he arrived. Las Vegas Events produces or sponsors the National Finals Rodeo, Life is Beautiful, USA Sevens, three Conference Basketball Tournaments, USA Basketball, NBA Summer League, Rock ‘N’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon and America’s Party (New Year’s Eve reworks).

In 2017, Christenson released a book, Rock Vegas. It is about the evolution of live music in Las Vegas.

Pat’s Insight

“With the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as a model, Las Vegas Events is constantly challenged to secure and ensure the success of the best events in the world.”

• President Michael Gordon called the meeting to order. Details of the many Club and individual Club member activities over the prior 7 days were shared, from funds raised, allowing us to pay for the funerals of 3 victims of the Route 91 tragedy, to donating 10 wheelchairs to the Easter Seals, and sending $3,446 to help relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Harvey, to dialysis machines in Bangladesh, just to name a few, only scratching the surface of how our Club is “Making a Difference”.
• Francesca Gilbert gave the invocation. Ted McAdam led the club in singing “America The Beautiful”, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sergeant At Arms was Deb Granda. A special ‘happy birthday’ went to Executive Director, Shawn Noorda. Paul Kruger shared an update of some continuing improvement of fellow Rotarian, Ty Hilbrecht.
• There were (1) International Rotarian, (0) visiting Rotarians and (13) Guests of Rotarians introduced.
• The drawing began at $500 plus this week’s donations. The Ticket Winner was Jackie Thornhill who won $10 and the Lawry’s Bucks Winner was Dan Adamson.
• Ryan Hamilton announced the overwhelming success of the ‘quick call to action’ of the city’s largest car show, with over 800 cars, receiving donations of over $22,000 for the Route 91 Harvest Festival victims, with matching funds by the M Hotel.
• Howie Hopkinson shared the success of A Day of Caring at Bridger Middle School where unused school lockers were painted bringing attention to the STEAM program. PP Russ Swain shared the success of the UNLV Tailgate party, with attendance by some neighboring club members and the fabulous spread provided by Anil Melnick. Kirk Alexander shared the success of the work by Rotarians of the SuperBuild home in Mexico that included getting youth involved by giving the keys to the house to the recipient family. Beckley Principal Shannon Brown announced another successful Breakfast with Books on October 10th and Asst. Principal Cheryl Troop announced the Harvest Festival fundraiser, sharing that volunteers and bags of candy are needed.
• Rosalee Hedrick inducted 3 new members into our Club: Theresa Petranovich, Kim Nyoni and Dale Sprague. Welcome!!
• PP Jim Hunt announced the kickoff for the 22nd Santa Clothes project on December 7th, showing a video together with some statistical history. This year we have 4 new partners and invited 364 kids. PP Jim has set our goal for this year to reach $1 million in expenses. Francesca Gilbert announced a kickoff donation by her company of $2600
• Kirk Holmes announced the Halloween Party/Canned Food drive, seeking 100% participation, which will be held at the Las Vegas Distillery on October 27th
• Upcoming events include Highway Clean Up 10/14, CANstruction and New Member Orientation on 10/17 and Wine To Water is SOLD OUT
• Rob Telles introduced our speaker program, Raymond Hess, with “On Board” RTC, described as the future transit plan. He explained issues involving the evolution of the project including traditional transit, high capacity, and emerging technology considerations, all of which, with community input, will take our Valley into the future.
• President Michael Gordon presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can’ award to benefit a veteran in need and then adjourned the meeting.