Las Vegas Hospitality, Tourism, and Cultural Exchange Forum
The US-China Regional Dialogue Series: Hospitality, Tourism and Cultural Exchange took place on October 6 & 7 in-person in Las Vegas, Nevada and via live virtual broadcast. Hosted by the US-Asia Institute, and sponsored by Las Vegas Sands Corp., the U.S.-China Regional Dialogue focused on Tourism, Hospitality and Cultural Exchange. Speakers discussed commercial opportunities, people-to-people exchange and workforce development.
This is the second event in this series of important regional dialogues that bring together government officials, community group representatives, and business and thought leaders from both countries to increase communication and engagement at the national, regional and local levels. This event addressed the opportunities and challenges in today’s bilateral relationship.
AGENDA
October 6 & 7, 2021
in Las Vegas, Nevada
(Pacific Time)
Wednesday, October 6
5:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Session #1 – Opening Program & Reception
Welcoming Remarks:
Andy Abboud, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Las Vegas Sands
Glenn Lau-Kee, Chairman, US-Asia Institute
Keynote Remarks:
His Excellency QIN Gang, Ambassador to the U.S. from the People’s Republic of China
The Honorable Dina Titus, Member, US Congress (D-NV 1st District)
Vice Minister ZHANG Xu, Vice Minister, Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Rob Goldstein, Chairman & CEO, Las Vegas Sands
A Conversation with Policy Makers
Moderator: Andy Abboud, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Las Vegas Sands
Panelists:
The Honorable Dina Titus
His Excellency QIN Gang, Ambassador to the U.S. from the People’s Republic of China
Vice Minister ZHANG Xu, Vice Minister, Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Rob Goldstein, Chairman & CEO, Las Vegas Sands
Andy Abboud, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Las Vegas Sands
The Honorable Dina Titus, Member, US Congress (D-NV 1st District)
Thursday, October 7
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Session # 2 – Commercial Opportunities
Keynote Remarks:
The Honorable Madeleine Albright, Former Secretary of State & Chair, Albright Stonebridge Group
The Honorable Carol Miller, Member, US Congress (R-WV 3rd District)
Mr. KUANG Lin, Director, China National Tourist Office, New York
Panel Discussion: Commercial Opportunities
Moderator: Hugh Anderson, Managing Director, Partner Hightower Las Vegas at Hightower Advisors
Panelists:
Mary Beth Sewald, President & CEO, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
Bill Miller, President & CEO, American Gaming Association
Chandra Allison, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing - M.I.C.E and Leisure, The Venetian Resort
Fernando Fischer, President, Reed Exhibitions
Erik Hansen, Vice President of Government Affairs, US Travel
The Honorable Madeleine Albright, Former Secretary of State, and Chair, Albright Stonebridge Group
Hugh Anderson, Managing Director, Partner Hightower Las Vegas at Hightower Advisors
The Honorable Carol Miller, Member, US Congress (R-WV 3rd District)
Fernando Fischer, President, Reed Exhibitions
Chandra Allison, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing - M.I.C.E and Leisure, The Venetian Resort
Mary Beth Sewald, President & CEO, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
Erik Hansen, Vice President of Government Affairs, US Travel
Bill Miller, President & CEO, American Gaming Association
Thursday, October 7
10:15 am - 11:15 am
Session #3 – Cultural, educational & People-to-People Exchange
Keynote Remarks:
The Honorable Steve Sisolak, Governor of Nevada
Mr. WANG Yongli, China Education Association for International Exchange
The Honorable Jacky Rosen, Senator, US Senate (D-NV)
Panel Discussion: Cultural, Educational & People-to-People Exchange
Moderator: Glenn Lau-Kee, Chairman, US-Asia Institute
Panelists:
Ambassador Julia Bloch, President, US-China Educational Trust
Minister Counselor of Cultural Affairs Zhao Haisheng, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
Ms. Jan Berris, Vice President, National Committee on US-China Relations
Ms. Deborah Lehr, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Paulson Institute
Ambassador Julia Bloch, President, US-China Educational Trust
Ms. Deborah Lehr, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Paulson Institute
The Honorable Jacky Rosen, Senator, US Senate (D-NV)
Ms. Jan Berris, Vice President, National Committee on US-China Relations
Minister Counselor of Cultural Affairs Zhao Haisheng, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
Mr. WANG Yongli, China Education Association for International Exchange
Glenn Lau-Kee, Chairman, US-Asia Institute
The Honorable Steve Sisolak, Governor of Nevada
Thursday, October 7
11:30 am- 12:30 pm
Session #4 – Employment & Training
Keynote Remarks:
The Honorable Susan Thornton, Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian & Pacific Affairs
The Honorable Steve Daines, Senator, US Senate (R-MT), US-China Working Group Senate
The Honorable Susie Lee, Member, US Congress (D-NV 3rd District)
Armchair Discussion: Workforce Development
Stowe Shoemaker, PhD, Dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Bo Bernhard, PhD, Interim Vice President of Economic Development, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Billy Vassiliadis, Partner & CEO, R&R Partners
12:45 pm
Closing Remarks:
Andy Abboud, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Las Vegas Sands
Glenn Lau-Kee, Chairman, US-Asia Institute
The Honorable Susan Thornton, Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian & Pacific Affairs
The Honorable Steve Daines, Senator, US Senate (R-MT), US-China Working Group Senate
The Honorable Susie Lee, Member, US Congress (D-NV 3rd District)
Bo Bernhard, PhD, Interim Vice President of Economic Development, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Stowe Shoemaker, PhD, Dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Billy Vassiliadis, Partner & CEO, R&R Partners
