Entertainment has the spotlight at Preview 2000 show

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000 | 10:41 a.m.

Preview 2000, the major business conference hosted by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada Development Authority, will have a definite entertainment flavor.

Grammy Award-winning recording artist Lee Greenwood and popular Las Vegas showman David Cassidy will perform at and address the event Jan. 25 at the Thomas & Mack Center. About 2,000 people are expected to attend Preview 2000, which begins with a breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude at noon after a series of speeches and presentations.

"Las Vegas is the Entertainment Capital of the World, so it is appropriate that we have the business of entertainment represented at Preview," said Trish Williamson, a spokeswoman for the annual event that focuses on business trends and developments for the coming year.

Greenwood is expected to perform "God Bless the U.S.A." to kick off the event. Cassidy, an actor, singer, writer and producer will star in a production at the Rio hotel-casino and a show he produces, "The Rat Pack is Back," will reopen at the Stardust this year. Cassidy will open the second half of the Preview event.

Other Preview speakers have been associated with the entertainment industry in their careers. Wayne Huizenga, an owner and executive with several companies, was former chairman of the board and chief executive officer for Blockbuster, the video chain, and has owned several sports franchises in the Miami area.

Speaker Jim Robbins is president and chief executive officer of Cox Communications, which has a Las Vegas division that is the dominant cable television franchise for the area.

Don Marinelli, co-director of the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University, is a professor at the school that has pioneered work in computer processing, networking and robotics.

And, Frank Fahrenkopf, chief executive officer of the American Gaming Association, often reminds audiences that his industry is a form of entertainment.

Other speakers for Preview include Carol Harter, president of UNLV; economic forecaster Keith Schwer, director of UNLV's Center for Business and Economic Research; and Richard Lee of First American Title Co., an expert in local growth and real estate.

The Chamber of Commerce has hosted Preview for five years. Last year, the NDA joined the chamber as a co-host. Tickets are $50 in advance for chamber or NDA members and $70 for nonmembers or those who purchase a ticket at the door.