The Nevada Broadcasters Association is extremely honored to welcome Christopher Ornelas to Las Vegas next week.  Chris serves as executive vice president and chief strategy officer for the National Association of Broadcasters.  He is flying to Nevada from Washington, D.C. to lead a critical strategic planning meeting for our Executive Committee, our Board of Directors and statewide radio and television general managers.  

Nevada's radio stations want to understand why the NAB is currently in negotiations that could result in a RIAA-backed Performance Tax.  Nevada's television stations want to understand why after spending millions of dollars on the DTV conversion, the FCC is now asking for spectrum reallocation.  As a result of this meeting, all of Nevada's radio and television stations will have input into the direction and prioritization of your NBA lobbying efforts and goals - as we prepare to work with a new Congress following the November 2nd Elections. 

This important meeting will be held in the Board Room of the Nevada Broadcasters Association one week from this Friday, on August 27, 2010.  The meeting will be held from 12 Noon to 2:00 PM.  Lunch will be served.

One week from this Saturday, on August 28, 2010, the Nevada Broadcasters Association will welcome hundreds of broadcasters, elected officials, community leaders and family and friends to our 15th Annual Hall of Fame Gala.  Once again the Gala will be held at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa. 

The evening will begin with a Tribute to Kenny Guinn. 

Nevada AMBER Alert became fully operational on July 1, 2003.  On August 23, 2003, we honored Governor Kenny Guinn and First Lady Dema Guinn for their support of the NBA and proudly inducted them into the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.  Whether meeting together in Washington, D.C., or spending an afternoon or evening at the Governor's Mansion in Carson City, the Governor and Mrs. Guinn were always gracious and wonderful hosts. 

Governor Guinn was instrumental in developing the statewide AMBER Alert Plan.  The Governor also selected our NCSA Program to produce a four year public awareness campaign for the new Millennium Scholarships.  And in cooperation with the NBA, the Governor secured funding through the Nevada Homeland Security Commission to remodel the Capitol Annex Building in order to construct a television and radio Media Room on the 2nd Floor. 

Next Saturday night, our friend and former press secretary for the Governor -- Greg Bortolin, will remember "The Boss" and dedicate the 15th Annual NBA Gala in loving memory of Kenny Guinn.

In what has become an NBA Gala tradition, the program next Saturday evening will open with a Salute to America.  Once again, we will be joined by the Nevada Army National Guard.  And once again, we will ask the men and women who have served our country well, to take the stage, to be acknowledged and receive a standing ovation from a grateful Nevada audience. 

This year we will thank Susan Martinovich, Director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, for the strong partnership that NDOT has established with the NBA.  Highway fatalities are down in Nevada.  Through our NCSA Program and millions of dollars worth of donated station air time to NDOT-- resulting in tens of thousands of radio and television spots aired over the past five years, broadcasters have truly helped to save lives.  Susan will announce that NDOT has extended their NCSA contract with the NBA for an additional two years.  

All one has to do is look at the extraordinary sponsorship list for this year's Gala.  Jim Rogers is a broadcaster's broadcaster, who has carved out a special place in the history of Nevada.  He is about to start his 40th year in our business.  He remains a champion and advocate for education.  And his personal philanthropy and commitment to community is legendary.  Those are the qualities that have resulted in his unanimous selection this year to receive the highest honor bestowed upon a Nevada broadcaster -- the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Under the leadership of Earlene Lefler, 32 broadcasters will take the stage as they are individually inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.  And as each name is called out, the audience will be asked to note their biography page in the Tribute Journal.  Collectively, their written paragraphs tell the story of the history of broadcasting in Nevada, and in America.  

We hope that you will join us and raise your glass of champagne at the end of the evening to acknowledge, thank and salute Jim Rogers and the Class of 2010.  THERE IS STILL TIME TO BECOME A SPONSOR, PLACE AN AD, DONATE AN AUCTION ITEM, AND

PURCHASE GALA TICKETS.  For information please contact the NBA office at (702) 794-4994.

Towards the end of dinner, Linda and Tony Bonnici will take the stage to thank everyone for their support of the Nevada Broadcasters Association Scholarship Fund.  100% of the proceeds from both the Silent and Live Auctions will be donated to the scholarship fund that is named in their honor.  Tony will thank his brother Eric for his tireless fundraising efforts for this year's auctions.  And Linda will announce the establishment of the Nevada Broadcasters Foundation.  Linda will serve as the first president of the foundation, and as the first chairman of the scholarship fund.

Concern over the economy and jobs, education and the state budget, and whether the 2011 Legislative Session will include raising taxes -- provides the backdrop for the 2010 Governor Debate sponsored by the Nevada Broadcasters Association.

Republican Brian Sandoval and Democrat Rory Reid have agreed and committed to debate on Thursday evening, October 7, 2010.  The debate will be produced at the new facilities of Vegas PBS in Las Vegas.  The debate will be aired live from 6 PM - 7 PM.  The moderator will be veteran broadcaster Mitch Fox.  Closed captioning will be provided.  The debate will also be broadcast in Spanish. 

It is expected that between 50 to 60 television and radio stations will carry the 2010 Governor Debate.  It is also expected that there will be a national viewing audience as the debate will be carried on C-Span. 

For further information please contact Bob Fisher.