About the Event:

The USGLC returned to Las Vegas this month to meet with leaders from Nevada and around the world. An evening event co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Las Vegas on April 20 brought people together to talk about the importance of a strong and effective International Affairs Budget.

Under the bright lights of Las Vegas, USGLC’s own Senior Director, Mark Green, a former U.S. Congressman and Ambassador to Tanzania, gave the keynote address, sharing his vast experience with community and business leaders. In addition to stories of what he saw-first hand serving in Africa, Mark shared the perspective of our nation’s top military leaders, some of whom recently joined him on Capitol Hill to make clear to Members of Congress that the International Affairs Budget is a critical part of our national security spending. Mark told the crowd that a small investment in International Affairs programs can go a long way towards keeping us safe.

This event had a uniquely global flair – and not just from the replicas of the Great Sphinx and the Eiffel Tower outside on the Strip. A large number of members of the Nevada Consular Corps was in attendance, including representatives from Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

This global representation shows just how much Nevada remains engaged with the world, and how important international trade is to the local economy. In just the first half of last year, exports by Nevada businesses shot up 22 percent, creating over 2,225 new jobs in the state. Add that to the fact that nearly one in five jobs depend on trade and close to half of U.S. exports now go to the developing world, and Nevadans at this month’s event made clear: in this economy, we cannot afford not to invest in the International Affairs Budget.

Speakers:

Mark Green
Former Ambassador and Congressman

American Leadership: How Smart Power Makes Us Safer and More Prosperous.