From the VEGAS INC editor: Let’s talk

I want to have a no-holds-barred conversation that should be thrilling and maddening, intellectual and necessary and that leaves us better for having had it.

Richard Pérez-Feria

Why?

I’ve always been seduced by that simple question. Those three letters have consistently opened up a veritable Pandora’s box in my life: “Why does Santa Claus have Mom’s handwriting?” “Why do Catholics pray to other people called saints?” “Why didn’t Bill Buckner field the ball cleanly in the ’86 World Series?” “Why did we stop debating critical issues and chose cynical posturing instead?” “Why are our homes underwater?” “Why can’t we find a job?” Why?

I took my healthy inquisitiveness into tackling the task at hand: reinventing what you’re holding into the most talked-about and compelling business publication in the country. No small task, I dare say. But instead of asking “why?” my team and I decided to ask “why not?” And am I ever glad we did.

As you can see, what we’ve done with the best business weekly in town, In Business Las Vegas, is transform it into the best business weekly anywhere by keeping all of the elements that made it the must-read publication and infusing it with dynamic graphics, cool departments, a state-of-the-art website, a beautiful design and, yes, a brand new name fitting its larger-than-life personality, VEGAS INC.

I’ve never been accused of being terribly conventional; fittingly, I come to VEGAS INC—after many years leading top-shelf magazines and websites in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami—as an energized editor determined to nudge the Las Vegas business community into starting a genuine and challenging dialogue. I want to have a no-holds-barred conversation that should be thrilling and maddening, intellectual and necessary and that leaves us better for having had it.

Take this week’s cover story that poses the legitimate but baffling question about how to make the tourists happy since their return to Las Vegas. This isn’t 2007 and we know we can’t treat our guests as if it were. They expect more, much more—for less, much less. I couldn’t think of anyone better suited to tackle this serious conundrum for our inaugural cover story than celebrated Las Vegas Sun columnist J. Patrick Coolican. His spirited report doesn’t disappoint.

I’d like to spend a moment thanking my talented and dedicated team, starting with the veteran all-stars who’ve made the seamless transition from In Business Las Vegas: senior staff writers Steve Green and Rick Velotta, staff writers Buck Wargo and Liz Benston along with long-time IBLVers Ulf Buchholz and Rob Langrell as well as those who find themselves in new roles including Amanda Finnegan (VEGASINC.com Executive Editor) and Dave Mondt (designer). And, of course, where would we be without our award-winning design team led by Creative Director

Rachel Perkins and Art Director Spencer Holladay, Photography Director Kristin Donaldson and her resilient photographers have helped VEGAS INC come to life, and a heartfelt thanks to Associate Editor Erin Dostal, who gives everything she has into making this magazine something all of us can be proud of.

How fortunate am I to be surrounded—not only by such incredible talent and professionalism—but also by so many first-rate individuals who I now consider friends? That’s the secret sauce, folks. Love what you do and do it with people you love. And that’s why VEGAS INC is going to soar.

So, are you ready to have a conversation about the state of your business? Your industry? Your city? We are. Welcome to VEGAS INC, the talk of the town. Why not, indeed.

Business

Share