Dr. Miriam Adelson and Mark Davis, two leaders at the forefront of keeping Las Vegas a world-leading tourist destination, were recognized Thursday with induction into the Nevada Business Hall of Fame.
Adelson, a philanthropist and the largest shareholder in her family’s company, and Davis, owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and Las Vegas Aces, were honored at a dinner at The Venetian Expo that also celebrated UNLV’s Lee Business School and its transformation into one of the leading cultivators of business leadership in Nevada.
Adelson is the largest shareholder in Las Vegas Sands Corp., the market leader in the casino industry in the Chinese enclave of Macau and the operator of the iconic Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore. Sands also built and operated The Venetian and Palazzo and on The Strip before selling the integrated resort earlier this decade.
Adelson’s family also owns the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Hebrew-language newspaper Israel Hayom in Israel. She directs the Adelson Family Foundation, the Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research, and is a physician who once served as an internist in an emergency department in Tel Aviv.
Joining Adelson in Thursday’s induction ceremonies was Davis, who moved the Raiders to Las Vegas from Oakland, Calif., making construction of Allegiant Stadium possible. He also bought the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, who have won the league championship three times in the last four years.
Bring the NFL to Las Vegas
Davis began his efforts to move the Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2016, working with Adelson’s husband, the late Sheldon Adelson, to secure hotel room tax financing for Allegiant Stadium. Although the Adelsons and Davis ultimately ended their stadium partnership, the team completed the project and began playing in Las Vegas in 2020.
In opening remarks, former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones Blackhurst, interim vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement and interim chair of the UNLV Foundation, noted that while many did not see building a stadium as a wise investment for the state, Allegiant Stadium has become the leading major arena for sports and concerts.
Olympic gold medalist Jennifer Azzi, president of the IXs Foundation, applauded Davis as one of the leading advocates for women’s sports. She said Davis insisted on paying women higher wages.
“I am honored, yet humbled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Davis said.
In his presentation, Davis thanked the Nevadans who helped the Raiders move to Las Vegas: the Adelsons, former Wynn Resorts executive Steve Wynn; MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle and his predecessor, Jim Murren; former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar and Carolyn Goodman; previous governments. Steve Sisolak and Brian Sandoval and current Governor Joe Lombardo.
Rethinking business travel
Adelson recalled how she and her late husband saw Las Vegas as more than just a city for gaming, but as an ideal destination for conventions and trade shows.
She paid tribute to Sheldon Adelson, who founded Las Vegas Sands, and his vision of building integrated resorts that cater to business travelers as well as tourists. And she credited her background in medicine for helping her find her voice.
Adelson said that as hosts of conference attendees, they made sure there were plenty of outlets for electronic devices in every hotel suite, which sets The Venetian apart from other resorts.
She urged UNLV students in attendance to follow the advice of her late husband — who learned business “on the street” and not in college — and learn all they could about marketing and finance.
The Adelsons and Davis were instrumental in boosting sports tourism in Southern Nevada, widely recognized as a key means of bringing millions of visitors to the city to attend games and mega-events, resulting in billions of dollars in economic impact.
Additional awards
Sponsored by UNLV’s Lee Business School, the Nevada Business Hall of Fame celebrates outstanding individuals who have shaped Nevada’s economic landscape and enriched its communities. Organizers say each employee embodies the essence of Nevada’s entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrating innovation, resilience, unwavering commitment and an impact that resonates beyond their industries.
Two others were recognized for their business achievements at the event, which was attended by more than 400 people.
The Lieder Award, which recognizes exceptional leadership, entrepreneurship and contributions to real estate development, was presented to Alan Molasky, president of Ovation Development Corp.
Additionally, Rick Crawford, the founder and president of the 50-store Green Valley Grocery chain of convenience stores, was honored with Entrepreneur of the Year.
More than 5,000 students attend the Lee Business School, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
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