Janet Uthman, Vice President and Market Leader for Cox Communications, has been sworn in as the 2025 Chairwoman of the Vegas Chamber. The ceremony took place at the Annual State of the Chamber Luncheon held at Wynn Las Vegas, attended by 900 business and community leaders. Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley administered the oath to Uthman and other trustees, marking one of her first official acts since assuming office.
Uthman announced that 2025 will be recognized as the Year of Small Business. She introduced initiatives aimed at supporting local small businesses in stabilizing, growing, and succeeding. These initiatives include representing small businesses throughout the Nevada Legislature in 2025 to ensure their voices are heard during legislative processes.
The Chamber plans to provide access to its association 401(k) plan to help businesses comply with a new state mandate effective July 2025. This mandate requires most employers with five or more employees to offer a retirement plan. Additionally, a new Small Business Resource Center will be launched with a dedicated full-time employee to connect small business members with resources and assistance.
The Chamber also aims to open its new headquarters at Carolyn G. Goodman Plaza near City Hall in Fall 2025.
Under Betsy Fretwell's leadership in 2024, the Chamber added 600 new member businesses and assisted over 100 women and minority-owned businesses through its EDGE program. It also hosted its largest Washington D.C. Fly-In with more than 300 Nevada business leaders participating, and saw over 90% of its endorsed candidates win in the general election.