Washington Business and Technology Institute - Business & Administration (PPAA Forum 21)

Meet Lorraine Hunt, Honorary Chairperson of International Cities Business Council of WBTI
By Michael Douglas, Valerie Weber, Bill Young, and Tiffany Chang
The International Cities Business Council (ICBC) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) strives to build a bridge among important cities nationally and internationally. ICBC has set the following goals: (1) Mutual cooperation and development of business, trade, and tourism; (2) Public relations among businesses and professionals; and (3) Social and dinner events within the community with a friendly atmosphere.
"As the Hononary Chairperson of International Cities Business Council of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI), I'll have more venues to work for international tourism with Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn who is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of WBTI. We're putting all our effort and wisdom to work for our people, land, and country under the spiritual leadership of Chairperson Elaine Chao of WBTI," said Lorraine Hunt, Lt. Governor of Nevada, on November 11, 2005.
(The above message was signed by Lt. Governor of Nevada Lorraine Hunt.)*1
Justice of the Supreme Court Michael Douglas, District Judge Jessie Walsh, Clark County Commissioner Lynette McDonald, Nevada Assemblywoman Valerie Weber, Clark County Sherriff Bill Young, business executives and owners, multimedia publishers and Editors-in-Chief, organizational and community leaders, and other VIPs co-sponsored the initial establishment of the Intercity Business Council of Nevada (also known as the "International Cities Business Council") of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) . The historical event took place on December 16, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada, U. S. A.
The Directors of the International Cities Business Council (ICBC) at the present time are: Honorable Han Zheng, Mayor of the City of Shanghai, China, Honorable Jim Gibson, Mayor of the City of Henderson, Nevada, Honorable Michael L. Montandon, Mayor of the City of North Las Vegas, Nevada, Dr. Stuart Mann, Dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Honorable Feng Wei Lai, County Governor of Penghu, Taiwan, Honorable Changping Zhang, Mayor of Xiamen, China, and the Honorable Tommy Hu, CEO (Mayor) of Xiang Fan, Hubei, China, CEO of United Commercial Bank, notably among others.
Lt. Governor of Nevada Lorraine Hunt was invited as the Honorary Chairperson of International Cities Business Council (ICBC) by President Dr. Tony Lei of WBTI. President Dr. Carol C. Harter of UNLV and Nevada Assemblywoman Valerie Weber were elected as Advisors. Miss Charlyne Chen was appointed Chairperson of ICBC by WBTI.
Nevada Lieutenant Governor Lorraine T. Hunt was re-elected to her current office in the November 2002 General Election. She originally took office in January of 1999. As the lieutenant governor, Hunt is president of the Nevada State Senate, chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, chair of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development (which includes the Nevada Film Office) and vice-chair of the Nevada Department of Transportation board of directors. She also sits on the governor�s cabinet and serves as chief executive when the governor is unable to serve for any reason or is absent from the state.*2
Hunt is a member of the executive committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association and serves as vice-chair of the National Republican Lieutenant Governors Association.
It was then that Hunt first demonstrated her entrepreneurial ability by making her first real estate investment in a piece of desert land on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Years later the investment led her into the world of business when she became president and chief executive officer of Perri, Inc., a real estate and restaurant management company.
She has represented the private sector by serving as vice-chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism; a director and past president of the Nevada Restaurant Association; director, Nevada Hotel-Motel Association; and vice-chair, Nevada Motion Picture Commission and vice chair of the Nevada Motion Picture Foundation.
She began her governmental service with her election to the Clark county commission. She served a four-year term as commissioner and, during her tenure, also served as vice-chair. She also became the first woman to chair the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) since its inception.
Throughout the years Hunt has acquired extensive experience in business and was awarded Nevada�s first Governor�s Award for Excellence in Business as well as being named Nevada�s U.S. Small Business Advocate of the Year. Additional awards and honors include: Casino Legends Hall of Fame, 2001, Educator of the Year, Nevada Restaurant Assoc., 2000; Republican Woman of the Year, 1996; Free Enterprise Award, 1993; Governor�s Conference on Tourism - first Lifetime Achievement Award, 1993; Nevada Restaurateur of the Year, 1992; Nevada Small Business Advocate Award, Small Business Administration, 1989; and the first Governor�s Award for Excellence in Business, State of Nevada, 1987.
Hunt also participates extensively in community service, including having served on the St. Rose Dominican Hospital Community Board, as past president and trustee of St. Jude�s Ranch for Children, and as Vice-Chair of the Pan Pacific and Asian American Forum (PPAAF) of WBTI.*3
Representatives of Air China Cargo have informed Nevada leaders the carrier will use Reno-Tahoe International Airport as a diversion airport when bad weather prevents its scheduled cargo flights from landing in San Francisco, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt said Thursday.
A letter from the airline also hinted that additional flights between Asia and Northern Nevada could be in store.
In recent years, Hunt has led three missions to China to encourage additional trade and tourism between China and Nevada.*4
Governor Kenny Guinn of Nevada reminds us that tourism is the bedrock of Nevada's economy. To expand and diversify our domestic and international markets are absolutely essential to our long-term economic growth and stability.*5
Governor Kenny Guinn and Lt. Govenor Lorraine Hunt said that Nevada's tourism industry must continue to expand its offerings and reach out to diverse markets that range from outdoor enthusiasts to residents of the world's most populous nation (China). Speaking at the general session of the Governor's Conference on Tourism at Caesars Palace, he and she each praised Nevada's continuing efforts to supplement its gaming-based core with non-gaming amenities such as shopping, dinning, and outdoor recreation.*6
"I can't overstate the significance of China's potential as a visitor market for Nevada," Lt. Governor Hunt said. "I found modern cities rife with elements of Western culture such as Starbucks Coffee, MTV, the Rat Pack-era music of Frank Sinatra, etc. Up to 10 percent of the country's approximately 1.4 billion residents can now afford to travel overseas, which has positioned China as Nevada's "newest and most-modern market" for tourism."
On May 18, 2000 Lt. Governor Lorriane Hunt of Nevada led a delegation from Nevada to Taipei of the Republic of China. "This is important to Nevada in areas beyond just our tourism industry. Taiwan enjoys a growing economy with considerable technological advancement and as such, they are one of the world's top 15 trading nations. And with Nevada's total exports exceeding one billion dollars in 1999 alone, our local businesses stand to benefit as the Taiwanese market continues to prosper and expand," Lt. Governor of Nevada Hunt pointed out in Taipei.*7
"The Nevada Commission on Tourism believes it is vital to establish a presence in Taiwan in order to represent our tourism destinations to this emerging world travel market. Taiwan's capital, Taipei, has a working population of four million, with a youthful, technologically oriented work force. There is tremendous potential for building tourism among this sector," said Hunt.*8
"Similar to the new direction of the government in Taiwan, we are seeking new horizons for the economy of Nevada. Building mutally beneficial relationships with Taiwan, and other foreign countries, will create the demand for direct, regularly scheduled flights. Our work will help Nevada establish contacts for lucrative business and convention visitors from around the world that will form the foundation for a new pillar in the Nevada economy."*9
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References

*1. Hunt, Lorraine. 'As the Honorary Chairperson of the ICBC of WBTI,' "A search of 'Lt. governor Lorraine Hunt' on the Communitylink of Reviewjournal.com," (November 12, 2005), Las Vegas, Nevada: LVRJ.
*2. Google. 'About Nevada Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt,' "A search of 'Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt' on the Google.com," (November 10, 2005), Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*4. Cunningham, Yale S. 'China chooses Reno as backup cargo airport,' "An e-mail from Mr. Yale Cunningham to WBTI," (September 19, 2005), Las Vegas, Nevada: Office of Yale Cunningham
*5. Jones, Chris. 'China tourism potential touted,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (December 17, 2003), p. 1D.
*6. Guinn, Kenny. "A Message from Governor Kenny C. Guinn - December 10, 2003," Office of the Governor Kenny Guinn, (December 10, 2003), pp. 1-2.
*7. Hunt, Lorriane. (Fall 2000) 'Delegation to Taiwan Inauguration,' "The Nevada Report of Lt. Governor Lorriane Hunt," Carson, Nevada: Office of Lt. Governor.
*8. Ibid.
*9. Ibid.