Visitors to downtown Las Vegas who’ve enjoyed the free Wi-Fi connection can expect a quicker experience on their next stop there.
The network, which covers 3 square miles across public areas at and near the Fremont Street Experience and East Fremont Street, moves at speeds 100 times or faster than its original configuration, at 100 megabits per second or more, he system’s service provider, LV.Net, said in a statement.
LV.Net installed the system in 2013 under a partnership with the city of Las Vegas. The system’s original design used wireless technology that could only allow for a user to connect at 1 Mbps, LV.Net President Marty Mizrahi said.
In recent months, the system has moved toward fiber optics, which allows LV.Net to offer unlimited and uncapped data to more than 50,000 users every month, Mizrahi said.
Downtown visitors can access the LV.Net SSID network he network for free and without a password.
LV.Net, formed in 1994, offers several services at its four local offices, including colocation, microwave fiber wireless and advanced network services.
Business pitch competition
for Nevada startups
A business pitch competition could yield a few Nevada-based startups with some extra capital this fall.
The Nevada Business and Industry Department will host this year’s fifth annual Governor’s Conference on Business, where 10 Nevada-based startups will give a two-minute pitch to a panel of judges in order to compete for a prize pool of $23,500.
The competition, being held at the Rio Conference Center on Sept. 30, will be limited to startups that make less than $250,000 in annual gross revenue, have been in operation two years or less, and are located in the Nevada. Two winners will fight for $22,500 in prizes, with one winner receiving a People’s Choice Award and $1,000.
“This competition is a twist on the traditional pitch competitions,” said Bruce Breslow, director of the Business and Industry Department. “You need to already be in business with all of the necessary licenses and the entry is not limited to technology startups. Businesses from any and all industries are encouraged to apply.”
To compete, contestants must submit a $50 application fee and application to the Business and Industry Department by 5 p.m. Aug. 19. The fee also covers entrance into the affiliated conference and luncheon. Two alternates will also be chosen on top of the 10 finalists.
The competition is being sponsored by AT&T, Microsoft and Vast.
More information can be found at business.nv.gov/GCB/Home or by contacting Karen Schnog at 702-486-3755.
Celebrity pingpong charity
tournament at The Venetian
Renowned athletes and superstars are set to participate in the fourth annual TopSpin Celebrity Ping Pong Tournament this July at The Venetian to increase access to quality education for underserved youth.
The event, being hosted by nine-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, will feature several big names from 6 to 10 p.m. on July 21, including Chris Algieri, a former WBO junior welterweight champion, boxing commentator Al Bernstein, professional stock car racer John Hunter Nemechek and others.
Part of the proceeds will support the TopSpin organization, aiming to increase underserved youth’s access to quality education in the United States. The group’s has raised more than $2.4 million and funded 18 nonprofit partners since irs inception in inception in 2010.
The Chris Paul Foundation, which looks to positively impact individuals and families in the community, also will receive some proceeds.
“I can’t believe we’re in our fourth year with this amazing event,” Paul said. “I love getting everyone together for some friendly competition.”
The foundation supports literacy and technology initiatives, health and wellness programs, and afterschool enrichment through several partnerships with well-known organizations: Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Salvation Army and others.
Tickets are available on at venetian.com/topspin or by calling 866-641-7469. Prices start at $15 and go up to $200.
IHG Rewards Club is hosting the event.
Scholarships offered for
undergraduate business programs
Western Governors University Nevada, a nonprofit, competency-based university that operates online, recently announced scholarship opportunities for new students who enter any of its undergraduate degree programs in its college of business.
WGU Nevada’s Excellence in Business Scholarship will provide new incoming students enrolling into any business school program up to $3,000 — $600 per six-month term, for up to five terms.
Applications are now being accepted, and potential students should submit their application to Nevada.wgu.edu/excellenceinbusiness by Aug. 31.
Potential recipients must be officially admitted into a program under WGU Nevada’s business school to be eligible. Other requirements include completing a scholarship application and interviewing with one of the school’s scholarship counselors.
Recipients will be chosen based on their academic records, financial need and readiness for online study at WGU Nevada.
