From CES to Southern Nevada: WACLV Helps Build Korea–Nevada Innovation Ties
On January 5, 2026, a pre-CES gathering at Canyon Gate Country Club brought South Korean technology companies together with Nevada business leaders, investors, and community partners. The Global Business Innovation Summit’s official program listed WACLV Executive Director Vivian Palmer as a keynote speaker.
Technology pitches with a local purpose
The Las Vegas Sun reported that roughly a dozen South Korean companies presented technologies including water-quality monitoring for resort pools, electric-vehicle battery diagnostics, and AI-supported golf equipment. The goal was larger than a trade-show appearance: organizers wanted visiting founders to form relationships that could lead to investment, partnerships, and a lasting Nevada presence.
The Sun also reported that organizer John Kwon had worked with WACLV, the AAPI Chamber of Southern Nevada, the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce, and the Vegas Chamber on the effort. The official summit schedule placed Palmer’s remarks alongside regional business, university, government, finance, and technology leaders.
A relationship built before the expo
That work follows WACLV’s April 2025 hosting of a Korea Economic Institute delegation through the Future of Korea program. KEI reported that Executive Director Vivian Palmer organized and led the Las Vegas visit, which included a UNLV Honors College roundtable, a public panel at Spanish Trail Country Club, and a business breakfast with community and economic-development leaders.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley offered opening remarks at the public panel, and WACLV Board Member Stacy Standley moderated a discussion about the U.S.–South Korea alliance, economic cooperation, security, trade, and the Korean American community in Southern Nevada.
Why the throughline matters
Conferences create introductions; citizen diplomacy gives those introductions context and continuity. By connecting visiting specialists with students, public officials, entrepreneurs, and residents, WACLV helps turn a global relationship into practical local conversations about investment, education, technology, and community.
Sources
Read KEI’s account, “Future of Korea: How Las Vegas is Driving Korean American Innovation,” and the official
Comments