The VEGAS Dozen is a pretty big deal, ‘round these parts.  The people who have been so honored include a veritable who’s who of power-players, mucketty-mucks, honchos, headliners and big machers.   Of course, with my somewhat exaggerated sense of self-worth, I always saw myself as such, but the fact that people other than my family - not to mention the triumvirate of Nevada Cancer Institute, Saks Fifth Avenue and VEGAS Magazine - would so recognize me; well, it’s pretty cool.

Here’s the skinny.  In 2004, as a fun way to raise some coin in a daytime setting, NVCI decided to honor a dozen of the men who had done so much to support them.  They got together with VEGAS and SFA and thus, the inaugural VEGAS Dozen came to be. 

Over the coming years such gaming greats as Steve Wynn, Terry Lanni, Bill Boyd, Jim Murren, Rob Goldstein, George Maloof, Mike Mecca, Phil Ruffin, and Bills Hornbuckle and McBeath; developers such as Irwin Molasky and Mark Fine; community leaders like Larry Ruvo, Art Marshall, and Michael Saltman; publishing folks like Brian and Danny Greenspun, Michael Carr, and Bruce Deifik; politicos including Mayor Oscar Goodman and Gov. Bob Miller; great gastronomes including Wolfgang Puck, David Robins, Tom Kaplan, Kerry Simon, Michael Mina, and Gustav Mauler; spin-meisters like Dave Kirvin and John Schadler; nightlife impresarios such as Michael Morton and Jason Strauss; and celebrities such as Andre Agassi, George Wallace, Tony Curtis, Siegfried & Roy, and Clint Holmes – not to mention some of my favorite peeps like Tim Poster, Tom Breitling, Jeff Fine, and Bob Arum.

So how on Earth did I end up with my name among the first 100 Las Vegans to be so honored (96, if you’re being precise)?  While I’d like to think it was some combination of wit, charm and my winning smile; I honestly have no idea.  But I’m damned proud to have my name listed alongside those who have come before mine, and thrilled to be in a group that includes the CEO of a venue changing the way Las Vegas combines entertainment, dining and gaming (John Unwin), a man who performed at the world’s most famous rock concert (Carlos Santana), a nightlife visionary (Neil Moffit), the face of a sporting juggernaut (Dana White), and a very dear friend whose kindness knows no bounds (Patrick Duffy).

And so I quote Sir Isaac Newton (himself paraphrasing Bernard of Chartres) who wrote “If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.”

Mari Landers (VP/General Manager - Saks Fifth Avenue, Las Vegas) toasts the VEGAS Dozen 2010

The VEGAS Dozen
Saks Fifth Avenue at Fashion Show Mall
Wednesday, April 13th
6 – 8pm
Click HERE for tickets and more info

 Get into it!