In 2001, Tim Keener was the first hire made by new Las Vegas Events President Pat Christenson.
More than two decades later, Keener, 62, is set to take over as president at year’s end, when Christenson leaves for a consultant role at Las Vegas Events. The organization is tasked with attracting and sustaining events that help drive Las Vegas tourism.
“Pat and I, we’ve had a good ride together,” Keener said recently from the organization’s headquarters near Harry Reid International Airport.
“Being with Pat and the people at LVE all this time, I’ve seen a lot of change and growth. The staff we had back in 2001, they couldn’t hold a candle to the staff we have now.”
Working with a staff of nearly 15, Christenson and Keener have watched as Las Vegas has grown from a gambling city into a major hotbed for sports and events. Along with its NFL and NHL franchises, Las Vegas will host the Super Bowl in 2024 and the men’s NCAA Final Four in 2028.
Keener said the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which provides funding for Las Vegas Events, takes the lead when it comes to major events like a Super Bowl or Final Four. But Las Vegas Events plays a big role when it comes to other events, such as the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, he said.
The rodeo is the signature annual affair for Las Vegas Events. This year’s rodeo, which brings adjacent concerts, parties, conferences and other events to town, starts December 1 at the Thomas & Mack Center. The economic impact to the Las Vegas area is expected to eclipse $100 million.
Las Vegas Events also helps with college basketball conference tournaments, a New Year’s Eve fireworks show and the Pac-12 college football championship game, which will be played December 2 at Allegiant Stadium.
Keener said he doesn’t foresee a lot of change when he takes over at Las Vegas Events.
“In my mind, I feel like I’m taking over for a Super Bowl-winning head coach,” Keener said. “Pat might be moving on from his role, but I’m going to still have all these all-stars on my team.
“Pat has put such a good culture together,” he added. “I’m humbled to be able to follow in his footsteps. I just want to keep the train on the tracks.”
A West Virginia native, Keener was working for ESPN in North Carolina before Christenson recruited him to come to Las Vegas.
Christenson began his career in event management with UNLV in the 1980s. For years, he helped manage the Thomas & Mack Center and the Las Vegas Silver Bowl, later renamed Sam Boyd Stadium.
It was during that time he developed a relationship with Keener, who periodically traveled to Las Vegas for sporting events.
Over the years, Keener has developed a reputation as a tireless advocate for the many events Las Vegas puts on every year.
“Tim is really well respected and liked at the LVCVA,” said Steve Hill, president of the tourism authority. “More importantly, frankly, is the fact that customers who work with Tim trust him and like him. I know they’ve applauded his promotion to the top spot at LVE.”
Brian Yost, the LVCVA’s chief operating officer, called Keener “an accomplished professional” and said everyone at the tourism authority is looking forward to working with him in his new role.
While Las Vegas Events doesn’t do as much as the LVCVA to lure top-tier sporting events, the addition of attractions like the Super Bowl, Final Four and a Formula 1 race next year can only help the city get noticed, Keener said.
“Formula 1, the Super Bowl, hey, those are game-changers,” Keener said. “I think a college football playoff game is not far off, so the addition of Allegiant Stadium has changed the dynamic for us. For years, we just had Sam Boyd Stadium. There’s nothing wrong with that, but look what we have now—a 65,000-seat stadium, T-Mobile Arena, the Sphere is coming up. ... Las Vegas is hot right now.”
Keener said he considers himself a big Vegas Golden Knights fan, even though he grew up cheering for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“When I came here in 2001, I never would have thought Las Vegas would have the Golden Knights and the Raiders,” Keener said. “Now, just look at this city. And you know we’re going to get an NBA team eventually. I also wouldn’t bet against the Oakland A’s coming here. It’s been fun seeing the city change with the sports teams and the growth of the hotels and the new properties.”
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This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.