Nevada Arts Advocates presents 13th Annual Gala
In Honor of Donald D. Snyder - Celebrating his vision and realization
of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.


Photo Courtesy of Las Vegas Sun - Steve Marcus

Join Us On Saturday, November 19, 2011
The Mirage Resort & Casino - Montego Room

About The Award and our Honoree:

2011 13TH ANNUAL ART ADVOCACY AWARD
Honoree:  Donald D. Snyder
Advocacy award is given to an individual or company that has displayed significant support
of cultural, fine and performing arts in the state of Nevada.
 
Donald D. Snyder is the volunteer Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. As an active supporter of cultural and arts organizations, Mr. Snyder has played an integral role in The Smith Center since the incorporation of its charitable foundation, the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation, in 1996.

Mr. Snyder retired in 2005 from his "day job" at Boyd Gaming Corporation. He first joined the Company as a member of the Board of Directors in April 1996. He was later named President of the Company on January 1, 1997, a post he held until his retirement.

He was previously the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fremont Street Experience, where he held the Chairman's post on its governing board until August 2006. This company is an entity that he formed for eight owners of major hotel and casinos in Las Vegas to develop and operate a major redevelopment project in downtown Las Vegas.

Mr. Snyder served from 1987 through 1991 as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of First Interstate Bank of Nevada, the state's largest full service bank at the time. During his 22 years with First Interstate Bank, he served his first 18 years with its California bank in various management positions in retail and corporate banking, international banking and real estate banking. His executive positions with the First Interstate organization included membership on its holding company's Managing Committee and on the Boards of Directors of First Interstate Bank of Utah and First Interstate Mortgage.

Mr. Snyder has been actively involved in numerous business, charitable and civic activities in Nevada. He has founded or co-founded several new businesses in Southern Nevada. He has served on the boards of several gaming and non-gaming companies, including current service on the boards of Bank of Nevada (which he co-founded) and its parent, Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL); NV Energy (NYSE: NVE); Tutor Perini Corporation (NYSE: TPC); and Switch Communications Group, L.L.C.

Additionally, Mr. Snyder has served on numerous non-profit boards over the years and has been formally recognized on several occasions for outstanding corporate and community service. He presently serves on the boards of the Nevada Development Authority (past Chairman), UNLV Foundation (past Chairman), Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation (Chairman), Nathan Adelson Hospice (past Chairman), Council for a Better Nevada (past Chairman) and Tournament Players Club at Summerlin. His past board service in recent years includes the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Nevada Resort Association and United Way of Southern Nevada (past Chairman).

Mr. Snyder is a cum laude graduate of the University of Wyoming, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and completed the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management at Stanford University. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by UNLV in 2001. Mr. Snyder and his wife, Dee, have been married for 38 years and have three children and one grandchild.

About The Event:

Date: November 19, 2011   
Location: Mirage Hotel - Montego Ballroom

Benefiting: Nevada Arts Advocates
Silent Auction/Cocktails: 7 p.m.
Dinner: 8 p.m.
Tickets: $200 Per Person - Tables of 10 - $2,000

For Tickets and Sponsorship opportunities, call NAA at 702-362-8885 or email: nvartsadvocates@earthlink.net

About Nevada Arts Advocates
Nevada Arts Advocates was founded in 1977 as a nonprofit 501c-3 statewide organization to encourage Nevadans to participate in and enjoy the arts through public awareness, advocacy and outreach. The organization develops and supports cultural and educational activities to sustain funding and foster appreciation of the arts. Some programs include the establishment of a Legislative Arts Caucus, Arts Day at the Nevada Legislature, arts awareness luncheons, a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors and grant program for teachers to attend arts conferences.

NAA is a member of the national organizations State Arts Action Network (SAAN) and Americans for the Arts. For information call (702)362-8885.