As chairman of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Host Committee, Oscar B. Goodman is responsible for continuing to be Las Vegas' No.1 ambassador. The Host Committee is made up of local business and civic leaders, and the group's primary responsibility is to engage the Las Vegas community in support of major trade shows and destination events. In addition, the Host Committee will assist the LVCVA with destination marketing efforts and other opportunities by rolling out the "red carpet" to welcome attendees of special events, meetings, and conventions to Las Vegas.
Prior to serving as chairman of the Host Committee, Goodman served as the "Happiest Mayor in the Universe" for Las Vegas. In April 2007, he captured 84 percent of the vote in his re-election effort to a third, four-year term.
During his tenure as mayor, Goodman amassed many accomplishments in the heart of downtown, including Symphony Park—a phenomenal, 61-acre planned development that includes the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. The park also includes a 350,000-square-foot performing arts center, boutique hotels, multiple high-residential units, and business, medical, and retail opportunities. At the conclusion of his last term, Goodman did what no other mayor has ever done in the country—swear in his wife, Carolyn Goodman, as the new mayor of Las Vegas.
Goodman was born and raised in Philadelphia. He graduated from Haverford College and received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He has been recognized by the National Law Journal as one of the "15 Best Trial Lawyers in America." In addition to his work as No. 1 ambassador of Las Vegas, he took up acting by playing himself in the movie "Casino" and most recently starring in an episode of the primetime hit series "CSI Las Vegas."