On September 18–19, Governor Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Strategic Growth Initiative hosted the second annual Elements of Change: Lithium and Strategic Minerals Forum. Following last year’s successful debut in Lake Tahoe, this year’s event took place at the UFC’s APEX Arena in Las Vegas.
These forums have quickly become essential gatherings for a growing community of industry leaders, educators and researchers, regulatory experts, and other stakeholders—all focused on advancing Nevada’s position in the strategic minerals and lithium sectors.
Last year’s forum laid the foundation by emphasizing the importance of the industry to Nevada’s future and inviting new companies to explore opportunities in the state. This year, the conversation deepened with even more collaboration and engagement. We were proud to sponsor both events as the Nevada Battery Coalition, and to see firsthand how our community is evolving.
Throughout the two days, speakers from across the supply chain shared valuable insights, historical perspectives, and innovative solutions. It was striking to witness how far the industry has come in just a year—and even more inspiring to see connections forming in real time during networking sessions.
This year’s key topics included:
- Securing the Domestic Supply Chain
- Building Nevada’s Workforce
- Industry Breakthroughs and Innovations
- Policy, Permitting, and Public Trust
- What Nevada Got Right, and What’s Still Missing
Events like Elements of Change highlight how critical this industry is—not only for Nevada, but for the broader national landscape. They offer vital opportunities to collaborate, strengthen relationships, and identify tangible next steps for sustainable growth.
We’re grateful to Governor Lombardo for his continued leadership in convening this event and helping to accelerate Nevada’s lithium and battery innovation ecosystem.