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2009 Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation Honoring Roger Thomas

Rob — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:36:18 +0000

The Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually in honor of the late visionary Jay Sarno, to a leader within the casino design industry to acknowledge lifetime achievement. This year we honor Roger Thomas, executive vice president design for Wynn Design and Development, with the 2009 Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his significant career achievements in the field of casino resort interior design.

Honoree:
Roger Thomas, Executive Vice President Design, Wynn Design & Development

Conference Keynote Luncheon Featuring Michael D. Johnson, Dean of Hospitality at Cornell University

Rob — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:31:11 +0000

Michael D. Johnson, dean of hospitality at Cornell University shares his inspiring thoughts and tips on what it takes to become a leader in the gaming industry today.

Speaker:
Michael D. Johnson, Dean of Hospitality, Cornell Univeristy

2009 State of the Industry Keynote: Gaming’s New Guard

Rob — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:26:04 +0000

With the gaming industry facing stiff challenges, executives share fresh outlooks and unique viewpoints. Panelists include multi-jurisdictional operators and manufacturers whose companies have been at the cutting-edge of innovation in the past several years.

Moderator:
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., President and CEO of the American Gaming Association

Speakers:
Virginia McDowell, President and COO, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.
Nick Khin, President, Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
Keith Smith, president and CEO, Boyd Gaming Corporation.
Guillermo E. Gabella, director, Boldt S.A

Past Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Unite to Congratulate 2009 Recipient

Rob — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:48:59 +0000

The Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually in honor of the late visionary Jay Sarno, to a leader within the casino design industry to acknowledge lifetime achievement.

This year we will honor Roger Thomas, executive vice president of design for Wynn Design and Development, with the 2009 Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his significant career achievements in the field of casino resort interior design. The award will be presented during the Casino Design Luncheon on Monday, November 16.

In this podcast episode, we gather three former Sarno Award winners, and three legends of casino design. Don Brinkerhoff, Chairman & CEO, Lifescapes International, Inc, Brad Friedmutter, Founder & CEO, The Friedmutter Group, and Joel Bergman, Chairman, Bergman, Walls & Associates, Ltd., all joined together to express their admiration of Thomas’ work.

The three distinguished gentlemen also give us a sneak peak into the sessions they will take part in at the upcoming Casino Design program at G2E 2009.

To register for the G2E conference program and see this sessions as well as many others, please visit www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Register-Now

G2E Entertainment Arena Showcases the Best in this Critical Casino Focus

Rob — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:22:11 +0000

Don’t miss the Entertainment Arena at G2E—a specialty event that will highlight the importance of entertainment as a critical and growing non-gaming amenity within the industry.

Clinton Billups, Entertainment Arena Manager for G2E, joins us in this podcast episode to fill us in on the Entertainment Arena features, which include the G2E Entertainment Showcase Stage and the new G2E Variety Entertainment Showcase Stage.

The Entertainment Arena will be located in North Hall with F&B at G2E 2009. For more information, please click here.

To register for the G2E conference program and see this sessions as well as many others, please visit www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Register-Now

Giles and NIGA to Speak on Tribal Labor Relations at G2E

Rob — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:07:54 +0000

The issue of labor relations in Indian Country can be a thorny one. As sovereign nations, tribes have the right to set their own labor rules, but sometimes employees have a different idea.

At G2E 2009′s “Tribal Labor Relations: Sovereignty or Solutions” session, you’ll hear both from tribes with existing employee contracts and those considering them about how they can retain their sovereignty while satisfying the labor requests of their employees. The possible impact of the “Employee Free Choice Act” on tribal casinos, also known as the card-check bill, also will be discussed.

In this podcast episode, we are joined by Jason Giles, Deputy Director and General Counsel for the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA). Giles gives us a broad overview of the labor relations issue, and invites us to attend a few G2E sessions that relate to tribal gaming issues.

To register for the G2E conference program and see this sessions as well as many others, please visit www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Register-Now

Stay Ahead of the Curve: Understand the Impact of Networked Gaming

Rob — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:38:06 +0000

One of the reasons networked gaming has been so anticipated is its immense potential. One of the most anticipated sessions at G2E 2009, “The Possibilities: The Impact of Networked Gaming, Part 2,” will continue educating attendees on this subject.

Attendees of this session will learn how networked gaming can grow from its current infancy into full maturity and what hurdles might be in its path and understand what it will mean for marketing, operations, design and the bottom line. Methods for streamlining customer acceptance of the new product also will be discussed, as well as its incorporation into the entire enterprise.

One of the panelists will be Bruce Rowe, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, at Bally Technologies. In this podcast episode, Rowe tells us how networked gaming will change the gaming industry.

“The Possibilities: The Impact of Networked Gaming, Part 2″ will be held on Tuesday, November 17 at 11:45 AM.

To register for the G2E conference program and see this sessions as well as many others, please visit www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Register-Now

Beating the Recession: Learn How to Get the Most Out of Your Casino Budget

Rob — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:23:06 +0000

During challenging economic times, marketing budgets are often the first to be reduced if not eliminated entirely. The “Marketing ROI: Getting the Most Out of Your Casino Budget” session at G2E 2009 will explain how to evaluate the expenditure of marketing dollars and their direct impact on the bottom line.

In this session you will learn how new techniques, new media and new forums can help casino marketers be more cost effective and lead to higher returns on investments.

In this podcast episode Luigi Mastropietro, Vice President, Relationship Marketing at Global Cash Access, Inc., joins us to discuss “Marketing ROI,” which he will be moderating. This session will take place on Thursday, November 19 at 9:15AM.

To register for the G2E conference program and see this sessions as well as many others, please visit www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Register-Now

Learn to Manage Arrests on the Casino Floor at G2E Panel

Rob — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:44:36 +0000

The “Arrests on the Casino Floor: Managing Control and Restraint” session at G2E 2009, moderated by Alan Zajic, will present best practices and insight on how to manage difficult arrests on the casino floor.

Speakers will discuss how to minimize injuries to employees and patrons, minimize liability exposure and deal with the public in these sometimes necessary arrests. Effective methods for avoiding “take downs” and “dog piles” will be offered, and a series of actual video clips of incidents will be shown. Case discussions on applicable policies and procedures, training, reporting and liability exposure through trial also will be presented.

Zajic, a CSP and Security Consultant for AWZ Consulting Services, joins us in this podcast episode to discuss the importance of minimizing disruption on the casino floor during these incidents.

To register for the G2E conference program and see this sessions as well as many others, please visit www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Register-Now

Mark Birtha to Moderate RD&E: The Operators Perspective Panel

Rob — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:06:32 +0000

Non-gaming amenities were the buzzword in the industry for many years. The recent economic downturn, however, has returned focus to the gaming floor. Must the two be mutually exclusive, or can they work together in boon and bust?

Several major operators will gather to discuss which formulas make sense and which have gone too far. They’ll explain how their properties and companies view the non-gaming segment of the market and how it can be effectively developed and evaluated.

In this podcast episode, Mark Birtha, Vice President Development / Project Manager for Marriott Las Vegas, discusses the details of this panel, which will take place on November 16 at 2:00 PM.

To register for the G2E conference program and see this sessions as well as many others, please visit www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Register-Now

Become the Most Effective Leader You Can Be with the G2E Leadership Academy

Rob — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:56:17 +0000

The G2E Leadership Academy, presented in partnership with Tracom Group—experts in the field of leadership and interpersonal effectiveness training, will help all levels of gaming executives unleash their interpersonal skills and develop individual performance and team leadership skills.

In this podcast episode Bob Schwieterman, VP and General Manager of Tracom Group’s Performance Consulting Division, gives us a sneak peak into what he’s got in store for the 2009 G2E Leadership Academy.

Schwieterman tells us that as an attendee you will learn how to:

Develop insights about your behavioral strengths and areas for improvement.
Use coaching to improve performance, develop job skills and enhance your management effectiveness.
Use coaching to develop the potential of your staff.

To register for the G2E conference program and see this sessions as well as many others, please visit www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Register-Now

Thriving in A Crisis Sessions Continue at G2E 2009

Rob — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:54:09 +0000

In these unprecedented times, you simply cannot afford to miss hearing critical insights from industry luminaries who are facing and meeting the challenges of today’s economy. G2E and Fine Point Group will continue a multi-part Webinar Series at the upcoming G2E Conference that will give you tips and strategies to help your business remain strong despite never-before-seen competitive pressures, and learn how to survive, and even thrive, no matter the economy.

Randall Fine, managing director of The Fine Point Group, joins us in this podcast episode to discuss what attendees of these sessions can expect to learn. For more information about the upcoming sessions, please follow these links to Part IV and Part V.

If you missed the first three installments, you can watch the recorded Webinars in the G2E Webinar Archives.

To register for the G2E conference program and see this sessions as well as many others, please visit www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Register-Now

Design Dialogue: Everything You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask

Rob — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:38:29 +0000

A blockbuster panel of the gaming industry’s design and construction giants gathered to share lessons learned over the past few decades and answer questions from the audience. Topics discussed includeed theme-ing, multi-use developments, retail, modernism, non-gaming amenities and more.

Moderator:
Barry Thalden, AIA, Partner, Thalden-Boyd-Emery Architects

Panelists:
Don Brinkerhoff, Chairman & CEO, Lifescapes International, Inc.
Brad Friedmutter, Founder & CEO, The Friedmutter Group
Scott U. Walls, AIA, President & COO, Bergman, Walls & Associates, Ltd.

Tribal Labor Relations: Union Organizing At Tribal Casinos

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:06:03 +0000

At one time, Native Americans thought tribal sovereignty allowed them to establish their own labor laws on the reservation. Today that assumption is being attacked more frequently and union activity is on the rise in tribal gaming facilities across the country. Expert panelists outline the state of the legal argument, possible strategies for dealing with unionization efforts and the importance of creating a healthy relationship with your tribal workforce.

Moderator:
Jason Giles, Deputy Director & General Counsel, National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA)

Panelists:
Barry J. Cregan, President, Foxwoods Resort Casino
Jim Teague, Executive Vice President, Labor Relations Institute, Inc.

Risk Management: Understanding and Predicting

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:05:21 +0000

Given human fallibility and unpredictability, how do you manage uncertainty? Can you afford not to have risk management programs in place in fast changing markets? Learn how to identify risk, understand what drives that risk, quantify potential upside/downside outcomes, develop countermeasures to mitigate risk and make rational risk-adjusted decisions.

Moderator:
Judy Patterson, Senior Vice President & Executive Director, American Gaming Association (AGA)

Panelists:
Paula C. Gentile, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, MGM MIRAGE Risk Management
Michael Kostrinsky, Esq., Chief Litigation Officer, Harrah’s Corporate Law Department

Rules and Regs: The Impact of Discounts and the Effect of Rules on Table Games

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:02:33 +0000

In today’s competitive markets, both destination resorts and local casinos are vying to capture the premium guest. This panel explores the validity of offering loss rebates and what the true impact is on casino operations. During this lively session, panelists debated the issues while trying to determine what rules and policies actually make a casino the most money.

Speaker:
Jim Kilby, Gaming Consultant, OKIE International

Covert Cameras: The Basics of Internal Investigations

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:56:39 +0000

It is common practice for surveillance departments to be asked to conduct internal investigations of employees. Learn how new covert technology like pinhole cameras, wireless DVR units and computer interfaces make internal investigations clandestine and can significantly increase the detection rate of employee related incidents. In this podcast episode, you will learn the importance and benefits of utilizing covert cameras during investigations, the proper placement and installation of covert cameras and the liabilities associated with these types of investigations.

Speaker:
Jessie Beaudoin, Surveillance Property Manager, Stratosphere Hotel & Casino

SIGNATURE SERIES: Retail 101: A Primer for the Non-Retail Executive

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:53:54 +0000

Retail has become a powerful component of the modern hotel casino resort product. Not only is it a fantastic product differentiator, it provides a casino operator with competitive advantages and marketing appeal. Executives and managers trained specifically in gaming learn little about retail along the way. Yet retail can drive volumes of new visitors to the door and be a highly profitable amenity to offer. In this session, such topics as required space, retail design, tenant mix, leasing and fees, and product pricing are discussed. Panelists also suggest how best to manage your retail activity in order to maximize profit and how to synergize retail with other property activities.

Moderator:
Mark Birtha, Vice President Development / Project Manager, Marriott Las Vegas

Panelists:
Craig Cavileer, President, Silverton Hotel and Casino
Matt Landry, Vice President of Strategic Consulting, The Innovation Group
Jim Reding, Principle, Style Box Las Vegas

Instant Incentives: Pushing the Envelope During Hard Times

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:46:38 +0000

When it becomes more difficult to attract customers because of economic woes and travel costs, it takes innovative ideas to stand out. In this podcast episode, learn how these ideas are formulated and why items such as gas cards, travel vouchers and mortgage-payoff sweepstakes can make the difference between staying at home and going to the casino.

Moderator:
Luigi Mastropietro, Vice President, Relationship Marketing, Global Cash Access, Inc.

Panelists:
Staci Columbo, Vice President of Northern NV Operations, Station Casinos, Inc.
Linda Gordon, Director of Gaming Promotions, SCA Promotions, Inc.
Whitney Pidot, Partner, McKinsey & Company

Market Research: A Top-Down or Bottom-Up Approach?

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:43:25 +0000

Market research can be used to validate top-down strategies developed in the boardroom by going to the marketplace and testing whether those tactics work. Alternatively, taking a bottom-up approach, market research can survey the market and determine from your current and potential future visitors what they want and conceptualize a program around their input. This panel shows you how to do both.

Moderator:
Gary Border, President, Marketing Results, Inc. (MRI)

Panelists:
Rick Garlick, Senior Director of Consulting and Strategic Implementation, Maritz Research
Leslie Martin, Director of Client Services, Sterling Research Group
David Zamarin, President, Exxact Research + Marketing

Online Revolution: An iGaming Update

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:25:22 +0000

The past year has been challenging for iGaming, but are changes on the rise? Enforcement of the UIEGA has been spotty at best and the U.S. Congress is asking if it’s worth it. Several smaller nations are reaping the benefits of legally regulating and promoting the activity, while others continue to consider it, and wireless wagering is making iGaming one of the hottest issues in the industry. Learn about all this and more during this informative session.

Moderator:
Frank Fahrenkopf, Jr., President & CEO, American Gaming Association (AGA)

Panelists:
Anthony N. Cabot, Esq., Partner, Lewis & Rocca, LLP
Paul Mathews, Senior Vice President, International Game Technology (IGT)
John Pappas, Executive Director, Poker Players Alliance

Server-Based Gaming: Beginning to Begin

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:20:35 +0000

While it may still be unclear when and how server-based gaming will be introduced widely across the industry and to the consumer, the question of if it will is no longer. The technology has been in beta testing at several operations for many months, so it’s really only a matter of time. Vendors on this panel will discuss how they plan to manage the introduction of server-based gaming and operators involved in the beta testing will offer insight on how to prepare for it at your own property.

Moderator:
Roy Student, President, Applied Management Strategies

Panelists:
Jeff Allen, Senior Director of Business Development, Bally Technologies, Inc.
David Durst, Product Marketing Manager, International Game Technology (IGT)
Laurie Lasseter, Vice President of Engineering & Chief Technology Officer, WMS Gaming, Inc.

Food and Finance: How to Run a Profitable F&B Operation

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:17:25 +0000

Efficient kitchen design, system and control standards, food and labor percentages, pricing, menu design and purchasing can all contribute to the ultimate success or failure of a food service operation. Learn more about these and other important topics to consider when launching your next F&B venue. Experts in the field share the wealth of lessons they have learned along the way during this information session.

Speaker:
Mike Holtzman, President, Profitable Food Facilities

Booking the Best: The Art and Science of Casino Talent Buying

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:14:34 +0000

Successful entertainment in a casino environment means more than just filling seats. In this podcast episode, learn how to fill them with the right people, how to get the acts you target for that purpose, and how to work with talent agents and artist management to negotiate deals. The pros and cons of outsourcing these responsibilities are also discussed.

Moderator:
Brian Knaff, President & Owner, Talent Buyers Network

Panelists:
Jeff Allen, Co-Owner & Agent, Universal Attractions
Bill Bollie, Entertainment Director, Emerald Queen Hotel & Casinos
Steve Hauser, Senior Vice President, William Morris Agency

Power Up: Energy Solutions for the Casino Industry

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:10:43 +0000

Anyone who has filled their car with gas understands the impact of spiraling energy costs. In this podcast episode, experts discuss strategies to control and even reduce these expenses in new and existing casinos, using innovative technologies, alternate fuels and renewable energy.

Moderator:
William Weinaug, Executive Vice President, X-nth

Panelists:
Eric Dominguez, Corporate Director of Energy & Environmental Services, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.
Patricia Ehrhart, Senior Vice President, Managing Director, Energenic
Dave Gildersleeve, Corporate Director of Facilities, Station Casinos, Inc.

Ethics in Gaming: A Handbook for Casino Executives

Rob — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:06:32 +0000

Integrity is perhaps the most important aspect of any gaming operation. From the games operation to the back of the house, casinos have nothing if they don’t have integrity. During this session, attorneys, operators and manufacturers alike explain why ethical behavior likely is more important in the casino industry than any other and how to ensure that all members of your organization adhere to company standards.

Moderator:
Jeffrey R. Rodefer, Vice President of Legal Affairs, Assistant General Counsel & Corporate Compliance Officer, Boyd Gaming Corporation

Panelists:
Bob Faiss, Partner, Lionel Sawyer Collins
Dennis Gallagher, Vice President Chief Regulatory & Compliance Officer, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.
Jack Godfrey, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Walt Stowe, Jr., Vice President of Legal, Compliance and General Counsel, Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc.