G2E Podcasts » Casino Design

Tribal Perspective: Indian Gaming and the Obama Administration

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:09:43 +0000

Some of President Obama’s most ardent campaign supporters were Native Americans. The tribes believed they needed a change in the way they related to the federal government and that Obama would deliver. Now, one year later, tribal leaders, former and current federal officials and other experts come together to discuss whether the change they sought has been delivered, and what the future holds for Indian Country during this administration.

Moderator:
Tom Foley, President, Foley Law Group

Speakers:
Tom Brierton, President, Franklin Creek Consulting
Larry Rosenthal, Partner, Ietan Consulting, LLC
John Tahsuda, Vice President, Navigators Global LLC
Loretta Tuell, Attorney, AndersonTuell, LLP

Green Giants: Sustainability and Fiscal Responsibility

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:49:28 +0000

The casino industry has made great strides in demonstrating its commitment to the planet, with many companies doing so while simultaneously delivering the highest value to their shareholders. Leaders in casino resort sustainable design and construction, as well as operational green issues, review the process involved and the project specifications required for LEED certification. Learn how making your casino green can be a socially and fiscally responsible decision.

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

Speakers:
Chris Brophy, Vice President Environmental Compliance, MGM MIRAGE
Tony Cosentino, Project Design Coordinator, Perini Building Group
Eric Dominguez, Corporate Director of Energy & Environmental Services, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.
Paul Heretakis, Vice President, WESTAR Architects

The Lifecycle of Your Casino Property: Smart Planning for Infancy to Maturity

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:45:51 +0000

All casinos have a lifecycle. This session examines how to bolster the economic viability of a casino by planning for it. Developers, financiers, architects and operators explain current and future trends in casinos and amenities design that will drive patrons to your property during all the phases of its lifecycle. Learn about a casino’s physical plant beyond the gaming floor, the motivations of gaming patrons, and which outside experts should be a part of your project and why. Additionally, this session provides a chronological, step-by-step outline for planning, financing, designing and constructing a casino property.

Moderator:
Mickey Brown, President, G. Michael Brown & Associates

Speakers:
Brian Fagerstrom, AIA, President, WorthGroup Architects
Richard Meister, Vice President of Construction & Design, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.
Richard J. Rizzo, Vice Chairman, Perini Building Company
Joseph Weinberg, President of Gaming and Resorts, The Cordish Group

Big Brands: Native American Casino Design

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:42:04 +0000

Just as in the commercial market, a brand is what separates a successful Native American operation from its more pedestrian competitors. This session examines branding as part of the overall design process, including the minimization of costs and implications for long term success. Executives from some of the most recognizable brands in Indian Country discuss their experiences and offer valuable insights for expanding your casino brand through resort design.

Moderator:
Tom Hoskens, Vice President, Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A.

Speakers:
Charles “Chief” Boyd, Partner, Thalden-Boyd-Emery Architects
Andrew Kreft, Senior Principal & Director of Design, Lifescapes International, Inc.
J R Mathews, Vice Chairman, Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma
David Stewart, CEO, Cherokee Nation Entertainment

Encore! Encore!: A Case Study of the Newest Wynn Resort

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:39:28 +0000

While Steve Wynn’s latest creation, Encore in Las Vegas, may look similar from the outside, it is a totally separate resort from Wynn Las Vegas. Though the project was clearly inspired by its lovely older sister, Encore is sassy, energetic and luxurious. Designer Roger Thomas, architect DeRuyter Butler and others involved in the process explain how previous Wynn projects always have an impact on their successor and why the newer properties benefit from the lessons learned.

Moderator:
Steve Friess, Freelance Writer

Speakers:
DeRuyter Butler, Executive Vice President of Architecture, Wynn Design & Development at Wynn Resorts, Limited
Andrew Kreft, Senior Principal & Director of Design, Lifescapes International, Inc.
Todd-Avery Lenahan, Principal, ABA Design Studio
Roger Thomas, Executive Vice President Design, Wynn Design & Development

Renovation & Restoration: Making Old New Again

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:34:32 +0000

Few operators currently have the capital for major expansion projects, but casinos, especially those in competitive markets, cannot remain static, so the wise investment of available capital is crucial. Expert panelists share tips for creating a design project that will attract new players and make existing customers take notice, while maintaining a tight budget and timeframe. It is no longer a matter of adding square feet; learn how to cost-effectively maximize your casino’s potential and profits through targeted expansion projects.

Moderator:
Tom Wucherer, Principal, YWS Architects

Speakers:
Brad Friedmutter, Founder & CEO, The Friedmutter Group
Jon Lucas, President and General Manager, IP Casino Resort Sp
Barry Thalden, AIA, Partner, Thalden-Boyd-Emery Architects

Casino Floor Layout: Variations from Around the World

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:24:18 +0000

Not all casinos are created equal. In slots-only jurisdictions, the challenge is making machines accessible without overwhelming your patron. In Asia, where tables are king, the challenge is to make them seem singular and welcoming. New technologies, such as server-based gaming, also will influence the more flexible and fascinating casino floor of tomorrow. Learn where the future lies during this session.

Moderator:
Kimberly McCarron, Director of Gaming, SOSH Architects

Speakers:
Joel D. Bergman, AIA, Chairman, Bergman, Walls & Associates, Ltd.
Ethan Nelson, President, Steelman Partners
Paul Newton, Senior Vice President Strategy & Business Development, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA)

On Time and On Budget: Facing Reality in an Unrealistic World

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:21:04 +0000

The day of the multi-billion-dollar megaresort may be over. Casino owners and developers must now focus on more modest expansions that bring value to their brand and market. This session explains how to make those evaluations and how to track the process of design, construction and operation. Whether born of a shrinking budget or due to a changing time frame, strategic coordination of owners, architects, designers and builders is often the key to a successful delivery. Experts discussed the many and varied ways these groups can and should work together from inception to ribbon cutting.

Moderator:
Kirk Harman, President, The Harman Group

Speakers:
Dike Bacon, Principal, Hnedak Bobo Group, Inc.
Wayne Hickey, CEO, ROEL Construction, Inc.
Robert Kelly, President, Innovation Project Development
Jack Mohn, Vice President/Design, Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

Adding Sizzle to the Steak: Amenities Design

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:17:55 +0000

Creating amenities that compel casino guests to linger is a critical, though not always achieved, goal of casino design. Whether it is restaurants, spas, lounges, lobbies or other non-gaming areas, revenue can be gained from them if they are designed and operated in an efficient fashion. This session provides a blueprint for maximizing your amenities design investment. The session provides a new awareness in economies of scale and fabrication techniques, and explains how these inform the overall design process, with an emphasis on “flex” functions – utilizing a space for two or more purposes.

Moderator:
Raj Chandnani, Vice President, Strategy, WATG

Speakers:
George A. Bergman, AIA, Vice President, Bergman, Walls & Associates, Ltd.
Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, President & CFO, Lifescapes International, Inc.
Ann Fleming, Principal, Cleo Design

State of the Casino Design Industry: Where We Are, Where We Are Going

Rob — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:10:48 +0000

With the economy in a constant state of flux and many projects either delayed or canceled, the casino design industry is in a holding pattern. In this session, architects, designers, owners and gaming industry experts examined how the economy has impacted casino design in gaming jurisdictions around the world. They discussed new trends emerging in light of the downturn, solutions presented by various stakeholders and their plans for a rebound. This powerful session set the tone for the Casino Design conference and frame tropics to be discussed throughout the day.

Moderator:
Roger Gros, Publisher, Global Gaming Business

Speakers:
Brad Friedmutter, Founder & CEO, The Friedmutter Group
Cliff Kortman, President of Design and Construction, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.