G2E Podcasts » All G2E Premium Podcast

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.