Southern Gaming Summit draws raves on its return to Biloxi

BILOXI, Miss. (May 16, 2007) — The future couldn’t be brighter for the Gulf Coast, a fact that was quite clear to the 5,000 people in attendance at the 14th annual Southern Gaming Summit, held here last week. After the area’s destruction by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the region has roared back, with exotic new resorts open and more in the wings.

Miss. Governor Haley Barbour provided the Summit’s keynote address, and he commended the gaming industry for helping create jobs and economic development in the devastated region – more than 11,000 workers are employed at 10 Coast casinos.

“Everybody was thrilled to be back in Biloxi,” said Beverly Martin, Executive Director of the Mississippi Casino Operators Association, producer of the Summit along with Ascend Media Gaming Group. “The elaborate welcome reception at the new IP Casino Resort Spa, sponsored by Bally Technologies, gave people a first-hand look at the Gulf Coast of the future. And the annual Taste of the South provided further proof of the artistry and skills of the people here.”

The expanded conference program at this year’s Summit was also a big hit, as more than 100 speakers kept the attendees informed on topics such as Gulf Coast recovery and rebirth, tribal gaming, slot machines and gaming law.

The Southern Gaming Summit is the largest gaming trade show held outside of Las Vegas, and some 340 exhibit booths packed the show floor; exhibitors were kept busy with the large crowd in attendance. “They were so pleased that almost 90 percent of exhibitors have already renewed for next year,” noted Lesley Grashow, Ascend’s director of gaming event sales.

The 2008 Summit will be held May 7-8 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center. For information as it becomes available, visit www.sgsummit.com. 

Media Contact: Beverly Martin, Executive Director, Mississippi Casino Operators Association; WINMCOA@aol.com or (228) 388-0087.