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Tuesday, May 5

6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception
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Wednesday, May 6

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
The New Politics of Gaming
The political landscape has changed dramatically with the 2008 elections, nationally and in dozens of gaming states. How should the industry navigate this new ground? What can it expect from the inevitable shifts in public policy? How will these changes impact jurisdictional expansion, regulatory reform, taxes, labor rules, tribal-government relations and the future of gaming on the Web? These questions and more will be addressed in this important session.
Moderator: Connie Rockco, Supervisor District 5, Harrison Country Board of Supervisors
Speakers: Sam Begley, Partner, Begley Law Firm PLLC; J. Kelly Duncan, Partner, Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre L.L.P.; Lyle Hall, Managing Director, HLT Advisory Inc.; Philip N. Hogen, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission; E. Fredrick Preis, Jr., Senior Partner, Labor and Employment Law Section, Lemle & Kelleher, L.L.P.

Customer Service as a Marketing Tool
Eligible for Tulane Certificate of Attendance
Customer service has always been a key differentiator among casinos, and its importance only increases when customers are feeling the pinch. Beyond the obvious relationship-building benefits that service represents, first-rate service is a low- to no-cost way for casinos to re-invest in their customers. This session will examine the questions of what represents good customer service in today’s casino environment, how to make service memorable and how to translate good service into effective marketing.
Moderator: Alan Silver, Director of Casino Resort Studies, Tulane School of Continuing Studies
Speakers: Steve Browne, President, Raving Service; LuAnn Pappas, Vice President of Marketing & Non Gaming Operations, Grand Biloxi Casino Hotel & Spa; W. Allen Watson, PhD, Consultant, Workplace Solutions Group and Adjunct Professor of Casino Leadership and Customer Service, Tulane School of Continuing Studies

Securing the Total Facility
As casino-hotels grow in complexity, security and surveillance remain top priorities for casino operators. The importance of the safety and security of their guests and employees is top of mind, as is the importance of protecting and securing casino property. Casinos must be prepared to handle all manner of incidents, including casino theft or robbery, natural disasters, terrorist threats and more. This requires an emphasis on proper training and a focus on ensuring the necessary equipment and resources are at hand. Hear from experts on the latest security and surveillance trends during this session.
Moderator: Dan Rajnic, Director of Security, Boomtown Casino Biloxi
Speakers: Douglas L. Florence Sr., Director, Gaming Sector, NiceVision; James McGee, Visiting Instructor, USM and Adjunct Professor of Homeland Security, Tulane School of Continuing Studies

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
Financial Roundtable
Faced with the twin blows of recession and a global credit crisis, gaming is grappling with the most difficult times in its history. Industry financial leaders gather with top investment analysts for a no-holds-barred discussion of the impacts and the challenges that lie ahead. The outlook for the economy, consumer spending, the future of the capital markets and the prospects for growth are among critical issues that will be examined.
Moderator: Michael J. Pollock, Managing Director, Spectrum Gaming Group
Speakers: Jeffrey M. Cooper, Treasurer, IP Casino Resort Spa and Partner, Bradshaw, Smith & Co., LLP; Bill Lerner, Principal, Union Gaming Group; Brian McGill, Research Analyst, Janney Montgomery Scott; Chevis C. Swetman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Peoples Bank; Paul West, Attorney, McGinchey Stafford, PLLC

National Economic Impact of Gaming
Eligible for Tulane Certificate of Attendance
Gaming has evolved from an industry on the fringe to an integral part of the U.S. consumer economy, and its growth continues as a positive force on communities nationwide, providing jobs and tax revenues and spurring economic development. Government and tribal leaders join with leaders from the industry to examine the impacts and offer their insights into the significant role gaming will play in today’s challenging economic environment.
Moderator: Bobby Moak, Chairman, Gaming Committee, Mississippi House of Representatives
Speakers: Michael F. Cavanaugh, Special Counsel on Indian Gaming, City of Biloxi; John Hairston, Chief Executive Officer, Hancock Bank and Chairman, Mississippi Gaming Commission; Owen Nitz, Partner, Nitz, Walton & Heaton, Ltd. and Co-Trustee, IP Casino Resort Spa; Sebastian Sinclair, President, Christiansen Capital Advisors; Robert Sturges, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nevada Gold and Casinos

F&B Trends: What’s Hot, What’s Not
Dining and drinking tastes and formats, themes, price points, facility design and the decision whether to lease or own present a moving target for food-and-beverage operators everywhere, casinos included. At the same time, there are tried-and-true aspects of the F&B mix that can always use updating, even as they remain fixtures on the casino landscape. What new national and regional trends do casino operators need to know about as it relates to their F&B offerings?
Moderator: Alexei Huguley, Culinary Arts Instructor, East Central Community College and Adjunct Professor of Food & Beverage, Tulane School of Continuing Studies
Speakers: George Burkhardt, Chief Operating Officer, Paragon Casino Resort; Michael Moore, Director of Hotel and Food and Beverage, Grand Biloxi Casino Hotel & Spa; Stephen Morgan, Vice President Food & Beverage Operations, IP Casino Resort Spa

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Networking Break

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
General Session - State of the Industry
Moderator: Jon Lucas, President and General Manager, IP Casino Resort Spa
Speakers: Virginia McDowell, President and Chief Operating Officer, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.; John Payne, President, Central Division, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.; Tim Wilmott, President and Chief Operating Officer, Penn National Gaming, Inc.

12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Managing Human Capital in a Downturn
Eligible for Tulane Certificate of Attendance
People are at the heart of any successful service-oriented business, and keeping your employees motivated and performing at top levels is a challenge even in good times. What happens when business conditions weaken and the traditional motivators, such as job security and the prospect of higher pay, are jeopardized? Speakers at this session will outline the steps your organization needs to be taking now not just to maximize employee performance, but also to ensure that your company’s human capital is still being properly developed.
Moderator: Catherine Timmons, Corporate Vice President Human Resources, PCI Gaming Authority
Speakers: John N. Ferrucci, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, Silver Slipper Casino; Tess Ingram, General Manager, Lighthouse Point Casino; Bell Kessler, Director of Human Resources, Isle of Capri Casinos; Humberto Trueba, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Pinnacle Entertainment

PowerConnect Plus: Leveraging Supplier Diversity for Global “Smart Growth”
Presented by Mississippi Minority Business Enterprise Center, a Federally-funded program by the Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce, operated by the Arkansas-Mississippi Minority Business Council.
Do you have a supplier diversity initiative that hasn't reached its full potential? Well, this is the opportunity you can't afford to miss. Come and hear from three of the nation's foremost experts in supplier diversity programming. Engaging competitive diverse suppliers in the corporate supply chain has significant strategic value. If the goals of your program are to better your supply chain solutions, increase access and utilization of minority business enterprises or meet customer/government compliance requirements, this session can help you to succeed. You will learn about the most up-to-date information on minority business development and successful approaches and strategies to meet the challenges of our expanding global marketplace. Come early....you don't want to miss this one!
Moderator: Michael B. Anderson, Program Director, Mississippi Minority Business Enterprise Center
Speakers: Patricia Hanes, Regional Director, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce; Boyd W. (Bo) Megginson, Jr., Vice President, Apogee Capital and Consulting; Ivory Williams, Director of Urban Development, City of Hattiesburg


2:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m.
Hot Slots
Presented by Slot Manager Institute
Competing for casinos’ limited budgets for new machines, slot makers have stepped up their game with more innovative products than ever. Many are designed with the future in mind, so casinos can buy them now without fear of a quick path toward obsolescence. Trends toward more player interaction and community involvement continue to gain momentum, along with more flexible platforms for both video and mechanical slots and initiatives enabling marketing to players at the slot machine. Speakers will elaborate on their latest and greatest products and innovations during this informative session.
Moderator: Marcus Prater, Executive Director, Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers
Speakers: Dean Ehrlich, Vice President of North American Sales, WMS Gaming, Inc.; Ryan Griffin, Product Manager for IGT Standard Products, IGT; Teri LeBaron, Stepper Product Manager, Bally Technologies; Ross O’Hanley, Senior Director of Marketing, Konami Gaming, Inc.; Chris Strano, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, AC Coin & Slot

6:00 p.m. –10:00 p.m.
Taste of the South Reception

Thursday, May 7

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
Cruise Ship Gaming and the Gulf
The potential of the cruise ship gaming industry still draws the attention of economic decision makers in coastal towns, even those with existing land-based gaming facilities. With cruises long an established part of the Gulf Coast leisure economy, the issue of cruise ship gaming is never that far from the surface. Hear from port authority and tourism officials, casino and cruise ship operators how cruise ship and land-based gaming can work together to grow the overall market.
Moderator: Cathy Beeding MacKenzie, Vice President and General Counsel, Island View Casino and Adjunct Professor of Gaming Law, Tulane School of Continuing Studies
Speakers: Paul Girvan, Managing Director, The Innovation Group; Gary P. LaGrange, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port of New Orleans; Tom Sawyer, Senior Vice President, Gaming and Hospitality, Beecher Carlson Corporation; Jim Simpson, Commissioner, Port of Gulfport; Trevor Taylor, Chief Operating Officer, SunCruz Casinos

Leveraging Networked Gaming to Enhance the Player Experience
Presented by Slot Manager Institute
Casino operators continue to show plenty of interest in networked or server-based gaming floors, although momentum for this new technology has slowed some due to the sagging economy. Still, throughout the country, casinos are trialing networked gaming technology, and most casino operators wouldn't think of building a new facility without laying the proper groundwork for server-based gaming in the future. Some manufacturers are also moving forward with products and applications they say can offer some of the benefits of server-based gaming right now. Session speakers will offer insights on this important topic.
Moderator: Marc McDermott, Technical Director, Gaming Standards Association
Speakers: Jamal Azzam, Director, Product Management, Downloadable & Server Based Gaming, Aristocrat Technologies; Joe Moore, Manager, Network Systems Products, IGT; Mark Pace, Vice President of Engineering Services, WMS Gaming, Inc.; Bruce Rowe, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Bally Technologies

Loyalty Marketing in Tough Times
Eligible for Tulane Certificate of Attendance
The battle for customer loyalty only intensifies when the economy slows down, but casinos need to strike a balance between customer retention and the bottom line. What type of realistic incentives do customers best respond to in this environment? What is the cost of rethinking your approach to hotel rooms, restaurants, amenities and/or entertainment as loyalty generators rather than profit centers? What are some low-cost ways to promote loyalty? These and other questions related to retaining customers in tough times will be explored in this session.
Moderator: Jim Kilby, Gaming Industry Consultant
Speakers: Randall A. Fine, Managing Director, The Fine Point Group; Lars Klander, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tech Results; Vince Manfredi, Director of Strategic Marketing Professional Services, IGT; Bradley Rhines, Vice President of Marketing & Player Development, IP Casino Resort Spa; Kari Stout-Smith, Director of Casino Marketing, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
Internet Gaming Update
Presented by International Masters of Gaming Law
The combination of a new Congress that is potentially more hospitable to Internet gaming and new regulations imposed by the outgoing Bush Administration that strengthen the hand of U.S. authorities in blocking foreign gaming sites has again brought the question of Internet gaming back into focus for the broader industry. This session will analyze the political, legal and legislative issues that are driving the current discussion, and what they mean for state governments, regulators and gaming operators across the country and around the world.
Moderator: Ronald J. Rychlak, Professor and Associate Dean, University of Mississippi School of Law
Speakers: Greg Means, Principal and Co-Founder, Alpine Group; Sanford I. Millar, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel, Centaurus Games Manager, Inc.; I. Nelson Rose, Professor of Law, Whittier Law School; Lawrence G. Walters, Partner, Weston, Garrou, Walters & Mooney

Table Game Profitability Strategies
For table game managers in today’s gaming world, the cost of doing business is of the utmost concern. The key to success in table games is to keep operational costs in line, including fixed labor costs and the ever increasing price of table game technologies, be they leased or purchased. This session will address the use of technology and table game products versus the actual cost of this technology, training concepts to get better usage out of leased technology and staff usage and payroll issues needed to maximize profits, all with an eye toward developing table game concepts that will make this department grow and thrive.
Moderator: Vic Taucer, President, Casino Creations
Speakers: Jim Bramblett, Director of Table Games, Harlow's Casino Resort; Max Mills, Senior Director of Table Games Operations, L'Auberge du lac Casino; Michael Patterson, Vice President, Table Games Operations, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino; Tim Perkins, Director of Casino Operations, Horizon Casino Resort; Jeff Prusinowski, Corporate Vice-President of Gaming Operations, Treasure Bay LLC

Making the Most of Your Amenity Mix
With the gaming side of the business under continued pressure, how can casinos best play their non-gaming card? Casino resort operators have made significant strategic investments in amenities over the years, including those in retail, pool areas, spas, fitness centers, and golf courses. This session will explore ways in which operators are leveraging their amenity mix to cement existing relationships and keep new customers coming into their facilities, and to support overall profitability.
Moderator: David Paster, Principal, Yarborough Planning, LLC
Speakers: Jonathan F. Douglas, Managing Principal, VOA Associates Inc.; Richard Dusseau, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Spa Strategy, Inc.; Kathy Gelston, Bureau Manager, Financial Resources Division, Mississippi Development Authority; Anthony F. Lucas, Associate Professor, UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration; Jon Lucas, President and General Manager, IP Casino Resort Spa

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Networking Break

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
General Session
Speaker: Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour
Presentation of the MCOA University of Southern Mississippi Scholarship

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Risk Management
Even though companies face difficult economic times, they should not forget important legal and ethical issues they have to deal with on an ongoing basis. This panel will address such issues related to casino practices and policies that address problem gambling, using the tools and strategies suggested by risk management, compliance to avoid unnecessary fines, and positive public relations to avoid negative press associated with problem gambling.
Moderator: Charles Anderer, Group Publisher, Gaming, BNP Media
Speakers: Bill Eadington, Director, Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming, University of Nevada, Reno; Betty Greer, Executive Director, Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling; Sue McNabb, Attorney at Law

12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open