Southern Gaming Summit General Sessions Attract Gaming Industry Leaders, Mississippi Governor

BILOXI, Miss. (March 18, 2004) — Southern Gaming Summit is renowned for bringing together a stellar array of speakers and panelists from among the industry’s top executives and decision-makers. This year’s lineup is the most dynamic in memory.

More than 70 gaming industry and community leaders will serve as speakers, panelists and moderators at the two-day conference, featuring the theme “Casinos and Community,” which addresses the important bond between our industry and the communities we call home. Leading the outstanding list of presenters are these keynote speakers and panelists:

•     Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and MGM MIRAGE Chairman and CEO J. Terrence Lanni, who will provide keynote addresses at the Day 1 General Session, May 5.

•     At the Day 2 General Session, American Gaming Association President and CEO Frank Fahrenkopf, Jr. will lead a panel of several of the industry’s most respected voices, discussing “The State of Gaming.” Panelists will be Isle of Capri President and COO Timothy M Hinkley; IGT Chairman G. Thomas Baker; Deutsche Bank Securities Managing Director Marc Falcone; National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest Stevens; and Boyd Gaming Corporation President Donald D. Snyder.

The Southern Gaming Summit has grown to become the largest gaming expo and conference outside of Las Vegas. More than half of last year’s attendees came from outside of Mississippi – 42 states and several Canadian provinces were represented. Gaming leaders from across the country appreciate Southern Gaming Summit because it is a great place to conduct business while enjoying the beauty and relaxed atmosphere of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Southern Gaming Summit, which includes the biggest gaming expo outside of Las Vegas, with more than 200 exhibitors. The full conference lineup and online registration are available at www.sgsummit.com. Full conference registration is $495 through the early-bird deadline of April 16. Registration includes all seminars, Opening Night Reception, Taste of the Gulf Coast Casinos Dinner, and admission to the expo. To view the list of seminar topics and speakers, visit the web site, or call 702-794-0718 x 200 to request a brochure.

The Summit is produced by Ascend Media Gaming Group, the Gulf Coast Gaming Association and its members: Beau Rivage Resort, Boomtown Casino, Casino Magic Bay St. Louis, Casino Magic Biloxi, Copa Casino, Grand Casino Biloxi, Grand Casino Gulfport, Imperial Palace, Isle of Capri Casino Resort, Palace Casino Resort, President Casino Resort and Treasure Bay Casino Resort.

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Media contact Stephen Gibbs, 913-344-1334; sgibbs@ascendmedia.com