2008 SGS Conference

Register Today

(as of May 1; subject to change)

Tuesday, May 6

6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Hosted by
Sponsored by

Wednesday, May 7

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

Decision 2008: What’s at Stake for Gaming?
This year’s elections highlight a busy period for the gaming industry on the political and legislative front. The outcome of the presidential contest will have a direct impact on the gaming industry, since it will bring with it a new head of the Department of Interior and, potentially, a new approach to a whole host of legal and regulatory issues, including land-in-trust and off-reservation gaming. At the state level, there are numerous high-profile contests that bring with them the potential for risk and reward on operational and tax matters. This session will also examine the impact of a sluggish U.S. economy and falling tax revenues and the resulting potential for new enabling legislation nationwide.
Moderator: Bobby Moak, Chairman, Gaming Committee, Mississippi House of Representatives
Speakers: Cathy Beeding, Vice President and General Counsel, Island View Casino Resort; Danny Davila, Chief Financial Officer, Bacaran Bay; A.J. Holloway, Mayor, City of Biloxi; Jana McKeag, President, Lowry Strategies

Networked Slot Floor of the Future – How Do We Get There From Here?
Presented by Slot Manager Institute
Nothing has raised more hopes and questions from casino operators than server-based, or networked, gaming. While the networked gaming floor of the future holds much promise, it’s clear that significant hurdles remain, including regulatory and practical challenges. Just exactly how will this work in the real world? Will there be more than one model for operation? Will manufacturers be able to play together nicely in the sandbox? How can regulators ensure adequate controls and protections? Will players accept the new technology? What will be the pricing model or models? In this session, panelists address these and other issues crucial to the adoption of networked gaming technology.
Moderator: Peter DeRaedt, President, Gaming Standards Association
Speakers:Todd Elsasser, Director of Technical Compliance, Cyberview Technology Inc.; James Maida, President and Co-Founder, Gaming Laboratories International; Mark Pace, Vice President Engineering Services, WMS Gaming, Inc. Richard Schneider, Senior Vice President, Network Systems, IGT; Ramesh Srinivasan, Executive Vice President, Systems, Bally Technologies

Labor Unionization
Presented by International Masters of Gaming Law
What is the effect of labor unions on gaming establishments today, and how much difference is there between gaming operations in right-to-work states such as Mississippi and in labor-friendly states like Michigan? Panelists at this session have been through the regulatory side of the unionization of a casino work force. They will address the challenges they have seen, and speak to the benefits – in some cases a more cohesive staff emerges.
Moderator: Stephen J. Cabot, Chairman, Cabot Institute for Labor Relations
Speakers: Linda Kassekert, Chair, New Jersey Casino Control Commission; E. Fredrick Preis, Jr., Senior Partner, Labor and Employment Law Section, Lemle & Kelleher, L.L.P.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

Class II Gaming: Regulatory and Market Update
The long sought after bright line between Class II and Class III gaming machines is a source of contention between gaming tribes and the federal government. This session will examine the political and legal debate surrounding proposed classification standards from the federal and tribal perspectives. What would be the impact on revenue of slower-playing games if the National Indian Gaming Commission standard announced last fall was adopted? What does a thriving and exciting Class II gaming environment represent to tribes from a business and sovereignty standpoint and how have they mobilized to protect their interests? This session will examine the latest Class II gaming developments and offer the outlook for growth in this segment from leading operators and suppliers.
Moderator: Judy Shapiro, esq.
Speakers: Ron Harris, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rocket Gaming Systems; Dale Hipsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Pearl River Resort; Philip N. Hogen, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission; Jamie Hummingbird, Director, Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission; Knute Knudson, Jr., Vice President, Native American Development, IGT

Slot Math: What is Your Machine Really Worth?
Presented by Slot Manager Institute
If there is an apparent disparity between what the casino theoretically should be winning from the players and what they actually are winning from clients on “slot” gaming devices, the culprit may be the machines’ calibration. The measure of variance between the two provides a performance indicator of how close (or far) a certain grouping of players is gaming away from the norm. The aberration (or absolute variance) is the measure, not whether a casino is winning or losing. This session will look at this issue and others like getting accurate reads on handle and whether multi-denomination or multi-game machines really provide operators an advantage.
Moderator: David Paster, Faculty Member, College of Business, University of Southern Mississippi
Speakers: Ralph Burdick, Assistant General Manager, IP Casino Resort & Spa; Lars Klander, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tech Results

Regulator Roundtable
Presented by International Masters of Gaming Law
In a free-wheeling roundtable presentation, gaming regulators from across the country will discuss key issues that are regarded as priorities within their respective jurisdictions. Panelists will address the complexities of today’s regulatory world where gaming executives and counsel have to cope with globalization, problem gambling, cheating, and compliance issues.
Moderator: Ron Peresich, Partner, Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott, PLLC
Speakers: Michael C. Epps, Commissioner, New Jersey Casino Control Commission; H. Charles Gaudin, Chairman, Louisiana Gaming Control Board; Larry Gregory, Executive Director, Mississippi Gaming Commission; Josh Lichtblau, Director, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement; Linda Minash, President, Gaming Informatics LLC

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

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
General Session - Building a Destination
As building and business opportunities abound along the Gulf Coast, industry leaders have an eye toward tomorrow with regard to their approach to tourism, casino hotel development and building the convention business. Join the leaders of several Gulf Coast industries as they discuss the opportunities—and challenges—they face in rebuilding their communities. This informative session will provide insight into the community’s overall outlook, goals they hope to attain, their relationship with the gaming industry and the industry’s role in creating viable tourist destinations.
Introductions: Tess Ingram, General Manager, Lighthouse Point Casino and Vice Chair, Mississippi Casino Operators Association
Moderator: Michael F. Cavanaugh, Special Counsel on Indian Gaming, City of Biloxi and Member, Reviving the Renaissance
Speakers: Rip Daniels, Commissioner, Harrison County Tourism Commission; Bruce Frallic, Executive Director, Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport; John Hairston, Commissioner, Mississippi Gaming Commission and CEO, Hancock Bank; Ricky Mathews, President and Publisher, Sun Herald and Co-Chairman, Tourism Initiative of the Gulf Coast Business Council

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

6:00 p.m. –  9:00 p.m.
Taste of the South Reception

Thursday, May 8

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
Smarter Operations: Business Intelligence and Analytics
The gaming industry has always enjoyed well-developed relationships with its patrons. But as customers grow in number and become more global in nature, keeping up with guest preferences and demands can be challenging. In this unique session, business intelligence experts will showcase new strategies for truly understanding and effectively communicating with patrons, as well as how technology and forward-looking solutions are simplifying a tremendous task.
Moderator: Gregory T. Bradley, Ph.D., President and Managing Member, The Bradley Research Group, LLC
Speakers: Rory Fagan, Sales Manager, Hospitality and Gaming Industry, SAS; Brian Gress, Product Manager, IGT Mariposa; David M. Porter, Director, Hospitality Solutions, Teradata Corp.

Driving Slot Play – How Digital Signage and Other Hot Trends Can Help Casinos Increase Play and Boost Loyalty
Presented by Slot Manager Institute
Casino executives are constantly on the lookout for new products and strategies that can give them a competitive edge and increase player loyalty. One of the newest trends is the deployment of digital signage and bonusing products designed to pull players in and keep them firmly planted in their slot seats. These can offer messaging to communicate with players in real-time fashion. Other strategies aim to get players to come to your property and to return on a regular basis. These have proven incredibly successful at not only creating excitement on the floor, but also in helping boost a casino player database.
Moderator: Mick Roemer, President, Roemer Gaming Speakers: Jon Berkley, President and Chief Executive Officer, Las Vegas Gaming Inc.; Bob Brian, Vice President, SCA Gaming; Gregg Solomon, Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Entertainment LLC; John E. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO, GameLogic Inc.

Gaming Regulatory Challenges in a Shrinking World
Presented by International Masters of Gaming Law
Most gaming companies today operate properties in multiple jurisdictions – several states, provinces, Indian nations and now, across the globe. Is it possible or even feasible for a company to design, yet alone implement, a compliance program that will satisfy regulators in multiple jurisdictions where requirements and expectations vary wildly? Hear what the experts on this multi-jurisdictional panel have to say about the things they have witnessed and tried for themselves.
Moderator: Robert W. Stocker II, Member, Dickinson Wright PLLC and President, International Masters of Gaming Law
Speakers: Allen Godfrey, Deputy Director, Mississippi Gaming Commission; Jeremy Kleiman, Executive Vice President, Regulatory and Business Affairs, Coastal Development LLC; Peter Maheu, Managing Partner, Global Intelligence Network; Britt Singletary, Partner, Singletary & Thrash - Biloxi, P.A.; Sam Weaver, Chief Compliance Officer, Elektroncek d.d.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

Fighting for Finance
Sponsored by
Gulf Coast casinos broke gross gambling revenue records in 2007, generating a combined $1.3 billion, easily surpassing the pre-Katrina record of $1.2 billion set in 2004, according to the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Despite this good news, the financial markets have been bearish on gaming stocks of late, and many casino firms saw their values decline over the past year. Where will companies seeking to expand in a booming Gulf Coast marketplace go for funding if Wall Street remains tight? How will recession fears impact the money markets and gaming throughout the region and the United States? A panel of gaming Wall Street analysts and financial experts will discuss these and other issues that could impact the investment outlook for the Gulf Coast casino industry.
Moderator: Joseph Weinert, Senior Vice President, Spectrum Gaming Group
Speakers: Steve Croxton, Managing Director, Gaming & Leisure Investment Banking Group, Jefferies & Company, Inc.; Scott Fisher, Ph.D., Managing Director, The Innovation Group; Bill Lerner, Managing Director and Senior Gaming and Lodging Analyst, Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.; Alex R. Picou, Managing Director, Gaming, Travel and Leisure, KeyBanc Capital Markets; Stephen J. Turpin, Manager-Director, ORIX Finance

Hot Slots
Presented by Slot Manager Institute
Slot players are a fickle bunch. Some find a game they like and stick to their tried-and-true favorite. More and more, though, players are willing to give new innovative products a try, and so gaming developers continue to bring out new games and play options. The result: a dynamic market that’s seeing more innovation than ever – from community games and electronic table games to games that include bonus elements from real video games. Even mechanical three-reel slots are seeing innovative changes that have manifested themselves in a resurgence of these games. Hear from representatives of major gaming companies about the innovations today and tomorrow.
Moderator: Charles Anderer, Senior Events Manager, Gaming, BNP Media
Speakers: Brenda Boudreaux, Vice President of Product Management, IGT; Alan Cripe, Director of Game Sales, Eastern Region, Konami Gaming, Inc.; Allon Englman, Vice President of Game Design and Strategy, WMS Gaming, Inc.; Sean Evans, Senior Vice President Sales, Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.; Christopher Strano, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, AC Coin & Slot

Game Protection in the High-Tech Age
The goal for any effective casino security and surveillance department is to protect the assets of the property and its customers while upholding the integrity and fairness of games. But there’s a vast subculture of scammers and cheats that provide a unique set of challenges to that task. This session will feature a panel of experts that will provide a valuable update on the nefarious tactics used to thwart casinos, as well as debate whether security and surveillance departments should act as law enforcers or simply monitor the games.
Moderator: Andy Holtmann, Editor, Casino Journal
Speakers: Stephan Coleman, Director of Surveillance, Bally’s Casino; George Joseph, Owner, Worldwide Casino Consulting; Anne Mockler, Director of Surveillance, Beau Rivage Resort, Inc.

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

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Keynote Address
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour
Sponsored by

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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!
Speakers: Patricia Hanes, Regional Director, Minority Business Development Agency, U. S. Department of Commerce; Ronald N. Langston, National Director, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce; Richard Speights, Director, Minority and Small Business Development, Mississippi Development Authority

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