Gulf Coast Gaming and Tourism to be Spotlighted at Southern Gaming Summit
BILOXI, Miss. (April 19, 2011) – The present and future of the Gulf Coast gaming and tourism economy will be addressed by business and political leaders at a number of high-profile sessions at the 18th annual Southern Gaming Summit to be held here May 4-5 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center.
Top gaming executives and elected officials will discuss the state of the industry and local economic impacts at keynote sessions on May 4 and May 5 respectively. Representatives from the financial community as well as gaming operators will analyze the past year’s results and forecast the potential for future growth at one breakout session, and state officials will lead an examination of the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the region’s tourism industry at another.
“We have assembled a can’t-miss lineup of topics and panelists for anyone interested in the current outlook for the Gulf Coast,” said Charles Anderer, Executive Editor, BNP Media Gaming Group. “Our conference attendees will be hearing from key players in both the private and public sectors about all the relevant issues affecting gaming and tourism throughout the region.”
Executives from Caesars Entertainment, Penn National Gaming, IP Casino Resort & Spa and Bally Technologies will field questions on the state of the industry from Tess Ingram, General Manager, Lighthouse Point Casino, and Chair, Mississippi Casino Operators Association, at the Executive Roundtable on May 4. This general session will be preceded by a Financial Roundtable discussion that includes Gerry Dugal, Treasurer, Hancock Holding Company and Christopher E. Jones, Director, Telsey Advisory Group, as panelists.
On May 5, “The Oil Spill One Year Later,” features a distinguished list of speakers that includes James Hood, Attorney General, State of Mississippi, Gains Sturdivant, President, MMI Hotel Group and Mary Beth Wilkerson, Director, Mississippi State Division of Tourism. Bobby Moak, Chairman, Gaming Committee, Mississippi House of Representatives, will moderate. A keynote session follows with speeches by Mayors A.J. Holloway of Biloxi and George A. Schloegel of Gulfport.
All conference attendees at Southern Gaming Summit and its companion show Bingo World Conference & Expo will have access to these sessions and the full educational program, which includes more than 20 breakout sessions and in-depth workshops. There are also plenty of networking opportunities available throughout the event, with evening entertainment that includes the opening night reception at the IP Casino, Resort, & Spa, the annual Taste of the Casinos – Southern Sunsets dinner, and an expanded trade show floor that includes both Southern Gaming Summit and Bingo World exhibitors. Trade show hours are expanded this year, allowing more time for interaction between vendors and customers. Full details on every aspect of the show are available at www.sgsummit.com
With its unique and dynamic audience of commercial and tribal casinos, racetrack gaming and bingo operators, Southern Gaming Summit has again drawn strong exhibit booth, sponsorship and advertising sales. Some exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities remain, so contact Lesley Grashow at grashowl@bnpmedia.com for more information.
Media Contacts: Charles Anderer, Executive Editor, BNP Media, andererc@bnpmedia.com or (914) 948-5758; Beverly Martin, Mississippi Casino Operators Association, bmartin@mscoa.org or (228) 388-0087.
