The National Indian Gaming Association reports record interest and pre-registration for this week’s Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, being held Tuesday through Friday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“We are thrilled to see the amount of interest we’ve received from the community of tribal leaders, gaming professionals, participating vendors and sponsors regarding our new Las Vegas location as well as the expanded events and opportunities we have planned this year,” commented National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. “We hope that we are able to provide an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous success of Indian gaming, and would like to thank the surrounding tribal nations for providing a warm welcome to Indian Country.”
Attendee registration for the show is currently tracking 22 percent—or almost 1,000 professionals—ahead of last year. In addition, the show floor has already exceeded the amount of vendors that participated in last year’s event and will showcase 60-plus companies that have never exhibited before.
The show floor is part of a four-day line-up that highlights the outstanding achievements and innovation of the tribal and gaming community as well as numerous networking and education opportunities:
Tuesday, April 17 will feature the returning Chairman and Vice Chairman Golf Tournament (currently sold out), as well as the newly added Associate Member Tournament. In addition, education will kick off at the Convention Center with a day of pre-conference including the Anti-Money Laundering Academy and Big Data and Analytics Master Class. The day will conclude with the Chairman’s Welcome Reception at the Westgate hotel.
On Wednesday, April 18, gaming professionals will have access to 70-plus hours of education across 15 tracks. In addition, the National Indian Gaming Association will hold its Commissioner Certification Training, annual Membership Meeting, Chairman’s Award’s Luncheon and Cultural Reception.
Following two days of education and networking, the vendor floor will open on Thursday, April 19 and Friday, April 20 with the ribbon cutting event, featuring tribal leaders, community members and celebrity guests. New to the exhibit hall floor this year is the Showcase Theater, which will feature outstanding keynotes by Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye as well as “Sports Betting with the National Indian Gaming Association and the American Gaming Association.”
Attendees and exhibitors are also invited to join the National Indian Gaming Association in the Tribal Leaders Lounge for special presentations from community leaders, at the Charity Slot Tournament benefitting Spirit of Sovereignty, the Native Strong Comedy Slam on Thursday evening, the AGEM reception on Thursday, and the new Closing Pool Party at the Westgate hotel, featuring a $5,000 cash giveaway and entertainment by Native American R&B artists, the Plateros.
Registration is still available at indiangamingtradeshow.com.
