Previous Events

10th Annual Tribal General Manager and Casino Executive Exchange

February 19 - 21, 2023

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort

Event Details

The 10th Annual Tribal General Manager & Casino Executive Exchange will be held February 19 – 21, 2023 at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, CA.

This event brings together General Managers and Casino Executives from Tribal-owned casinos for moderator-led roundtable discussions, small group breakout sessions, peer-to-peer dialogues, and plenty of networking opportunities. This C-Level event is designed to help attendees in solving the biggest challenges facing Tribal-owned casinos while presenting partners with the solutions you need.

To speak with a representative about attending, speaking, sponsoring or exhibiting, please call us at 201-857-5333 or email sales@nativenationevents.org.

THANK YOU TO OUR FORUM PARTNERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT, DEDICATION TO KNOWLEDGE, AND DRIVE TO ENHANCE THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

Registration is limited to the first 75 General Managers and Casino Executives and will sell out!

To register, please contact Abigail McPhie (abigail@nativenationevents.org), call 201.857.5333 or complete the form below and return it to Abigail.

 

 

HOTEL INFORMATION

PARK HYATT AVIARA RESORT

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa

7100 Aviara Resort Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011

Room Rate: $370

Cut-Off Date: Friday, January 20, 2023

To reserve your room, please call 760-448-1234. To receive the discounted room rate, mention Native Nation Events or the Tribal General Manager and Casino Executive Exchange.

GOLF OUTING INFORMATION

AVIARA GOLF CLUB

Delegates for Forum Partners gathered at the Aviara Golf Club for a relaxing afternoon and light competition on Tuesday, February 21.

The Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad is the San Diego area’s only golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. It has been named the #1 golf resort in Southern California by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, and has also been recognized as one of the country’s best resort golf courses by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.

Congratulations to Ryan Carrier, Dan O’Connor, and Mary McGinniss on winning the Golf Scramble with the best score, -8!

Our closest to the pin winner on Hole 3 was Lester Randall, and Hole 11 winner was Ryan Carrier!

The longest drive on Hole 8 was Ryan Carrier again, what a winning day for him!

10th Annual Tribal General Manager & Casino Executive Exchange

February 19 -21, 2023 - Park Hyatt Aviara Resort

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort - Carlsbad CA

Sunday, February 19

Sunday February 19, 2023

8:00-9:00 PM - California Salon

After Dinner Welcoming Dessert Reception

Once you’ve settle in after a long day of traveling, join us and unwind at a Welcome Reception. Casino Executives and Industry Professionals will all come together to enjoy a full array of hor SD ‘oeuvres and deserts and of course plenty of drinks. You’ll have time to re-connect with old friends and eagerly meet new ones. As we all know you can learn a lot from your peers, and this is the perfect opportunity to start conversations that can continue over the course of the next wo days.

Monday, February 20th

Monday, February 20th

Registration and Networking Breakfast

7:30-8:30 AM - Avalon Foyer & Terrace R

Monday February 20th

Avalon Review and Outlook of the U.S. Economy and the Gaming Industry

8:45-9:30 AM - Avalon Ballroom

Alan Meister

CEO & Principal Economist | Meister Economic Consulting

  • As gaming enterprises opened back up, many saw record growth. What year-end 2002 told us, and what will 2023 bring?
  • Since last year, as predicted, we have seen the Federal Reserve raise rates multiple times in 2022 to try to combat inflation. with inflation still on the rise & 2023 looking bleaker, what can we expect the Fed’s response to be?
  • What is the outlook for tribal gaming given the continued labor shortage, wage increases, inflation, increased interest rates, slow return to normal supply chain issues and potential recession?

Monday February 20th

Accepting the Reality That the Pre-COVID Labor Force Is Not Coming Back Because It’s Not There

9:30-10:45- Avalon Ballroom

Jerrod Murr

Founder & CEO | Paradigm Shift

Matthew Mingrone

General Manager | Eagle Mountain Casino

Margaret Simpson

Chief Executive Officer | The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park

Peter Arceo

General Manager | Yaamava Resort & Casino

  • According to the Federal Government, over 3.5 million people are still looking for work than before COVID. The three primary reasons are;
  1.     With an aging workforce, over 2 million people simply retired
  2. Over 400,000 working-age people died of COVID
  3. Legal immigration has fallen by approximately 1 million people

* These and other factors continue to make the employee pool smaller

  • With the start of COVID now three years behind us, what new processes or technology have Casino Executives implemented to keep up with patron demand and satisfaction? What has worked and what has not?
  • For the short term, the lack of out-of-this-world technology innovations will not replace a casino’s workforce any time soon.
  • In addition to wage increases, what other creative ways have HR and Casino Executives come up with to attract & retain their workforce?

Monday February 20th

Interconnective Speed Session

10:45-12:00 PM- Avalon Terrace

At this round-robin style event, Forum Partners will have the opportunity to sit and speak with all participating General Managers and Casino Executives for an allotted amount of time while enjoying a coffee refresh and beverages. This event will provide exposure to many people in a short time and allow you to introduce yourself and your company early on, which will enable you to build on your relationship during the event.

Monday February 20th

Networking Lunch - Avalon Terrace

12:00-1:00 PM Avalon Terrace

Monday February 20th

What Are the Latest Updates &Trends With Sports Betting, iGaming, Slots, and Table Games and What Does the Overall Evolution of Gaming Look Like?

1:00-2:00 PM

Jim Eller

Business Development | CIS Technology Inc.

Antonio Perez

Chief Operations Officer | Rolling Hills Casino

Joe Bunevith

Director of Client Solutions | Gaming Labs

  • When it comes to slot floor configuration or zone management, what are some of the latest strategies to maximize the best coin in performance?
  • How will artificial intelligence play a pivotal role in the future of gaming and games in general?
  • Are gaming manufacturers delaying the introduction of new game deliveries because of ongoing supply chain issues out of China for critical parts needed to maintain existing machines and build new ones? How has the industry adapted?
  • Within the evolution of gaming, how are games targeted to different generations, and what is the plan to grow the base of younger clients who tend to spend much less? With baby boomers dying ,how can casinos look to make up for lost revenue with stellar products?

Monday February 20th

Marketing Trends Now and for the Future

2:00- 3:00 PM - Avalon Ballroom

Greg Fritz

Director of Marketing | Legends Casino Hotel

Mark Astone

Chief Executive Officer | Catalyst Marketing

Michael Michaud

General Manager | Winna Vegas Casino Resort

  • How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) be used to determine marketing incentive programs?
  • “The New Age of Marketing” Digital Marketing, how effective has it been, and where does it go from here?
  • “You can’t improve what is not measured.” What key drivers/analytics measure the success of various forms of marketing?
  • With a downfall in the economy, should properties hold back on marketing dollars, or is it time to double down?
  • If casinos are looking to scale down, what is the most proven and cost-effective method of marketing?

 

Monday February 20th

Afternoon Networking Break

3:00-3:30 PM - Avalon Salon Foyer Terrace

Monday February 20th

Creating the Right Casino Continuity Program for Your Gaming Property and What To Be on the Lookout For

3:30-4:30 PM

Scott Nicholson

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships | Imagine This

Scott Sirois

General Manager | Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel

Steve Neely

General Manager | Rolling Hills Casino

  • Understanding that a continuity program aims to build your brand and drive incremental trips, ideally increasing revenue and net profit. What are some pitfalls to look for, and how can you navigate them?
  • How do casinos measure the ongoing success of a program vs. the cost of the program? What analytics should be available from the provider to show transparency and how a program impacts your property?
  • what factors are considered when creating a scalable, customized program special to you vs. a box product?
  • As a casino executive, what do you look for when choosing a company to implement a continuity program, i.e., Experience of core competencies, brand and quality of the product, inventory and flexibility?
  • How is a continuity program tied into your casino’s marketing strategy and does the provider work with your marketing department or company?

Monday February 20th

Cocktail Reception

5:30-7:30 PM - California Salon

Tuesday, February 21st

Tuesday, February 21st

Registration and Networking Breakfast

7:30-8:30 AM - Avalon Terrace and Foyer

Tuesday, February 21st

Cashless Gaming: Why Does It Seem Like Everyone Is Talking About It?

8:30-9:30 AM - Avalon Ballroom

Kirk Olson

Senior Vice President of Sales | Sightline Payments

Brook Fiumara

co-founder and co-Chief Executive Officer | OPTX

Antonio Perez

Chief Operating Officer | Rolling Hills Casino

  • Since its inception, are Tribal casinos adopting cashless gaming, and what has theirs and the guest experience been like so far?
  • How has cashless gaming opened up gaming to younger generations, and how comfortable are older generations with this technology?
  • What benefits does cashless gaming add to brick-and-mortar gaming operators?
  • How is the industry educating patrons on the use of technology and the difference between cash and cashless gambling?

Tuesday, February 21st

New Leadership Language for the New Workforce

9:30-10:30 AM Avalon Ballroom

Jerrod Murr

Founder & CEO | Paradigm Shift

  • Learn the three attributes of Quality Replacement Rate
  • Understand the idea of “Workforce Recurrence”
  • Identify best engagement practices right now

Tuesday, February 21st

Overall Debrief

10:30-10:45 AM

Jerrod Murr

Director of Leadership Development and Co-Founder | Paradigm Shift

Tuesday, February 21st

Conference Concludes

10:45 AM

Tuesday, February 21st

Golf Scramble at Aviara Golf Club

12:00 PM

Join us at the Aviara Golf Club for a relaxing afternoon and light competition! The Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad is the Dan Diego area’s only golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. It has been named the #1 gold resort in Southern California by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, and has also been recognized as one of the country’s best resort golf courses by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.

Aviara Gold Club features a memorable coastal layout: Uniquely sculpted around rolling hillsides and landscaped with wildflowers native to Southern California, the par 72 course offers plenty of bunkers and water features over 7,007 yards.

Our shotgun star open to experts and beginner alike, will be thoroughly enjoyed by all. There will be contests for long drive, closest to the pin and several other prizes given out for this fun but slightly competitive outing!

Peter Arceo

General Manager | Yaamava' Resort and Casino
Read More

Mark Astone

Chief Executive Officer | Catalyst Marketing
Read More

Joe Bunevith

Director of Client Solutions | Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
Read More

Jim Eller

Business Development | CIS Technology Inc.
Read More

Brooke Fiumara

Cofounder and Co-Chief Executive Officer | OPTX
Read More

Greg Fritz

Marketing Director | Legends Casino Hotel
Read More

Alan Meister

CEO and Principal Economist | Meister Economic Consulting, LLC
Read More

Michael Michaud

General Manager | WinnaVegas Casino Resort
Read More

Matthew Mingrone

General Manager | Eagle Mountain Casino
Read More

Jerrod Murr

Founder & CEO | Paradigm Shift 
Read More

Steve Neely

General Manager | Rolling Hills Casino
Read More

Scott Nicholson

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships | Imagine This
Read More

Kirk Olson

Senior Vice President of Sales | Sightline Payments
Read More

Antonio Perez

Chief Operations Officer | Rolling Hills Casino and Resort
Read More

Margaret Simpson

Chief Executive Officer | The Mill Casino Hotel
Read More

Scott Sirois

General Manager | Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel
Read More

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CIS Technology Logo Alt Text
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Imagine This Logo Alt Text
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Thalden Boyd Emery Architects Alt Text
USI Consulting Group Alt Text

Media Sponsors

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FORUM PARTNER SPOTS ARE LIMITED AND WILL SELL OUT!

This is an outstanding prospecting opportunity for Forum Partners to meet and establish professional connections in a casual environment with GMs and Casino Executives who have discretion over multi-million dollar budgets. The time and costs associated with this event are small when compared to those for coordination of travel and scheduling on your own; the opportunity to connect with multiple members of this prestigious crowd would take months.

This is not an exhibit hall-style event. Exclusivity and access to General Managers & Casino Executives is the key for each Forum Partner to maximize their ROI. Forum Partner Executives will be with the attendees during scheduled meetings, meals, and all social events.

Please contact Dan O’Connor (dan@nativenationevents.org) to get the process started today.

General Managers & Casino Executives

Forum Partners

The 10th Annual Tribal General Manager and Casino Executive Exchange was a wild success! Held at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in the heart of Carlsbad, CA, our attendees and Forum Partners dined, networked, learned, and golfed with the best in the industry. We hope to see you at next year’s event!