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17th Annual Tribal Casino Hotel Development & Innovation Conference

October 20 - 21, 2025

Harrah’s Resort Southern California - Funner, CA

17th Annual Tribal Casino Hotel Development & Innovation Conference

The 17th Annual Tribal Casino Hotel Development & Innovation Conference will be held October 20-21, 2025 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Funner, CA!

This unique conference is dedicated to the design and development of Tribal-owned casinos, resorts, and hotels. Tribal leaders will gather with industry professionals to discuss the most relevant topics in the casino and hospitality business. Advancements in technology, the latest in gaming trends, renovation and expansion plans and government legislation all mean constant change to the gaming industry. You’ll also discuss with experts what the future of gaming may look like and how your property can emerge as a leader. If you are looking to build, expand or update your casino or hotel, this is a can’t-miss event!

Fantastic Networking

From all meal functions in the exhibit hall to one-on-one meetings with conference delegates and sponsors, this is an excellent opportunity for you to meet casino executives who share your goals and challenges.

Extensive Learning

This conference offers a variety of engaging sessions, panels, case studies and speakers which provide delegates a complete update on industry trends, new technologies, and what to look forward to in the field.

Business Solutions

The exhibit hall features numerous casino and hotel solution-providers who will showcase their products and services to help you achieve your goals.

Who Should Attend:

Tribal Leaders and Council Members
Economic Development Professionals
Attorneys and Accounting Professionals
Casino Marketing Professionals
Hotel and Casino General Managers
Finance and Legal Professionals
Architect and Design Firms
Procurement Companies
Developers and Construction Companies
Hospitality and Gaming Technology Developers
Engineers
Owner’s Representatives
Feasibility Study Companies
Technology Developers

Register Now To Attend

For Tribal Government or Tribe-Owned Enterprises' Leadership, Executives, and other Personnel

Tribal Super Early Bird

$945

Tribal Early Bird

$1045

Tribal Standard

$1145

Group Rate (Four or More Paid From Same Tribe or Entity)

Group Tribal Super Early Bird

$845

Group Tribal Early Bird

$945

Group Tribal Standard

$1045

For Other Industry Professionals

Pro Super Early Bird

$1045

Pro Early Bird

$1145

Pro Standard

$1245

HOTEL INFORMATION

Harrah’s Resort Southern California

777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Funner, CA 92082

1-800-HARRAHS use group code S10AT5

Native Nation Events Room Block Rate: $139 per night

Room Cut-Off Date: October 1st, 2025

You must mention Native Nation Events or the 17th Annual Tribal Casino Hotel Development & Innovation Conference to receive the discounted rate.

Book Online

Printable Agenda

17th Annual Tribal Casino Hotel Development & Innovation Conference

October 20-21, 2025 - Harrah's Southern California Casino Resort

Monday, October 20

8:00 - 9:00 AM

Registration and Networking Breakfast

9:00 - 9:15 AM

Welcoming Remarks

Justin O'Connor

President | Native Nation Events

9:15 - 10:30 AM

Roundtable: 2025 State of Indian Gaming

James Klas - Moderator

Founder and Principal | KlasRobinson Q.E.D.

John Tahsuda

Principal | Navigators Global LLC

Mark Fox

Chairman | Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation

Steve Stallings

Chairman | Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians

Steven Orihuela

Chairman | Bishop Paiute Tribe

Open the conference with an update on how a new presidency will shift the landscape of Indian Gaming. Experts will discuss the potential changes the next four years could bring, as well as updates from recent legal cases and how they can impact your property.

10:30 - 11:00 AM

Morning Networking Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Best Practices for New Builds and Renovation Projects

Luke Jumper - Moderator

President | TBE Architects

Russell Attebery

Chairman | Karuk Tribe

Tyler Beuerlein

Sr. Managing Director Adjacent and Emerging Markets Business Development | Pathward

“Hindsight is 20 – 20”. Every new build and remodel is a learning experience for all those involved. Whether you’re updating an older building, creating an addition for more space, or simply want a new feature, a curveball will always show up during construction. Experts on our panel will walk you through the important parts of construction: the vision, the partner, the budget, and the execution. They’ll go through their successes and mistakes, giving attendees insight on best practices when it comes to new builds and reconstruction.

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 - 2:00 PM

Diving Deeper: Examining Which Design Decisions Could Make or Break Your New Space

Luke Jumper - Moderator

President | TBE Architects

Tracy Sam

General Manager | Grand Casino Mille Lacs

Erika McCalvin

Principal Planner | Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation

Joseph Fanara

Vice President of Design & Construction | Seneca Gaming Corporation

What color should your carpet be? Which slot machines should be placed where on the gaming floor? What paint color should the conference rooms be? Design elements could make or break your new space, no matter how small they could be. Listen to executives and industry experts discuss how they make design decisions, and how to avoid making seemingly innocuous, but potentially costly, mistakes.

2:00 - 2:30 PM

Afternoon Networking Break

2:20 - 3:30 PM

Diversifying Your Revenue Stream With Non-Gaming Amenities

James Klas - Moderator

Founder and Principal | KlasRobinson Q.E.D.

Jeff Wheatley

Chief Operating Officer | Angel of the Winds Casino Resort

Peter Sherlock

Executive Director of Food and Beverage | Chumash Casino Resort

Brian Decorah

Senior Vice President & General Manger | Gun Lake Casino Resort

Nathan Peak

President | HBG Design

Top Golf swing suites, bowling allies, movie theaters, restaurants, and more. There are many non-gaming amenity options for your property to choose from, so how do you make the right choice? What can you offer that guests can’t get anywhere else close by? What are new trends that could keep you at the cutting edge? What should your profit goal be to make up for lost gaming space? Our panel of industry leaders will walk you through choosing the best non-gaming amenity for your casino.

3:30 - 4:30 PM

Betting on Intelligence: AI's Role in the Future of Casino Gaming

Kelly Popp - Moderator

Vice President of Business | SHR Group

Michael Olujic

General Manager | Tachi Palace Casino Resort

John Tahsuda

Principal | Navigators Global LLC

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the landscape of casino gaming—from personalized guest experiences and targeted marketing to fraud detection and operational efficiency. This panel will explore how Tribal casino resorts can leverage AI-driven tools to optimize gaming operations, enhance player engagement, and drive revenue growth. Experts will discuss real-world applications, emerging technologies, and the ethical considerations of adopting AI in Tribal gaming environments.

4:30 PM

Day One Concludes

Tuesday, October 21

8:00 - 9:00 AM

Registration and Networking Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Casino Executive Roundtable

James Klas - Moderator

Founder and Principal | KlasRobinson Q.E.D.

Cameron Steinagel

Chief Executive Officer | Table Mountain Resort Casino

Edward Box

Assistant General Manager | Sky Ute Casino Resort

Jesse Ward

General Manager | Leelabau Sands Casino & Lodge

Casino executives will cover a wide range of topics and answer your pressing questions. What new technologies are they looking at using? How is their property unique from others? What lessons can be learned from past building mistakes? Attendees will hear as these experts open up about what new and improved strategies and technologies they are taking into 2025.

10:00 - 10:30 AM

Morning Networking Break

10:30 - 11:30 AM

Driving Your Guest Engagement Through the Power of AI

Scott Nicholson - Moderator

Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships | Imagine This

Christian Marcello

Imagine This/FirstPoint AI

Michael Glauser

Founder and Managing Partner | ADEN

This panel will focus on educating all attendees on how to utilize cutting edge, one of a kind AI call technology to drive significant increases in player engagement for hotel stays, casino promotions, as well as all existing inbound and outbound player response needs. This one of a kind AI Tech , which is operation and proven successful, will drive unprecedented increases in player engagement, player trips, hotel stays and incremental revenue, profits and ROI.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Networking Lunch

12:30 - 1:15 PM

Product Demonstration: Royal Basket Trucks

Javier Perez

Vice President of Sales and Marketing | Royal Basket Trucks

The Royal Basket Trucks demonstration will focus on process efficiency, featuring our motorized housekeeping cart along with Sorted, Collected, and Transported solutions. The concepts presented can be applied to different types of operations in many environments.

1:15 - 2:30 PM

What Is Your Overall Guest Experience?

Dan Spears - Moderator

Vice President of Industry Relations and Licensing | Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)

Nathan Green

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder | New Level Radio

Lori Tousignant

Vice President of Hospitality | Cache Creek Casino Resort

Paula Allen

Director of Leadership Development and Guest Services | 7 Cedars Resort Properties

Are your guests rooms the epitome of comfort and luxury? Is the new technology you’ve implemented easily understandable and making your guests experience more seamless? Join this panel of experts as they walk you through how to make the guest experience at your property as smooth as possible.

2:30 - 3:30 PM

The Five Pillars of Data Resilience

John Tahsuda - Moderator

Principal | Navigators Global LLC

Richard Rader

Chief Technology Officer | Umpqua Indian Development Corporation

Nathaniel Pincombe

Chief Information Officer | Elk Valley Rancheria

For casinos and Native American tribes, the five pillars of data resilience—backup, recovery, portability, security, and intelligence—are not just about protecting IT systems. They are about safeguarding the financial future of tribal nations. By ensuring uninterrupted casino and healthcare operations, mitigating risks like ransomware and other types of cyberattacks, and enabling rapid recovery from disruptions, adherence to these pillars can protect the revenue streams that sustain tribal communities, fund essential services, and secure long-term economic stability.

3:30 - 3:45 PM

Exhibitor Raffle Drawing

Winners Must Be Present To Win

3:45 PM

Tribal Casino Hotel & Development Conference Concludes