
Native American Economic Development & Diversification Conference
September 19-20, 2022
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel – Prior Lake, MN
Event Details
The Native American Economic Development & Diversification Conference will be held on September 19-20, 2022 at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, MN.
Through a variety of panels and interactive discussions, attendees will engage with experts focusing on economic diversification. Tribal leaders will come together to discover new ways to diversify their Tribe’s economic ventures and focus on building resilient and sustainable communities that thrive. You’ll hear success stories, case studies and dig deeper into new ways to generate revenue beyond gaming. You’ll also discuss with experts what the economic future may look like in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and how your economy can come back strong. By networking with other Tribal leaders, decision makers and industry professionals you can exchange tangible ideas on how to maximize your respective economies.
We ensure our attendees get to know their peers and interact with one another throughout the event by providing a variety of engaging sessions, numerous networking opportunities, and impressive business solutions.
Who Should Attend:
- Architect Firms
- CEO’s and CFO’s of Renewable Energy Companies
- Construction Companies
- Economic Development Professionals
- Energy Generators
- Engineers
- Environmental Assessment Companies
- Feasibility Study Companies
- Finance and Legal Professionals
- Government and Other Professional Service Firms
- Investors in Renewable Energy Projects
- Technology Developers
- Tribal Leaders
Register Now To Attend
For Professionals, Executives & Leaders from Tribal Government or Tribal-Owned Enterprises
Group Rate (4 or more paid from same tribe or entity)
For Other Industry Professionals

HOTEL INFORMATION
MYSTIC LAKE CASINO HOTEL2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW
Prior Lake, MN 55372
(800) 262-7799
Room Rate: $159 per night
The group cutoff date is August 24, 2022
In addition to booking online, you may also call the hotel’s Reservation Center 24/7 at 952-445-9000. Please mention the Native American Economic Development & Diversification Block.
Book Your Room NowNative American Economic Development And Diversification Conference
September 19-20, 2022
Agenda at a Glance
Monday, September 19
7:30-8:30 AM
Registration & Networking Breakfast
8:30-8:45 AM
Welcoming Remarks

Justin O'Connor
President | Native Nation Events
8:45-9:00 AM
Conference Co-Chair Remarks

James Klas
Founder & Principal | KlasRobinson, Q.E.D
9:00-10:15 AM
Tribal Leaders Roundtable: Creating Opportunities for Tribal Members With a Goal of Self-Preservation for Tribes

Melanie Benjamin
Chief Executive | Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians

Marlon WhiteEagle
President | Ho-Chunk Nation

Ron Allen
Tribal Chair/CEO | Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
- During the height of Covid, the Native American unemployment rate soared to 26%. What measures can be put in place to alleviate such a decline in the event of another pandemic?
- What can be done to prevent Native Americans from being forced to leave reservations to find suitable work?
- What socioeconomic hurdles prevent Native communities from expanding?
- What strategies can be implemented to attract more private investments?
10:45 - 11:45 AM
8-Track to Emoji
Jerrod Murr
Founder & CEO | Paradigm Shift
• Cross Generational Leadership
• Discover the answer for retention in the 21st century
• Understand the three major trends of upcoming generations
• Identify three common biases in the workplace
11:45-12:30 PM
How Can Tribes Find Capital To Pay for Diversification Projects With Rising Costs, Inflation, and Interest Rates in Today’s Economy?
Adam Rose
Director of Partnerships & Growth | Travois

Dennis Johnson
Chief Investment Officer | Ho-Chunk, Inc.
- Examine the effects rising costs, inflation, and interest rates have on financing for diversification and expansion projects?
- How can tribes gain access to funding for diversification projects, and what strategies can be used to attract more private investments?
- What grants are available to support tribal projects? How can those grants help finance future economic development and diversification projects?
- Discuss the recently announced New Market Tax Credit Allocations and how to ensure you get your fair share.
12:30-1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
1:30-2:30 PM
Non-Gaming Amenities With a Proven Track Record For Tribal Casinos

James Klas
Founder & Principal | KlasRobinson, Q.E.D

Laura Penney
CEO | Coeur D'Alene Casino Resort

Alexander Baird
Founder and CEO | Beacon

Liva Wolf
Vice President, Commercial Solutions | Caribou Coffee
- What are some successful up-and-coming non-gaming amenities that can be incorporated into tribal casinos to enhance the property?
- How can tribes craft and capture one-of-a-kind multi-level enhancements from more significant properties and bring those unique experiences to smaller venues?
- What simple makeovers can capture customer excitement for Native American casinos?
- How does tapping into the five senses with sensory-formed design help create a nostalgic gaming environment without disturbing the original flow and footprint of the property?
- What economic development practices could help move the needle forward in gaming business expansions?
2:30-3:15 PM
Diversification by Investing What You Know: How Tribes Are Creating Opportunities by Investing Off-Reservation Within the Hospitality Industry

Dennis Johnson
Chief Investment Officer | Ho-Chunk, Inc.

Joseph Nayquonabe
CEO | Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures
- What are the pros and cons of tribal indirect investments, co-investments, and direct investments?
- Discuss post-pandemic success stories with off-reservation investing, specifically in the hospitality
industry? - How can investing in the hospitality industry increase tribal profiles while increasing diversification?
- Are there any foreseeable pitfalls for tribal communities to delve into off-reservation investing?
3:15-3:45 PM
Afternoon Networking Break
3:45-5:00 PM
Mystic Lake Case Study

James Perry
Vice President of Client Services | Imagine This

Angela Heikes
President & CEO | SMSC Gaming Enterprise

Mike Lane
Vice President of Sales-North America | SageGlass Saint-Gobain

Robert Blankmeyer
Construction Manager | PCL Construction Services

Bryan Hamlin
Partner/ Chief Design Officer | WORTHGROUP Architects & Designers
- How we built a “TEAM” between all parties and how adaptability allowed us to have discussions on the fly to keep the client happy and informed.
- What were some of the operational challenges regarding the guests and employees? How did this impact the overall play in the casino?
- How do we feel we made an impact on the market?
5:00 PM
Monday's Sessions Conclude
Tuesday, September 20
7:45-8:45 AM
Registration & Networking Breakfast
8:45 - 10:00 AM
Are Labor Shortages Within the Hospitality Industry Here To Stay?

James Klas
Founder & Principal | KlasRobinson, Q.E.D

Ronald Vargas
VP Human Resources | Cache Creek Casino Resort
- How can tribes overcome the hurdle of labor shortages while trying to diversify their portfolios?
- At peak seasons throughout the country, an estimated one million plus, primarily college-aged, Western and Eastern Europeans, came to work in the US during the pandemic. However, with staffing programs drying up, how can tribal communities create other avenues to include them?
- Discuss how government administrative policies play a role in current tribal labor shortages and if there are measures to prevent a significant decline moving forward.
- What opportunities can companies create to maintain employee engagement?
- Discuss practices put in place or considered which promote loyalty and longevity while reducing high turnover rates.
- In what ways are tribal enterprises getting creative to solve staffing issues?
- What role does new technology play in bridging the divide?
10:00 - 10:30 AM
Morning Networking Break
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Think Big: How To Strategically Grow Your Tribal Economy

Zachary Atherton-Ely
VP of Strategic Growth Initiatives | Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures

Kevin Blaser
Economic Development Services Director | Bluestone Strategy Partners

Jason Mancini
National Project Manager | Bluestone Strategy Partners

Jamie Fullmer
Chairmen/CEO | Bluestone Strategy Partners
- Economic Development Principals (best practices)
- Moving the needle: finding projects large enough to make an impact
- How energy, financial services, 8(a) contracting and healthcare industries can grow an economy
11:30 - 12:30 PM
Opportunities for Tribal Communities To Diversify With Cannabis and Hemp

James Klas
Founder & Principal | KlasRobinson, Q.E.D

Seth Pearman
Attorney General | Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

Earl Pendleton
Treasurer | Lower Sioux Indian Community

Toby Vanlandingham
President | Yurok Agricultural Corporation

W. Joe Allen
Executive Director | Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
- How should tribal leaders approach welcoming cannabis into their communities?
- What opportunities for monetary benefit exist when cannabis dispensaries enter tribal communities?
- What role do regulatory requirements such as federal legislation, lobbying, legalities, and risk management play in allowing these opportunities for tribes?
- In what ways can cannabis and healthcare work together?
- How does getting into the cannabis and hemp industry help tribes diversify their enterprise portfolios? Are there still opportunities for other tribes to follow?
12:30 PM
Conference Concludes
