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Midwest Native American Economic Development & Diversification Conference Alt Text

Native American Economic Development & Diversification Conference

September 19-20, 2022

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel – Prior Lake, MN
Midwest Native American Economic Development & Diversification Conference Alt Text

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

Thank you to our sponsors for their passion and dedication to enhancing the industry.

 

 

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 HOTEL

2400 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 Now

Native 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 of KlasRobinson Q.E.D

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?

10:15 - 10:45 AM

Morning Networking Break

 

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 at Ho-Chunk, Inc.

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 of KlasRobinson Q.E.D

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 at Ho-Chunk, Inc.

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

5:30 - 6:30 PM

Monday Night Reception: Sponsored by ImagineThis

Imagine This Logo Alt Text

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 of KlasRobinson Q.E.D

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

Atherton Alt TExt

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 of KlasRobinson Q.E.D

James Klas

Founder & Principal | KlasRobinson, Q.E.D

Seth Pearman - Attorney General for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

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

W. Joe Allen

Executive Director | Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
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W. Ron Allen

Chairman/CEO | Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
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Zachary Atherton-Ely

VP of Strategic Growth Initiatives | Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures
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Alexander Baird

Founder and CEO | Beacon
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Melanie Benjamin

Chief Executive | Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians 
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Robert Blankmeyer

Construction Manager | PCL Construction Services
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Kevin Blaser

Economic Development Services Director | Bluestone Strategy Partners
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Bryan Hamlin

Partner/Chief Design Officer| WORTHGROUP Architects & Designers
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Angela Heikes

President & CEO | Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Gaming Enterprise
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Dennis Johnson

Chief Investment Office | Ho-Chunk, Inc
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James Klas

Founder & Principal | Klas Robinson, Q.E.D
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Mike Lane

VP of Sales for North America | SageGlass / Saint -Gobain
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Jason Mancini

National Project Manager | Bluestone Strategy Partners
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Jerrod Murr

Founder & Chief Visionary Officer | Paradigm Shift 
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Seth Pearman

Attorney General | Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
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Joseph Nayquonabe

CEO | Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures
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Earl Pendleton

Treasurer | Lower Sioux Indian Community
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Laura Penney

Chief Executive Officer | Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort
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James Perry

Vice President, Client Services | Imagine This
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Adam Rose

Director of Partnerships and Growth | Travois
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Toby Vanlandingham

President | Yurok Agricultural Corporation
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Ronald Vargas

Vice President of Human Resources | Cache Creek Casino Resort
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Marlon WhiteEagle

President | Ho-Chunk Nation
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Liva Wolf

Vice President, Commercial Solutions| Caribou Coffee
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Conference Co-Chair

Klas Robinson Logo Alt Text

Platinum Sponsors

Blue Stone Logo Alt Text

Gold Sponsors

Beacon Logo Alt Text
Ho Chunk Logo Alt Text
Imagine This Logo Alt Text
Paradigm Shift Logo Alt TExt
Travois Logo Alt Text

Monday Night Reception Sponsor

Imagine This Logo Alt Text

Exhibitor

Tribal Government & Enterprise Representatives

Sponsors & Exhibitors