A
fter more than 18 months of a pause as the world stopped to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Indian Gaming Association will host the annual Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention on July 19-22, 2021, at the new Caesars Forum convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Last week, National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., visited the Caesars Forum, which will host the rapidly approaching trade show event that will once again bring together Indian Gaming professionals and tribal leadership.
Chairman Stevens said: “We are excited to kick-off Indian Country’s first major event since the pandemic at the outstanding Caesars Forum convention center. It has been a long journey towards this moment.” Stevens added: “Indian Gaming is open for business, and we want to welcome all to join us as we celebrate the endurance and resilience of our industry.”
The 550,000 sq. ft. Caesars Forum conference center is the newest addition to the Caesars Entertainment family. The 300,000 sq. ft. convention area with two of the largest pillar-less ballrooms in the world are conveniently located with direct access to more than 8,500 hotel rooms at Harrah’s Las Vegas, the LINQ Hotel + Experience, and Flamingo Las Vegas hotels.
As the longest-running gaming trade show in the country, Indian Gaming 2021 will deliver the insight and strategies to compete and navigate through the gaming industry landscape. The five-day conference will present all essential aspects of the Tradeshow that attendees have come to expect, including the annual membership meeting, workshops, the gaming commissioner certification series, and the trade show exhibits.
It will once again be an opportunity to meet industry leaders and have access to new trends. The Indian gaming conference will also include industry education covering topics that include Enterprise Development, Gaming Operations, Hospitality, Hot Topics, Marketing, Politics and Policy, Regulation and Compliance, Resort Operations, Sports Betting, and more.
Other highlighted events include the Welcome Reception with the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), on Monday evening, July 19, at Drai’s Nightclub, located at the Cromwell Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The reception will bring together attendees of Indian Gaming 2021 and attendees of the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) to kick off both events. While the two organizations are coming together to open their simultaneous events, the welcome reception will require a separate ticket. The 35th annual RES is July 19-21, 2021, at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
Stevens said: “We are excited to be able to walk together side by side with the NCAIED as they present RES. Our organizations have a long successful partnership and are committed to enhancing the economic advancements for Indian country.”
On Tuesday, July 20th, the Tim Wapato Sovereign Warrior recognition luncheon will occur, where Chairman Stevens and Gay Kingman Wapato, wife of the late Tim Wapato, will join together to memorialize the late Rick Hill, who was the first chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association and retained Chairman Emeritus status throughout his career. Hill’s son, Richard Elm-Hill, and former Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians Chairman Danny Tucker will also join the tribute.
On Wednesday, July 21, the annual Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention ribbon-cutting ceremonies will occur at 9:45 am, officially opening the Tradeshow floor for business, new products and services, and networking opportunities.
Stevens shared that the gaming association has worked diligently to ensure the health and safety of the attendees. “As we present the annual Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention, we remember that safety is first and foremost in our planning. Please know that the current COVID-19 protocols we are following align with the Clark County Nevada requirements for large trade shows such as ours. We are encouraging everyone who attends to be vaccinated and if not, masks will be required, in conjunction with Clark County and CDC guidelines,” he said.
“The path to the other side of this pandemic has been a long one and takes its place in our history. The journey that now allows our paths to cross once again will be a long one, but we are going to make that journey as safe as possible. We have planned a busy week for our attendees, so let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work on behalf of Indian Country,” Stevens concluded.
