AGA to bring female gaming professionals together at industry conferences

WASHINGTON, D.C. (PRESS RELEASE) -– As part of its Global Gaming Women (GGW) initiative, the American Gaming Association (AGA) announced today it has scheduled three events this spring designed to educate and create mentoring and networking opportunities for female gaming professionals.

The events, which feature a host of knowledgeable speakers, will coincide with major industry-wide education events, including Indian Gaming 2012 (NIGA), the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) Spring Conference and the Southern Gaming Summit.

GGW, launched at Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2011, was created to nurture and enrich the professional and personal lives of emerging female leaders. Its mission is to support the development and success of women from all segments of the international gaming industry through education, mentorship and networking opportunities. Patti Hart, CEO of International Game Technology (IGT), and Virginia McDowell, president and CEO of Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., serve as co-chairs of the program. The spring GGW events are designed to create an opportunity for women in the industry to learn from each other and share ideas.

“GGW is a wonderful opportunity for women to come together and share their experiences in the gaming industry,” McDowell said. “I’m thrilled we are able to host these important events and bring women together from across the nation.”

On April 4 at NIGA, GGW’s Symposium on the Role of Women in Tribal Government Gaming will be hosted by the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming at San Diego State University and sponsored by the National Indian Gaming Association and California Nations Indian Gaming Association. It will explore the cultural, organizational, business and lifestyle underpinnings of support for women in tribal gaming. The event will be held at the San Diego Convention Center in California.

At the symposium, Katherine Spilde, Ph.D., associate professor and endowed chair at Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming at San Diego State University, will lead a panel discussion with Janet Beronio, general manager at Harrah’s Rincon Casino; Holly O’Brien, vice president of marketing at Warner Gaming; Wendy Reeve, director of casino operations at Sycuan Casino; Tracie Stevens, chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission; and Judy Wright, vice president of human resources at Valley View Casino. This event is free and open to the public.

On April 17, GGW will host a luncheon during the IMGL Spring Conference at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz. Sue Schneider, editor-at-large of Gaming Law Review and Economics, will moderate a discussion featuring Gowree Gokhale, partner at Nishith Desai Associates; Constance R. Jones, director of responsible gaming at IGT; and Diane Mullenex of Ichay & Mullenex Avocats.

This luncheon is included in the IMGL Spring Conference registration fee, but an RSVP to IMGLDirector@aol.com is required. Individuals interested in attending the luncheon can purchase tickets for $65 online at www.GamingLawMasters.com.

The Global Gaming Women Luncheon at Southern Gaming Summit is scheduled for May 8 at the Grand Biloxi Steakhouse at the Grand Biloxi Casino, Hotel & Spa in Biloxi, Miss. This event, co-hosted by the AGA and the Mississippi Casino Operators Association (MSCOA), will include networking, speed mentoring and a roundtable discussion featuring women executives from all sectors of the gaming industry. Roundtable participants include Phyliss J. Anderson, tribal chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians; Jan L. Jones, senior vice president of communications and government relations at Caesars Entertainment; LuAnn Pappas, regional vice president of marketing for Caesars Entertainment Corporation; Lois Rice, executive director of the Colorado Gaming Association; and Karen Sock, general manager of the Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi.

General admission to the luncheon is $35 and open to any registered attendee of the Southern Gaming Summit. Admission to the summit is free. Interested parties can sign up at www.sgsummit.com and select the GGW luncheon option when registering.

“These GGW sponsored events will be a great chance for female leaders to network and make lasting connections,” Hart said. “I look forward to many similar events in the coming months and years.”