NEW YORK –(Press Release) -- Feb. 5, 2002 -- Featuring an unparalleled education track, Caribbean Gaming & Hospitality Conference 2002 opens this June in San Juan, Puerto Rico with aggressive responses to the grave economic losses of the past six months linked to global recession and the terrorist attacks in the U.S.
According to Bruce R. Smith, founder of the business program, this year's conference will help managers sharpen every tool in their survival kit. ``For a region that depends on consumers' willingness to travel and spend money,' says Smith, ``we have to aggressively demand safer air travel and develop individual marketing strategies that work. Thanks to our lineup of speakers and exhibitors, this year's conference will do both.'
Now in its fourth year, the Caribbean Gaming and Hospitality Conference (previously Caribbean Gaming and Tourism Conference) will return to the Caribe Hilton San Juan, June 11-12. Joining the dialogue will be a representative of a major U.S. carrier to detail steps being taken to restore customer confidence. The airline industry will outline ways gaming and hospitality interests can continue to improve their collaboration.
Experts serve up reality marketing:
In response to two consecutive soft tourism seasons, the continued soft U.S. economy, and fallout from September 11, casino and hospitality marketing will be the conference's special focus. ``Our speakers will preach 'Reality Marketing 101',' notes Smith, ``which is the only way the region will make it back to the top.'
Smith confirmed speakers from the regulatory and policymaking arena as well as security, resort marketing, and slot management. He has included sessions on disaster planning for hospitality property management executives, Web marketing for resorts, and casino basics for non-gaming executives. Speakers to date include:
* Guillermo Cabret, Puerto Rico Tourism Company
* Susan Sweeney, consultant, author of several Internet marketing books
* Eduardo DeVeer, Chairman, META Corp., Aruba
* Dr. Karina de la Oz Michel, Casino Commission, Dominican Republic
* Pierre Lapaque, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force
* David Nichter, international security expert
* Eileen Peterson, Chairwoman, Virgin Islands Gaming Commission
Sessions will offer simultaneous English-Spanish translation. Exhibits will feature the latest gaming and hospitality equipment as well as information and other services. Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., Las Vegas, NV, is again the Conference's Platinum Sponsor.
Ensuring the widest attendance possible, WestVille Enterprises announced special discounts for pre-Early Bird registrants. In addition, team discount rates are available to companies and government agencies signing up multiple registrants.