PUERTO RICO – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Nearly 1,500 industry professionals took
part in the largest-ever Caribbean Gaming & Hospitality Conference (CGHC) held
last week in San Juan, Puerto Rico. More than 200 participants focused on
refining their management and competitive strategies at the educational
sessions, and an additional 1,200 visitors attended the trade show. In all,
over 30 Caribbean, Latin American, European, and North American countries were
represented at the two-day event.
According to Bruce Smith, conference founder and president of WestVille
Enterprises, Inc., this year's event was totally focused on growth through
enhanced accountability, systems analysis, improved technology, and new games.
"With the region in an economic upturn, conference participants told us they
wanted as many skills-building sessions as possible," said Smith. "Capturing
market share and discretionary spending is the key to success, so we developed
our sessions with that in mind. Judging from the feedback, no one was
disappointed." CGHC is the only industry event of its kind exclusively for the
Caribbean market. This year's event was the sixth annual conference.
Smith noted that even with tighter U.S. visa regulations attendance still
grew. "In the past two years, the ups and downs of the regional economy also
affected our numbers. But this year," he said, "the trend reversed itself."
Smith said that over 40 companies, including producers, distributors, and
dealers, showcased their products in the exhibit hall, a significant increase
over last year. "At the same time," added Smith, "we had the most extensive
media coverage ever, both local and international."
Caribbean Gaming & Hospitality Conference is supported by sponsors that
have attended the show for years, many from the beginning. "We are indebted
to them," said Smith, "for believing in the importance of this event.
Partnerships have been formed that will continue well in to the future."
Smith said the reason for this is that companies meet the right decisionmakers
at CGHC: people who can close the business. He cited as an example that
every one of Puerto Rico's 18 casinos had at least one representative at the
conference. Some of the casinos in attendance represented such jurisdictions
as Aruba, St. Martin, Curacao, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia,
Guatemala, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina, and the United States.
This year's sponsors included Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. (Platinum); AC
Coin & Slot and UNIDESA Gaming & Systems (Gold); Ainsworth Game Technology,
Cyberview Technology, Inc., Puerto Rico Tourism Company, VendingData Corp.,
and WMS Gaming, Inc. (Silver); and ALAJA, Casino Enterprise Management, Casino
International, Gaming Laboratories International, Casinos de Latinoamerica,
Global Gaming Business, and IGWB (Media, Association, and Event Sponsors).
A highlight of this year's conference was a discussion of the proposed
gaming regulations for Puerto Rico and its new central slot system. According
to Smith, these initiatives are considered potential models for the region
that could transform the gaming industry. As in the past, all sessions
offered simultaneous English-Spanish translation.
Caribbean Gaming & Hospitality Conference 2005 will take place June 14-15
at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan. Preliminary program schedules and
session content will be posted online at http://www.caribbeangaming.net as
well as Early Bird registration. For more information about exhibiting or
attending next year's conference, contact Bruce Smith at WestVille
Enterprises: + 914-337-1246 (tel); + 914-337-1147 (fax);
brucesmith@caribbeangaming.net