Hundreds of gaming industry professionals are expected to attend this year's East Coast Gaming Congress being held April 30 and May 1, 2007, in Atlantic City at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
This year, the Congress begins on April 30, with a golf outing at Atlantic City Country Club sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment. Following the outing, a cocktail reception will be held at the 40/40 Club.
The East Coast Gaming Congress has assembled an unprecedented roster of experienced leaders in the gaming industry from government, Wall Street and other disciplines. At the conference, attendees will hear top Wall Street analysts discuss issues and trends impacting casinos, racinos and gaming markets. In addition, they will learn what the top CEOs of the largest Native American casino companies feel about the increasing impact of Indian gaming on the industry. Attendees will also hear from top industry executives as they weigh in on topics such as the expansion and progress in Atlantic City, the convergence of gaming and leisure, and the state of gaming around the world.
"Gaming is growing faster than most would have predicted, and has quickly become a major facet of the entertainment industry," states Michael Pollock of Spectrum Gaming Group, one of the organizers of the event. "The East Coast Gaming Congress is committed to keeping pace with the industry's growth by serving as the premier forum to ask questions, chart the future and grapple with the complex issues facing the entire East Coast."
Since its formation 11 years ago, the congress has included more than 300 speakers, including current and former New Jersey governors, various elected state officials (including Michigan regulators), high-ranking gaming industry executives, and many more.
The following is the detailed agenda for the substantive portion of this year's conference, including sponsors and scheduled speakers:
8:30 Welcome
Honorable Robert W. Levy, Sr. Mayor, City of Atlantic City Linda Kassekert Chair, New Jersey Casino Control Commission Honorable Jeff Van Drew Chair, Tourism and Gaming Committee, New Jersey Assembly
9:00-9:45 Show Me The Money
Sponsored by Deloitte and Touche USA LLP Lawrence Klatzkin, Jefferies & Co. John Kempf, Barclays Capital Adam Steinberg, Morgan Joseph Andrew Zarnett, Deutsche Bank
9:45-10:30 The New Power of Indian Gaming
Sponsored by WMS and Gaming Laboratories International James F. Allen, CEO Seminole Gaming Mitchell Etess, President & CEO Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino John A. O'Brien, President Foxwoods Resort Casino
11:00-11:45 Gaming and Leisure Trends
Sponsored by Jefferies & Company Gary Loveman, Chairman, President and CEO, Harrah's Entertainment Peter Yesawich, Chairman and CEO, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell
11:45-12:30 The New Atlantic City
Sponsored by Casino Reinvestment Development Authority & Drexel University Hospitality/Gaming Program Kevin DeSanctis, President & CEO, Revel Entertainment Group Daniel R. Lee, Chairman & CEO, Pinnacle Entertainment Diane Legreide, Director, Atlantic City Projects, New Jersey Office of Economic Growth
2:00-4:00 The Gaming Industry Big Picture
Sponsored by South Jersey Transportation Authority and International Game Technology Peter M. Carlino, Chairman & CEO, Penn National Gaming Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., President & CEO, American Gaming Association James Perry, President & CEO, Trump Entertainment Resorts Keith E. Smith, President & COO, Boyd Gaming Corporation
The East Coast Gaming Congress is organized and produced by Spectrum Gaming Group, Vibrant Development, Cooper Levenson Attorneys at Law, and SOSH Architects.
For more information, readers can consult the conference web page at www.eastcoastgamingcongress.com.