(PRESS RELEASE) -- Key gaming operators, regulators and legislators fill the conference program at the 23rd annual Southern Gaming Summit and its companion event Bingo World at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum from May 3-5.
The speakers headline a Southern Gaming Summit/Bingo World program composed of 25 breakout sessions, in-depth educational workshops and an opening keynote by Anthony Sanfilippo, Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle Entertainment. Full details on the conference program, as well as every aspect of the show, including how to register, are available online.
"This is a fast-moving time in gaming and our conference attendees will be hearing from key decision makers who have a front-row seat for all the changes that are shaping our industry," said Larry Gregory, Executive Director, Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association, which co-produces the event with BNP Media Gaming Group. "Our event covers the full spectrum of commercial, tribal and charitable gaming and leaders from each sector are on the program."
The list of confirmed speakers includes:
-- Joseph M. Asher, Chief Executive Officer, William Hill U.S. -Paul Avery, Vice President & General Manager, Lady Luck Casino Vicksburg.
-- Cathy Beeding, Vice President and General Counsel, Gulfside Casino Partnership d/b/a Island View Casino Resort and Windance Country Club.
-- Rep. Richard Bennett, Chairman of House Gaming Committee, Mississippi House of Representatives.
-- Clyde Bock, Manager, Imperial Connection Bingo Hall -M. Carole Brand, Vice President and General Counsel, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians d/b/a Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise -Jonodev Chaudhuri, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission.
-- Kathy Clem, Executive Director, The Good Samaritan Center.
-- Matt Clem, Manager, Capital City Bingo.
-- Chef John Currence, City Grocery.
-- Warren Davidson, Slot Director, Coushatta Casino Resort.
-- Brian D. Decorah, President & Chief Executive Officer, Firekeepers Casino Hotel
-- Lee Dillard, Assistant General Manager, VP Finance, Mid South Region, Caesars Entertainment Corporation.
-- Chef Kelly English, Executive Chef/Owner, Restaurant Iris and The Second Line, Memphis, TN; Executive Chef, Magnolia House, Biloxi, MS.
-- Lynn Fitch, Mississippi State Treasurer.
-- Jason Giles, Executive Director, National Indian Gaming Association.
-- Kim Ginn, Vice President of Marketing, L'Auberge Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel.
-- Marcus Glover, General Manager, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.
-- Allen Godfrey, Executive Director, Mississippi Gaming Commission.
-- Scott Gothberg, Bingo Director, Mystic Lake Casino.
-- Gerad Hardy, Vice President & General Manager, Ameristar Casino Hotel.
-- Christopher B. Hebert, Director, Gaming Division, Louisiana Department of Justice, Attorney General Jeff Landry's Office.
-- Darrin Hoke, VP of Operational Protection, L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
-- Delbert Hosemann, Secretary of State, Mississippi.
-- Sarah C. Jackson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Isle of Capri Casinos.
-- Jonathan Jones, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Harrah's Gulf Coast.
-- Jan Jones Blackhurst, Executive Vice President of Government Relations and Corp. Responsibility, Caesars Entertainment Corp.
-- Michael E. Legendre, Revenue Tax Director, Louisiana Department of Revenue, Office of Charitable Gaming.
-- Virginia McDowell, President & CEO, Isle of Capri Casinos.
-- Ryan Meister, Director of Marketing, Treasure Bay Casino.
-- Sheila Morago, Executive Director, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association.
-- Arthur Mothershed, Vice President of Business Development, Wind Creek Hospitality.
-- Janique Odjick, Director of Guest Relations/Bingo Operations, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino.
-- Luann Pappas, Chief Executive Officer, Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort.
-- Michael Perhaes, Vice President of Marketing, Wind Creek Hospitality.
-- Timothy Ramer, General Manager, Wind Creek Casino and Hotel.
-- Director David Rebuck, NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement.
-- Daniel Sahl, Ph.D., Associate Director, Center for Gaming Innovation, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
-- Anthony Sanfilippo, Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle Entertainment (Keynote).
-- Steven L. Scheinthal, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Landry's Inc.
-- Senator Sean Tindell, Mississippi.
-- Rich Sullivan, CEO, Red Square Gaming.
-- Ashely Wade, Regional Vice President, Human Resources, Caesars Corporation, Horseshoe Bossier, Harrahs Louisiana Downs.
-- Sonny Weathersby, Division Director, Mississippi Gaming Commission.
-- Chris Weunsch, General Manager, Legends Gaming Centre.
-- Roger Wu, Co-Founder, Cooperatize.
In addition to the conference program, Southern Gaming Summit will offer a wide range of networking opportunities, starting on Tuesday, May 3, with the Global Gaming Women luncheon at Island View Casino Resort; the Southern Gaming Summit/Bingo World Golf Tournament, which will be held at Grand Bear Golf Course; and a Welcome Reception at
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Biloxi sponsored by the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM).
Golden Nugget - Biloxi will host the Opening Party on Wednesday, May 4. The Opening Night Party is sponsored by GT Advertising, Playersoft Technologies, Rymax and Wilkin Marketing.