Gaming development is personal to tribal communities.
The success of a project, the revenues generated from a gaming expansion, the continued success of a tribe’s gaming operations provide funding for housing, medical, social services, education and many other resources for Native American tribes.
As a Choctaw tribal member, I’ve seen the care my tribe provides to our elders, students and members, and know the ability to provide that care, in a large part, is derived from the resources generated from gaming success. It’s a joy and an honor to be part of the projects that help other tribal communities reassert their sovereignty and self-sufficiency through our services.
Understanding that the goals of tribal development are different than typical gaming, tribal leaders should look to work with companies that understand the unique nature of casinos and casinos in Indian Country. The design and delivery of a casino is a difficult task, and using a team of professionals, including professional purchasing agents, to accomplish the tribe’s goals is paramount to success. Tribal leaders who are assembling a team for their next project should have a clear understanding of what a project purchasing agent can offer to the success of their project.
An FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) and OS&E (operating supplies and equipment) purchasing agent dedicated to project purchasing is a valuable asset to the project team. Over the last several years, we’ve been asked to describe how a professional FF&E and OS&E purchasing agent contributes to the success of the project. In a volatile market, a qualified purchasing agent brings expertise, access and execution.
Project purchasing agents bring specific expertise related to current market conditions, global sourcing and experience navigating the challenges associated with developing casinos. The current market conditions are extremely volatile, and knowing how to overcome those challenges is exactly what a qualified purchasing agent does daily.
Our clients call us regularly to get updates on how to plan for future projects, and because of our position in the market, we can provide vital information based on current market data for FF&E and OS&E pricing and deliveries.
When a tribe is planning a project, a purchasing agent is often consulted about developing sourcing strategies for FF&E and OS&E. These strategies mitigate delivery risk and maximize the effectiveness of tribal financial resources toward executing the tribe’s design intent. When tribes have specific goals to achieve, understanding those goals through the lens of a global sourcing strategy helps successfully deliver their projects on time and under budget. At PMI-Tribal Services, we use a process called conceptual budgeting as a platform for developing a project’s sourcing strategy.
Project purchasing agents also help tribal clients by providing access to the global marketplace for contract furnishings. As tribal developments become more sophisticated, the method of project delivery must follow suit. In the past, tribal developers have worked through furniture dealers to furnish their casinos. This method of project delivery is not transparent, increases costs and limits tribal clients to a small number of a dealer’s preferred vendors.
Purchasing agents experienced with FF&E and OS&E projects, like PMI-Tribal Services, provide transparent access directly to manufacturers around the world. Using a project purchasing agent instead of a dealer enables tribes to get better pricing, better product and better deliveries. Access to world-class contract manufacturing is expected in commercial development, and tribes should expect the same.
Casinos are a unique type of project, and casinos developed in Indian Country have an additional layer of complexity. Successfully executing a casino project requires attention to detail, proven purchasing systems and an understanding that the success of the project means more to the tribe than just financial success. Tribes put a significant amount of effort communicating their vision to the project team, and good purchasing means the details of that vision are sourced, procured and delivered.
A purchasing agent should have a proven method of purchasing management that empowers the project team, including the tribal leadership, to get detailed information about the status of their project at every step along the way.
From the initial budgeting to confirming that product has been received, project purchasing is an exercise in detail. A thorough understanding of where product is manufactured, the approvals required to move an order into production, and what it takes to get product delivery keeps the entire project team moving forward.
With tribal development, a purchasing agent must also understand the requirements of working with a sovereign nation. Working alongside the contractor and owner’s representative, a purchasing agent helps keep the construction schedule on the critical path to completion. Collaborating with the casino operations team, a purchasing agent helps prepare for grand openings and meet the turnover dates to start generating revenue for tribal communities.
Understanding that a successful project means more to a tribe than just financial success, a purchasing agent helps tribal communities continue to assert their sovereignty and care for their members. When assembling their project teams, tribal leaders should look for purchasing agents who have experience working with Native communities and working on world-class casino projects.
The benefit of that experience, access and execution will not only benefit the present generation, but will help the generations to come.
