This year the National Indian Gaming Association will celebrate its 28th Annual Tradeshow and Convention in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. From March 24 to March 27, NIGA will be celebrating the growth and success of Indian gaming, while also examining the challenges that lie ahead.
As always, our trade show will focus on NIGA’s mission to preserve tribal sovereignty, protect tribal government rights under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and promote tribal economic opportunity and self-sufficiency. The need for our unwavering focus on this mission was highlighted in the 112th Congress, where Indian Country faced and successfully defended against several threats to these rights.
During our trade show, we will continue to concentrate the energy of our tribal leaders and the Indian gaming community to build on our success and to develop and achieve new goals for tribal communities in the incoming 113th Congress. This year’s trade show agenda offers opportunities to hear from legislative and regulatory agencies concerning such issues as the IRS taxation of tribal governments, internet gaming, Class II regulations, and challenges regarding the restoration of tribal government homelands.
While the agenda is intense, these issues represent NIGA’s top priority. We are here to ensure that our industry continues to thrive so tribal governments can serve the significant unmet needs of Indian Country and our individual tribal communities. This is a solemn obligation that we will never take for granted.
While our policy agenda will be our utmost priority, the opportunities to do business at our trade show will be plentiful. Indian Gaming 2013 will be the place to discover and preview all the top talent in business, gaming technology, economic development, and sustainable economic growth programs. Our four-day trade show puts together an impressive lineup of exhibits, workshops, celebrities, events and activities to appeal to Native and non-Native entrepreneurs and business leaders who believe in the opportunities and development found in Indian Country.
We are expecting over 5,000 Native American tribal officials, Native-owned business leaders, and gaming industry experts in Phoenix this year. Our trade show floor is on track to offer one of the most comprehensive exhibitions in years. You can expect more excitement than ever with random cash giveaways each day and a first-time $25,000 grand prize cash drawing on the final day of the show. We will also have our trademark Native arts and crafts booths along with artists and entertainers performing at the trade show.
For tribal gaming commissioners and tribal gaming regulators, the Indian Gaming 2013 agenda also includes our training and certification programs that target every aspect of the Indian gaming business from regulation to hospitality. Some of the exclusive trainings featured this year are:
• Internet Gaming Workshops: NIGA is continuing this important discussion on the future of internet gaming in America and its potential impact on tribal gaming facilities.
• The Executive Leadership Series: Trainings designed for tribal leaders to effectively handle federal legislative issues ranging from labor issues to health care reform and working with Congress.
• Continuing NIGA Certifications: Includes the 15th Annual Commissioner Certification Series – Level 1.
• All courses can be found online at www.indiangaming.org.
Before the hard work gets started, there will be ample time to enjoy the warm weather in Phoenix. Our trade show features some of the most dynamic and exciting golf found in the country. The Spirit of Sovereignty Tournament will be held at Fort McDowell’s Saguaro Golf Course. The Vice Chairman’s Golf Tournament will be at Gila River’s Whirlwind Golf Club. Proceeds earned from the Sovereignty Tournament will support scholarships for the Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to increase higher education by providing financial assistance to Native American students.
Of course, Indian Gaming 2013 would not be complete without the great entertainment. On Sunday, March 24, we will have the Chairman’s Reception at Gila River’s fabulous Wild Horse Pass & Casino. Entertainment will be provided by Creedence Clearwater Revisited. On Monday I will host the Chairman’s Leadership Award Luncheon at the Phoenix Convention Center, where we will honor tribal leaders for their work in protecting Indian gaming.
Tuesday evening is our Wendell Chino Humanitarian Award Banquet with musical guest Chicago. I hope you enjoy our entertainment from the Chairman’s Welcome Reception to the closing banquet. Attendees at our show have come to expect entertainment guaranteed to make your Phoenix trip a great experience, and this year we hope that you find the entertainment just as exciting. Make sure you register and get your tickets to attend because many of our events are already sold out.
It is very rare that you will see and find tribal leaders, gaming regulators and professional staff from our industry in one room, but this will happen throughout the duration of Indian Gaming 2013. This is what sets our trade show apart from all the others.
The National Indian Gaming Association has come a long way since 1985, and Indian Country has a lot of work ahead of us this year. In 2013, you have my promise that NIGA will continue to work as part of a united front with tribal leaders and other national and regional Indian organizations to advance the lives of Indian people economically, socially and politically. I hope to see you at Indian Gaming 2013, where we will discuss these important issues while enjoying all that the Phoenix area has to offer.
