This year, the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) had a record-breaking turnout at its annual tradeshow, making Indian Gaming ’08, held at the San Diego Convention Center April 20-23, one of the most important and talked-about Indian gaming shows in the country.
An impressive group of tribal leaders, including former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.); Lynn “Nay” Valbuena, chair of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Nations and NIGA executive secretary; and Adam Beach, a well-known Native American actor, joined NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, kicking off the opening of the tradeshow floor on Tuesday, April 22.
More than 500 gaming and hospitality vendors and exhibitors—a record high for the show—presented their best products, services and technologies, filling the show floor with new sounds, sights, games and systems to ooh and awe over. The show floor, covering 152,796 square feet, was completely filled, setting yet another record for this year’s event.
Attending Indian Gaming ’08 were members of some 231 gaming tribes that make up the $26.5 billion industry, as well as the most prominent Indian gaming figureheads, decision makers and celebrities. Of course, also in attendance were Indian gaming operators, regulators and employees from throughout North America. This year, more than 6,000 registrants cruised the rows of vendors that packed the show floor.
Educational opportunities could also be found throughout the week around every corner of the convention center, with more than 150 seminars, workshops, certifications and roundtables focused on every aspect of Indian gaming and hospitality operations.
With so many record-setting numbers at Indian Gaming ’08, it’s clear just how dedicated Indian Country and all the leaders, operators, vendors and regulators who support it are to the economic well-being of tribal communities throughout the country.
Be sure to join NIGA for another record-setting year and show your continued support as Indian Gaming ’09 heads back to Phoenix, April 12-15, 2009.
Krista Reiner is the Managing Editor for Casino Enterprise Management. She can be reached at (701)293-7775 or by e-mail at editor1@aceme.org.
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