Oklahoma City - Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association will host its 29th Conference and Trade Show at the Oklahoma City Convention Center Aug. 12-14. Nearly 3,000 attendees, including tribal leadership, gaming executives and professionals, hospitality professionals and vendors, all coming together to do business, learn from one another, network and enjoy all downtown Oklahoma City has to offer.
“The industry we have built together is strong. From humble bingo halls established more than 30 years ago, Oklahoma’s tribal gaming has – thanks to the visionary leadership and hard work of many – become a powerful economic driver and job provider for thousands of Oklahomans in big cities, small rural communities and everywhere in between. I am profoundly grateful for tribal gaming and proud of all the good it brings,” said Matthew L. Morgan, OIGA chairman.
Long known affectionately as ‘the biggest little show in tribal gaming,’ the Conference and Trade Show begins bright and early on Monday with the annual John Marley Golf Tournament at Lincoln Park Golf Course (sold out), an event which raises scholarship funds for folks who work in the gaming industry and their dependents. Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association established the John Marley Scholarship in 2008 to provide educational opportunities for OIGA member employees and their families. The John Marley Scholarships are dedicated to the search for knowledge and providing scholarships for eligible individuals to attend accredited colleges, universities, and trade schools in Oklahoma or other states. Since 2014, OIGA has awarded 64 scholarships.
The conference begins Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. with the keynote address given by Paul Speirs-Hernandez. His topic: “Look Up: 5 Benefits of Putting Down Your Phone and Picking Up Your Potential.” After that, the morning will be filled with more conference sessions, followed by the ribbon cutting and opening of the trade show floor at noon, with a buffet lunch served at several stations on the floor. At 1:00 p.m., scholarships and awards including the Chairman’s Award and Modern-Day Warrior Awards will be given during a presentation on the trade show floor.
Conference sessions have been strategically planned with topics and tracks for professionals in every facet of gaming and ancillary industries. Foundational subject matter ideal for younger professionals just starting their careers, or people new to gaming will include topics like “History of Oklahoma Tribal Gaming,” “Responsible Gaming,” and a roundtable forum discussion from tribal leaders.
More seasoned gaming professionals, or those in specialized areas of the industry will enjoy “What’s in Your Wallet,” an exploration of wallet options catering to the diverse needs and preferences of players; “Sports Betting Analytics and Beyond,” ideal for those who have already – or who plan to – add sports betting to their entertainment offerings. Now six years in, there is a large body of data available to analyze and use to aid in decision making. Another important topic area is safety. We are pleased to introduce a new session this year, “Travel Safety Guidelines for Women Business Travelers,” highly important, especially for women who travel alone for business. “Addressing Human Trafficking” is a topic of ongoing and critical importance in our industry. Each year, we continue the conversation, learning more as we go.
Wednesday morning is packed with more conference sessions, followed by lunch on the Trade Show Floor when it opens at noon.
About Tribal Gaming in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, of the 38 federally recognized tribes, 33 operate governmental gaming operations in accordance with the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). That framework requires that any revenues from gaming operations be used for five core purposes: funding tribal operations, providing for the general welfare of the tribe and its members or citizens, promoting tribal economic development, donating to charitable organizations and helping to fund operations of local government agencies. The amount of good Oklahoma’s tribes have done – and continue to do – has changed our state, improving the lives of all Oklahomans.
Rural and city-dwelling Oklahomans, tribal and non-tribal, benefit from job creation. Tribal nations have put more than 113,000 Oklahomans to work, in good-paying positions in industries and initiatives made possible by revenues generated by gaming. Of course, the gaming industry itself employs many thousands of people, but so do tourism, transportation, healthcare, technology, government services and more. The benefits go far beyond jobs. As former Anadarko Mayor Klye Eastwood puts it, “it’s the only way that we grow rural Oklahoma.”
Community support from tribes keeps Oklahoma’s nonprofits thriving. All Oklahomans benefit from tribal philanthropy. Our state’s nonprofits have received more than $61 million in support from tribal donations and sponsorships. Whether a nonprofit is focused on arts and culture, education and scholarships, food insecurity, medical technology, programs for preschoolers or the elderly, tribes are making our state better, and our people safer, healthier and happier.
About OIGA
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), established in 1986, is a non-profit organization of Indian Nations with other non-voting associate members representing organizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around Oklahoma. The common commitment and purpose of OIGA is to advance the welfare of Indian peoples economically, socially and politically. The mission of Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association is to promote the general welfare of the Oklahoma Indian Tribes through the development of sound policies and practices with respect to the conduct of gaming enterprises in Indian Country. As a trade association, the purpose of OIGA is to educate and disseminate information to the tribal, federal, and state governments and the general public on issues relating to tribal government gaming.
