AIGA EXPO 2014 Posts Big Win for Tribal Gaming
(FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ) – The Southwest’s Foremost Gaming & Business Summit & Trade Show – the AIGA EXPO 2014 – broke records for event attendance and vendor participation on a sold out trade show floor, during the annual gathering held November 5 – 7 at the We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center in Fountain Hills, AZ. Amid a football-themed venue, Tribal Leaders, Tribal enterprise and gaming executives took part in the conference that attracted more than 400 attendees to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, where Arizona Indian Gaming began.
A highlight of this year’s conference was the $1 Billion Luncheon Celebration held Thursday, November 6. The event celebrated a milestone for Tribal Gaming and the sharing of more than $1 billion of revenue with all Arizonans through the Arizona Benefits Fund. The Fund, benefiting Arizonans through Education, Trauma & Emergency Room services, Conservation, Tourism and Cities & Towns, reached the historic milestone earlier this year. The luncheon celebration featured children from the H’man Shawa Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Early Childhood Development Center who sang the Nation’s Anthem in both Yavapai and English. Two recipients of 12d funding spoke about the importance of these funds to their organizations. Globe Fire Department Chief Al Gameros and Sierra Kamela, Vice President of Marketing & PR of Hacienda Healthcare, both expressed their gratitude to tribes for their generosity and support.
At the 2014 EXPO, AIGA, together with the Sycuan Institute of Tribal Gaming (SITG), School of Hospitality and Tourism Management of San Diego State University, launched its inaugural Executive Training Program where 40 participants received program certification in Integrated Resort Management or Tribal Customer Service Advancement. Dr. Kate Spilde,
SITG Endowed Chair said, “This intensive training program was very well received. We are very proud of our partnership with AIGA to bring formal education in gaming to Indian Country through this premier event.”
The General Session on Friday featured a Tribal Leaders Forum, moderated by Councilman Paul Russell of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Diane Enos and Yavapai Apache Chairman Thomas Beauty joined Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman Brian Foster, member of the Choctaw Nation, and Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians Councilman Steve Stallings. The Forum Leadership was asked to consider the question: “Gaming Decisions Made for Generations to Come: Has it turned out as you anticipated?” Leaderships’ conversation provided an insightful perspective from the local, regional and national points of view.
Jaime Molera, partner Molera-Alvarez, moderated a uniquely timely panel, Post-Election Playbook. Panelists John Tahsuda, Managing Partner Navigators Global, and Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, discussed the impact of the election for Tribes and Tribal gaming in a candid and thoughtful session. Noted Hamer, “It would be helpful if both parties could come up with a policy agenda – this is what we need to do.”
Asked how Arizona tribes should position themselves to protect Tribal gaming, John Tahsuda stated, “Tribes need to give the message that Indian gaming shareholders are here, in your state. Commercial gaming shareholders are out of state. The responsibility of commercial gaming is to pull money out of your state and distribute it to out-of-state investors,” he pointed out.
Jake Plummer, veteran star quarterback, was the keynote speaker for the AIGA EXPO Championship Luncheon, held Friday, November 7. Plummer presented winner Christine Dodwell, of the Ak-Chin Tribal Gaming Agency, with a pair of Super Bowl tickets.
The AIGA Chefs Challenge, held at Ft. McDowell Adventures – La Puesta, saw eight Tribal enterprise chefs compete at the popular EXPO event. The Challenge was won by Chef
Ron Dimas, Chef de Cuisine of Orange Sky Restaurant at Talking Stick Resort, owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Chef Dimas presented the celebrity judges an entry of Mesquite Boar Rib, Acorn Squash with Agave Chile Chutney to claim the Top Chef honor. He is the first chef to win this prestigious award two consecutive years. Chef Hector Vasquez, Executive Chef of Twin Arrows Casino Resort, an enterprise of the Navajo Nation, won the 2014 People’s Choice Award for his Grilled Navajo Beef Rib Eye, Jumbo Scallops, with Aged Port wine Reduction, Sweet Mashed Potatoes, Lotus Root and Patty Pan Squash.
Valerie Spicer, AIGA Executive Director, was pleased with the 2014 AIGA EXPO. “By every measure, this year’s EXPO exceeded our expectations,” said Valerie Spicer, AIGA Executive Director. The quality of our speakers, the support of our Associate Members, the support of our exhibitors, the participation in the new SITG Executive Training Program, a great golf tournament and a deliciously competitive Chefs Challenge made this a memorable and successful gaming conference. We’re very grateful to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and its beautiful We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center which provided a perfect setting.”
Spicer added, “Each of the key elements that were represented during the EXPO are clear indications that our industry is positively impacting our communities and our state. It’s the Tribal in Tribal Gaming that makes the difference.”
The 2015 AIGA EXPO will be held October 28 – 30 at Talking Stick Resort on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Valerie Spicer, Executive Director
(480) 284-4034
