32 Indian Gaming November 2017

AIGA EXPO

The Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA) wrappedup a successful 2017 AIGA Expo recently at the

We-Ko-Pa Resort and Conference Center on the FortMcDowell Yavapai Nation near Scottsdale, AZ. The event ranfrom October 22-24, 2017.

The more than 350 attendees included tribal leadership fromnot only Arizona but throughout Indian Country, as well as tribalgaming and industry representatives and experts to celebratethe success of tribal gaming in Arizona, and to recognize thegrowth and potential of the Indian gaming industry. The conference theme “Planting the Seeds of Prosperity” resonatedthroughout the three-day event where attendees acknowl-edged not only the history of tribal gaming but of those whohave paved the path of prosperity for the next generation.

Judy Ferreira, AIGA Executive Director, said, “The 2017AIGA Expo was a tremendous success. We thank the Arizonatribal leadership and AIGA partners who joined to help us bringto the stage an outstanding event. ”

The AIGA Expo kicked off with the Desert Classic golf tournament and luncheon at the We-Ko-Pa Golf club followedby the official kick-off of the 2017 gaming event, the AIGA ExpoWelcome Reception on Sunday, October 22.

AIGA tribal leadership also conducted their annual meeting,where they elected Ak-Chin Indian Community Council Member Delia Carlyle as the new AIGA Chairperson and PascuaYaqui Tribal Councilman Francisco Valencia was elected as thenew AIGA Treasurer. Both leaders will serve a two year term.

“My sincere thanks to all who helped make the 2017 AIGAExpo a success,” says Carlyle. “I look forward to working togetherin promoting and protecting the integrity of Indian gaming.”

During the opening session, on Monday, October 22, formerAIGA Chairperson and President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Bernadine Burnette provided the welcomeaddress. Attendees also heard national updates from NationalIndian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Vice Chairperson KathrynIsom-Clause and National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA)Acting Vice-Chairman David Bean.

The three-day expo presented a vast selection of workshopssessions and discussion forums, including the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming – Executive Training Program,which was presented by Marcus Diaz, Director of OrganizationalDevelopment at Casino Del Sol Resort and Conference Center in Tucson, AZ. The focus, “Tribal Gaming – The futureof learning,” explored potential opportunities for the tribal

Arizona Indian Gaming Association Hosts Successful 2017 AIGAExpo at the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation

AIGA Member Tribal Leaders gathered at the Ak-Chin Indian Community Tradeshow Ribbon Cutting as Chairman Robert Miguel cuts the ribbon openingthe tradeshow to all. Nearly 50 exhibitors took part in this year’s event.

National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Acting Vice-Chairman DavidBean addresses the opening session

November 2017 Indian Gaming 33

gaming industry and highlightedrecent trends and findings, further-ing the advancement of tribal gaming professionals.

The tracks included an array of topics covering a number criti-cal aspects related to the tribalgaming industry, including discus-sion on economic developmentand diversification, regulatoryrelated issues, public affairs indus-try perspectives and sports betting.The workshop tracks concludedwith a tribal leader’s forum, whereleaders assembled to reflect on theprogress of tribes made possibleby tribal gaming and provided ideason how to plant the seed of prosperity for the generations to come.This featured session was moderated by Maria Dadgar, Executive Director of the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona andpanelists included Bernadine Burnette, President of the FortMcDowell Yavapai Nation, Shan Lewis, Vice-Chairman of theFort Mojave Indian Tribe and Terry Rambler, Chairman of theSan Carlos Apache Tribe.

Tribal leaders and attendees gathered for the ribbon-cuttingceremony, officially opening the tradeshow floor, sponsored bythe Ak-Chin Indian Community. Close to 50 gaming, tribal organizations, enterprises and tribal business-related vendorbooths were featured on the tradeshow floor.

The 2017 Chef’s Challenge, which celebrates the best of Arizona’s Casino dining, was hosted by the Desert DiamondCasinos at the La Puesta del Sol, an enterprise of the FortMcDowell Yavapai Nation, and featured seven tribal enterprisechefs in a cuisine competition on Monday, October 23. TheFort McDowell Destination Culinary Team, led by Chef Alan

Thompson, won the People’sChoice Award while Harrah’s Ak-Chin Chef Colin Ribble was honored as the Top Chef’s Challenge Champion by the official judges of the competition.

On Tuesday, October 24, the2017 AIGA Expo concluded withthe Gathering Luncheon, whichwas presented by We-Ko-Pa Resort& Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.NIGC Chairman Jonodev Chaudhuri presented the keynoteaddress. Tony Duncan Productionsprovided the special entertainmentto close out the Expo.

AIGA Expo sponsors includedthe Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, Desert Diamond Casinos, Casino Del Sol Resort, Hensley BeverageCompany, Bank of America, Yavapai-Apache Nation, BMM TestLabs, North American Video, Ainsworth Gaming Technology,IGT , Apache Gold, Denver Mattress, Bank of Arizona, VGT,Viz Explorer, Atrient, Wells Fargo, Lewis Roca RothgerberChristie, the Arizona Office of Tourism, Gaming LaboratoriesInternational (GLI), TFA Capital Partners, National FoodGroup, KlasRobinson QED, Everi, Konami Gaming, andKitchell Contractors.

The Arizona Indian Gaming Association represents 15tribes representing Indian people living on reservations inArizona. AIGA was established in November 21, 1994, by Arizona tribal leaders. The association protects, promotes andmaintains the welfare of sovereign tribes striving for self-reliance by supporting tribal gaming in Arizona and acrossIndian Country. ®

2017 AIGA Chefs Challenge held at La Puesta del Sol – Ft. McDowellAdventures

Marcus Diaz, (kneeling) Director of Organizational Development at Casino Del Sol Resort & Conference Center, conducted the 2017 Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming (SITG) Executive Training Program sponsored by Bank of America and BMM Test Labs. Forty-six participants earned an SITGcertificate.