International Casino Conference to feature 150 industry leaders, insights on Palms Las Vegas acquisition

Organizers for the International Casino Conference, which takes place on Monday, February 6 and serves as a curtain-raiser to ICE London, announced Monday the event will feature a total of 150 industry thought leaders delivering insight and informed opinion covering gaming politics, emerging market, regulation, entertainment spend, and the experience economy, as well as "exclusive insights on the major casino development projects making the industry headlines."

Cynthia Kiser Murphey, General Manager at Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas, and Laurens Vosloo, CEO of San Manuel Casino, will be among the global thought leaders sharing their experience in relation to the April 2022 opening of the Palms Casino Resort by the San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority, a landmark which took place just 132 days after receiving the license to operate. 

Ahead of the keynote presentation taking place at ICC, Laurens Vosloo, Management Committee Member for San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority and Chief Executive Officer of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, said: “Owning a casino resort in the entertainment and gaming mecca of Las Vegas was a long-term vision realized as part of the Tribe’s investment and diversification strategy.”

At the International Casino Conference, Vosloo and Kiser Murphey will be sharing the story of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and how they made history by becoming the first Native American tribe to wholly own and operate a casino resort in Las Vegas.

“The San Manuel Tribe is known for their generosity and contributions to building-up communities as a way of showing their gratitude for the kindness that others showed them throughout their journey to self-reliance and sovereignty,” Vosloo stated.

“The journey of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians through time to become one of Southern California’s leading employers and their history-making acquisition of Palms involved many discoveries along the way. Providing for the community is at the heart of the Tribe’s values, including creating jobs for 1,200 team members, 50% of whom were returning Palms team members,” he noted. 

Cynthia Kiser Murphey, General Manager, Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas, commented: “Our team opened Palm in less than four months - a period which included sourcing, hiring, and training 1,200 exceptional team members, overcoming strategic sourcing and supply chain issues and dealing with unknowns that we encountered as the first Tribal entity to own and operate a casino resort in Las Vegas.”

“We are grateful that so many original Palms team members re-joined our team at the opening. Team members expressed their desire to return because of the magic they feel when working here together. Their energy and enthusiasm are the reason Palms continues to thrive,” she added. 

Since opening, Palms has established a reputation for delivering exceptional service to guests. The property was fully renovated in 2019, meaning guests will find "stunning guestrooms and suites," including ten iconic themed suites, notes Kiser Murphy, in addition to the Ghostbar ultra lounge, a variety of dining options, and more. 

"Hospitality is a hallmark of the Tribe and put into practice at Palms where team members strive to go above and beyond to ensure guests have fun and enjoy their visit to its fullest," the casino's General Manager said.

“We are also thankful for the San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority’s vision and the opportunity to create positive change in the Las Vegas community. Their contributions to the community are making it stronger and more resilient. They truly are an amazing organization to work for," concluded Kiser Murphy.