Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association announces 29th Annual Conference and Trade Show

The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) will host its 29th Conference and Trade Show at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in Tulsa from August 12 to 14. Nearly 3,000 attendees, including tribal leadership, gaming executives and professionals, hospitality professionals, and vendors, are expected to gather in downtown Oklahoma City for the meeting.

"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.

The Conference and Trade Show begins on Monday, with the annual John Marley Golf Tournament at Lincoln Park Golf Course (sold out), an event that raises scholarship funds for individuals who work in the gaming industry and their dependents.

Matthew L. Morgan, OIGA chairman

The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association established the John Marley Scholarship in 2008 to provide educational opportunities for OIGA member employees and their families. The initiative provides 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 AM with a keynote address given by marketing consultant Paul Speirs-Hernandez, called "Look Up: 5 Benefits of Putting Down Your Phone and Picking Up Your Potential.”

After that, the morning will feature 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 PM, 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, the association said. These include topics like the 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 topics such as What’s in Your Wallet' an exploration of wallet options catering to the diverse needs and preferences of players; or Sports Betting Analytics and Beyond, ideal for those who have already – or who plan to – add sports betting to their entertainment offerings.

A new session being introduced this year is Travel Safety Guidelines for Women Business Travelers, which is especially important for women who travel alone for business. Addressing Human Trafficking is another topic of ongoing and critical importance in the industry industry that will be covered during the event.

Wednesday morning will be packed with more conference sessions, followed by lunch on the Trade Show Floor when it opens at noon.