Latest Issues in Tribal Gaming to Feature in Expanded Conference Content and Special Events at G2E 2006.

Ernie Stevens to Moderate Keynote Panel of Tribal Leaders Discussing the Future of Native American Gaming

LAS VEGAS -- Native American gaming leaders can look forward to a keynote on the future of tribal gaming, conference sessions providing practical, real-world solutions, one-of-a-kind networking opportunities and more as part of the programming focused on tribal gaming issues at Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2006. G2E is scheduled for Nov. 14-16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with the G2E Training & Development Institute taking place Nov. 13.

"With the increasing success of resort-style tribal gaming properties and the ongoing regulatory issues that affect the industry, tribal gaming leaders are seeking innovative tools and solutions to help them remain competitive in the broader gaming landscape," said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA). "Nothing better delivers those tools and solutions than G2E, where we strive each year to develop the most valuable content and programming possible for tribal gaming professionals."

After the successful debut last year of the first tribal gaming-focused keynote, G2E 2006 will once again turn the spotlight on these issues in Tribal Gaming Summit: The Future of Indian Gaming, the keynote panel scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m. In the session, Ernie Stevens, Jr., chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) will moderate a panel discussion of the most pressing issues in tribal gaming today and their expected economic impact. Panelists will include Anthony Miranda, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) and other tribal gaming leaders.

"Indian gaming continues to be the most successful economic development program for Indian country and is our best opportunity for tribal self-sufficiency and self-determination," Stevens said. "At G2E, tribal gaming professionals can take advantage of a variety of unique, tailored resources and opportunities while also getting a view of the broader gaming marketplace. G2E helps tribal gaming professionals build and enhance the success of their gaming operations - I highly recommend it."

This year, the G2E Signature Series will take a closer look at important issues faced by tribal gaming professionals in the conference session Investing in Indian Gaming: Wall Street Is Watching which will examine how Class II gaming casinos can be financed and how to find investment capital without a management company, as well as the current Congressional mood and proposed regulations and legislation. Session attendees will have a unique opportunity to learn how to maximize increasing amounts of leverage on Native American gaming enterprises, unusual project financings, and how to handle the many non-registered issues in the market.

The tribal government conference track at G2E 2006 has been reenergized and will not only survey the regulatory issues facing the industry, but provide a forum for new insights into the practical business concerns and strategies for running a successful tribal gaming operation as well. Sessions include The Money Train: Financing Indian Gaming, The Next Wave: Staying Competitive, Tribe-to-Business: Working with Tribal Governments, The Compacting Process: Does It Really Work?, Media Matters: Indian Gaming & The Press, Tribal Diversification: Investment Portfolio Strategies and more.

In addition, the G2E Training and Development Institute, scheduled for Monday, Nov. 13, once again will address the specific challenges faced by tribal gaming operations by providing further, focused training in sectors such as operations, security and surveillance, marketing and more.

Native American gaming professionals also will have access to a host of networking opportunities at G2E 2006 designed to foster important business connections between gaming professionals from every area of the industry. Among them will be the Same Suit Networking luncheon for Native American leaders featuring Valerie Spicer, co-chair of the NIGA National Research Subcommittee, co-chair of the American Indian Business Network and member of the NIGA Executive Committee. Focusing on the topic Native American Solutions: The View from the Top, the luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16 at 12:30 p.m. and sponsored by Honeywell and North American Video.

In addition, Native American leaders can take advantage of G2E's other Same Suit Networking lunches, including those for marketing directors and women in gaming, extended daily networking breaks between sessions and the Web-based networking tool G2Exchange that helps attendees maximize the value of their G2E experience.

G2E is the leading trade event for the worldwide gaming entertainment community, attended by more than 26,000 industry professionals from around the world. For more information on G2E or to register for group or early bird discounts, visit the Web site at www.globalgamingexpo.com.

Global Gaming Expo (G2E) is the international gaming trade show and conference "by the industry and for the industry." Organized by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and Reed Exhibitions, G2E made its debut in fall 2001, defining itself as the pre-eminent show for the gaming-entertainment industry.

The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.

Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading organizer of exhibitions and conferences. Reed brings together over 90,000 suppliers and more than 5.5 million buyers from around the world every year generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organized by 33 fully staffed offices. Reed's portfolio of over 460 events serves 52 industry sectors. Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier, a FTSE 100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider, with revenues in excess of $8.4 billion (2004).