California Nations Indian Gaming Association 23rd Annual Western Indian Gaming Conference
23rd Annual Western Indian Gaming Conference
February 6th – 8th
Harrah’s Resort Southern California
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, February 6th
(All major events to take place at The Events Center “TEC”)
Continental Breakfast
Sponsored By: Sherwood Valley
8:30 am – 10:00 am
General Session
Location: TEC 11, 12, 13
9:00 am – 12 Noon
Opening Prayer
Welcome Address
Susan Jensen, Executive Director of CNIGA
The Honorable Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
State of the Nations Address:
Chairman Steve Stallings
General Session Seminars:
Critical Legislative Issues Facing Tribal Governments
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Top political consultants will discuss state and federal legislation, proposed regulatory changes, and the political environment facing tribal governments. Issues to be discussed will include proposed changes to the Part 151 regulations, taxation, and Sports Wagering.
Moderator: Susan Jensen, Executive Director - CNIGA
Speakers: Jason Giles, Executive Director – National Indian Gaming Association
Andrew Govenar, Partner – Governmental Advocates, Inc (Invited)
Afrack Vargas, Partner – K Street Consulting
Jim Wise, Managing Partner, PACE, LLP
The Tribal Gaming Difference: Conveying the Distinction Between Tribal Government Gaming and Commercial Operators
11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Tribal governments struggle with keeping their message strong in a large state like California. As the AGA continues to erase tribal gaming’s unique story and absorb tribes into the larger casino industry, it is critical that the tribes in California resist the movement. Rather, we need to double down on distinguishing the tribal gaming industry from any other in order to pre-empt any proposals for commercial casino gaming in the state. This session has the advantage of offering both a research base as well as an experience base to guide tribes in creating messages that differentiate tribal gaming from any other.
Moderator: Katherine A. Spilde, Ph.D. MBA, Associate Professor - L Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Endowed Chair - Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming San Diego State University
Speakers: The Honorable Cody Martinez, Chairman – Sycuan Band of The Kumeyaay Nation
Awards Luncheon – 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Bordeaux Room located on 2nd Floor of South Tower
Sponsored By: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
Video Gaming Technologies (VGT)
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
12:30 pm
Award Presentations:
Eighth Annual Anna Sandoval Leadership Award
Tribal Leader Recipient: The Honorable Mary Ann Andreas, Vice Chairwoman
Morongo Band of Mission Indians
Eighth Annual Pauline Murillo Industry Leader Award
Industry Leader Recipient: Pinnacle Bank
Track 1 Seminars – Tribal Government
Location: TEC 12 & 13
1:30 pm – 2:50 pm
Tribal Sovereignty – The Primary Asset of Tribal Self-Government
Most people have heard of tribal sovereignty, but do they truly understand its meaning? Panelist will discuss the origins of tribal sovereignty and its historical and present day applications to tribal self-government.
Moderator: Denise Turner-Walsh, Attorney General - Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
Speakers: George Forman, Principal – Forman & Associates
Richard Guest, Managing Attorney – San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Network Break
3:00 pm – 3:20 pm
Sponsored By: Sage Mountain Construction
3:20 pm – 4:00 pm
CNIGA Legislative Projects – Trespass/Tribal Courts & Audit of State Regulatory Agencies
Over the next legislative cycle, CNIGA will be spearheading legislation that will address issues of mutual concern among California’s tribal governments including enforcement of tribal exclusion orders and an audit of state regulatory agencies.
Moderator: Susan Jensen, Executive Director - CNIGA
Speakers: To Be Announced
Track 2 Seminars – Casino Operations & Security
Location: TEC 2 & 4
1:30 pm – 2:50 pm
Recognizing the Growing Threat of Human Trafficking: Developing Protocols for Patron Safety
This session is designed to improve the general understanding of, and awareness around, the crime of human trafficking— defining human trafficking and beginning a dialogue on industry best practices to combat this crime,
Moderator: Andrew Hofstetter, Chairman – Tribal Gaming Network Protection (TGPN)
Eddie Ilko, Security Claims Manager – Sycuan Casino
Speakers: Vanessa Chauhan, Strategic Engagement Advisor – Polaris Project
Michael Bostic, Lead Market Development Manager – FirstNet
Kathryn Isom-Clause, Vice Chairwoman – NIGC
Trish Martinez, Native Liaison – San Diego Human Trafficking Advisory Council -Community Subcommittee
Summer Stephan, District Attorney – San Diego County
Network Break
3:00 pm – 3:20 pm
Sponsored By: Sage Mountain Construction
3:20 pm – 4:50 pm
How to Integrate a Sports Book at Your Existing Facility
Panelists will discuss how to set up a sports book to compliment the casino experience.
Moderator: John Repa, President -Hospitality & Gaming Solutions
Speakers: To Be Announced
Track 3 Seminars – Regulation
Location: TEC 1 & 3
1:30 pm – 2:50 pm
True Cost of a FinCEN Title 31/BSA Enforcement Action
This panel will discuss some of the Title 31/AML Compliance shortcomings that have triggered Casino and Card Club enforcement actions. More importantly, we will analyze the cost to the casinos. Not just the fines from FinCEN, but the undertakings that are now included in almost all the enforcement actions. The remedial actions and character damage are significant cost to the casinos that need to be considered while implementing and revising Casinos BSA Programs as well as discuss ways for Casinos to mitigate their Title 31/AML risk.
Moderator: Grant Eve, CPA, CFE – WIPFli /Joseph Eve
Speakers: Jennifer Parisien, Director of Resource Development – Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA)
Network Break
3:00 pm – 3:20 pm
Sponsored By: Sage Mountain Construction
3:20 pm – 4:50 pm
Ongoing Cooperation Among State, Federal, and Tribal Regulatory Agencies
Panelists will discuss the collaborative efforts between tribal, state and federal regulatory agencies.
Moderator: Les Stanley, Executive Director, Rincon Tribal Gaming Commission
Speakers: Kathryn Isom-Clause, Vice Chairwoman – NIGC
Edward Simermeyer, Associate Commissioner - NIGC
Tyler Burtis, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Gambling Control
Oscar Schuyler, Executive Director – Morongo Gaming Agency
Track 4 Seminars – Finance & Business Development
Location: TEC 11
1:30 pm – 2:50 pm
Creating Essential Profit Strategies
Diversification of assets is essential to the long term financial well-being of tribal members. There is no way to predict the future of gaming in California. While it is lucrative now, it is extraordinarily important for tribal councils to diversify smartly so that their asset base is safe. Panelists will discuss extraordinary opportunities with banks willing to invest in tax free retirement strategies for certain individuals. This is essential information for those who are concerned with diversification and future financial security.
Moderator: Chad Frazier, Founder, Managing Partner - OneSource
Speakers: Eric Ramos, Senior VP – USI Insurance Services LLC
Clifford Der, Principal – EAST WEST Administrators
Network Break
3:00 pm – 3:20 pm
Sponsored By: Sage Mountain Construction
3:20 pm – 4:50 pm
Securing Financing for your Next Expansion
Panelists will discuss options tribal governments should consider when financing their next expansion.
Moderator: Dave Burrell, Chairman and CEO – Pinnacle Bank
Speakers: Eric Ramos, Senior VP – USI Insurance Services LLC
Ben Rechkemmer, Senior Banker, SVP - Key Bank Native American Financial Services
Rick Bokum, Corporate Banking Relations Manager, Gaming - Wells Fargo Bank
The Honorable Daniel Salgado, Chairman - Cahuilla Band of Indians and Assistant GM – Cahuilla Casino
CNIGA Meeting
Location: TEC 12 & 13
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Welcome Reception
Location: SR76 Brewery
6:30 pm -8:00 pm
Sponsored By: Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
Video Gaming Technologies (VGT)
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Sycuan Casino
California Clean Air Project (CCAP)
Morongo Band of Mission Indians
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
VizExplorer
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM)
IGT
Key Bank
FirstNet
Wells Fargo Bank
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP
Cocktail – Launch Party
California Joins the Ovation Nation!
Hosted By: Video Gaming Technologies (VGT)
Location: Courtyard/Bonfire
8:00 pm -10:00 pm
Wednesday, February 7th,
Location: Harrah’s Events Center (TEC)
Track 1 Seminars – Tribal Government
Location: TEC 12 & 13
9:00 am – 10:20am
Tribal Enterprises & Sovereign Immunity – How Screwed Are We?
Panelists will discuss the implications of Lewis v. Clark along with other important litigation surrounding sovereign immunity for tribal entities.
Moderator: Sam Cohen, Government & Legal Specialist – Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
Speakers: Michelle Carr, Attorney General– Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Donald Molloy, First Vice President – Tribal First
10:30am – 11:50 pm
Advances and Benefits of Class II Gaming
Manufacturers of Class II gaming product have made big strides in recent years toward offering more compelling games to Operators and patrons. Class II gaming can also provide financial benefits, depending on compact stipulations. Learn more about the latest trends in Class II gaming with this panel session.
Moderator: Dan Little, VP of Government Relations – Aristocrat Technologies, Inc
Speakers: Tracy Burris, Gaming Commissioner Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association
James Starr, EVP of Sales – Video Gaming Technologies (VGT)
Tradeshow Opening – Lunch on Tradeshow Floor
Location: TEC 9
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Track 2 Seminars – Casino Operations & Security
Location: TEC 2 & 4
9:00 am – 10:20 am
Cyber Security – Intrusion Prevention
Tribal enterprises, including casinos, gather data on patrons, guests, employees, members, etc. and bear the responsibility to protect it. Data, and the risk of breaches, is a sovereignty issue. Tribes must protect their resources from liability by enacting privacy laws and regulations to protect their patrons, people, and employees. Learn how to identify “red flags”, learn best practices to detect and prevent fraud, and how to develop a response plan.
Moderator: Roy Cupler, CPA, CFE, Partner – Moss Adams, LLP
Speakers: Troy Hawes, Senior Manager – Moss Adams, LLP
Kevin Villanueva, Partner – Moss Adams, LLP
Andrew Cardno, Founder & CTO - VizExplorer
10:30 am – 11:50 am
Innovation on the Casino Floor: The Critical Need to Create an Engaging Experience
How do you keep money on the casino floor while creating an immersive experience that wows your guests? Learn from leading players in the industry about how they successfully implemented engaging technology that stands out from the rest and provides a return on their investment.
Moderator: Samantha Urban, CEO – Urban Translations
Speakers: Dave Furano, Founder -Rock and Brews
Bob Dollar, Senior VP Architect - Friedmutter Group
Darrell Pilant, Senior VP and General Manager - Harrah’s Resort Southern California
John Miceli, President - Technomedia
Tradeshow Opening – Lunch on Tradeshow Floor
Location: Tradeshow Floor
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Track 3 Seminars – Regulation
Location: TEC 1 & 3
9:00am – 10:20 am
How to Mitigate Casino Risk Through a Good Forensic Plan
This session will help attendees gain a greater understanding of how forensic testing is used to determine if a particular event was an abnormal occurrence or outside the normal operating and compliance parameters. This session cover steps to determine if the event warrants a forensic examination and the steps to protect the hardware, software, and other pertinent information across various gaming technologies. Examples of real life forensic situations will be discussed.
Moderator: Robert Pagliaroli-Senior Client Representative
Speakers: Abraham Calac, Assistant Executive Director -Rincon Gaming Commission
Joseph Osterloh, Director Compliance and Investigations- Morongo Gaming Agency
Matt Toler, Senior Technical Compliance Engineer- Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
10:30am – 11:50am
Why Isn’t California Properly Regulating the Cardroom Industry?
Moderator: Steve Stallings, Chairman – CNIGA and Tribal Council Member - Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
Speakers: Jeffry Butler, Partner – Dentons, LLP
Scott Crowell, Principal – Crowell Law Offices
Ray Patterson, Executive Director – Yocha Dehe Tribal Gaming Agency
Tradeshow Opening – Lunch on Tradeshow Floor
Location: TEC 9
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Track 4 Seminars – Finance & Business Development
Location: TEC 11
9:00am – 10:20am
Successful Project Development: Tribe’s Role in Making Critical Decisions and Getting the Most out of Your Consultants.
Three essential decisions need to be made for a successful process and outcome of any project: SCOPE-BUDGET-SCHEDULE. Industry consultants from the A/E/C industry with years of experience working in Indian Country will walk through the critical stages and steps that need to made by the Tribe in order to move forward and get the most out of any project team and their consultants saving critical resources of time and money.
Moderator: Lisa Jelliffe, Strategic Planning - Amaktoolik Studios
Speakers: Kari McCormick, Vice President of Client Relations, Western Division – Arrowhead Builders
Robert Martinez, Senior Project Manager - Wenaha Group Brain Fagerstorm, AIA, President and CEO -Amaktoolik Studios
10:30am – 11:50am
RFP Process: Is it Really the Best Way to Secure Design and Construction Services for Your Project?
Everyone has been told that the RFP process is the best approach to “saving money” on your project. Going through an RFP process for securing Owners Representatives, Architectural Design Services and Construction may get the lowest fees, but does it produce the lowest cost for your project overall? The benefits from a team approach can produce savings to your project that far exceed savings in the individual fees. This panel will explore how an interactive team approach can produce a project quicker and less expensive than the traditional RFP process.
Moderator: Brad Schulz, FAIA LEED AP BD+C, VP – Bergman Walls & Associates
Speakers: Dick Rizzo, Vice Chairman – Tudor Perini Building
Steve Davis, AIA Principal - Summit PM
Tradeshow Opening – Lunch on Tradeshow Floor
Location: TEC 9
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) *Pending California State Bar Approval
Location: Diamond Lounge B
1:30pm – 2:50pm
When Will the Tribes Be Able to Operate Sports Betting?
Moderator: Steve Hart, Partner - Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP
Speakers: Frances Sjoberg, Associate - Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP
John Repa, President - Hospitality & Gaming Solutions
Greg Gemignani, Member - Dickinson Wright
Break
3:00 pm – 3:20 pm
Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) *Pending California State Bar Approval
Location: Diamond Lounge B
3:20pm – 4:50pm
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act – Tribal Considerations
Moderator: Stanley Lutz, of Counsel - Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP
Speakers: Anecita Agustinez, Tribal Policy Advisor – California Division of Water Resources
Art Bunce, Principal – Bunce Law
Roger Moore, Principal – Law Office of Roger B. Moore
Bowling Tournament
Sponsored By:
Black Oak Casino Resort/Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians – Sapphire Sponsor
Redding Rancheria – Sapphire Sponsor
Arrowhead Builders – Turquoise Sponsor
Moss Adams, LLP – Jade Sponsor
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: AMF San Marcos 945 W San Marcos Blvd San Marcos, CA 92069
**Shuttle will depart from East Casino Entrance at 5:30pm
Note that AMF is approximately 45 minutes away from the Harrah’s property!
Thursday, February 8th
Location: Harrah’s Events Center (TEC)
Associate Member Breakfast
Location: Art Gallery located on 2nd Floor of South Tower next to Bordeaux Room
*Open to Associate Members Only
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Tradeshow – Breakfast on Tradeshow Floor
Location: TEC 9
Sponsored By: Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
10:30pm – 12:30pm
Track 1 Seminars – Tribal Government
Location: TEC 12 & 13
9:00am – 10:20am
Fee-To-Trust Under the Trump Administration
Moderator: Anna Kimber, Principal – Law Office of Anna Kimber
Speakers: Heather Sibbison – Dentons, LLP
Sara Dutschke Setshwaelo, Counsel – Dentons, LLP
Brenda Tomaras, Partner – Tomaras & Ogas, LLP
John Tashuda III, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs - Department of Interior (Invited)
Track 2 Seminars – Casino Operations & Security
Location: TEC 2 & 4
9:00am – 10:20am
Are you Maximizing Your Media Dollars? Tips & Tricks of the Trade to Make the Most out of Your Budget.
Media dollars can easily be the biggest expense of any casino marketing department’s annual budget. Whether your property uses an agency to buy media or you have an in-house team, attend this panel to hear media experts discuss insider best practices on how to maximize the value you get for every media dollar.
Moderator: Mark Nigon, Director of Media Services - Red Circle Agency
Speakers: Doug Burr, Digital Marketing Manager - Cord Media
Maria Orozco, Director of Public Relations – Win River Resort & Casino
Molly Miller, Director of Digital Marketing -Red Circle Agency
Track 3 Seminars – Regulation
Location: TEC 1 & 3
9:00am – 10:20am
Strategic Planning & Performing a Self-Assessment of Your Tribal Gaming Commission
Learn best practices and benchmarks your gaming commission can incorporate to have better self-assessments, strategic planning and general governance such as: assessing the effectiveness of core functions of a gaming commission; allocation of resources, onboarding programs and on-going training for commissioners. This session will also discuss developing better internal accounting policies and procedures, budgeting and financial reporting, transparency and accountability to those charged with governance.
Moderator: Roy Cupler, CPA, CFE, Partner – Moss Adams, LLP
Speakers: Branden Valentini, CPA, Partner – Moss Adams, LLP
Dave Vialpando, Chairman – Santa Ysabel Tribal Gaming Commission
Track 4 Seminars – Finance & Business Development
Location: TEC 11
9:00am – 10:20am
Designing for the Millennial – Design Trends and Amenities that will Draw a New Demographic
As your patron demographics shift so must your overall design strategy. Panelists will discuss ways to keep your casino floor up to date for this changing crowd.
Moderator: Nick Schoenfeldt, VP & Principal - TBE Architects
Speakers: Kevin Buntrock, Tribal Business Development - IGT
To Be Announced
Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) *Pending California State Bar Approval
Location: Diamond Lounge B
9:00am – 10:20am
Hot Topics in Intellectual Property For Tribes
Moderator: Anne Aikman-Scalese, Of Counsel – Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP
Speakers: Robert Green, Partner - Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP
Cindy Villanueva, Associate - Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP
Break
10:20 am – 10:30 am
Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) *Pending California State Bar Approval
Location: Diamond Lounge B
10:30am – 11:50pm
Managing Defaults in Tribal Gaming Financings: Reactions and Reflections
Moderator: Bryant Barber, Partner - Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP
Speakers: Matt Eden, Financial Advisor - Sovereign Finance LLC
Peter Larson, Partner – Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, LLP
Sony Ben-Moshe, Partner - Latham & Watkins, LLP
Gubernatorial Candidate Forum & General Session Wrap Up
Location: TEC 11, 12, 13
1:00pm – 3:00pm
1:00pm – Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Speaker of the California State Assembly and
Former Los Angeles Mayor
1:30pm – Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California
2:00pm – Travis Allen, Assemblyman
REGISTRATION SCHEDULE
All Registrations to take place at the Harrah’s Event Center
Monday, February 5th
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, February 6th
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday, February 7th
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Thursday, February 8th
8:00 am – 11:30am