2007 Southern Gaming Summit returns to Biloxi
BILOXI - The return of the Southern Gaming Summit to Biloxi in May marks a significant milestone in the recovery and rebirth of the Gulf Coast gaming market after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The 14th annual conference and trade show will be held May 9-10 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, and is produced by the Mississippi Casino Operators Association together with Ascend Media Gaming Group.
“The Southern Gaming Summit will be an ideal forum to showcase the strength and resilience of the Gulf Coast gaming market,” said Connie Rockco, president of the Harrison County Board of Supervisors. “All of the region’s economic stakeholders are looking forward to the return of this vital event to Biloxi.”
According to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, Center for Policy Research and Analysis, the Southern Gaming Summit has had a tremendous economic impact on the Gulf Coast region. The summit draws 6,000 participants to Biloxi - representing some 40 states and several countries and accounts for more than 1,500 room nights at local hotels. More than 300 exhibit booths cover the trade show floor, and the summit’s total economic impact is well over $7 million, said Beverly Martin, executive director of the state’s Casino Operators Association in a prepared release.
The Harrison County Development Commission also has reported that contacts made at the summit have encouraged more than 30 major gaming industry suppliers to locate in the Coast region.
Along with a regular schedule of sessions and keynote presentations revolving around the theme of Recovery and Rebirth, two dedicated conference tracks will offer valuable specialized learning opportunities, Martin said. One is a gaming law program developed in partnership with the International Masters of Gaming Law, a trade association of gaming attorneys, regulators and executives; the other is Slot Manager Institute, sponsored by Slot Manager magazine.
Almost seven months out, 85 percent of the exhibit space is sold, with some 250 booths already reserved, Martin reported.