2017 Conference Sessions

 

Thursday, September 21

9:00 am – 10:00 am

Supreme Court Update: Justice Neil Gorsuch

 

Presented by:  Joel Williams, Staff Attorney,  Native American Rights Fund

 

Description: Joel Williams will provide an in depth discussion on what to expect from the appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Neil Gorsuch. Justice Gorsuch has chosen the most conservative position on some of the most pressing constitutional issues of our time. What does this mean for Indian Country?

Location: Meeting Level Salon 3-4 

 

Tribal Sovereignty and the Trump Administration, Class II is the Key!

 

Speaker:  Cody Williamson, VP of Regulatory Compliance, Poarch Band of Creek Indians

 

Description: Tribal Sovereignty is something that seems in jeopardy of being infringed upon consistently from both the State and Federal level. Under the current administration in Washington, land in trust issues seem to be the latest in a long line of issues tribes must fight to protect. In this session, Robert H. McGhee will discuss this and many other issues and concerns that his tribe and many tribes across the country face each and every day from both the State and Federal level. Robert will also provide valuable insight and knowledge into the benefits of Class II and its importance in the continued fight for Tribal Sovereignty. 

Location: Meeting Level Salon 3-4 

---

10:15 am - 11:15 am

Land-in-Trust: The Trump Administration's Hard Line 

 

Moderator:  Mark Van Norman, Owner, VN Consulting	Panelist: Brian Cladoosby, President, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)	Panelist: Jason Giles, Executive Director, National Indian Gaming Association

 

Description: The election of Donald Trump to the White House signals a new direction for tribal land issues. There is no mixed message with this administration land-in-trust is not a priority. What does this mean for Indian Country and what are the legal and political options available for tribes? We look at these important issues with our panelists of experts. 

Location: Meeting Level Salon 3-4 

 

HACKED: Security in the 21st Century 

 

Moderator:  Gene Johnson, Vice President, Victor-Strategies	Panelist: Michael Capen, Director of Client Services, GLI	Panelist: Andrew Cardno, Founder & Chief Technology Officer, VizExplorer	Panelist: Bonito Gene, President & CEO, Indigenous Intelligence, LLC	Panelist: Patrick Tinklenberg, IT Director, Sycuan Casino

 

Description: As the gaming industry embraced technology at a rapid pace, a dark side appeared. In addition to protecting sensitive data, tribal casinos must also safeguard the integrity of their gaming systems against "Russian Hacks" and a host of other dangers. Find out more about these threats and the countermeasures being employed to forestall them in this revealing panel. 

Location: Meeting Level Salon 8 

---

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Congressional Update: Tales from the Hill 

 

Moderator:  Holly Cook-Macarro, Founder, Spirit Rock, LLC	Panelist: Aurene Martin, Managing Partner, Spirit Rock, LLC	Panelist: Mary Pavel, Partner, Sonosky Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry, LLP	Panelist: Devin Rhinerson, Vice President, PACE, LLP

 

Description: Overview of Administration developments related to Indian Country and a discussion of legislative opportunities for tribes as we near the mid-point of the 115th Congress. 

Location: Meeting Level Salon 2 

 

Cannabis and Gaming: Should Tribes Get Into Cannabis? 

 

Moderator:  Rion Ramirez, General Counsel, Port Madison Enterprises	Panelist:  Robin L.W. Sigo, Port Madison Enterprises	Panelist: Bill Sterud, Chairman, Puyallup Tribe	Panelist: Dave Vialpando, Chairman, San Ysabel Gaming Commission

 

Description: Cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. today and presents particular opportunities for tribal entrepreneurs. Find out the latest on this rapidly developing vertical and whether it might be appropriate for your tribe's economic diversification strategy. 

Location: Meeting Level Salon 3-4 

 

Regulating Technology: The Future Is Here Again, It's Time to Regulate It

 

Moderator:  James Acres, President, Acres Bonusing	Panelist: Jonodev Chaudhuri, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission	Panelist: Jamie Hummingbird, Executive Director, Cherokee Nation Gaming  Commission	Panelist: Chris Stearns, Commissioner, Washington State Gambling Commission

 

Description: Twenty-five years ago, the IGRA launched a $32 billion industry. Most of our regulations and controls are anchored in the technology from that era. Gaming revenue is a tribal asset, a trust for the future. To avoid the fate of horse racing, tribal gaming cannot remain a technological island. This panel explores the most pressing challenge for tribal regulators and tribal IT executives today...leapfrogging the challenges of the 1990s to the 2020s. 

Location: Meeting Level Salon 8 

 

---

Luncheon Panel - Sports Betting in the US: What it Means for Tribal Gaming

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

 

Moderator:  Ewa Bakun, Head of Content, Clarion Events, Gaming	Panelist:  William J. Pascrel III, Esq. Partner, Strategic Advisor & Lobbyist, Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc.	Panelist:  John J. Repa, President, Hospitality and Gaming Solutions, LLC, Affiliate, Nathan Associates	Panelist:  Sara Slane, SVP of Public Affairs, American Gaming Association	Panelist:  Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association

 

Description: The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to review New Jersey's PASPA case means sports betting is back on the table. In this session, we will look at sports betting and what it means for tribal gaming. We will ask some of the sharpest minds in the industry about the earning potential and the $149 billion black market. 

Location: Ballroom Level - North Ballroom